The Chockstone Midweight Active trousers are aimed at users keen on 'hiking and technical climbing'. Consequently they're built of a stretchy, weather-resistant soft shell fabric, the cut is athletic and the design is neat, simple and tidy. If that sounds like your cup of tea, then they may be the perfect trousers for you.
The comfort of the Chockstone is immediately noticeable. The nylon/elastane mix in the fabric makes for a delightfully smooth and unobtrusive feeling against the skin, and when in motion that four-way stretch really comes into its own. Whether hiking or scrambling or climbing on wall or crag the flexibility really is excellent and we didn't feel encumbered by them at any point. They only weigh 388g, too - which explains the light, minimalist feel on the hip and leg.
Storage points are few but well judged. Two medium-sized zipped hand pockets are well placed to be accessible even in a harness. The zipped pocket on the right thigh is equally hand-sized and useful for light but necessary items.
Adjustment is minimal but effective. It comes via an in-built belt system exposed solely on the front right-hand side. It's easy to adjust one-handed and is utterly unobtrusive to rucksack hip belts or a harness when in use. The inside waist is also lined with a micro-chamois fabric for effective wicking - a very nice touch indeed.
They're not the thickest or the warmest technical trousers available, nor are they reinforced in the areas most likely to suffer from abrasion. However, they're slight and svelte enough to slip quite easily beneath a pair of bomb-proof overtrousers - which effectively solves this issue when more extreme environments come calling. Regardless they do keep much of the wind off and have a DWR (durable water repellent) finish to help shed light showers.
In conclusion: Accomplished technical trousers ideal for serious outdoor use, and perfectly accessible for less ambitious users too. They're also so comfortable and casually styled that they're fit for everyday life as well. A truly winning combination.
