er exploring all the rainy place

2022.07.31
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er exploring all the rainy place

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. gearweare 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. They also have full-length zippers for ventilation. Photo: Graham Zimmerman climbing a new route on Los Gemelos, Torres del Paine area of Chilean Patagonia. The Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic and the REI Talusphere Full-Zip performed nearly as well. 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). While differences in fabric have a big impact on breathability and longevity, the water resistance a given pant has more to do with its design than the actual fabric. We considered two main factors when awarding scores for this metric (which is weighted at 25% of our overall ratings). If you found this guide helpful, please give it a share on social media! These include water resistance, comfort & mobility, breathability & ventilation, features, packed size, and weight. We tested the breathability of all of these pants on wet hiking, backpacking, and mountaineering trips, as well as in a handful of more systematic tests, such as during a 10-minute stair master test at the Seattle Vertical World. Some ultralight pants weigh less than the Ozonics, but we like them so much that we take them backpacking trips when theres significant rain in the forecast. Some models only had a quarter-length zipper near the cuff of the pant.

Its lightweight construction is packable and comfortable to wear all day long. The Arc'teryx Zeta SL is surprisingly durable for its 8.6-ounce weight. No ads. Here, assessing mobility in a driving South American rain storm. The primary limitation, as it pertains to function, is in durability. Follow CleverHiker on Facebook to catch our latest updates & shares. 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. All of our testers appreciated the benefits of side zippers. Once the Velcro failed, the zipper would creep open. We also take into account any features or adjustments that keep different models from falling down. The result is the exterior of the pant becomes covered with a thin but continuous film of water, which results in a heavier pant and reduced breathability. 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. Wind river part three. mxpi That said, theyre some of the comfiest rain pants, and theyre super light and packable. Dont put your rain pants on until you start to feel chilled (see When to Put Your Rain Pants on below). 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. Link in bio, Crisp rushing water and distant snowy peaks in the Wind River Range. If you liked this list, youll love the CleverHiker Gear Guide where we test and recommend tons of outdoor adventure gear from a variety of categories. VENTILATION - Its always nice to have the option for more airflow. MEASURED WEIGHT (MENS LARGE): 12.3 oz.

If you feel wetness forming inside your pants, dont worry too much about it and keep truckin. Even the next closest models, such as the Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic, Outdoor Research Foray, or Columbia Rebel Roamer, were all bulkier than the Helium. We love backpacking, international travel, useful gear, and all things nature. The field comparison of shell pants here demonstrates kneeling and rolling around in wet snow while teaching crevasse rescue techniques on Mt. For most users, regardless of application, packed size is likely one of the most important features when on the hunt for a pair of shell pants. This treatment is factory applied to the fabric's exterior and makes water bead and shed rain and snow. Their low weight and packability is ideal for activities like hiking and backpacking when keeping weight and bulk to a minimum is key. We also do some deep deliberating as we calculate which contenders offer the highest price to value ratio. Rain, sleet, or snow will not penetrate the fabrics that make up these pants. 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. If you absolutely hate hiking in rain gear because you get hot, consider wearing quick-drying hiking clothes and using a hiking umbrella instead. Packed volume is worth considering since your rain pants will live inside your pack more often than not. 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. 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. Plus, we find the waistband to be one of the most comfortable under a backpack hip belt. Comfort, durability, and a well-designed fit usually trump cost in our books, but we recommend quality options at a variety of price points in our top picks below. The Outdoor Research Helium Mens / Womens only have ankle-zips, but they still breathe pretty well since theyre made with lightweight materials. When they aren't guiding, Jed and Ian spend most of their time pursuing their own outdoor objectives. Heather Eldridge is an accomplished backpacker and camping aficionado. In the case of the Zeta SL, this is notable, particularly because that pair features 3/4 length side zippers. The next lightest models were the Patagonia Torrentshell, the Outdoor Research Foray, and the REI Co-Op Essentials Pant. Read review: Outdoor Research Foray Pants. The REI Co-op Essential Rain Pant is simply the best rain pant you can buy for the price. The North Face Venture Half-Zip offers a nice balance of price and functionality. We loved contenders that featured a waist cinch or belt of some kind as it would help keep our rain pants from creeping down. The durable outer fabric feels soft and is quieter than most rain pants. 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. It'll keep you dry when the clouds condense, darken, and rain down on you for days. The stormy environments included in our testing spanned from exceptionally wet spring ski mountaineering on Washington's Ptarmigan Traverse as well as the volcanos above Chile's temperate rain forests.

