Trousers question

[turasoirglic]

Hello

Can i ask for advice on what type of trousers is best to buy for walking the Camino in Sept/October.

Opinions of ones that have zips 3/4 length down?

thanks!
Brian

[HuskyNerd]

Hi Brian ~

Welcome to the Forum and congrats on your upcoming Camino. I know people who swear by their zip-off pants/shorts, but personally I think they're kinda goofy. To use the zip-off feature a person needs to stop, sit down, take off his/her boots, unzip the bottoms, stow them in their pack, put their boots back on, put their pack back on, etc., etc., etc. The quick-change aspect really doesn't exist and what the zip-off pants actually do is help a pilgrim for that first 60 minutes or so of the day before the sun warms things up. If a person can get by with wearing his/her shorts for those 60 minutes there's no "quick" change necessary. I haven't done the Camino in Sept/Oct, but I have done it in similar May/June weather and long pants were just never that useful. Even in rain they're just another thing to get wet.

I always bring 2 pairs of hiking shorts which I wear rain or shine and one pair of very-very lightweight pair of long pants for airports and the occasional restaurant dinner. To me the important question on the pants is: what are the pockets like? I like pants that have a pocket big enough for my credentiale and map (if the terrain is unfamiliar) so I don't have to dig into my pack for these items. I also like a discrete pocket or zipper pocket where I can stash my cash and credit/debit cards w/o fear of pick-pocketing in the bigger cities or valuables slipping out when I'm not aware. Obviously I'm wanting these items to be super-safe and the pants pockets are the biggest part of that.

That's just my opinion, but you asked for it! Buen camino ~
Sandy

[turasoirglic]

Great reply!
Thanks Sandy

[Leslie]

another who is not a fan of zip - I walk in sports shorts and carry a pair of very thin long trousers mostly for use in the evening - sometimes these were used during the day in the mountains when it got a bit chilly. But must say unless it is very cold or windy I don't feel the cold much on my legs.

[Gazza]

I loved my zip offs. They came off just above the knee, but like Husky said pockets are important.

Mine also had a zip at the ankle so I didn't have to take my boots off to put the bottoms on/off.

Were particularly good through Galicia when things turned quite cool.

Gazza