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At the beginning of March this year, I was fortunate enough to be invited onto a winter skill course by Berghaus. Berghaus were keen to hear our opinions on their new EXTREM clothing range. The EXTREM Range was launched in 1986 and was designed to be used in the World's most extreme conditions, and for nearly four decades the line has advanced and evolved into the brand-new range we have today. So for once, hoping for foul weather, myself and a colleague headed north to the Cairngorms.

The next day, we were fully kitted out in an array of their latest  EXTREM Range, ice axes, crampons and helmets. We were heading to the old ski centre on the shoulder of Cairn Gorm. The weather was awful, with 50mph winds and a wind chill of -20; this was the perfect weather for what we wanted to do. We spent four happy but cold hours sliding down mountains in near-white-out conditions.

The gear performed amazingly. It kept me warm, safe, and dry in some of the worst conditions you will encounter in the UK. I was especially impressed with the trousers I used, the  MTN Guide MW Technical Pants. They were incredibly comfortable and durable, with a good, relaxed fit that wasn't skin-tight and didn't restrict. I had been using these under a waterproof shell to protect from the snow, but I was keen to try them out on a few upcoming trips, the Cairngorms 4000 and a two-week-long coast-to-coast crossing of Scotland. I contacted Berghaus, who kindly sent me a pair for this review.

So, I have now slid down snowy mountain slopes, summited five of the six highest mountains in the UK, and walked the breadth of Scotland in these trousers, so I think it’s fair to say that I have put these trousers through their paces and have had time to form an opinion based on long-term use.

These are some of the best mountain trousers I have used. I was already impressed with their fit and comfort when I initially wore them in the Cairngorms, but after extensive use, I have found them to be some of the most unrestrictive and hard-wearing trousers I have used. I'm a big fan of the wide waistband, which provides a comfortable and non-restrictive fit that moves with you, meaning you don't have to adjust them as much. This reduces irritation and discomfort. The waistband has been backed with a soft fleece-like polyester, which feels lovely and soft against your skin but also helps moisture move away.

The outer Cordura 4-way stretch fabric is highly abrasion resistant, but the four-way stretch fabric also allows for excellent movement without restriction. They have been treated with a strong DWR; during my entire two-week crossing of Scotland, I never felt the need to put on over trousers; they shrug off light rain, mist, morning dew and snow incredibly well, and they dry quickly.

We got the entire span of weather during our coast-to-coast crossing, including some sweltering days. I did wish I had brought shorts on some days; the MTN Guide Pants are heavy and warm to use in high summer. even though they were not ideal in 25-degree weather, they kept me reasonably cool. The Guide Pants have four pockets, two hands, and two thigh pockets. These are all mesh-lined and work as ventilation ports. They promote good airflow, allowing cool air in and warm air out, so I was never too uncomfortable, even when cursing myself for forgetting my shorts. If you use a harness, the thigh pockets are still accessible, adding to the functionality of these trousers.

When wading through the snow or bashing through Tic country, I was thankful for the adjustments around the hem that reduced the volume around the ankle. I've used trousers with a similar design but found the MTN Guide Technical Pant was a much better secure fit that never flapped open.

Overall, these are a great pair of trousers for any hiker looking for a durable, comfortable, and stylish option. They will be too hot in high summer but are the best three seasons (autumn, winter and spring) trousers I have used. They are heavy if you carry them; however, you will probably have them on most of the time. They are expensive, yet, the cost is offset when you consider how hardwearing and versatile the trousers are; you will get years of use out of them every season.

Pros:

• Durable, water-resistant fabric
• Comfortable, relaxed fit
• Plenty of ventilating pockets
• Comfortable waistband
• Secure Three button fastening

Cons:

• Warm for hot weather
• Heavy 

Andy Neil
Andy has been a keen long-distance hiker and wild camping enthusiast since he completed the Cleveland Way in 2015. Since then, he has walked thousands of trail miles all over the UK and is an active member of the Wild Camping UK community, being an admin of the largest wild camping community on Facebook. He strongly advocates for responsible wild camping and believes it is important to leave no trace when camping in the wilderness. He joined the UOG team in 2021 and works as a website developer and content creator. Read more from Andy Neil