You can also do things like slow your pace, take off your hat, and expose your neck. Our testers didn't particularly enjoy low pockets on pants (mid-thigh) because they generally felt less comfortable when storing heavier items. We've recently awarded the REI Co-op Essential our Best Bang for the Buck Award, as no other model can match its stormworthiness, weight, and packed volume for the price. However, all of our testers found that the lack of Velcro and subsequent lower profile waist to be far more comfortable (particularly with a pack on) than their full-zip counterparts. Ventilation can be worthwhile after it has stopped raining, before your remove your rain gear. Read on to learn about the technical comparisons of each product out there. You also want a pant that'll pack away when not in use. In even the wettest and coldest of Adirondacks hikes, they kept us dry and comfortable. Some of the best rain skirts & kilts we know of are: Rain pants can protect your bottom layers from wet snow. Packed volume is worth considering since your rain pants will live inside your pack more often than not. Weve got you covered from stocking stuffers to big-ticket items. We travel to industry trade shows to learn about upcoming product innovations. Whether hiking, climbing, Nordic skiing, riding your bike, or just crawling over a downed log, comfort and mobility were defined by how much the pant's design and fabric might limit the user's range of motion and ability to engage in particular actives. The REI Co-op Essential Rain Pant is simply the best rain pant you can buy for the price. The Arc'teryx Zeta SL earns high marks for its excellent weather protection and breathability in a form that packs smaller than most. PRICE - We tend to be willing to spend a bit more on high-quality clothing that we plan to wear a lot. They pack down very small, though, and at 6.5 ounces, they are by far the lightest pants in our review. The Zetas are a good choice for technical pursuits that may require crampons since theyre reinforced around the cuffs where theyre most susceptible to damage. Dump heat as you warm up by unzipping side zippers or releasing ankle cuff adjustments. here are some links to popular articles: We own and use all of the rain pants we recommend. A sit pad will also help protect the backside of your rain pants when you sit and make your pants last longer. These multi-layered fabrics allowed water vapor to pass through the material, from the inside to the outside, where it could subsequently evaporate. The DWR beading up water, not only keeping the wearer dry from the outside, but also maintaining breathability by not wetting out. Let us know! Most people carry their rain pants in their packs more often than they end up wearing them, and thus, we weighted weight higher in our scoring metric than other pieces of technical outerwear we've tested. The best rainpants offer ventilation to keep you from overheating while you're on the move. BOTTOM LINE: The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L (mens / womens) are an affordable and durable option with solid construction. This leads us to its primary drawback; while perfect as a just-in-case pant that you may put on for an afternoon thunderstorm or a couple of times during a week-long backpacking trip, it simply isn't as durable or breathable for someone who anticipates a great deal of aerobic use. Read review: Outdoor Research Foray Pants. If you keep moving, youll warm up quickly and the layers beneath will start to dry. We also performed a side-by-side spray down with a garden hose (for five minutes) to systematically compare their weather resistance and storm worthiness. The Helium pant isn't super quick to pull on and only provides average breathability. New videos, trip reports, gear reviews, inspiring stories and more. The soft stretch fabric makes them quiet and gives them an unrestricted feel thats relaxed and easy to move in. If you absolutely hate hiking in rain gear because you get hot, consider wearing quick-drying hiking clothes and using a hiking umbrella instead. These types of features were particularly nice for snowy applications because they helped keep snow out of your boots while snowshoeing or hiking and made it less likely that you'd catch a crampon on them while climbing or mountaineering. The Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic and the REI Talusphere Full-Zip performed nearly as well. ZIPPERS - Zippers on rain pants have two functions: they add ventilation and help you thermoregulate, and they make it easier to put on and take off the pants. 