Best Walking Trousers 2026: Top Picks from Regatta, Trespass & Craghoppers

Walking trousers come in all shapes and sizes, with lots of great outdoor brands to pick from to find your favourite pair. 

Three of those brands are Regatta, Trespass, and Craghoppers: names that walkers up and down the UK are likely to be very familiar with! Their ranges cover everything from a great value pair of packable waterproof overtrousers to highly technical walking trousers that are ready to take on the highest of the hills and the rainiest of trail days. 

So as you compare and contrast the brands, we thought we'd lend a helping hand, and highlight some of the best picks from each currently available in their 2026 collections. 

What Makes a Good Walking Trouser?

Before we get into our top picks, it’s important to think about what you would be looking for in a pair of walking trousers. 

Because what’s a pair of walking trousers when you start unpacking the label? What makes them different to a pair of normal trousers or even a pair of joggers? 

Well, your everyday jeans or joggers will usually be designed to keep you comfy during an ordinary day, not always for taking part in an outdoor activity. As when we talk about walking, we’re talking about hikes, trails, climbing mountains, long winding paths, forests and woods, exploration and adventure and enjoying the outdoors. There’s more exertion involved, more weather to be aware of, than, say, walking around the shops on a Saturday afternoon, or walking to and from school, and so the features of your clothing need to match that.

Then, taking things one step further, you have to take into account the variation of walks themselves. For example:

• Distance and length of hike
• Whether you’re going up into the mountains or into the depths of the forest
• Seasons and weather (winter vs summer hiking, chance of rain, elements you’ll encounter like streams or high altitudes)
• Your own physical fitness and general clothing preferences (looser fits etc)

So there’s lots to think about! Particularly if you’re a serious walker and want to make sure you get the best pair that will last and become a regular part of your walking kit. 

Features of a Good Pair of Walking Trousers

As a general rule of thumb, a good pair of walking trousers will include:

• Stretch fabric: Often, you’ll be walking slightly differently than what you would consider your “usual” walk. Maybe taking longer strides, at a faster pace perhaps, dodging obstacles, stepping up and over stiles. If there’s no give in the material, the trousers will likely start to pull or rub, or simply cause you to exert more effort into the movement, which will tire you faster. But if you’ve got stretch fabric (such as elastane) as part of the trousers themselves, that’s when they start helping you, not hindering!
• Pockets: Consider beyond just amount/number of pockets, things like where they are placed (front and back, any on the thighs etc), closure (do they zip shut, are there any press studs), size (can you fit your phone in them, or anything you want to carry on your person, not in your backpack)
• Adjustability: Perhaps an elasticated waist to help with the fit, or belt loops to give you more options. You might also find hem adjusters, so you can get the fit right around your walking boots, or articulated knees to give you complete freedom of movement when you bend and climb.
• Weather protection: Such as a waterproof membrane, windproof fabric, breathability. Not all walking trousers will be waterproof; some may just be water repellent or water resistant, and if you’d like to learn a little bit more about the varying levels of protection, check out our waterproof vs water-resistant guide.

The exact design and any additional features or technology used will then vary between brands.

And that’s why we’ve rounded up some of the best picks for 2026 from Regatta, Trespass, and Craghoppers. These are three outdoor brands that know British weather and British trails inside out, so let’s take a look at what they’ve got to offer.

Best Regatta Walking Trousers 2026

Regatta walking trousers are often chosen by walkers in the UK for a few main reasons:

1. They tend to be excellent value for money
2. There’s a lot of choice with colours and sizes
3. The trousers are packed with the features you need when out walking

So, where do we start with their lineup? Here are the ones we've cherry-picked as being some of the best options to pick up right now. 

Regatta Mens Highton II Walking Trousers

Regatta Mens Questra Walking Cargo Pants

Same as the Highton, these have a water-repellent finish, but aren't waterproof.

Regatta Womens Highton Waterproof Walking Trousers

They are naturally designed more for warm weather, so they wouldn’t usually be worn during the colder months of the year.

Best Trespass Walking Trousers 2026

Moving on to Trespass, whose walking trousers also serve as a regularly chosen option for hikers. 

The brand has built a reputation for reliable outdoor clothing, with well-thought-out features and good-looking designs. So here are a few of the best picks for you to shop from in their collections. 

Trespass Womens Tutula Waterproof Walking Trousers

Best Craghoppers Walking Trousers 2026

Travel and outdoor brand Craghoppers are extremely well known in the world of walking trousers, particularly for their bestselling Kiwi Pro and NosiLife ranges. 

With that in mind, here's a look at some of the standout trousers from their current lineup.

Craghoppers Mens Kiwi Pro III Walking Trousers

These aren't waterproof, so if this feature is important for your walking adventures, you could opt for the Mens Kiwi Pro III Waterproof Walking Trousers instead. 

