How important are Overpants?

[mountnman]

I'm coming down to Tasmania for the first time next summer (read summer 2011-2012), and all the guidebooks in the equipment parts say to bring overpants. I've never used overpants here in NSW before. If it rains or if I go through a creek I just hang my normal walking trousers (TNF Horizon Peak convertible) up and they are dry by morning.

That brings me to my question. How important are overpants? Are the just a rainjacket for your legs? Or do they serve another purpose?

[ILUVSWTAS]

It depends on how long a walk you intend on doing. In summer day walks or even weekend walks you will be fine without them. But multi day trips I would definately suggest taking a pair.

[Son of a Beach]

In Tasmania, if you get wet, it can be quite dangerous. So being able to dry your clothes the next day may be too late to prevent you getting hypothermia in the mean time. Waterproof overpants can keep both the water and the wind off your legs (and any other clothing on your legs) which cuts down the chill factor significantly.

So although keeping you dry is good, for the sake of comfort, keeping you warm is much more important, and they do this also.

Having said that, I rarely use them, but I always carry them, and am very grateful for them when I do need them.

EDIT: "rarely" is probably not right - I wore them most/all days on my last 3 significant walks.

[mountnman]

Thanks for the responses.

Another question.... Do these go over the top of gaiters or the gaiters go over the overpants?

[ILUVSWTAS]

Either or. I usually wear pants over gaiter as I dont put the pants on until it starts raining, then it's a case of not wanting to take the gaiter off.

I have seen a pair destroyed quite quickly by someone who wore the gaiter over the top. The upper strap of the gaiter wore through the overpants at an alarming rate.

[ollster]

Overpants are good at keeping you dry-ish (at least until you sweat), but more importantly they cut down wind chill. They're also pretty handy to avoid scratches in scrub.

I have seen a pair destroyed quite quickly by someone who wore the gaiter over the top. The upper strap of the gaiter wore through the overpants at an alarming rate.

I wear my gaiters over the overpants. More comfortable, protects the overpants more, and it keeps the leeches/water out a tad better IMO. I haven't seen any real sign of wear around the area that the gaiters sit (and I use a combination of Macpac and S2S gaiters, neither seem to cause a problem).

[ILUVSWTAS]

Apparantly it was a fault of the overpants, they were replaced free of charge to my knowledge. the person in question is a forum user, so maybe he will see this and elaborate further.....

[ollster]

Apparantly it was a fault of the overpants, they were replaced free of charge to my knowledge. the person in question is a forum user, so maybe he will see this and elaborate further.....

Not the forum user who buys 900g tents is it?

[ILUVSWTAS]

Lol.
No. Though he did mention he is waiting for a new order to come in, I wonder what he's buying this time.......

[ollster]

Lol.
No. Though he did mention he is waiting for a new order to come in, I wonder what he's buying this time.......

He should work for an outdoors mag.

[Azza]

I walked for 10+ years without overtrouser, only ever used them when I went skiing.
If your track walking in summer then gaiters, thermals and shorts have done me well over the years.
I actually never take trousers to walk in either. Wet legs never bothered me.

I've only started wearing overtrousers again for scrubby off track walking. I couldn't tolerate the scratching on my knees anymore.
Most of the time I wear shorts - no thermals underneath otherwise I get too hot.

So I'd say its not a 100% must have. But if you've got a decent light weight pair then they can't hurt to take along on the off chance that you might need them.

[Pantera]

I've beeb debating as to wether I should take rain pants on our Tassie adventure. I have never used them in walks in NSW, but because of the unknown that is Tassie weather (even if its over summer) I'm considering it.

Maybe I'm just getting softer....

[photohiker]

IF you're not doing scrub bashing, I'd just take a pair of those cheap rainbird waterproofs and if it (or you) gets cold and windy or if it starts pouring, wear them over your gaiters.

The main benefits are protection from wind and a soaking, preserving your body heat. As long as you don't do much scrub bashing in them, they should last for years. Mine have.

They don't work well when its warm and wet, but then again none of these things do. At that point you have the choice of getting wet with them on from sweat, or getting wet with them off from rain. Good time for shorts or quick drying nylon trousers IMO

[ollster]

IF you're not doing scrub bashing, I'd just take a pair of those cheap rainbird waterproofs and if it (or you) gets cold and windy or if it starts pouring, wear them over your gaiters.

My GF has a pair of those, and they ripped with very light use (overland track, no she is not hard core). Not worth $50...

[photohiker]

My GF has a pair of those, and they ripped with very light use (overland track, no she is not hard core). Not worth $50...

$35 or so on sale on the mainland, and I've got a pair that's been all over the place from when they were $29.95 that says your GF has had some bad luck.

