What trousers. At Wits end!!!

[Ronin]

Ive had a pair of Laksen Sika trousers for the past 6? years, they are excellent although now due to be replaced probably with another pair.

I do get the occasional moist feeling but this is down to the liner rather than actually being wet, I wear thermal under trousers with them in cold weather - summer bare legs underneath.

I am out on the range or stalking once or twice a week plus at competitions regularly so am a high usage user.

I think I paid £60 for the trousers new.

 

[hairybiker]

Gore-tex type trousers use a membrane which is the waterproof barrier. Once this is perforated they will leak, the membrane also degrades over time and use. In my experience, Gore-tex is the best of this type of material and I believe that Gore are very fussy about the quality of who manufactures things that bear their label, hence the often premium price tag. I too have experienced the 'wet when dry' feeling in a very expensive pair of Rukka motorcycling trousers, it seems to be that the fabric becomes soaked, losing some of its insulating properties and giving a colder feel along with the membrane also becoming saturated on the outer side, limiting its ability to 'breathe'. If you are doing anything strenuous at the time you will get wet from sweating.
The only pair of trousers I have had that are fully waterproof and totally comfortable are a set of Sportchief from Canada but they are far too warm for anything other than winter use. I have a pair of Seeland 'beater' trousers which seem to be reasonably waterproof, although I do get a damp *rse if sitting on a wet high seat for long. I also use tweed breeks with gore-tex leggings if out on the hill when p*ssing it down!
Unfortunately I don't know that there is a solution that will tick every box, you just need to try a few things out to see what works for you. If you sweat a lot and you are doing something strenuous, you will get damp no matter what you have on - you just need to wear the right base layers to ensure that you stay comfortable. I can recommend Craft particularly - I use one of their tops for paddling my racing kayak and it is comfortable and reasonably warm even when soaked through!

 

[Pigglet1]

It all depends on how much you sweat. Even when not particulary exerting yourself you exude moisture, some people more thsan others.
You need to carry this away from your skin and the only way to do that effectively is by using a base layer. It MUST be skin tight with no air gaps between the fabric and your skin.

There are loads of types available, merino is great at regulating temperature and feeling "luxurious" next to the skin but in reality you will not beat helly hansen Lifa stuff. The helly's will also outperform merino if/when wet and it dries really quickly.
Never use cotton in extreme environments. it get wet, doesn't dry and is a contributor to hypothermia when you stop moving, hence the phrase "cotton kills".

The more breathable a fabric the better it's going to transport the moisture away. Some fabrics are beter than others some "own brand" membranes are not that great and quite rustly in use.

Regarding the outer wear, if your mooching through brambles and briars then it doesn't matter what fabric it's made from, chances are it'll get punctured and then the membrane is compromised. Some will last longer than others but if it's that tough going you might want to start considering something thats leather fronted. The compromise is that it's not going to be as breathable or as light.