Rain pants can see a lot of wear, often even more so than their upper body counterparts. In addition, we keep tabs on the market, making sure we have the low down on the best products and the latest technology, and testing them as they become available. What differentiates the performance when a light sprinkle turns to a downpour mostly comes down to each model's overall design, including pocket closures, how well various vents stayed closed, and to a slightly lesser extent, the longevity of the outer materials DWR. Best rain pants overall for comfort & functionality: Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Mens / Womens, Best affordable ultralight rain pants: Outdoor Research Helium Mens / Womens, Durable rain pants at an affordable price: Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Mens / Womens, Best budget rain pants: REI Rainier Full-Zip Mens / Womens, Great quality for the price rain pants: REI XeroDry GTX Mens / Womens, Minimalist ultralight rain pants for hiking & backpacking: Montbell Versalite Mens / Womens, Lightest rain pants for hiking & backpacking: Zpacks Vertice Mens / Womens, Comfortable ultralight rain pants: Marmot Bantamweight Mens / Womens, High-quality lightweight rain pants for technical use: Arcteryx Zeta SL Mens / Womens, The comfy Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Pants are durable which makes them perfect for snowshoe hikes. We measured the mass of all models on our scale. CleverHiker.com 2022 - Privacy Policy - Terms of Use, We stand in solidarity against systemic racism, discrimination, and violence. Ready to go backpacking? 2.5-layer pants are typically the lightest and are made with the same DWR-coated outer. These are the pants you choose for superior weather protection but will carry in your pack most of the time. 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. She cut her teeth on winter camping and rock climbing trips as a youngster then went on to thru-hike over 6,000 miles of Americas longest trails. While the Helium lacks durability and features, it makes for an excellent "just in case" rain pant. Light products in this category are usually inexpensive and compromise on performance by using lower-quality materials. Weve got you covered from stocking stuffers to big-ticket items. ll of the pants we tested were waterproof. Rain skirts can also get caught on brush easily in areas where trails are overgrown. In the end, the most breathable pant in our review is the Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic; the Ozonic is constructed with Dry.Q Elite fabric. 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. 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. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. This was one of my favorite shots from the hike. A trusty pair of rain pants should be in every outdoor adventurer's gear arsenal. New videos, trip reports, gear reviews, inspiring stories and more. The most robust pants we tested were the Marmot Minimalist, Outdoor Research Foray, and The North Face Venture Half Zip; these competitors exceeded our expectations for durability. BOTTOM LINE: If you prefer a streamlined clothing system, the Montbell Versalite (mens / womens) are a good minimalist option. Most of the time, we prefer to hold off on putting them on until we start to feel chilled. We travel to industry trade shows to learn about upcoming product innovations. You can also do things like slow your pace, take off your hat, and expose your neck. The cons are that they arent effective at trapping body heat, protecting the lower legs, or blocking wind like rain pants are. 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.

The fabric is soft and stretchy, and the cut is close and athletic; the pants weigh just 10 ounces and pack smaller than most t-shirts.

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. A sit pad will also help protect the backside of your rain pants when you sit and make your pants last longer. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. MEASURED WEIGHT (MENS LARGE): 13.2 oz. Finally, we considered pockets in the features category. 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. In the review below, we break down the advantages of different pants for different applications. No sponsored content. We live for outdoor adventure, and we take these guides very seriously. The next lightest pants we tested are the non-full-zip Marmot Precip and the Arc'teryx Zeta SL, which both weigh an impressive 8.0 and 8.6 ounces, respectively. If weight is your primary consideration, the Helium is hard to pass up. The following rain pants didnt make our final list, but theyre very popular and theyve still got a lot of good things going for them. A built-in webbing waist belt meant that it rarely, if ever, slid down. The Stretch Ozonic feature a low-profile side closure that performed well while worn under larger packs. PROS: Ultralight, pack down small, extra wide legs for easier on/off increased airflow, CONS: Thin lightweight materials are less durable, more difficult to put on/take off without removing shoes than pants with zippers, boxy fit, no pockets. Lightweight backpacking video guides and reviews of the best ultralight tents, backpacks, sleeping bags, stoves, and more. Why? HIGH-QUALITY LIGHTWEIGHT RAIN PANTS FOR TECHNICAL USE. Our water resistance category compared how well each pant kept their user dry from the outside, while the breathability and ventilation metric quantifies how well each competitor keeps their user dry from the inside. The Zetas also have a trim, natural-looking fit that we dare say is stylish for rain pants. While the Marmot PreCip pants are not quite as breathable as the previously mentioned models, their breathability is impressive at the price point they hit. NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund The DWR used on the Marmot PreCip Full Zip, Marmot Minimalist, and Arc'teryx Zeta SL stood out above the rest. There are some great options that are designed with comfort, movement, and hip-belt compatibility in mind. As a result, this was the most heavily weighted category - at 30 percent. A feature we liked for several reasons and applications (especially snowy ones) is some type of pant cuff cinching feature. If weight isnt your chief concern, the thicker fabric used in these pants offers better protection from brush and heavy rain than ultralight pants. DURABLE RAIN PANTS AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE. 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. Tracey Bernstein breaks out the shell pants during a week long ski traverse in the French and Swiss Alps. LIGHTEST RAIN PANTS FOR HIKING & BACKPACKING. If youre looking for a simple, lightweight pant without unnecessary bulk, the Versalite Pants are a solid choice. 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).

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.