Waterproof trousers

NORDBLANC waterproof trousers for men and women: lightweight softshell trousers, fleece-lined trousers, trousers for cross-country skiing and leggings. Most have a 10,000 mm water column; only selected women’s models have 20,000 mm.

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Waterproof trousers: how much water they withstand and how they differ

NORDBLANC waterproof trousers differ first of all in how much water the fabric holds back, and only then in warmth and fit. In this range, the NORDBLANC waterproofness scale has three levels.

Waterproof, 10,000 mm - most of the range: softshell trousers and leggings made of SOFTSHIELD® 10000 and outdoor trousers with a TERATEX® 10000 membrane. This level is for ordinary rain and wet snow while on the move.
Highly waterproof, 20,000 mm - women’s multi-sport trousers and insulated leggings made of TERATEX® 20000 membrane; men’s trousers do not reach this level. According to the descriptions, they are intended for winter hikes and Nordic sports.
Water-repellent, 5,000 mm - full-zip trousers, which the NORDBLANC waterproofness scale classes only as water-repellent. The zips on the sides let you pull them on over other trousers and over your boots when rain catches you out.

Waterproof trousers for rain, wet snow and frost

Rain on the move: lightweight softshell trousers

Lightweight softshell trousers made of SOFTSHIELD® 10000 are intended for brisk walking, cycling or running in the rain. The material is three-layer and stretchy, so the trousers don’t restrict your stride. DRYFOR fibre wicks away sweat. In the leg hems they have anti-slip strips and an elastic band. No warmth level is given for them, so add a layer underneath in the cold.

Wet snow and cold: lined trousers

The warmth of these trousers does not come from fill but from a fleece lining or microfleece; for the insulated leggings, the descriptions mention an insulating layer in the material. The trousers and leggings stay stretchy as a result. Lined softshell hiking trousers made of SOFTSHIELD® 10000 have waterproof zips and leg adjusters; NORDBLANC’s indicative warmth scale rates their warmth at down to -10 °C. According to the description, outdoor trousers with TERATEX® 10000 have a fleece lining and zipped pockets, and ventilation zips among their features; the lined ones among them are equally warm, down to -10 °C.

Cross-country skiing and winter cycling: softshell at the front, POWERFLEECE at the back

Trousers intended for cross-country skiing and winter cycling have, according to the description, a lined, windproof softshell with fleece at the front and stretchy, quick-drying POWERFLEECE at the back. Most of them are rated down to -20 °C on NORDBLANC’s indicative warmth scale. They have anti-slip grip in the legs and reflective details, and only some have detachable braces.

20,000 mm water column: women’s trousers and leggings

A high water column is found only on women’s models with a TERATEX® 20000 membrane: multi-sport trousers and insulated leggings. According to the description, they have ventilation zips on the thighs, a wide elastic waist with a small pocket at the back, and both a zip and an elastic band in the bottom hem of the legs so that water doesn’t get in under your boots. On NORDBLANC’s warmth scale they are placed at down to -10 °C.

Men’s and women’s waterproof trousers

Men’s and women’s waterproof trousers come in similar types, but you will find two differences in the range. Leggings and trousers with a 20,000 mm water column are women’s only; on men’s trousers the highest water column is 10,000 mm. Men’s trousers come in letter sizes S-XXXL, with one model starting as small as XS; women’s come in numerical sizes 34-44. Warmth differs little between the two: most insulated models are rated down to -10 °C, a few down to -20 °C.

How to read the specifications of waterproof trousers

Zips, seams and legs - the water column describes only the fabric. Most models have waterproof zips, and only a single model lists taped seams among its features. On most trousers, leg adjusters or a zip in the bottom hem adapt the leg to your boot, and on some there is also an elastic band in the hem.
Wind - high resistance is found mainly on lined softshell trousers, multi-sport trousers and some of the leggings, and medium mainly on lightweight softshell trousers and outdoor trousers with TERATEX® 10000. For some models the wind resistance figure is missing.
Warmth - NORDBLANC’s indicative scale, not a measured temperature; it is missing for lightweight softshell trousers.
Breathability - 10,000 g/m²/24 h for most trousers, 15,000-20,000 g for models with a 20,000 mm water column.
Fit and sizes - most models have the Regular fit; the close-fitting Slim fit is found mainly on the trousers for cross-country skiing and on some of the leggings and multi-sport trousers. Every product has a size chart, and most models state the height of the person in the photo.

Technologies and materials

SOFTSHIELD® TERATEX® 10000

Functional outdoor material for demanding outdoor activities. Its main advantages are elasticity, thermal insulation, excellent wind resistance and water resistance, together with perfect breathability. The material is a three-layer laminate in which a suitable combination of materials produces a light, soft, elastic softshell with excellent thermal insulation.

DRYFOR®

A functional fibre that excellently absorbs body moisture and wicks away sweat. Thanks to the micro-grooves on its surface, moisture is efficiently carried to the outer side of the fabric where it evaporates quickly, keeping your skin dry and comfortable. This property allows the material to provide perfect body temperature regulation.

POWERFLEECE

Lightweight, highly elastic material, micro-brushed on the inside for increased thermal insulation and comfort. The outside is smooth and very pleasant to the touch, and it offers excellent thermal insulation and protection against gusty wind.

TERATEX® 10000 Core

The medium level of NORDBLANC’s top-of-the-line fabrics. Waterproof fabric that repels water from the surface of the fabric, while it offers the necessary waterproofness, breathability and wind protection. The product made of this fabric is suitable for everyday sports and everyday use.

Frequently asked questions

What water column do NORDBLANC waterproof trousers have, and is 10,000 mm enough?

The range has water columns of 5,000-20,000 mm, with most trousers at 10,000 mm. That corresponds to the Waterproof level and is enough for ordinary rain and wet snow while on the move. Only the women’s multi-sport trousers and leggings reach the Highly waterproof 20,000 mm, and full-zip trousers, worn over other trousers as a back-up against a shower, have 5,000 mm.

What can full-zip trousers withstand, and how do you put them on?

They have a 5,000 mm water column and, on the NORDBLANC waterproofness scale, the Water-repellent level, the lowest in this range. The side zips run from the waist all the way to the leg hem, so you can pull the trousers on over other trousers and over your boots, for example when rain catches you out. For a whole day in the rain, choose trousers with a 10,000 mm water column.

Waterproof softshell trousers, or outdoor trousers with a TERATEX® 10000 membrane?

They have the same water column, 10,000 mm. SOFTSHIELD® softshell trousers are made of a stretchy three-layer material, lightweight or lined; the lightweight models list running, cycling and cross-country skiing among their activities, the cross-country ski models only cross-country skiing, and the lined softshell hiking trousers only hiking. Outdoor trousers with TERATEX® 10000 are lined with fleece, have pockets and ventilation zips, and likewise list only hiking among their activities. For sport, choose the softshell; for winter walking, either will do.

Why do cross-country ski trousers have softshell at the front and POWERFLEECE at the back?

According to the description, the front panel is made of lined, windproof SOFTSHIELD® 10000 softshell with fleece, and the back panel of lined, quick-drying and highly stretchy POWERFLEECE. This construction keeps the trousers light and doesn’t hold you back. They are intended for cross-country skiing and winter cycling, most of them are rated down to -20 °C on NORDBLANC’s indicative warmth scale, and they have zips in the leg hems.