Genuine army surplus trousers cost less than most high-street hiking trousers and often outlast them on rough countryside ground — but only if you pick the right pattern, fabric and grade for the walking you're actually doing. This guide ranks the pairs worth buying for 2026 hikes, from Gore-Tex wet-weather kit to budget DPM classics, and tells you which ones to skip.
- British Army MTP PCS Trousers are the best army surplus trousers for hiking in 2026 for mixed terrain — Buy.
- US Army Gore-Tex Woodland Trousers win for wet countryside walks thanks to the waterproof membrane — Buy.
- British Army S95 Trousers are the budget pick for dry-weather day walks — Buy.
- Ex Police Cargo Trousers suit everyday utility hikes over technical trail runs — Buy.
- Grade A copies of MTP PCS trousers cut the price without changing the pattern — Consider if budget is tight.
Why this matters
Most hiking trousers sold in outdoor shops are cut for weekend rambles, not for scrambling through bracken, crossing wet ground or sitting on damp logs for an hour. Military-issue trousers were built to the opposite brief: durability, weather resistance and freedom of movement under load.
The British Army MTP PCS trousers are the current-issue standard for exactly that kind of abuse, which is why they top this list for general countryside walking in 2026. But MTP isn't the only pattern worth knowing — older stock like S95 and Gore-Tex-lined US kit each solve a different problem, and picking the wrong one for the wrong walk is the most common mistake buyers make.
Condition matters as much as pattern. Surplus grading runs from New and NOS (new old stock, never issued) down through Grade A (used, little wear) to standard used stock. A Grade A pair of trousers at a lower price can be a better buy than a New pair in the wrong cut, so grade and fit both need checking before you buy.
How this list was ranked
This ranking weighs four things: fabric performance in wet UK conditions, durability under load (rucksack straps, knee flex, seat wear), grading availability, and how the pattern behaves for hiking specifically rather than combat use. Historic patterns like S95 and Gore-Tex ECWCS trousers are judged against what a day-walker or weekend hiker actually needs, not against military spec sheets.
Nothing here gets a Buy rating on hype. If a pattern is genuinely a poor fit for hiking — too heavy, too baggy, wrong cut for a rucksack waist belt — it's marked down or left off the list entirely.
The ranked list
1. British Army MTP PCS Trousers — the all-rounder
MTP (Multi-Terrain Pattern) is the current British Army issue camouflage, designed to work across woodland, moorland and urban ground without needing a pattern swap. The PCS (Personal Clothing System) cut includes articulated knees and a lower rise built for load-carrying, which is exactly what a rucksack strap needs.
This is the trouser most walkers should default to in 2026 — it handles bracken, stiles and wet grass without complaint, and the pattern blends into most UK countryside without standing out. Verdict: Buy.
2. US Army Gore-Tex Woodland Trousers — the wet-weather workhorse
The like new US Army Gore-Tex Woodland Trousers bring a genuine waterproof membrane to the table, something MTP and cotton-based patterns don't have. For anyone walking regularly in Lake District or Snowdonia-type rain, that membrane is the difference between a dry walk and a soaked one by lunchtime.
They're bulkier than PCS trousers and run warm in summer, so this is a cold, wet-season pick rather than a year-round trouser. For winter countryside walks and boggy ground, nothing else on this list beats them. Verdict: Buy.
3. British Army S95 Trousers — the budget classic
S95 is the DPM-pattern trouser that predates MTP, built from a lighter polycotton twill. It's less technical than PCS but genuinely comfortable for dry-to-damp day walks, and stock is generally cheaper because the pattern's been out of front-line issue for years.
If your walking is mostly summer footpaths and you don't need waterproofing, the British Army S95 trousers are the sensible budget entry point into surplus hiking kit. Grade matters more here than on newer patterns — check for wear at the knees and seat before buying. Verdict: Buy.
4. Ex Police Cargo Trousers — the everyday utility pair
Not military, but genuinely useful: ex police cargo trousers are cut from a hardwearing polycotton with reinforced knees and deep cargo pockets, built for people on their feet all shift. That construction translates directly to countryside walking where you want pockets for a map, gloves and a headtorch without a bag.
