Revolution Race have taken the outdoors by storm, and I see folk wearing them on most days out. This model is their winter weight hiking pant, and while it has the bulk to show for it, I can’t deny that it’s very warm. They’re high waisted, with a button and zipped fly, plus belt loops to help the elasticated waist. I found the fit wasn’t quite right for me, being a bit roomy at the waist, but then slightly too tight around my thighs. There’s a stitched pink panel on the thigh, which I could feel when walking uphill due to the tightness of the fit. It didn’t rub, but I was definitely aware of it, and it was my main downside with these.

Kirsty Pallas’ verdict

The Hiball isn’t the most technical trouser, but it’s incredibly warm and durable for the price tag. If the fit works for you, then they’re a good option for the depths of winter and wild weather days
Pros
  • Warmth
  • Durability
Cons
  • Weight
  • Seam placement
Quick specs
Price: £125
Weight: 658g for UK size 12
Materials: 89% Polyamide, 11% elastane
Features: Zipped thigh vents, fleece lining, stretch material
Pockets: Two hand pockets, two zipped thigh pockets, one zipped rear pocket
Hem: Elasticated, expandable zip ankle gusset
Sizes: UK 8 – 20
Mens version: No
URL: www.revolutionrace.co.uk

The hem is elasticated and expandable to fit over a range of  footwear including ski boots, and I found the elastication really useful to keep the spare fabric off the ground as they’re a bit long for me. This does mean there was a bulge of fabric around my calf, but that’s more of an aesthetic thing!

Cosy fleece lined hand pockets are a nice size but not zipped. For important things like phones, there’s two zipped thigh pockets, and the left one has a mesh secondary pocket to keep things in place. There’s also a zipped back pocket.

With a durable softshell outer, the trousers are fleece lined throughout, and really warm. Almost too warm for slogging uphill! There’s zipped mesh thigh vents for ventilation, which are easy to use with a big zip pull. The fabric has some stretch, but being so thick, it’s not as stretchy as some of the other models in this test. The fabric is treated with Durable Water Repellent, and is wind proof, so can handle some weather but not lots of rain.

The Revolution Race Hiball isn’t the most technical trouser, but it’s incredibly warm and durable for the price tag. If the fit works for you, then they’re a good option for the depths of winter and wild weather days on the hill.