Pockets Two front-side zipped pockets deep enough for all the usual stuff: tissues, coins, keys, small camera, mobile phone, etc. but not big enough to act as a map cargo pocket. There is no cargo pocket for use when it’s not raining. This will be a problem for me if I wear the trousers all day on long-distance hikes with a likelihood of rain as I carry a map but I do not like it hanging around my neck in a plastic map holder.

Venting There are two vents, one each on the outer side of each leg. The vent runs from the top of the thigh to the knee and offers rapid cooling if necessary.

Zips I found that the venting zips and front fly zip were very smooth and there appears to be very little risk of snagging.

Waist fitting The waist is elasticated and belted, albeit with a fairly narrow 2.5 cm material belt. The belt loops will allow a sturdier belt up to 3.5 cm width to be fitted.

Knee movement Like its big Cascada trouser brother, the Velez’ knees are articulated and work well. I was not conscious of any “knee grabbing” while walking. In fact, unlike the heavier Cascada trousers, the Velez trousers felt more like a regular pair of hiking trousers – unobtrusive and comfortable.

Trouser length and ankles At the moment, the Velez trousers only come in one leg size for each waist size – that is Regular. The Cascadas come with Short and Long options per waist size. Fortunately, my 36” R size Velez trousers were just the right length with the front hem resting on and covering the knot of my bootlaces and the back hem about half-way down the back of my boot. There is no risk that water run-off will get into the top of my boot. The ankles can be cinched using Velcro loops if required.

Rustling noise when walking None.

Warmth Excellent. I suspect that all I will need extra in the depths of winter will be a pair of long johns.

Stowage These trousers are not designed to be emergency over-trousers. In fact, the limited length of the venting zips means that you would have to remove boots before donning the trousers on the trail (unlike my fully-zipped Marmot over-trousers). If you did want to carry the Velez trousers in a stuff bag, they will fit into a small 2 litre Regatta-style mesh stuff bag.

Colour As Henry Ford said, “You can have any colour you want as long as it’s black”.

Did they keep me dry? Yes. No water ingress anywhere. (I stuffed tissues in each pocket. If water gets in via the zips, the tissues get damp.) For me, the most important part of the trousers to monitor is just below the front waist where water runs off the jacket onto the trousers – what I call the water runoff zone. The front section of the trousers certainly became wetter than any other section – no water droplets, just saturated material – but underneath all was dry. I wore cotton boxers underneath, deliberately, to trap any water that got through the run-off zone or fly zip. There was no dampness anywhere.

Niggles Just the lack of a map cargo pocket for use when it’s not raining.

Price RRP is £137.50.

Overall The new Páramo Velez Adventure trousers are excellent all-weather walking trousers which, together with the Quito jacket, appears to solve my problem of not wanting to use water-proof shells and over-trousers when the heavens open.