The companys site doesnt provide a time frame for warranties, which suggests that you can swap the pants out at any time if something breaks down. I'm glad I gave the PreCip pant a chance. The key is that theyre made with Gore-Tex Paclite material, which is totally windproof and waterproof, as well as exceptionally lightweight. But if zippers break on a pair of full-zip rain pants, your entire leg is exposed, defeating the point of the rain pants altogether. Subscribe now for unlimited access. In our real-world testing, our review team didn't find this to be a significant issue. Half-zip pants, which have zippers running from about knee height to the pants cuffs, allow you to pull your pants off over hiking boots more easily. The PreCip Eco Pants come in three inseam lengths (short, regular, and long) in both mens and womens versions, and they were among the few pants in our pile that proved to be true to size. That hasn't been a deal breaker for me; it's often just a fact of life for full-zip pants. Despite their wider range of sizes (up to XXL), however, ArcTeryx clothing tends to run narrow, so youll probably want to try them on before you buy. However, if youre planning to hike in colder climates or at higher elevations, if youre in a place prone to frequent, heavy rainstorms that last for long periods of time, or if youll be trekking through wet, brushy areas, this guide is for you. If you want a rain kilt for warmer weather: If youre traveling somewhere warm or going to a place with lighter rain, a rain kilt may work for you, but we dont think a rain kilt is the best rainproofing option for most people. It's light enough for throwing in the pack as a "just-in-case" layer on single or multi-day backpacking trips, but durable enough that it will last for those times when you actually have to break them out when the going gets rough. In 2019 and 2022, we first tried on all the rain pants to observe how easy they were to move around in, how comfortable they were, how loud and swishy the fabric was, how easy they were to get on and off, and how well they fit. We took that list of top models and narrowed the group based on the following criteria: Layers: Rain gear is categorized by how many layers its made from. The company thats made them has probably wash-tested them, said the University of Oregons Susan Sokolowski. We also conducted a wash test to mimic long-term wear and tear on DWR coatings. Tripping over pants isnt fun, and neither is feeling like youre wearing a couple of trash bags. GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. But they perform in rain, snow, and mountaineering conditions, plus they promise to be the most durable option. Previously an editor on the Wirecutter outdoors team (where she edited the first version of this guide), she now covers parenting, baby/kid, outdoor, and travel gear. Almost all of the pants we tested for this guide are half-zip, though we did include a few pairs of full-zip pants, such as our upgrade pick. The ArcTeryx Beta rain pants (mens and womens) are more than three times as expensive as our top pick, but theyre tough enough to keep you dry during mountaineering adventures or in heavy rain, snow, or sleet. The convenience of being able to get into or out of your pants without taking off ski boots (or crampons) is a huge plus in the backcountry. Columbia Womens Storm Surge Rain Pants: The Storm Surge pants come in plus sizes in the womens version. Made of ultra-durable and lightweight Dyneema fabric, the kilt has a zipper to seal it and a cinch waist. The Minimalist doesn't feature waist tightening features or belt loops, and has quarter-length angle zippers. Anna Perling tested rain pants in Portland, Oregon, a city notorious for its rain. Instead, the PreCip pants fit well and were easy to move in; we also found their legs roomy enough to pull on over layers and then walk in. These lightweight, comfortable pants will keep you dry through rainy hikes. I especially like the discrete draw cord at the cuff, which allows you to cinch the pant tight against your boots to keep the snow out. Usually, [you should] follow the suggested manufacturers care [instructions]. For our wash test, we looked at the care label on each pair of pants. As for the price, the PreCip Eco Pants are at the lower end of the high-end rain pants we tested and at the higher end of the cheaper options. During our spray tests, water practically jumped off this fabric. However, that complaint extended to most of the pants we tested. The only pant that proved more breathable was the Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic; its Dry.Q fabric was air permeable and didn't require the user to work up a bunch of heat in order for the fabric to start transferring moisture. These pants are just as dry and comfortable in the rain. If youre hiking in a warmer climate, you probably dont need rain pants. The two zippered mesh side pockets let you stash whatever you need to keep accessible. You can always vent these to your heart's content by simply pulling the zips up or down. The industry generally divides such gear into 2-, 2.5-, and 3-layer categories. In the past, Jenni has worked with the REI Co-op Journal to create journalistic and gear-focused content; we put any REI item she tested through evaluations by a backup tester to ensure objectivity. We also decided to look at a few highly reviewed rain kilts as ultralight options. This guide isnt for ultralight hikers, most of whom probably dont want the added weight of a situational accessory. If you do want to buy a kilt, we like the Zpacks DCF Rain Kilt. These pants were slightly smaller than average in regards to other contenders that were tested; they are slightly smaller than the Marmot PreCip Full Zip Pants, but noticeably more packable than the