Craghoppers Ascent Over Trousers | Tested and reviewed

Craghoppers are always a good choice when it comes to legwear, whether you’re purchasing shorts, hiking trousers or waterproof pants. The Ascent Over Trousers are a case in point – a refreshingly affordable pair of waterproofs with decent features and an impressive-for-the-price 15,000mm hydrostatic head rating.

They are on the official Duke of Edinburgh recommended kit-list and offer excellent all-round value. Of course, at just £60, they can’t offer the premium quality materials, long-term waterproofing and high-end comfort levels of more expensive pairs – but for many hikers the Ascent Over Trousers will prove a sensible and prudent investment.

Waterproofing

Unlike many other pairs of waterproof trousers, there is no third party specialist membrane here, such as Gore-Tex or Pertex. Instead the Ascent Over Trousers feature Craghoppers’ in-house waterproofing technology, which is called AquaDry. This membrane has an official hydrostatic head rating of 15,000mm, which is very good considering the £60 price tag. Of course it’s a step or two below more premium pairs (the Montane Phase Waterproof Pull-On Pants are 28,000mm and the Rab Downpour Plus 2.0 is 20,000mm), and therefore over time – or in particularly torrential rain - there might be a drop-off in waterproof protection. But for just £60 you really can’t complain and, for most scenarios, the Ascent Over Trousers should still keep you dry.

Indeed, Craghoppers says the Ascent Over Trousers are “designed for moderate to heavy downpours” and come with a “guaranteed waterproof and breathable fabric”. The brand adds that the Ascents will “provide effective waterproof protection if the weather takes a turn for the worse”, with AquaDry providing “a moisture barrier for guaranteed dryness”.

AquaDry is a 100% polyamide material that is waterproof, breathable and windproof, according to Craghoppers. It has fully taped seams, is PFC-free and features Craghoppers’s eco-friendly H20Shield DWR (durable water repellent) coating, which is plant-based and derived from renewable sources. This coating is added to the face fabric to encourage water to roll off rather than soaking in or "wetting out" the trousers.

The seam sealing in these trousers looks a little basic, compared to the far more technical and precise sealing seen in more premium pairs. As such, we’d be a little worried the sealing may peel off or deteriorate over time, although this is just a prediction. The zippers used in these trousers are ok, but don’t look as water-resistant as the pricier YKK AquaGuard zippers used in the Rab Downpour Plus 2.0 and Montane Phase Waterproof Pull-On Pants. The zippers do have a decent external stormflap, however, for some added protection. In our opinion, the addition of two handwarmer pockets is unnecessary and serves only to add a water ingress risk – we’d prefer a design without pockets, in all honesty.

Craghoppers tells us the construction method used for these waterproof trousers is 2-layer, which is the common method used in cheaper items of clothing. In general, 2-layer overtrousers are more affordable, but lack the technical performance and long-term waterproofing of more expensive 2.5-layer and 3-layer shell pants.

Breathability & Ventilation

The official breathability rating of the Craghoppers Ascent Over Trousers is 10,000g/m²/24hr. This is a decent rating and pretty impressive for a £60 pair of overtrousers. It’s certainly not a rubbish grade, but it’s not top-end either – the Rab Downpour Plus 2.0’s have a 20,000g/m²/24hr rating at £140, for comparison. As such, we’d say there is a higher chance you’ll feel sweaty and clammy in the Craghoppers Ascent Over Trousers than more premium pairs. But how noticeable this will be to the average walker is debatable, and will probably vary significantly based on the weather conditions, the intensity of your hiking and how your body works.

Sadly, venting options are not particularly good with the Ascent Over Trousers, which means it’s not easy to dump heat if you do start to feel clammy and sweaty. You don’t get full-length or ¾-length side zippers, which for some hikers may be a deal-breaker. You can slightly vent if you unzip the two, mesh-lined handwarmer pockets, as well as the 50cm-long zippers on each leg, which run from the ankle cuff to the knee. This does add some air-flow and works ok, but it definitely isn’t as effective or versatile as the longer, two-way side zippers you get on pairs such as the Rab Downpour Plus 2.0 and Berghaus Paclite Pant.

Weight & Packability

In the unisex small size (regular leg length) the Craghoppers Ascent Over Trousers weigh 262g on our scales. That’s very light and offers a decent weight saving compared to more expensive pairs: for comparison, the Ascents are 53g lighter than the Rab Downpour Plus 2.0 and 78g lighter than the Montane Phase Waterproof Pull-On Pants, but 51g heavier than the ultralight Berghaus Paclite Pant.

The Ascents come supplied with a nice little stuff sack (23g), complete with a mini carabiner and drawcord adjustment toggle. This makes for a quick, simple and neat pack-away of the trousers, by stuffing them inside the sack, cinching it closed and then stashing them at the bottom of your backpack (or clipping them to the outside using the carabiner). Once full the stuff sack is sized 17x11cm.

Size, Fit & Comfort

Craghoppers classify these trousers as unisex, and thus suitable for both men and women. We tested the unisex small size in a regular leg length and, by our judgement, it fitted the same as a men’s small.

The cut is not athletic and close-fitting. Instead it is ever so slightly on the baggy side, with room for layering underneath. Comfort levels are decent and, for use in shorter spells of rain, they work absolutely fine. We would, however, add that the fit is a tad boxy and non-technical, and the material has that shiny, plastic-y feel you often get with cheaper, less premium waterproof products.

Size options are very broad, from XS to XXL, all available in short, regular and long versions, so in theory there should be a pair to fit every body shape.

Features: Pockets, Waistband & Ankle Cuffs

Unlike many waterproof pants, the Craghoppers Ascent Over Trousers do come with two zippered handwarmer pockets. These are mesh-lined and comfy enough, although as a design feature they will polarise opinion. Some hillwalkers will enjoy having them available, others will see them only as a water ingress risk.

The waist hem of the Ascents is fully elasticated and super-stretchy, with a drawcord toggle for cinching-in the fit to suit your body shape. The ankle cuffs don’t have drawcord adjustment, but you do get slim Velcro tabs, which enable you to tighten and fine-tune the fit around the top of your boots. The ankle cuffs also have heel tape reinforcements for a touch of extra durability in a traditionally high-wear area.

In terms of zippers, you get a 50cm-long side zipper on each leg, stretching from the base of the ankle cuff to the knee. This makes it slightly easier to get the trousers on over chunky hiking boots, but not as effectively as pairs with longer ¾-length or full-length zippers.

The trousers are made in China and come with Craghoppers’ “guaranteed for life” promise. The eco credentials of these trousers are pretty impressive too, with approximately 130g of recycled material – made from recycling plastic bottles into polyester – used in the manufacturing of this product, thus helping to “reduce carbon emissions and landfill waste”, as Craghoppers put it.

A superbly-priced pair of waterproof trousers with a 15,000mm hydrostatic head rating – but they will be too basic and low-quality for some.

About the author

James Forrest is a prolific peak bagger and long-distance walker who’s one of the most high-profile outdoor writers in the UK.

He writes regular features and route guides for Trail and has been one of our main gear testers for the last few years. James is based on the edge of the Lake District so when he isn’t off on his latest crazy adventure or challenge, he’s walking in his local fells.

James reviews every type of outdoor kit for Trail and is a real authority on everything you need for wild camping and packing light for a multi-day walk.

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