Craghoppers Mens NosiLife Pro III Walking Trousers

 

 

Craghoppers Womens Airedale Waterproof Walking Trousers

Key features:

• Waterproof rating: 20,000mm
• Breathability rating: 40,000g/m²/24hrs
• 3 zipped pockets
• Regular Fit
• Mid rise, part elasticated waist at back
• Adjustable hem with heel tape reinforcement
• Weight: 455g

Why they are a good pick:

When you’re looking at waterproof walking trousers, it’s easy to focus on the waterproof rating alone, but breathability is just as important, especially if you’re heading out for longer walks or tackling more challenging routes.

The Airedale trousers combine a 20,000mm waterproof rating with an impressive 40,000g/m²/24hrs breathability rating, giving you that balance of weather protection while still allowing your body to regulate temperature as you walk.

Alongside the technical side of things, you’ve got practical details like the adjustable hem with heel tape reinforcement, which helps get the fit right around your walking boots, plus three zipped pockets for that essential secure storage on the go.

Any considerations for UK walkers:

Craghoppers Womens Kiwi Pro III Cropped Trousers

Key features:

• Water-repellent
• Easy care, quick-drying fabric
• Sunglasses wipe
• Active fit
• 3 zipped pockets
• Main fabric: 96% recycled nylon polyamide, 4% elastane / Pocket bags: 65% recycled polyester, 35% cotton

 

Why they are a good pick:

The cropped design is the main draw here for anyone who wants a slightly naturally cooler alternative to full-length walking trousers, particularly around spring-time or on the cusp of autumn weather. You’ve got the active fit that’s great for hikers, with further handy features like the quick-dry fabric, water-repellent finish, plus even a sunglasses wipe for keeping those specs spick and span throughout the day! 

Part of the Kiwi Pro range that shows Craghoppers remain top of their game with their walking trousers and beyond.

Any considerations for UK walkers:

Cropped trousers may not suit all types of walking, for example if you know it’s going to be wet weather or you’ll be walking through long grass or similar, where you’ll want to keep your ankles protected.

Best Walking Trousers 2026: Quick Comparison

Every walker will have different priorities when choosing their trousers, whether that’s waterproofing, flexibility, durability, or lightweight fabric. 

So we've pulled each option we've discussed here into this comparison table below, which breaks down the key features of each pair to help you find the right fit for what you're after.

Men's Walking Trousers

Women's Walking Trousers

FAQ: Best Walking Trousers

We’ve now covered some of the best walking trousers for 2026, along with the features that make each pair stand out, so to finish things off, here are some answers to common questions.

Do I need waterproof walking trousers?

Rain can happen at any time, in any season! So you’ve got two choices:

• Go for waterproof walking trousers, and you’re sorted either way
• Bring a pair of packable waterproof overtrousers with you, so if it does start raining, you can put them over your regular walking trousers (or shorts or leggings)

There are pros and cons to each, which we’ve discussed further in our dedicated guide on waterproof trousers vs walking trousers.

Can you wear regular leggings for hiking?

Standard fashion leggings often lack the durability needed for hiking. They can snag easily on things like brambles or over stiles, and they often absorb water quickly if you get caught out by the rain. 

Those who love the legging style do have plenty of choice these days though, as lots of brands have brought dedicated outdoor-ready leggings into their collections, such as the Craghoppers Womens Alex UPF 50 Protection High Stretch Leggings.

What should I wear when hiking in summer vs winter?

For winter hikes, you’ll be focusing on keeping warm, without overheating or wearing so many layers that you feel weighed down by material. You will also likely have to think about rain and wind, and how to protect yourself and your clothing from the elements. 

In summer, hikers need to stay cool, wearing clothing that doesn’t stick to your skin or trap your body heat. You might also consider things like insect repellent fabric (like the Craghoppers’ NosiLife tech) or UPF protection, to help shield you from the UV rays. 

To help you further with your hiking gear across the seasons, we’ve put together two handy guides:

• The Complete Summer Hiking Gear Guide
• What to Wear Hiking

Find the Best Walking Trousers at Avenue 85

And there you have it, some of the best walking trousers for 2026, straight from Regatta, Trespass, and Craghoppers!

We hope you've spotted a new favourite pair above to join your walking kit as you enjoy your outdoor adventures, and don't forget we've also got a full walking trousers collection to shop from, with free UK delivery over £65. 

About the Author

A dad to two energetic boys, James spends his weekends juggling football matches, skate parks, and Sunday afternoons at Disley’s very own Lyme Park. While he might not get to hit the golf course as often as he used to, he’s all in for family adventures in the great outdoors - coffee in hand and his favourite Ecco walking shoes on his feet. On the Avenue 85 blog, James loves to help other families make the most of their time outside by sharing his tried and tested tips, whether it’s finding the best waterproof jacket for a rainy day or discovering the best local walks that are perfect for little legs to explore!