REI Talusphere Full Zip or The North Face Venture Half Zip. Drying your pants on low for a short time can help reactivate the DWR, too. The Marmot Minimalist Pant is well-designed and simple, yet functional, Gore-tex rain pant. The Torrentshell 3L Pants, our runner-up pick, are currently out of stock in womens sizes, but Patagonia told us they would return in August. These lightweight, comfortable pants will keep you dry through rainy hikes. Don't expect these to survive a full season of in-bounds skiing, for example. Check out the info below. Unlike most of the pants we tested, they only feature elastic on the back half of the waist area of the pant, and feature no belt-loops and no "cinching or tightening features. More of our testers found that this cut, of all the pants we tested, fit them the best. If you can handle these minor issues, the PreCip pant does a fine job doubling as an ultralight technical shell at an unbelievable price. The Cloud Cap pants come in sizes XS to 3X for women, in regular, petite, and tall inseams, and that variety makes them worth considering. These pants caused water to bead off well enough, and our tester said that she didnt feel wet even after a long slog in the rain. And although youd be wise to layer long johns underneath them in a snowstorm for additional warmth, they should offer more water and wind protection than our other picks. Brooks hikes up to a waterfall in the Hoh Rain Forest. The Minimalist is exactly what the name implies: a fairly minimalist design, which doesn't offer full-length side zippers, instead featuring 1/4 length boot cuff zips, two front pockets, and decent articulation. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. In 2022, freelance journalist Jenni Gritters updated this guide. No sponsored content. They also have zippers at the ankles that allow for breathability, and they weigh just 5.5 ounces. (The womens version unzipped only to the calves.) Fit: Most rain pants are made in both mens and womens sizes; choosing the right fit for your body helps with your mobility. If youre somewhere warmer or in a place with intermittent rain, a breathable pair of water-resistant pants might be enough. She has lived in Colorado for six years. These pants are attractive, but they have a wider boot cut, which makes them feel like snow pants. The ankles had only shin zippers and Velcro (no buttons), and one tester reported that the REI pants stuck to her legs during a rainstorm, even though they initially repelled water. And although the zippers on the womens PreCip pants are plenty long, theyre not as long as the zippers on Patagonias Torrentshell pants. Mobility: Youll probably be moving around a lot in your rain pants, so its important that the pants move with your body. If you have mountain or winter hikes coming up, theyre worth the splurge. (He likes Nikwax, which adds DWR to rain gear through a spray or wash, and said that the brands Tech Wash and TX.Direct are coupled together as a one-two punch for cleaning and re-treating.) Dirt, sweat, and grime on pants all impede the effectiveness of DWR, so washing or rinsing your rain pants between uses can help extend their longevity. The cuffs are not reinforced. We considered articles from The Adventure Junkies, Backpacker, GearLab, and Outside, in addition to many blog posts and forums. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. Because of that extra layer, these pants are slightly heavier than the PreCip pants, with a pair of mens regular pants weighing 10 ounces and a pair of womens regular pants weighing 9.3 ounces. In fact, this pair is one of the better options for downhill and backcountry ski boots, as the larger diameter cuff fits over decently. The review from here on is our account of the previous model. Then we tested for water resistance. When it comes to durability, don't let the Minimalist name fool you. In the end, not being able to pull this contender over hiking boots wasn't a momentous dealbreaker for day hikers (who have light footwear in most cases), though it was a more significant issue for mountaineers or backpackers. Former Wirecutter writer Liz Thomas, who held the womens unassisted speed record on the Appalachian Trail between 2011 and 2015, said she hikes with an umbrella for maximum water protection with less weight. How can we improve GearLab? Material on GearLab is copyrighted. The Marmot Minimalist is right at home for nearly all outdoor activities. However, your required level of waterproofing or water resistance depends on your planned activities. Though water-resistant pants are available, for this guide we reviewed only rain pants that were 100% waterproof. Brooks gazes wistfully into the sky, looking for rain. But I love the slim, no-frills design of the PreCip pant. The standard-size Helium pants were less well-loved among our testers, simply because they did not measure up to the comfort and durability of our top pick and runner-up pick. Full-zip pants unzip from the ground all the way to the waistband. All trademarks property of their respective owners Their fabric isnt as soft and stretchy as that of the sleeker Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic pants. The Marmot Minimalist offers exceptional weather resistance and performed among the best in our review, in both our side-by-side hose and shower tests, as well as over several weeks of real-world testing over a wet Pacific Northwest fall hiking and climbing season. It features well-designed and articulated legs that move with the wearer; these designs are above average and are comfortable, but do not feel too baggy. We conducted an eyedropper and spray test (per Sokolowskis advice) to see whether the water soaked through or beaded on pants. In the PreCip's case that alternative is Marmot's PreCip barriera