The Sewing Place

Hiking trouser fabric

AnneFrances

Hiking trouser fabric
« on: July 29, 2021, 17:35:48 PM »
The pair of hiking trousers I made a dozen years ago has finally given up. I can't buy ready-to-wear trousers that fit, but I do have  patterns that, after much adjustment, do fit me.
I need breathable, windproof fabric such as commercial hiking trousers use.  I don't want softshell or waterproof. Years ago I bought it from Pennine Outdoor but neither they nor Point North seem to have anything suitable any more.  More recently I know someone who got fabric from Extremtextil, and they do have something that might do (ETAdry 130 (cotton)) , but they are not shipping to the UK anymore (thank you, Brexit!). 
Does anyone know of any other specialist suppliers or possible sources?   Or have any other suggestions of what I might do?

Starryfish

Re: Hiking trouser fabric
« Reply #1 on: July 29, 2021, 18:15:49 PM »
i wish you luck, I haven't found anything while looking for several years now. There is Ventile stocked by both Point North and Pennine outdoor but it is expensive. I looked on ebay, Pointnorth have Ventile for £16.20/ 0.5m
I just looked at Ottobre's Etsy shop. They are selling some cotton polyester lightweight windproof fabric for £19.92/m plus £13 postage, and I don't know if we would have to pay duty.

Shelby in Finland have this fabric-https://www.shelbyoutdoor.com/product_info.php?products_id=6807
£39.00/m  :faints:

I just use cotton twill fabric, and don't walk in the rain!

A day without sewing is a day wasted.

Ploshkin

Re: Hiking trouser fabric
« Reply #2 on: July 30, 2021, 07:44:38 AM »
Croft Mill have some outdoor fabrics.  There only seems to be one cotton one ( brown ) but there may be something else to suit.
Sorry, can't do a link atm.  Google Croft Mill Outdoor Fabric.
Life's too short for ironing.

Bodgeitandscarper

Re: Hiking trouser fabric
« Reply #3 on: July 30, 2021, 15:40:41 PM »
Is this any good?  I've only ordered samples from them, so dunno how there delivery is these days.

Or this?

Their search is good, you can put in "trousers", and get lots of fabrics.
« Last Edit: July 30, 2021, 15:44:20 PM by Bodgeitandscarper »

AnneFrances

Re: Hiking trouser fabric
« Reply #4 on: July 31, 2021, 12:50:52 PM »
Thank you all so much for your thoughts.  I would indeed have gone for the Active Fabric possibilities, but they ship from Germany, which post-Brexit means that there would be a risk of,  I guess, an extra £20 or more for handling and customs, and that does tend to make expensive fabric  even dearer. But I may  have to end up doing that. 
I don't  want actual waterproof fabric and I think the Ottobre fabric is really meant for rainjackets, but it was useful to be reminded of them.
A fortuitously timely post on Pattern Review prompted me to search on ultraviolet protective fabric rather than terms like breathable that I had been using, and it seems that Pennine Outdoor's P2B  or possibly even better  P1M  might work.  I think I'm going to send for swatches.  Thank you very much again.

Starryfish

Re: Hiking trouser fabric
« Reply #5 on: August 15, 2021, 13:37:11 PM »
I sent for some swatches from Pennine Outdoors, and am going to try the P1M. It's only £5.50 a metre so no great loss if it doesn't work out long term.
I use a Lekala pattern 5348 for cargo trousers, it has useful pockets on the thighs and none on the back where I don't need additional bulk!
A day without sewing is a day wasted.

AnneFrances

Re: Hiking trouser fabric
« Reply #6 on: November 23, 2021, 14:00:03 PM »
Just to add two things. I have finally got around to getting samples from Pennine Outdoor and then putting in an order for their P1M fabric.  I do have to say that their service is *outstanding*  :perfect10:.  I emailed them about samples and got some 48 hours later. I ordered the full fabric  length on Sunday afternoon and the package arrived via Royal Mail at very reasonable postage charges this (Tuesday) lunchtime.  I had added a note to the order to request Ventile samples and they were included ( no extra cost). 
If the pair in the P1M work out well I might splash out on another pair in Ventile, but it is very expensive - between £30 and £35 a metre from both Pennine Outdoor and Point North (who price by the half metre).
I'm trying a pattern from Pattern Adventure who say they produce a more or less individualised draft ( at a price!). I haven't yet got it printed out - I shall be intrigued to see how it compares to my trouser block, which is the outcome of (literally) years of mock-ups (toiles) and fitting!