The Berghaus Trail Explorer pants are midweight, softshell walking trousers that sit alongside several other favourites in the Berghaus product range. They fill a useful little niche though, being a little tougher and warmer than the superlight Lomaxx trousers and a little more technical than the classic Navigator or Ortler trousers. They’re also fractionally cheaper than the much-loved Fast Hike trousers, and for us, a bit more comfortable too, thanks to the use of four-way stretch softshell fabric throughout rather than a hybrid panelled construction.
Pros
- Great cut
- Comfortable
- Breathable and quick drying
- Good value
- Broad range of sizes and leg lengths
- Plenty of pockets
Cons
- No thigh vents
- No reinforcement or double-stitched seams
- A little warm for summer use
| RRP | £95 / $117 |
| Weight | 480g |
| Materials | Stretch softshell (91% Polyamide/9% Spandex) with 100% polyester pocket linings and trims |
| No. of pockets | 5 |
| Men’s sizes | 28–42" waist, with three leg length options of 30", 32" and 34" |
| Women’s sizes | UK 8-20, with three leg length options of 29", 31" and 33" |
| Leg lengths | Short, Reg and Long leg (men’s and women’s) |
In fact, they offer excellent all-round mobility and articulation, whilst retaining a slim and streamlined cut. We particularly like the tapered lower leg, which doesn’t flap around on windy summits or get in the way when you’re hopping from rock to rock and need to see where you’re putting your feet. Usefully however, they’re also fitted with ankle zips up to mid-calf, which have an internal gusset panel to help them fit over chunkier boots or gaiters too.
On test throughout October and November, we found they were the ideal legwear for cool autumn days, and they’d do a similarly good job in the spring months. Only in high summer might they feel a bit too warm, though fortunately the softshell fabric is decently breathable (and the mesh-lined pockets can also be opened to help with ventilation). We can see that in winter you might want slightly tougher, burlier trousers, especially with snow on the ground – though again, adding a pair of baselayer tights underneath would provide ample warmth and extend these already versatile trousers’ use into the colder months.
When it comes to features, you get 5 zipped pockets, plus a low-profile integrated waistbelt that works well whether wearing a pack or climbing harness. Lastly, they come in a wide range of sizes from a 28 to 42-inch waist measurement for men, including three leg lengths. The women’s model comes in sizes UK 8-20, and also three different leg lengths.
Fit
The fit is true to size, and certainly for my tall, slim build, the cut of these trousers is ideal. I normally take a size L or 34" long, and the latter proved to be spot on. They fit neatly, with no bunching or excess fabric. This ensures they don’t feel baggy or flappy on the hill. They also taper nicely at the lower leg for a trim, tailored fit that works well with either trail shoes or bigger boots.
There’s enough room in the seat and thigh for good flexibility without pulling across the rear or riding up too much, yet enough room to layer underneath for winter conditions if necessary – you can easily wear them over baselayer tights, for example. In addition, since they come in a wide range of waist sizes from 28-42”, plus short, regular or long leg lengths, it should be relatively easy to get a decent fit regardless of your build. As noted above, Berghaus also makes a women’s version in UK sizes 8-20, again in three leg lengths. That’s a wider range size range than any other brand of trousers we tested this year apart from Fjällräven.
Fabrics
The Trail Explorer pants are made from a midweight softshell fabric, using a mix of 91% polyamide (nylon) and 9% spandex (aka Lycra or elastane). It has four-way stretch for excellent flexibility, meaning the fabric stretches both top to bottom and side to side. This gives you superb freedom of movement and makes for a very comfortable pair of walking trousers.
Despite its stretch, the fabric is reasonably tough, though after a couple of months’ testing we noticed some small signs of wear around the hips, where the trousers sit under a rucksack hipbelt. In terms of all-round weather protection, they offer decent wind-resistance, while the face of the fabric is treated with a PFC-free durable water repellent finish. This ensures it can cope with light drizzle and general dreich. It’s fairly quick drying too. The trousers are unlined, which is a plus for breathability, yet the inner side is soft and comfortable against the skin.
Features and construction
These trousers have an articulated fit, with an extended crotch panel and pre-shaped knees. Seams are well-finished and not itchy or scratchy, though they lack the reinforced double-stitching of some rivals.
These trousers have plenty of practical features too. This includes a soft microfleece waistband lining, plus triple press studs, a zip fly and an integrated webbing waistbelt. The belt is almost completely hidden within the waistband, which ensures a low profile and improved comfort when wearing a rucksack hip belt or a climbing harness. The belt is fitted with a plastic quick-release buckle which does the job, though it feels a little flimsy. Luckily, the belt is not stitched into the trousers, so it could be fairly easily replaced if desired with any belt up to 25mm/1” in width.
In addition, you get two zipped hand pockets, which are lined with mesh, as are the two thigh pockets and the rear hip pocket. None are particularly large but still useful for stashing small essentials. Since the hand and thigh pockets are all mesh-backed, they can also be used as ventilation. On the flipside, be careful if you tend to keep car keys or a baseplate compass in your trouser pockets, as the mesh lining is easy to snag. At the ankle, you get gusseted zips which run from mid-calf, to accommodate bigger boots or fit over gaiters. Otherwise, the hems are simple in design, with no cinch adjustment.
Sustainability
The Trail Explorer trousers do not use any recycled fabrics, which is a shame, but they are finished with a PFC-free durable water repellent treatment. This means they contain none of the harmful ‘forever chemicals’ that have been shown to bio-accumulate in the environment, and which the outdoor industry is now almost completely phasing out.
As a business, Berghaus is a certified B-Corp and the company also has a carbon-offsetting scheme via tree planting (it planted 2 million trees in 2022 through partner Eden Reforestation Project), and reports it is on track to achieve net zero by 2032. It’s a member of various industry bodies including the Sustainable Apparel Coalition. The brand also offers a free garment repairs service known as Repairhaus.
Price and competition
With a UK RRP of £95 ($117), I reckon the Trail Explorers are good value trousers for hiking, hillwalking and scrambling. Their most obvious competitor are the similarly priced Mountain Equipment Ibex trousers (£90). To be honest, there’s very little to pick between them, since both are remarkably similar in terms of fabric, construction, features and fit, whilst offering comparable real-world performance and specs (including overall weight). If you’re after a versatile pair of midweight softshell kecks, either would be a great choice. Our advice? Shop around and buy the best deal you can find.
Verdict
The Berghaus Trail Explorer Pants are practical and versatile midweight softshell trousers with four-way stretch in a streamlined silhouette, making them a great choice for multi-activity, three-season use.
Need some additional weather protection? See our list of the best waterproof trousers.
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About the author
Matt Jones conducted the testing and wrote the review of the Inov8 Roclite GTX. Matt is one of our most experienced gear testers and also writes for our magazine, Trail.
Matt is based in Snowdonia and is able to give the copious amount of outdoor gear he tests a proper mountain workout in a range of very demanding conditions. Matt is also a former magazine editor and one of the UK's most recognisable outdoor writers.