Rambl · Gear
Craghoppers Kiwi Pro II Review: A Practical UK Walking Guide
The Kiwi Pro II sits in a useful middle ground: lighter and stretchier than old-school walking trousers, but more substantial than thin summer trail trousers. This review looks at the current specification and what those features actually mean for British walking.
Kiwi Pro II at a glance
| Feature | Current specification |
|---|---|
| Fabric | 96% polyamide, 4% elastane on the current men’s model |
| Movement | 4-way stretch, active fit |
| Weather | H2OShield water-repellent finish; not the same as a waterproof membrane |
| Sun protection | UPF 50+ |
| Pockets | Four zipped pockets on the current men’s model |
| Weight | Craghoppers currently lists 340g |
| Useful extras | Heel-tape reinforcement and sunglasses wipe |
What makes them suitable for UK walking?
The most useful part of the Kiwi Pro II specification is the combination of stretch, quick-drying fabric and a water-repellent finish. Those are sensible priorities for British footpaths because conditions often change within the same walk: dry lanes, damp grass, mud, a shower, then somehow sunshine again before the car park.
Four-way stretch should make stepping over stiles and climbing uneven ground less restrictive than a stiff woven trouser. The H2OShield finish is intended to repel light rain and water-based stains, while the fabric itself is described by Craghoppers as quick drying.
That does not make the standard Kiwi Pro II waterproof. Craghoppers sells a separate Kiwi Pro II Waterproof model with an AquaDry membrane. If persistent heavy rain is likely, waterproof overtrousers are still the more dependable layer over a standard walking trouser.
Fit and movement
The current model uses what Craghoppers calls an Active Fit: a regular fit with stretch intended to allow movement. For walkers who dislike baggy traditional hiking trousers but do not want tight technical legwear, that is likely to be the main attraction.
Fit is also the hardest part to judge from a specification sheet. Waist, thigh shape and preferred leg length are personal, so a retailer with straightforward returns is useful if you cannot try them on first. The important thing is that the trouser moves freely when stepping high and does not pull uncomfortably at the knee or seat.
Water resistance: useful, but know the limit
Water-repellent treatments are helpful for drizzle, damp vegetation and brief showers. They are not a substitute for waterproof clothing in sustained rain. Craghoppers explicitly markets the standard Kiwi Pro II as water repellent; its separate waterproof version is the one that carries a waterproof membrane and published hydrostatic-head rating.
For a lot of UK walking, that distinction is useful rather than disappointing. A breathable walking trouser plus packable waterproof overtrousers can be more versatile than wearing a waterproof membrane all day when the weather is merely threatening to misbehave.
Pockets and small practical details
The current men’s Kiwi Pro II has four zipped pockets, which is genuinely useful in an age when some trousers seem oddly determined to make pockets decorative. Heel-tape reinforcement is designed to protect an area that can otherwise wear quickly around footwear, and the built-in sunglasses wipe is a small extra rather than a reason to buy them.
Craghoppers also lists NosiDefence fabric construction and UPF 50+ sun protection on the current model. Those are secondary considerations for many UK walks, but they add to the trousers’ broad year-round brief.
Kiwi Pro II or a lighter summer trouser?
If most of your walking is in warm, dry weather, you may prefer something thinner. The Kiwi Pro II is designed as a year-round technical walking trouser, so its strength is versatility rather than being the coolest possible option for the three days in July when Britain briefly resembles somewhere else.
For a lighter alternative, see our Quechua MH500 guide. For a broader shortlist at different budgets, use the best walking trousers for UK countryside walks and walking trousers under £50.
Who are they best suited to?
- regular countryside walkers who want one versatile pair for mixed UK conditions
- people who value stretch and zipped pockets
- walkers who prefer water-repellent, quick-drying trousers with waterproof overtrousers carried separately
- anyone wanting a middle ground between cheap basic trousers and expensive specialist mountain legwear
Who should look elsewhere?
- walkers who need a genuinely waterproof trouser rather than a water-repellent finish
- people who mainly walk in very hot weather and prioritise the lightest, coolest fabric
- anyone who dislikes an active, more streamlined cut
Verdict
On specification, the Kiwi Pro II makes sense as a dependable general-purpose UK walking trouser. The combination of four-way stretch, quick-drying fabric, a water-repellent finish, zipped pockets and heel reinforcement is aimed squarely at the conditions most countryside walkers actually encounter.
The key is buying it for what it is: a versatile walking trouser, not a waterproof shell. If that matches your use, it deserves a place on the shortlist.
Source
Technical details checked against the current Craghoppers Kiwi Pro II product page. Specifications can change by model year, colour or market, so check the exact listing before buying.
Enjoying Rambl?
Rambl is maintained by one person alongside a full-time job. If the site has helped you plan a walk, find somewhere new or simply given you a good read, you can help support it with a coffee.
No pressure. Reading and sharing Rambl helps too.
