Best WATERPROOF TROUSERS for running 2021 (Inov-8 Montane Kalenji OMM Ultimate Direction) £35 - £120

What's the best pair of waterproof trousers for trail and ultra runners this year? Here I have reviewed 5 from some of the major brands including Inov-8, Montane, Decathlon (Kalenji Evadict), OMM, Ultimate Direction, with prices ranging from £35 - £120. Scroll down for links to buy.
As with all the gear I test on my channel these waterproof trousers/pants were sent to me by the brands, but they have absolutely no control over what I say in this review, as hopefully you can tell by my honest but constructive comments.
Tell me in the comments below which waterproof trousers/pants you currently like best!
And if you want reviews on waterproof jackets to go with your waterproof trousers, check out my recent review of seven of the best HERE. • Best WATERPROOF JACKET...
Plus there’s my gear reviews playlist with everything from GPS watches to headtorches to running packs. You’re welcome. Just click this link HERE or wait til the end screen at the end of this review.
• GEAR REVIEWS - all tra...
Links to buy
To buy trail running gear from Go Outdoors (for those not happy with Amazon purchases)
tidd.ly/3i4kdCD
Inov8 Trailpant Waterproof Trousers
UK Men's amzn.to/35sNXUE
UK Women's amzn.to/39lzQ4D
Non Amazon Inov-8 official affiliate links
UK Men's tidd.ly/35uIuN2
UK Women's tidd.ly/38z8SXV
Montane Podium Pants
UK amzn.to/3seAVUe
Not available on Amazon USA, try the slightly heavier Minimus pant
USA Women's amzn.to/38xgjyM
USA Men's amzn.to/3saBVsN
OMM Kamleika Pant previous generation
UK amzn.to/3bozmNI
Current OMM Kamleika Pant
UK amzn.to/38wKE0m
USA amzn.to/2LqCgXv
Ultimate Direction Ultra Pants V2
UK Women's amzn.to/3qnd8Qz
UK Men's amzn.to/35xEUl9
USA Women's amzn.to/3q2wWIG
USA Men's amzn.to/3q7SymY
Decathlon's Kalenji Edavict trail running waterproof rain trousers
www.decathlon....
www.decathlon....
----
Support me on Patreon for perks & monthly prizes / wildgingerrunning
Follow me on Instagram / wildgingerrunning
Get a Wild Ginger Running t-shirt or buff here
wildgingerrunn...
Book a place on my beginner - intermediate trail running training camp here wildgingerrunn...
Run in the 100-mile UTMB course over 6-days from Chamonix with me here!
www.tracks-and...

[@pippywalkingboots4971]

This is so good, thank you. Before watching, I was about to buy the Inov8. Now I'm going for the OMM. I do long distance hikes solo and I reckon they will be perfect for what I need. Can wear them all day, each day, store them in their pocket at night. Thank you so much!!

[@wildgingerruns]

Great! Glad to help!

[@zosothezephead837]

Really interesting reviews, thank you! That's quite some jump between £35 and £120 though - at that price I wouldn't dare wear them!

[@wildgingerruns]

Yes some are very pricey aren't they!

[@jime2504]

Excellent review! I’ve got the older Decathlon Kalenji pants, they seem good value and did OK in a truly soaking trail marathon a couple of years ago. Otherwise they mostly live in the pack!

[@wildgingerruns]

Thanks for sharing!

[@RasDoesBushcraftBackcountry]

Hey Ginger, I have not been watching your channel for a while but thought i pop back in for some advice and tips from my local Running lady on YT. I was supposed to do a solo pack raft journey this year but due to malware worldwide lets say, that made an issue with travel. However I have thought " WHY NOT? " to this, a 24HR Running challenge here in NZ its called the Blue Lake 24HR Challenge. Im going for 5.5KMS laps every hour on the hour for 24 hours. So yeah thought to pop in and say Hello!

[@wildgingerruns]

Wow that sounds amazing! Go you! Claire

[@Martin-oz6lr]

Great review, thanks for the upload and handy links 👍

[@wildgingerruns]

Glad it was helpful!

[@richt3993]

I've got the Inov8's and took them for a 5 hour run in the rain. They are great and kept me warm but wet (after an hour of constant rain which I think is par for the course). They feel great and are stretchy buuuut....I have muscular legs and thighs are tight but the waist fits. I dont want to go larger and get a baggy waist to compensate. However I notice that the skin tight section on my thighs wets out quickly (but as aforementioned keeps me warm). I note it looks like they are quite snug on your thighs too. Would you keep them or opt for a brand with a bigger fit? My thinking is they all wet out eventually anyway and they perform great

[@kathrynmiller662]

Thanks for the reviews, really helpful, especially the eco-credentials. If you could only keep one pair of the trousers, which would you keep (I'm deciding whether to go for Inov8 or OMM for running around the moors).