polyurethane coating impregnated with silicon dioxide particles. The Marmot Minimalist is exactly that. We tested them both in 2019 and 2022, and although we know theyre popular, we dont think they offer the guaranteed waterproofing that most people need. It's a few frills Gore-Tex PackLite pant that doesn't offer much in the way of extra features, instead focusing on its bomber construction, excellent storm worthiness, and fantastic freedom of movement - all while maintaining a respectable packed weight and level of compressibility. If you want extended sizes in short or tall lengths: Consider the Eddie Bauer Cloud Cap Rain Pants (mens and womens stretch). For this reason, we eliminated any pants that weighed more than a pound. It also features some of the best articulation and is one of the more versatile options that we tested. (The temperature was around 48 degrees Fahrenheit in the rain forest.) With ankle zippers at the cuffs, these pants are easy to get on and off while youre wearing boots. The fabrics have gotten [stretchy enough] that a gusset isnt as imperative as in the past, said Utah State Universitys Sean Michael. These pockets have a protective fabric shelf, and Marmots most recent update to the PreCip design added fully taped seams, which means you can trust that your phone will stay dry during a true downpour. They have vented ankle zippers but come in only one length. One of its few features were two classically located hand warmer pockets that our testers appreciated. I can't say I recommend these for heavy duty. The Torrentshell pants have two zippered side pockets covered with a fabric shelf, and the pants fold and zip into one of the mesh pockets once youve taken them off, in case youre looking for an option that you can easily stuff into a backpack. Columbia Mens Rebel Roamer Rain Pants: Though the Rebel Roamer pants have two snaps at the ankles to help taper the legs, they lack ankle zippers, which makes them difficult to get on and off. 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company. Jenni Gritters tested rain pants in Bend, Oregon, during the late winter and early spring seasons. We experienced that feeling while wearing many of the rain pants in our test groupbut not when we wore the PreCip pairs. Because rain pants often have ankle zippers or snap cuffs that would make alterations difficult, its important to find a pair with the right size and cut for you. Each time, the PreCip kept me dryand the coating continues to hold up well as time passes. Jenni has been writing and editing product reviews for almost a decade, with bylines in Wirecutter, Reviewed, Slate, and beyond. The mens version comes in XS to XXL (26- to 44-inch waist, 32- to 51-inch hip), and the womens version comes in XXS to XL (24- to 35-inch waist, 33- to 44-inch hip). The Minimalist is nowhere near as light as the Outdoor Research Helium Pant (6.5 ounces), which is by far the lightest and most compact model in our review (however, it's important to note that the Helium is not as durable or versatile). Every product will have a sewn-on care label. Subjectively speaking, I would say the PreCip technology offers competitive breathable/waterproof performance. For wet weather hiking or mountaineering, there are few pants we'd rather use than the Minimalist. However, we can vouch for using our rain pants in non-hiking situations on occasion, too: Well layer them over long johns to go out in the rare Portland, Oregon, snowstorm, pop them on for a shoulder-season snowshoe, don them while biking, or put them on for a messy garden job. Youll be able to get a more customized fit if you opt for pants with an adjustable waist, too, whether the pants use a drawstring, elastic cord, or belt. She lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband and two children. Utah State Universitys Sean Michael recommended looking into company-specific washes or treatments. But they perform in rain, snow, and mountaineering conditions, plus theyre the most durable option we tested. Most rain pants are meant to keep water out, which also means that they dont let sweat out, so if youre hiking only a short distance in warmer weather and you wont be wet for long periods of time, you should probably leave your rain pants behind. The Minimalist Pant didn't offer a lot of "extra" features, but instead offers a storm worthy pant that's lighter and more packable than average. The Minimalist uses 50D fabric which is some of the thicker fabric among models tested; it's made of polyester, which is more abrasion resistant, and more durable than nylon. Rain pants are a just-in-case item that youll rarely need to take out of your baguntil you really, really do. With a quality cut and the relative stretch of the fabric, the gusset starts to become secondary unless someone is really doing bouldering or face climbing., Ease of use: Ankle zippers are important because they let you easily don and shed your rain pants as you hike. