Maier Sports have introduced a range of outdoors clothing to the UK, including Scotland, and I have been testing one of their key products, the Lulaka trousers for women. G has been testing the Nil trousers for men.
Maier Sports is a well-known brand in their home country of Germany and historically their biggest market was in ski wear. In recent years, they have expanded to focus on outdoor and hiking apparel.
The Maier Sports clothes are stocked across Scotland and the UK. See list below.
The key selling point for Maier Sports is their trouser fit promise. The size range is immense with 61 sizes, 36 sizes for men and 25 for women, for the trousers.
The sizing really works well. Both G and I measured our waists, hips, inside leg and ordered trousers according to the sizing chart. The fit is perfect for both of us. I think they are the best fitting outdoors trousers we have ever owned.
Maier Sports also have a never-out-of-stock programme in key products, which runs all year round. This means they guarantee certain styles and colours are never out of stock.
Nils trousers for men.
Lulaka trousers for women.
On test: Maier Sports Lulaka and Nil outdoor trousers
The Lulaka trousers are for women and the Nil trousers are for men. They are very similar trousers and both cost £79.99.
All their products are 100% PFC free, a target that the company met two years earlier than expected.
Other features include:
- Water repellency
- Quick drying dryprotec fabric
- Four-way stretch fabric.
- Roll-up legs
- Elasticated waist with belt
- UV protection: UPF 50+
- Wide range of colour choices
- Two zipped front pockets
- One zipped leg pocket.
- Secure hidden inside zipped pocket for small amounts of cash or a credit card.
Head to a shop to try on for the best fit. See:
Out There Active Wear in Banchory
As I have written above, both G and I are very impressed with the fit and feel of the trousers. I was sceptical about whether my measurements would produce a good fit. I am tall-ish with long legs and slim hips and I often find trousers are too loose at the hips or waist or too tight on the bum. They are rarely long enough. But the Lulaka fit beautifully everywhere and the fit is flattering.
G is also very pleased with the fit of his trousers. He says: “The are actually perfect. Length, waist, hips, legs, everything fits well.”
G wears the trousers in the roll-up three-quarters length.
The fabric is very lightweight but still of good quality. All too often, lightweight means thin but this is not the case. The fabric is silky against the skin but not in an annoying way. It is hard to describe but the fabric feels lightweight and cooling somehow. Despite being lightweight, the fabric still has a feel of durability.
The four-way stretch in the fabric only adds to an overall feeling of comfort. This gives a great freedom of movement. G says he will use the trousers for walking, climbing and for general kicking about.
I have so far worn my trousers for walking and going to the pub. They look smart enough for a meal out at the end of a walking day and they are stretchy enough to wear on the hills when walking. They do not snag or rub anywhere and this is another rare quality.
There is a double fastener at the waist as well as a zip and a belt. I never like the waist of the trousers to sit too high so I am pleased to find the Lulaka have a mid-height waist. They are not too tight or too loose. Again, I am amazed by the good fit.
Zipped side pocket, as well as two zipped front pockets.
The zipped pockets are useful for making sure you do not lose things. The side pocket is deep, which I like. It is not the place for keeping a phone because it knocks above the knee but rather a place for credit cards or a small map. In fact, there is a very useful secure hidden inside zipped pocket for small amounts of cash or a credit card. This makes the trousers a good choice for travelling, as well as walking or general outdoor activities.
At first, G wasn’t sure about the roll-up option. But he tried it during a sunny day and discovered that he does actually like it. He says: “I still don’t like the look of the wee button on the side of the trouser legs, which is what you use as a fastener for the rolled up trousers, but I do like the option to have three-quarter length trousers. I think it’s useful to be able to adapt the trousers to suit different weather.”
Legs rolled up in the women’s trousers.
The water-repellency is useful in light rain but nothing more than that. If the rain is light the water simply rolls off the outside of the fabric. This has been maintained even after several washes.
There are lots of colours to choose from and I can see myself buying another pair in a different colour. This season here includes 13 colours for women and 11 colours for men, although not all of these colours are kept in stock at the Scottish stores.
In addition, I like the “100% PFC free” feature. It is good to know that companies are doing their best to protect the environment through the manufacture process.
For a quality like this I would normally expect to pay well over £100. I don’t want to have to spend over £100 but I usually end up with Arc’teryx trousers and they have a very big price tag. At less than £80, the Lulaka and Nils seem like good value for money in comparison.