[@wildgingerruns]

I would keep the Inov8, hope that helps! Glad you like the eco too, I had one person complaining about it lol! Weird!

[@Nbstevens78]

Montane Spine pants...absolutely bullet proof...hard shell goretex cos let's be honest... light weight are to meet fra race protocol...when it's awful you won't here any rustling as 60mph winds have made you put pants on lol..

[@wildgingerruns]

Thanks for sharing!

[@gazlives]

don't understand why all these review channels can't actually talk about and demonstrate how waterproof the clothing is. that's the main point of viewing a review of 'waterproof' stuff. there's so much marketing bs by manufacturers. i just wanna know and have demonstrated the waterproofing ability of the clothing. thanks

[@wildgingerruns]

Like wear it in the shower? That's possible, I'll consider that for the next one. It's really hard to film in the actual rain as it gets on the screen and messes everything up, and the sound is terrible too... The gear here is all very waterproof and does the job well so that's why I focus on features and fit in this one, it's more the breathability from sweat inside that makes you wet, and also the openings like hood, neck, cuffs, zips (in the jackets anyway). Hope that helps! Claire

[@kpj5]

Thank you 🙏 super review!

[@wildgingerruns]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kierenkd]

As well as green credentials, it would be good to know country of manufacture for ethical buying concerns

[@wildgingerruns]

Great idea! Thank you, Claire

[@bryandail1449]

Well done, thank you!

[@wildgingerruns]

Glad it was helpful!

[@IanRamon]

thank you for review!

[@wildgingerruns]

Glad it was helpful!

[@scottphillips2921]

Hi Claire It's regarding the inov8 waterproof pants. True to size or buy two different sizes? Kind regards Scott

[@wildgingerruns]

Hey Scott, I found them true to size, I used an M and they were really good. Hope that helps! Claire

[@davidpollard343]

I’m surprised when reviewing waterproof clothing I don’t see the name gorewear mentioned. I was always under the impression that gore ware/goretex was top of the line for wet weather gear

[@wildgingerruns]

A lot of the brands use Gore-Tex fabric but Gore itself the brand for running stuff is not as common as the rest of these, hope that helps!

[@colinbergstrand4481]

Claire as an “old Geezer” as you categorise with a battered OMM sack that is still going strong (I actually have a KIMM sack also that is still perfectly serviceable ) feel I am qualified to comment on this review 😂 I also have a pair of the original OMM leggings that are performing well and purchased as they were the first waterproof trousers that were stretch and didn’t “flap” in the wind. You only really wear them when out in extended periods of heavy rain / bad weather so lifespan wise they do last a long time. Fit is really important so I would always try on before you buy as once you put them on they usually stay on for a long period of time. One question I don’t think I have ever seen you review Alpkit Gear? Any reason for this? I am becoming more impressed year on year with their gear. A great brand with good eco credentials. I’m buying more and more of their kit. Their waterproof range is really good. Great review keep them coming.

[@wildgingerruns]

Hey Colin, lol! yes the OMM/KIMM kit lasts forever doesn't it! I do need to review some Alpkit stuff don't I? I think I just didn't see them as a running gear brand as the first 'running pack' they made I was not impressed with at all. I'll take a look for future tests. Thank you! Claire

[@colinbergstrand6508]

@@wildgingerruns Alpkit trail shorts (for men) are now my favourite shorts, Their running leggings are great, Their Treking poles for running are brilliant (Ones I now use) and my heavy duty running cag for really bad weather (or OMMS) is now an Alpkit one. Im blown away by their kit and the cost. Ive got their mini stove and their titanium cooking gear is really competitively priced. Im trying to break up my training so have even bought one of their Mountain Bikes!! you should have a look at their stuff and their shops are great. Sound like I work for them but I don't!!

[@colinbergstrand6508]

Oh and agree they don't do a decent running sac. Ive just upgraded to an ultimate direction one for races, again brilliant.

[@stuartchester6899]

I like the Ultimate Direction but I m concerned about copies as I ve seen a pair on Ebay listed at 160 grms for ladies at £50 whereas your review say they are 112 grms...so have you any idea if these or any others you review have been faked.112 to 160 grm is a big jump

[@wildgingerruns]

Hey Stuart, yes that is a big jump, can you message the seller to check? It could be that they are referring to the generic weight of the pants from an online source which may be bigger than the ones I tested personally. Best wishes, Claire

[@bilaltahir9978]

What are the most comfortable waterproof trousers for those who will be wearing the trousers continously directly on bare skin rather than keeping them in the bag for occasional use?

[@wildgingerruns]

omm :)

[@bilaltahir9978]

@@wildgingerruns thank you. As I understand it from your review, the omm is the most comfortable on bare skin and also has some more advanced technical features such as the elastic string. What wasn't clear to me is the advantages that the new inov-8 pants have over the Omm? Also what is best for warmer and colder weather?