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Don't need a technical pant? (Even so, we do have a lightweight option in the Other good rain pants section that ultralight hikers might consider.) To find the best pair, we spent 45 hours conducting research, speaking to experts, conducting a killer wash test, and chasing rain through Oregon, Colorado, and Washington. If Marmots PreCip Eco Pants are unavailable, Patagonias Torrentshell 3L Pants (available in mens and womens versions) are nearly identical to our top pick. For mountaineers who may be wearing a climbing harness, bigger volume boots and the possibility of crampons proved to be more of a pain, as sitting and removing boots in the snow is more of an issue than when on a trail. Rain kilts shed water off of your bodytheyre like an umbrella, in skirt formbut they dont provide as much coverage as rain pants because they dont encapsulate your whole leg. Theyre also a few ounces lighter than most of the other rain pants we considered. We also tested Gore-Tex options; however, we found that a basic DWR coating did just about as good of a job of keeping most people dry in most normal hiking situations for around half the price (except for the materials used in our upgrade pick, which contains Gore-Tex Paclite and proved to be the most waterproof and breathable option in the mix). Then, we repeated the eyedropper and spray test to observe any differences (there werent any). We also consulted REIs handy rain-gear guide throughout our research and writing process. And these pants are likely to stand the test of time longer than our other picks because of the fabric. They arent the quietest pants, either. The Minimalist offers some of the best freedom of movement and overall mobility of any pant in our review. She also spoke with Liz Thomas, an accomplished lightweight thru-hiker and a former writer on the outdoors team at Wirecutter. The ArcTeryx Beta pants (available in mens and womens versions) are the most insulating and durable rain pants we tested. They come in only one length, but they have vented ankle zippers. Materials: Most of the pants in this guide are coated with a DWR film and made from materials ranging from nylon to polyurethane to polyester. They also have a more tailored cut than many rain pants we tested; the mens version has a cinching buckle, and the womens version has Velcro tabs at the sides. We combed through reviews on multiple retail sites to look for reports on long-term wear, too. But the Torrentshell pants dont offer any inseam-length variations (they come in a 32- to 32-inch inseam), so if youre shorter or taller, these pants may not fit you quite as well as our top pick. If youre looking for extended sizes in rain pants: Consider the Outdoor Research Helium Rain Pants (currently available only in womens sizes XS to XXXL). Excess, bunchy fabric can get in the way, and pants that are too big are uncomfortable and noisy. The fit and freedom of movement is suitable and allows for other cold and wet snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or even occasional downhill skiing use. Both the mens and womens models come only in black. Its not the end-all and be-all.. Care and maintenance instructions depend on each pair of pants, according to our experts. Our testing team found we could pull these pants over small, low-profile hiking shoes, but pulling the pants over medium to larger sized hiking boots wasn't an option. We lunged, jumped, rolled around in wet grass, splashed ourselves with river water, knelt in puddles, and rubbed our butts against mossy trees and gravel. Even this short zipper helped these pants to be donned over smaller volume footwear like trail running shoes or low-top light-hiking shoes, but anything larger and we were forced to take off our shoes to pull these pants on. Theyre basic, waterproof pants with a few standout features: They have long ankle zippers that make them easier to get on and off than the PreCip pairs, as well as articulated knees, and theyre more breathable than many of the other options we tested. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support, Durable, among the most weather resistant on the market, comfortable fit, excellent mobility, Ankle length zips, no venting options, no waist tightening/cinching options, no belt-loops, Put on Over Hiking or Mountaineering Boots. Weight: Even if you consider yourself more of a weekend warrior than an ultralight hiker, rain pants shouldnt take up a lot of weight in your pack, because theyll probably be in there most of the time. The 3-layer ripstop-nylon fabric of these pants looks and feels identical to the fabric of our top pick, and the Torrentshell pairs were just as water resistant and breathable when we wore them while walking in the rain, too. To tailor the fit of your pants around your hips, use the belt and cinch strap. Articulated knees on the pants help with mobility. Ultimately, because all of our candidates proved to be waterproof enough, we made our picks based on sizing options, price, fit, and features. And the fabric felt breathable during a steamy hike in the Hoh Rain Forest at Washingtons Olympic National Park. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Based on our latest testing, we chose Marmots PreCip Eco Pants, which come in mens and womens sizes, as the best rain pants for most people. The rain pants in this guide are instead meant for everyday hikers and backpackerstheyre not designed for full-submersion situations like angler fishing or kayaking. The new model also has an adjustable drawcord on the elastic waist so you can customize the fit. Although the PreCip pants are still roomy enough to move around in and to pull over base layers, they have a narrower cut than any other rain pants we tested and a better range of inseam lengths to fit people of different heights. We also looked for pants that offered petite, plus size, and multiple inseam-length options. We didnt get much rain during our trip to the Hoh Rain Forest, but at least we had a river to splash in. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. [But] there are other membranes that are out there that do the same thing. You can re-treat your pants to maintain them. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). But during our testing, they werent breathable (likely due to their shell and their mesh lining). (They dont come in plus or petite sizes, however. The REI Talusphere Full Zip wasn't too far off in regards to breathability, scoring 9s out of 10s. If these were truly waterproof, theyre all I would pack, said one tester upon trying the Montbell pants for the first time.