Craghoppers Kiwi Duo Convertible Trousers
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Craghoppers Kiwi Duo Convertible Trousers - Double zip-off travel trousers with water-repellent fabric.
UK price: £50
Pros: versatile, rugged, practical... they thought of everything
Cons: ‘elephant' grey is pretty dull
Verdict: Cool! Trousers, crops and shorts in one package
Rating: 
Available from: craghoppers.com
Product Review
Craghoppers are the rugged but friendly arm of the giant outdoor empire that includes Regatta, Hawkshead, Bear Grylls and Dare2Be. I usually like their no-nonsense stuff.
These are the new Kiwi Duo Convertible trousers that are like normal zip-offs that convert from trousers to shorts... except these have two sets of zips. So you can unzip you lower leg bits or the thigh bits. It's like a jigsaw trouser - you can really adapt to the conditions. I know all that zipping and stuff is a palava but at least the zip off bits are clearly labeled left and right.
They are versatile enough to be your trousers for anything on a trip - from smart night out to sunbathing on the beach. That's impressive.
The basics are good too: there are two side pockets, two zipped side pockets behind them, zipped back pockets and a cargo pocket down the leg fixed by velcro. Inside that is another little secret key pocket. The knees and bum are reinforced with extra fabric - God knows what they're expecting you to get up to.
Even better, the Kiwi Duo trousers feature all the latest ‘technology' that this sort of travel kit needs to offer these days. So the Kiwi Duos have ‘SmartDry Nano', which means they use stain and water repellent fabric; ‘SolarDry', which means the fabric protects you against the sun (unless you unzip the legs that is); ‘Wash&Wear', which means they are very quick drying with no ironing needed. All of which is fine by me.
The polyester/cotton mix fabric feels like brushed cotton - not at all man-made. The Kiwi Duos are softer and more cosy than most rival trousers made with these high-tech specifications. They can sometimes feel like you're wearing something weird and scientific... not these.
Oh and they're lightweight and have one of those very flimsy lightweight belts with a very nifty little quick release buckle. Actually I was bored and fiddled with the buckle. I tried opening and shutting it really fast over and over just in case it snapped. It didn't and I felt a bit stupid. Hopefully no-one was watching me.
I like the ‘lifetime guarantee' that comes with these Craghoppers travel clothes. "If you find a fault in your new garment show us your receipt and we'll replace it. But if you subject it to abnormal wear and tear, misuse, alteration or accidental damage, you might have to put it down to the experience. Travelling wouldn't be an adventure without the difficult bits."
They come in the suitably rugged colours of ‘elephant' and ‘wet sand' and the semi-elastic waist comes in sizes from 30 -42-inch if you've eaten too many pies.
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