[ollster]

My GF has a pair of those, and they ripped with very light use (overland track, no she is not hard core). Not worth $50...

$35 or so on sale on the mainland, and I've got a pair that's been all over the place from when they were $29.95 that says your GF has had some bad luck.

Must be the Tassie effect!

[photohiker]

Must be the Tassie effect!

Except mine have only been used in Tassie.

I think I'm down to cents per trip day now. Uncommon economy for outdoor gear.

[stepbystep]

In a word VERY important.
I have a couple of pairs of the Gondwana cheapies, cost a bout $30-$40, can't really remember so must have been cheap.
Mine have held together pretty well for 3odd years, but one pair tore in the crotch and are headed fpor the bin.
Don't know why anyone would pay big $$$ for this item.

btw, I tuck mine into my gaiters unless I need to stick them on while walking - never had wearing around the straps. I generally use them to keep the moisture from scrub off me early in the am.

[Ciaran]

I have always walked in shorts and/or thermals so never felt the need to use overpants. I have never(touch wood) experienced a chill factor while walking and have done some tramping in late autunm snow in NZ.
While walking the Mt Anne track in may of '09 I had some very cold days but while I walked I still remained warm.
I always change into a set of dry clothes at the end of the day so I am warm and comfortable when not walking.

This has always worked for me. I find it much easier to dry wet legs than dry wet clothes. I also find wearing shorts compared to trousers much less restrictive, making my walking more enjoyable.

I think it's a personal choice, one you might have to experience to know what works for you.
I sometimes struggle to justify prices on the better overpants, but I feel I may have to "bend" as I get older. but for now I am happy and thankful that I am a very warm blooded person.

[walkinTas]

My overpants are a simple pair of wild country nylon camos. Since they don't breath I wear just a pair of thermals under them. Really pointless because I get just as wet from sweat as I would from the rain.

I'm with Ciaran here. I think it is more important to keep warm than it is to keep dry. However, it you do get wet you need to have dry clothes to change into when you stop walking. If you only have one set of dry clothes, then you have to put the wet one on again the next day before you walk. Yuk! ...but necessary.

[flyfisher]

I have a pair of MD goretex pants and they do keep me dry with no sweat.

I am not a cold walker and wear shorts for walking no matter what the weather.But at times I wear the pants over the top if it's really cold and windy. Especially good at camp when cold can set in. I can sit down, no wet behind.

I always wear over the gaiters, water then doesn't go in the boots. These pants are tough and my previous J&H ones lasted upwards of 20 years. That included a lot of trail bike trips etc. They are expensive but I think worth the money.

[ollster]

My overpants are a simple pair of wild country nylon camos.

I never trust walkers in camo. I just keep thinking "Ivan Milat".

[ILUVSWTAS]

My overpants are a simple pair of wild country nylon camos.

I never trust walkers in camo. I just keep thinking "Ivan Milat".

Well if Rachel doesnt come home this weekend we'll know where to go.

[Vee]

G'day mountnman,
Other than the uses other members have pointed out; I find overpants very handy for mozzie and march fly protection around camp - when things are getting desperate!!!

[mountnman]

Thanks for the replies. I think I will get a pair. It's obviously on the equipment list for a reason.

[Liamy77]

i take a cheapo rainbird pair too.... don't use them often as thermals and gaiters do for most situations but for wind blockage when wet they r great.
wet + wind = hypothermia folks
i've used em as an extra layer in near horizontally wind-blown hail on the south coast track but they don't like scoparia much... i don't think i would justify the big $ on a pair... am toying with the idea of waterproof over knee shorts...

[north-north-west]

Probably more important than underpants.

[Liamy77]

Probably more important than underpants.

personal chaffing aside.... it depends on WHOs' undies are in question i spose...

[vagrom]

If your jacket meets your gaiters either side of your kneecaps, then save on weight and leave them at home. But if you're going into seriously off track country then you really should get an expendable old pair of pants at the Salvos, or the bush will rip open your kneecaps. Some wide no-name elastoplast is an excellent patcher-upperer in this case; about $10 at chemists. A heavy little roll so good for one person in the group to have.

[mountnman]

Probably more important than underpants.

People still wear underpants?

Seriously now, I'm going to be walking the overland track, so I'm not expecting too much (if any) off track walking, except maybe for a side trip to pine valley. Depending on how I go on the overland, I might be back the summer after to walk the south coast track, which I'm led to believe is much scrubbier

And you never know, the may come in handy here in NSW.

But I'm still undecided whether the get a cheap pair, or a good expensive pair. And I've heard Gore-tex is not very hardy and prone to tear, so how well would gore-tex overpants fare?