Combined with full-length mudguards and a waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers will keep you dry when commuting in rain or snow. Without them, you have a choice of: riding in cycling shorts or tights that you’ll change out of on arrival; using a traditional cape or poncho; or squelching into work with steam rising from your soggy thighs.

Like waterproof jackets, waterproof trousers are rated for waterproofness and breathability. Bigger numbers are better. Torrential rain will eventually defeat most fabrics, however, and even breathable garments can get damp with sweat. To avoid overheating, aim to ride at an easier pace in the rain.

Waterproof trousers come in two broad types: overtrousers, which are worn on top of everyday clothing; and waterproof mountain biking trousers, which are worn instead of normal trousers. Despite their primary purpose, the latter work fine for commuting – either by themselves or, if the sizing is generous and they’re not too bulky, as overtrousers.

Over-trousers will usually be pulled on or removed while you’re wearing shoes, so need unfastening lower legs to allow that. Integral ankle straps or press studs are useful to keep baggy overtrousers out of the bike’s drivetrain. Waterproof mountain biking trousers benefit from tapered or strap-adjustable ankles, a seam-free gusset and typical trouser features like pockets and belt loops.

Prices below are RRP. As ever, getting them through Cyclescheme will save money.

Btwin 100 City Cycling Rain Overtrousers with Built-In Shoe Covers £19.99

Decathlon’s budget overtrousers are great value. They’re waterproof to 5k (5,000mm – explanation here), although that falls to 2k after washing. That makes them better suited to light rain and showers than heavy rain. With an elasticated waist and rip-tab lower legs, they’re easy to get on over shoes. Speaking of which, they come with integral shoe covers so water won’t run down into your socks. These shoe covers can be tucked away when not needed. There are hi-vis and reflective details on the rear of the legs, and there’s an elastic loop at the waist for storing the overtrousers when they’re rolled up. Sizes: XS-XXL (unisex).

Rainlegs Black £34.99

Waterproof cycling chaps won’t be everyone’s cup of tea when it comes to style, but Rainlegs work well. They protect the lower-body parts that get wettest when cycling – lap, thighs and knees – while leaving everything else uncovered. You’ll sweat less in them than in any other overtrousers. They’re lightweight (140g), and are designed to roll up like a belt at the waist when not needed. Rated at 10k, they’ll withstand sustained rain. Unprotected parts may get a bit damp, especially if the rain is near horizontal. As well as the black pictured, they’re available in yellow, reflective and insulated versions. Sizes: XS-XL (unisex).

HUMP Unisex Reflect Waterproof Overtrouser £39.99

Although they’re unisex and loose fitting, the HUMP overtrousers come in a huge range of sizes, from XL up to XXXXL, so you should be able to get a decent fit. The elasticated waist has a drawcord for improved adjustability, and there are Velcro-style tabs on the lower legs to limit any flapping there. These tabs also enable the trousers to be put on or removed while wearing shoes. The fabric is waterproof and breathable to 5k/5k, so they’re better suited to lighter rain or shorter journeys. There’s a reflective logo on the rear of each calf. Sizes: XS-XXXXL.

Proviz REFLECT360 Women's Waterproof Reflective Trousers £59.99

One of the big selling points of the REFLECT360 overtrousers, as the name suggests, is the abundant reflectivity that makes them conspicuous in car headlights. The fabric is waterproof to 5k. A lower leg zip enables them to be put on over shoes, and there’s an adjustable strap at the ankle to give a more tapered fit and stop them snagging on the chain. The elasticated waist has a drawstring and there’s a rear pocket. The men’s version is the same price. Sizes: women’s 8-18, men’s S-XXXL.

BBB Rainshield Pants £72.95

That’s pants in the American-English sense; they’re trousers and are also described as such. The higher price is reflected in a higher waterproof rating: 10k. The soft-touch material has some stretch in it for a better fit, and it is breathable – although a rating isn’t given. Waterproof zips on the lower legs enable them to be pulled on over shoes, while adjustable Velcro straps let you dispense with cycle clips. For ease of stashing in your commuter bag, the overtrousers fold up into their own rear pocket. There’s some reflectivity. Sizes: XS/S, M/L, XL/XXL (unisex).

Cube MTB Dirtprotect Pant CMPT £79.95

These trousers are primarily designed for soggy autumn and winter mountain biking but they’ll readily double up as overtrousers. They’re lightweight, without the reinforced seat, pockets, zips and darts of many mountain biking trousers so they still work as a second layer. Thanks to a polyurethane membrane, they’re ‘fully wind- and waterproof’, although Cube doesn’t give a hydrostatic head rating. You can get them on over shoes as the leg openings are adjustable. There’s a small amount of reflectivity. Sizes: XS-XXXL (unisex).

Altura Nightvision Men's Overtrousers £80

All of Altura’s Nightvision products are designed for nighttime conspicuity. These overtrousers are no exception: the lower legs, whose up-down motion when pedalling immediately says ‘cyclist’, are reflective from any angle. The Nightvisions are more durable than budget overtrousers, and the fabric is rated 10k/10k for waterproofness and breathability so you should sweat less in them. Velcro-tab-adjustable legs allow donning with shoes and help prevent snagging while riding. There are a couple of pockets but the zips aren’t themselves waterproof. The women’s version has the same features and price. Sizes: men’s S-XXXXL, women’s 8-20.

Madison DTE 3-Layer Women’s Waterproof Trousers £149.99

DTE stands for Defy The Elements. With waterproofness and breathability ratings of 20k and 40k respectively, these mountain biking trousers will do just that. They have a tailored cut for cycling, with pre-curved knees, tapered legs and a close fit thanks to stretch fabric. You can’t realistically wear them as overtrousers; only underwear or padded Lycra shorts are likely to fit underneath. But they’ll be equally effective for commuting on city roads as for biking on muddy trails. Features include two zipped pockets, a ratchet waist closure and some small reflective details. The men’s version is basically the same but also available with different leg lengths and in a midnight green colour. Sizes: women’s 8-16, men’s S-XXL.

Gorewear Lupra Gore-Tex Pants Women’s £179.99

Gore-Tex is the daddy of breathable, waterproof fabrics, which use a microporous membrane to block liquid water such as rain while being permeable to water vapour like sweat. These trousers offer, Gorewear says, ‘100% waterproof protection’. They have a cycling cut, with pre-shaped knees and hips and an adjustable calf taper. You could wear them over cycling shorts or tights but not trousers. The waist has a drawcord, while the lower legs have zips and press studs. The seat is reinforced. A zipped side pocket doubles a stow bag when the trousers are folded up, and there’s a small mesh inner pocket as well. Although there’s only a little reflective detailing, the Lupras are available with neon yellow lower legs as well as in plain black. There’s also a men’s version. Sizes: women’s XS (4-6) to XL (20-22), men’s S-XXL.

Endura Men's SingleTrack One Piece £240

This is a waterproof onesie rather than just trousers, covering you from head to ankle with a soft-touch fabric that’s rated 10k/20k for waterproofness and breathability. As the name says, it’s primarily intended for wet-weather mountain biking, but it will also work for commuting as it will fit over normal clothes and not just tight-fitting bike gear. There are vents under the arms to prevent overheating, an adjustable hood, three zipped pockets (one chest, two trouser) and reflective logos. It’s currently available in black or mustard yellow, but not in women’s version; the dungaree-style Women’s MT500 Waterproof Trousers (£200) are the closest equivalent. Sizes: S-XXL.