They're black or navy rather than camo, which some walkers prefer for visibility on shared trails and access land. Fit runs closer to workwear than combat trousers, so check the size chart before ordering. Verdict: Buy.
5. Grade A British Army MTP PCS Trousers — the graded bargain
Same MTP PCS pattern as the top pick, but sold at Grade A condition — meaning genuine used stock with light wear rather than New or NOS. For a hiker who's going to muddy them within the first walk anyway, paying full price for New stock often isn't worth it.
The cut and fabric performance are identical to the New pair; only the cosmetic condition differs. This is the pick for anyone buying MTP trousers purely for function over appearance. Verdict: Buy.
Comparison table
| Trousers | Pattern | Best conditions | Grade to look for | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Army MTP PCS | MTP | Mixed terrain, year-round | New / Grade A | Buy |
| US Army Gore-Tex Woodland | Woodland, Gore-Tex membrane | Wet, cold, winter | Like New | Buy |
| British Army S95 | DPM | Dry to damp, summer | Grade A | Buy |
| Ex Police Cargo | Solid black/navy | Everyday utility walks | Used, check knees | Buy |
| Grade A MTP PCS | MTP | Same as New MTP, lower cost | Grade A | Buy |
Where to buy
Buy from a seller that states the grading system upfront — New, NOS, Grade A, Used — rather than one vague listing that just says "good condition". Surplus grading is a real system, and a seller who skips it is usually hiding wear.
Check the waist and leg measurement against your own tape measure, not against a UK trouser size. Ex-military sizing runs on chest/waist/height combinations that don't map cleanly onto high-street numbering, and a wrong guess here is the single biggest reason surplus trousers get returned.
If you're buying for genuine countryside walking rather than collecting, prioritise fabric and cut over rarity. A common MTP pattern that fits and performs beats a rare historic pattern that sits wrong on the waist belt of a rucksack.
“A common MTP pattern that fits and performs beats a rare historic pattern that sits wrong on the waist belt of a rucksack.”
FAQ
What's the best army surplus trousers for hiking in 2026?
British Army MTP PCS Trousers rank as the best army surplus trousers for hiking in 2026 for general countryside walking. They handle mixed terrain year-round and the articulated knee cut works well under a rucksack.
Are British Army MTP trousers waterproof?
No, MTP PCS trousers are not fully waterproof on their own. For genuinely wet ground, US Army Gore-Tex Woodland Trousers with a waterproof membrane are the better pick.
Is Gore-Tex better than DPM for wet ground?
Yes, Gore-Tex trousers outperform DPM cotton-based patterns like S95 on wet ground because the membrane actually blocks water rather than just resisting it. DPM patterns like S95 suit dry-to-damp summer walking instead.
How much do army surplus trousers cost?
Prices vary by pattern and grade, with items like the Extreme Cold/Wet Weather Trousers Gen 3 Class 3 OCP at £60 and US Military APEC Multicam Gore-Tex Trousers Grade A at £39.99. New or rare patterns cost more than Grade A used stock.
What size should I buy in ex-military trousers?
Ex-military sizing uses chest/waist/height combinations rather than standard UK trouser sizes, so measure your own waist and leg length before ordering. Guessing off a UK high-street size is the most common reason surplus trousers get returned.
Are ex police cargo trousers good for hiking?
Yes, ex police cargo trousers work well for everyday countryside walks thanks to reinforced knees and deep cargo pockets built for shift work. They're solid black or navy rather than camo, which suits walkers who prefer not to wear camouflage on shared trails.
Can you wash army surplus trousers?
Most cotton and polycotton surplus trousers like S95 and PCS wash fine on a standard cycle, but check any Gore-Tex-lined pairs for specific care to protect the membrane. Grade A and used stock should always be washed before first wear.
What's the difference between MTP and S95 trousers?
MTP is the current-issue British Army pattern with a technical PCS cut built for load-carrying, while S95 is an older DPM-pattern trouser in lighter polycotton twill. MTP suits mixed year-round conditions; S95 suits dry summer walking on a tighter budget.
One last thing
Grade A stock isn't a compromise pick — it's often the smarter buy. A Grade A pair of MTP PCS trousers costs less than New stock of the same pattern and performs identically once it's had one wash and a walk through wet grass, which is exactly what's going to happen to it anyway.
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