2-layer pants are the most common and affordable and theyre typically constructed with a Durable Water Repellent-coated (DWR) outer shell and a breathable liner (usually mesh). BOTTOM LINE: If youre on a budget and weight isnt your chief concern, the REI Rainier Full-Zip (mens / womens) are a great option for all-around use. While the Helium lacks durability and features, it makes for an excellent "just in case" rain pant. Lightweight backpacking video guides and reviews of the best ultralight tents, backpacks, sleeping bags, stoves, and more. The North Face Venture Half-Zip offers a nice balance of price and functionality, most packable pant in our review was the Outdoor Research Helium, the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Lightweight, excellent stormworthiness, packable, sweet 3/4 length side zips, impressive breathability, Lightweight, stormworthy, quiet fabric, good breathability, 3/4 length side zips, effective elastic cuffs, Durable, among the most weather resistant on the market, comfortable fit, excellent mobility, Mega stretchy fabric, best breathability in the review, built in belt is the bomb, By far the lightest and most compact pant in our review, great mobility, elastic waist band is extremely comfortable and functional, No pockets, waist band is not as nice as others, expensive, No zip fly, one marginally useful pocket, DWR didn't last as long as other models and needed to be retreated more frequently, Ankle length zips, no venting options, no waist tightening/cinching options, no belt-loops, Not quite as abrasion resistant as other models, so-so weather-resistance, Less durable than most, hard to pull on over boots, Lightweight, yet tough, comfortable, and articulated enough for a week long backpacking trips where it rains every day, Highly protective pants that are light and compact for tucking away in your backpack, A basic, few-frills Gore-Tex pant that offers fantastic storm protection and mobility; it sacrifices little convenience for weight, without giving up anything in the way of performance, A fantastic all-around pant with rad stretchy fabric, which offers exceptional freedom of movement and the best breathability, Hard to beat for any trip where weight and packed space are at a premium - as long as there isn't too much off-trail travel, where their lower than average durability could be an issue, 2.5 Layer Gore-tex with PacLite Technology, 50D 100% Polyester w / Gore-tex PacLite Waterproof Breathable Membrane, 30D 100 Nylon Ripstop w/ Pertex Shield+ Waterproof Breathable Insert, This performance oriented all-around model is stormworthy enough for rainy week long backpacking trips but light enough to throw in the bottom of your pack as a just-in-case layer on day hikes, Waterproof and breathable rain pants that protect well and go largely unnoticed in your backpack, The Minimalist is a basic pant that screams mobility and storm protection, The Ozonic offers some of the best breathability and mobility in our fleet, An excellent choice where packed space and weight are a priority, Hikers on a budget, with limited and short exposure to truly foul weather will dig these pants as an emergency product in the bottom of your pack, Simple, basic shell pants for typical casual use, You can certainly buy a nicer pair of rain pants but you'll find it difficult to buy a better pair for the price, For the price this is tough to beat; they are breathable, wallet-friendly, and feature full-length zippers, REI's offering is friendly on the wallet, and is versatile and storm-worthy; however, it's not as light as others in our fleet, The Rebel Roamer won't break the bank; while it doesn't boast a ton of extras, it's storm worthy and versatile, It is a small niche that these pants fill; for that niche, they are very well made and virtually over-prepared, Versatile and a decent weight, this model is perfect for downhill skiing or day hikes. Doing so funnels rain water from your upper body right towards your crotch. This means they keep breathing even if once you have stopped working hard, something that products using Gore-Tex and other ePTFE fabrics can't do nearly as well. Plus, they have convenient pockets for your hands, keys, or a wallet. The pros are that theyre easier to put on and take off, theyre often lighter, and they have great airflow. However, after extensive testing, most of our testers preferred the 3/4 length designs because they still offered nearly all the benefits of full-length models while being slightly lighter and typically more comofrtable in the waist area. After testing each product while backpacking, hiking, and mountaineering, we evaluate each comparatively using six key metrics. Ryan O'Connell getting prepared just as it starts to rain on the final (exposed to weather) pitches on Tangerine Trip. The Ozonics are super comfy and are hands down some of the best rain pants weve ever worn. Several models utilized designs that let the pants zip entirely in half. HIGH-QUALITY LIGHTWEIGHT RAIN PANTS FOR TECHNICAL USE. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. When it starts to rain, it is rarely convenient to remove your footwear; because of this, we gave higher scores to models that were quicker to pull on without removing our boots or shoes. You'll be turned on to new videos, trip reports, gear reviews, inspiring outdoor stories and much more. Even more than the obvious bushwhacking and overgrown trailing hiking, many folks don't think about the times when you sit down on a log for a break, or when you kneel down to fill up your water bottle at a stream. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. The best way to deal with moisture from the inside is to start cold if you know youll be hiking uphill. Link in bio, Crisp rushing water and distant snowy peaks in the Wind River Range. Some ultralight rain pants without zippers (especially those with a roomy fit) breathe almost as well because theyre typically made with thinner materials. Don't let a poor forecast keep you from embarking on a hike or backpacking trip you've been planning for ages. Another vital factor to consider is the longevity of the pant's water resistance and its durable water repellent (DWR) treatment. We discovered a few minor downsides to the full-zip models, which zip 100% of the way from the waist to the ankle. MEASURED WEIGHT (MENS LARGE): 9.25 oz. To test water resistance, we stood in a standard indoor shower for four minutes, determining which contenders could withstand the test. Another major advantage is that these weight just 9.5 ounces, which is less than many of its price-pointed competition. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. In fact, opening your side zips in anything more than a light drizzle is a quick way to soak your legs (and likely your boots, too). Best value rain pants: Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Mens / Womens & REI XeroDry GTX Mens / Womens, Best budget rain pants: Outdoor Research Helium Mens / Womens, Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Mens / Womens & REI Rainier Full-Zip Mens / Womens, Best high-end rain pants: Marmot Bantamweight Mens / Womens & Arcteryx Zeta SL Mens / Womens, The REI Rainier Full-Zip Pants are an affordable 2.5-layer rain pant. These pants only have ankle-length zippers, which means theyre a bit more limited on ventilation and are a little tougher to put on without removing your shoes. Rain pants that have full-length zippers allow the most airflow and are the easiest to put on and take off without removing your shoes. ll of the pants we tested were waterproof. Confidence in your ability to control your temperature with clothing and movement will come with practice. The OR Foray makes fewer compromises. Were proudly donating 100% of our revenue from today to the following organizations to address social justice and policy change. Rain Pants like the Montbell Versalite are really good at retaining body heat and cutting the wind, so its best to put them on when you feel chilled. Rain skirts can also get caught on brush easily in areas where trails are overgrown. DURABLE RAIN PANTS AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE. That said, theyre still a little more work to thread your foot through than pants with full-length zippers. Got feedback? Manufacturers use many different waterproof fabrics and construction methods with different design characteristics and, thus, different performance levels depending on the application. Most people will likely carry their rain gear much more frequently than they'll wear it, and there is a pretty big difference in weights among models, even among options we tested, despite the fact that they are all geared towards backpacking and hiking. Rain skirts and kilts have become a popular alternative to rain pants in the ultralight backpacking world. Our expert panel consists of gear testers Jediah Porter and Ian Nicholson; both international certified IFMGA/American Mountain Guides. After exploring all the rainy places from Patagonia to the USA, and stops in between, we offer our award winners and recommendations, unbiased and designed to help you in your quest for the best rain pant. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations. After spending several hours researching different products and making a selection for this review, we purchased each product (at retail) to test each product in hand. It suited us fine for mountaineering above treeline or backpacking on a trail, but it's ill-equipped for thorny bushwacks or canyoneering adventures where the material might rip. We own and field test every product we recommend, which is sadly not the norm. CleverHiker.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. The price is a bit steep, but the Zetas are worth the investment if you know youll be wearing rain pants a lot and want something that looks and feels good. Finally, we considered pockets in the features category. Many of the pants we reviewed feature three-quarter or full-length side zippers. The Marmot Minimalist and Outdoor Research Foray offered a solid design with good articulation, and we could easily clamber over downed logs blocking the trail. However, from a strictly water-resistant standpoint, the fact that one fabric is waterproof to 30 PSI and another to 50 PSI doesn't make a functional difference to the wearer despite some manufacturers' hype. If we are exerting effort and the outside air temperature is cold, these fabrics could breathe equally as well as the Stretch Ozonic. WEIGHT & PACKABILITY - Many lightweight rain pants pack down small and work well for hiking and backpacking. Our rainy day experts have been testing pants for the last 6 years with over 25 different models exposed to rain and sleet. Even more than rain jackets, rain pants tend to live in the bottom of most packs, taken out occasionally, and used sparingly when the weather turns grim. Every time you kneel or sit while traveling in the backcountry, there is a chance of tearing or puncturing your pants. Most of our testers (depending on activity) thought that these few ounces (3-5 additional ounces on average for