Montane’s Terra range includes some of the finest soft shell trousers on the market, in particular the Terra Stretch (£90) and the heavy-winter Super Terra (£130), either of which I’d heartily recommend you to try in this same category. But having reviewed those before, this time we opted for a lighter, more subtle pair. Aside from the abrasion patch at the hem, these are the most normal-looking trousers I tried; they’re light enough to work all year round, not just in colder months – especially as they zip off into shorts above the knee. The 100% nylon construction doesn’t allow for a lot of stretch and isn’t water-resistant (and the deep, buttoned cargo pockets become an ingress risk when it’s wet), but it’s windproof and reasonably tough. Oddly, the abrasion patches aren’t significantly tougher than the main fabric – a bit more for show than real resilience. So although they are very comfortable and definitely adaptable, they’re a little over-priced for what you actually get, compared to a) other trousers in the Terra range and b) the Keelas.
Target Price £90
SPECIFICATION
Size: XS-XL
Fabric: 100% nylon
Weight: 367g
Contact: 01670 522300, www.montane.co.uk
VERDICT
PROS: Lightweight, cool, subtle-looking, year-round adaptable.
CONS: Lacks enough features to justify the big pricetag.
Comfort: 4/5
WeatherproofinG: 3/5