side zips) made donning and shedding our rain trousers far easier and thus were worth the minimal extra weight, particularly for mountaineering applications. However, if we weren't working as hard or it's warmer out, the Stretch Ozonic offers superior breathability. Hopefully you have found this review helpful in choosing the best option to help you to continue to have fun on your next rainy (or wind, or snowy) adventure. We found that models using Gore-tex PacLite scored the highest in our breathability tests (though not by much), with the Mountain Hardwear Ozonic and the REI Talusphere performing similarly. Photo: Graham Zimmerman climbing a new route on Los Gemelos, Torres del Paine area of Chilean Patagonia. We recommend keeping Tenacious Tape on hand for repairs on remote trips. Ready to go backpacking? This award is also for folks who end up carrying an emergency pair on day hikes, bike trips, cross-country ski days, and just about any outdoor activity in which the weather can take a blustery or wet turn. The North Face Venture Half-Zip offers a nice balance of price and functionality. MEASURED WEIGHT (MENS LARGE): 2.95 oz. We also studied how well each model's features allowed for ventilation and moving moisture directly. With that in mind, the Vertice Pants are a great option for hikers who are dedicated to keeping their backpacking gear as lightweight as possible. There was a pretty big difference in breathability among models we tested. Zippers along the sides of rain pants are great for letting excess heat escape if you get too warm while hiking uphill or being active. Heather Eldridge is an accomplished backpacker and camping aficionado. We also tested how each contender kept us dry in the field, using them for several months, enduring many wet fall overnight backpacking trips, day hikes, and mountaineering excursions in the Pacific Northwest. We constantly update our guides when new products launch. Its lightweight construction is packable and comfortable to wear all day long. Not only will they keep you dry when the skies open up, but theyll also cut the wind and hold in valuable body heat to keep you safe and warm in the backcountry. It'll keep you dry when the clouds condense, darken, and rain down on you for days. This pant has no pockets and lacks abrasion resistance. Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on our latest posts then visit our Facebook page and Instagram to join the community conversation. This is because if it is really raining hard opening vents to "stay cool" is a sure way to get wet. This team knows the value of having the right gear and is no stranger to unpredictable and inclement weather. Whether you are simply out for a day hike or 20 pitches up El Captain when it starts to rain, it seems you can never get your rain gear on quick enough. These sidezips can facilitate some ventilation, but their primary design is to allow the wearer to quickly pull the pant on or off without removing footwear. In the review below, we break down the advantages of different pants for different applications. All trademarks property of their respective owners All of the fabrics used in the pants we tested proved to be waterproof. We live for outdoor adventure, and we take these guides very seriously. Weight is an important factor when selecting rain gear for outdoor activities. The Arc'teryx Zeta SL is surprisingly durable for its 8.6-ounce weight. Being able to dump a little heat especially once it has stopped raining, between storms, or is if it is only misting is certainly an additional benefit. This review covers 13 top pairs, which we've put head to head in a series of tests. MINIMALIST ULTRALIGHT RAIN PANTS FOR HIKING & BACKPACKING, CONS: Less durable than others, limited ventilation and more difficult to put on/take off without removing shoes due to lack of zippers, no pockets. They're a little smaller than the compared models above but still more substantial than the Helium. Our women's testing team performed in-depth testing on women's specific models. Because theyre heavier and bulkier than some, the Rainier Pants are best suited for times when weight doesnt matter as much. The most packable pant in our review was the Outdoor Research Helium, which took up about half the volume of nearly every other contender. We take the time to test each product in the field while hiking, biking, and exploring through all sorts of rain. MAKE CHANGING ON THE FLY EASIER - Taking off your shoes to change into rain pants on the trail can be a hassle, but a simple solution to avoid getting your feet wet is to stand on a sit pad, like a Therm-a-Rest Z-Seat Pad. To learn more tips for hiking and backpacking in the rain, check out the following links: The drawstring of the Outdoor Research Helium Mens / Womens. This attribute, combined with top-notch compressibility, allows it to easily disappear in our pack until needed. We measured the mass of all models on our scale. As an organization, we feel this issue is too important to remain silent and do nothing. Several pants either sported a Velcro flap or a piece of shock cord and toggle. Most comfortable rain pants: Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Mens / Womens, Marmot Bantamweight Mens / Womens & REI XeroDry GTX Mens / Womens, The Marmot Bantamweight Pants have a flat waistband thats comfortable under a hip belt. Theyre easy to move in and relatively breathable since theyre made with a thin stretchy material. PROS: Affordable, ultralight, pack into their own pocket, more durable than most UL pants, CONS: Limited ventilation and more difficult to put on/take off without removing shoes due to short zippers. CleverHiker.com 2022 - Privacy Policy - Terms of Use, We stand in solidarity against systemic racism, discrimination, and violence. Some models with beefy Velcro or snap-style closures would pinch under a pack's waist belt if it was heavily loaded. The thin material isnt as durable as some, but it makes the Versalite Pants feel fairly breathable and comfortable to hike in even without zippers for ventilation. Though its fabric doesn't stretch, it offers incredible overall articulation and moves with us while hiking or climbing as well as any model something that was even more impressive considering its slimmer fit. Read review: Outdoor Research Helium Pants. A large fall storm rolled through and we "took advantage" of the conditions on an extended backpacking trip. Among the more price-pointed options, the REI Co-op Essential and the Patagonia Torrentshell Pants offered above-average mobility and comfort and performed exceptionally when it came to comfort and mobility. However, in a downpour, running water could potentially seep in through a pocket, leak in via a side pocket that is not completely closed, or work its way down to where the waistband meets your body. Weve spent countless hours researching and hiking through the drizzle to bring you this list of the best rain pants on the market. MEASURED WEIGHT (MENS LARGE): 13.2 oz. We mean it when we say this fabric is stretchy; almost at a level like we haven't even seen before. Our experts have spent 100+ hours testing the best models on the market in the rainy Pacific Northwest. The least durable include the Outdoor Research Helium and the Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic, which not surprisingly, also happen to be the lightest and most packable options. Toss the Zeta into your pack as a just-in-case item on a longer multi-day trip, and you won't even know it's there. The Essential Rain Pant is constructed with a 2.5-layer proprietary coated waterproof fabric that performs similarly in weather resistance and breathability to many higher-end rain pants. For example, if it's raining hard or you're simply walking up a wet, brushy, or overgrown trail, having your side zippers open isn't an option. 3-layer pants are the most effective and they incorporate all of the above - they have a DWR-coated outer shell, a breathable and waterproof midlayer, and then a polyurethane lining for the innermost layer. The durable outer fabric feels soft and is quieter than most rain pants. It boasts impressive stormworthiness, weight, and packed volume that we found comparable to many high-end options. The Outdoor Research Helium came in at around seven ounces, which was nearly half the weight of many of the pants on our list. The Stretch Ozonic feature a low-profile side closure that performed well while worn under larger packs. Because shell pants are worn only occasionally and almost always over pants or shorts that have pockets of their own, we weighted pockets below other features. COMFORT - In these modern times, you dont have to settle for uncomfortable waistbands, pants that restrict your movement, or materials that feel plasticky. It is worth noting that the Helium and the Ozonic Pants are durable enough for most hiking and backpacking trips - as long as there is only minimal bushwhacking and you take care crawling over downed trees and the like. For maximum comfort when backpacking, make sure youre taking good care of your rain gear (airing it out at night and avoiding bushwhacking), and that you have something nice and dry to change into at the end of the day. Theyre made with thin materials, but this latest iteration of the Helium Pants is tougher than previous versions and is more tear-resistant than most ultralight rain pants. A trusty pair of rain pants should be in every outdoor adventurer's gear arsenal. Rain, sleet, or snow will not penetrate the fabrics that make up these pants. As long as youre wearing synthetic clothing, its ok if it gets a little wet before you put rain pants over the top. NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund PROS: Durable, quiet, lightweight, hand pockets, pack into their own pocket, shoelace hook, CONS: Limited ventilation and more difficult to put on/take off without removing shoes due to short zippers, waistband cord lock slips. Pockets are useful features, adding to a pants ease of use and functionality. Light, heavy, big drops, small drops our expert testers rate ventilation, comfort, value, and several other key metrics. That said, it is nice to have at least one pocket as an easy place to stash something while cooking in camp or out on the trail. This also means that you can easily put them on or them take off on the fly. As a result, this was the most heavily weighted category - at 30 percent.
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