Full-zip pants are easier than half-zip pants to get on and off, and they unzip to keep your legs cool, but our experts were concerned about the added weight of full zip pants and the risk of zipper failure. But when the weather turns soggy, water-logged pants can really put a damper on your day. TEK waterproof technology blocks the elements while maintaining breathable comfort. Wirecutters Anna Perling wrote the first version of this guide in 2019 and interviewed several rain-gear experts, including Susan Sokolowski, an associate professor and the director of the sports product design program at the University of Oregon; Sean Michael, the program director for the outdoor product design and development program at Utah State University; and Stephen Regenold, the founder of GearJunkie, who is well known for his outdoor-gear knowledge. Good rain pants should have taped or sealed zippers and seams, too, to keep water out. 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). shirt guayabera However, Patagonia doesnt offer various inseam options for the Torrentshell pants (they come in a 32- to 32-inch inseam), so they may be too long or short for many peopleand if they dont fit you well in that regard, you may end up tripping over your pants or showing some damp, chilly ankle. We wore all of our picks for at least an hours worth of hiking to test for mobility and breathability and to see how easy the pants were to get on and off. At this writing, theyre $40 less than our runner-up, the almost identical Patagonia Torrentshell pants. michael kors hooded raincoat macys macy petite coat Of course, DWR coating wont last forever, and may not protect you in a torrential downpour. Overall, the womens version felt more like hiking pants than rain pants, and the mens option (which comes in regular or tall, S to XXL, non-stretch) was boxy. 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. Brooks gazes wistfully into the sky, looking for rain. Unlike other rain pants, however, the PreCip pairs have an effective ankle cinch (an elastic drawstring) to help you taper and shorten them after you put them on. These pants also lack ankle zippers and are difficult to get on and off over shoes. 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. Nylon and polyester are the most common and are considered to be water-resistant, which means youll be kept dry but could eventually get some soak-through. If Marmots PreCip Eco Pants are unavailable, Patagonias Torrentshell 3L Pants (available in mens and womens versions) are nearly identical to our top pick. 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. Theyre also a few ounces lighter than most of the other rain pants we considered. For this reason, we eliminated any pants that weighed more than a pound. After reading many websites and reviews, we looked at the top-rated and best-selling rain pant models that were widely available. Created from a nylon-spandex blend thats coated with a DWR finish, these Eddie Bauer hiking pants repel water efficiently but if theyre submerged and soaked, theyll dry quickly, too. 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. We also decided to look at a few highly reviewed rain kilts as ultralight options. They are among the least important pieces of outerwear. 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. They come in 30- and 32-inch inseams. She has lived in Colorado for six years. We also conducted a wash test to mimic long-term wear and tear on DWR coatings. During our eyedropper and spray tests, we saw no signs of wetting throughboth before and after putting the pants through five hours of continuous washing. 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. We like that these pants come in extended sizes, but we recommend turning to the Outdoor Research Helium pants for a plus-size option before you try these. Then we tested for water resistance. The company thats made them has probably wash-tested them, said the University of Oregons Susan Sokolowski. 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. But our experts noted that some pants are stretchy enough not to need gussets. 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. They have longer ankle zippers that cool your legs when opened partially, which we loved. Our plus-size and petite womens testers both found the waist a bit snug, and our legs got cold during rainy hikes because the fabric was fairly thin. They also offer UPF 50+ protection and have two side pockets, as well as two front zippered pockets. Though the Zpacks kilt is more rigid than the ULA kilt, you can still move around in it. They come in only one length, but they have vented ankle zippers. The industry generally divides such gear into 2-, 2.5-, and 3-layer categories. A membrane like a Gore-Tex membrane is actually laminated to the outside fabric. If you do want to buy a kilt, we like the Zpacks DCF Rain Kilt. JavaScript settings can usually be found in your browser's Tools or Preferences menu. Made from 100% recycled nylon for minimal impact on the environment. On our Hoh Rain Forest hike, the PreCip pants felt breathable. 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. If your pants do wear out, you can file a warranty claim with Marmot. by James Austin, Daniel Varghese, and Sarah J. Robbins. Learn more. The biggest drawback with these pants is their fit: If youre shorter or taller than their inseams accommodate, you may be tripping over these pants or finding that they dont cover you adequately. Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Pant (mens and womens): Light, soft, and stretchy, the fabric on the Stretch Ozonic pants makes them feel and look more like hiking pants than a traditional rain layer. If water soaks through the fabric, youre out of luck, and you need to reapply the coating. Either way, dont underestimate the convenience of pockets or additional features like drawstrings or Velcro closures to ensure you stay comfortable. Finished with a drawstring waist and stirrup cuffs, theyll stay snug and secure all day long (and so will any items you place in the side pocket). FREE SHIPPING with $50 Purchase - or - FREE with the L.L.Bean Mastercard Details. A packable rain pant is invaluable to have on hand for unpredictable travel conditions, especially if they work across warm and cold temperatures (though you could always layer). In fact, rain pants could actually make you too hot in milder climates, or they could cause chafing and discomfort while youre sweating. Welcome to llbean.com! Alternatively, an option made of neoprene will be waterproof but not very breathable, so it might be more ideal for sports like kayaking, beach volleyball, or paddleboarding. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. 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. Backed by over 1,400 perfect five-star ratings, the Storm Surge rain pants were designed by Columbia, an iconic outdoor brand based in the Pacific Northwest which means you can trust they know a thing or two about wet weather. Jenni Gritters tested rain pants in Bend, Oregon, during the late winter and early spring seasons. Although you probably dont need rain pants during lighter showers or warmer weather, a good pair of rain pants can help you stay dry and comfortable when youre hiking in heavy rain or colder climates. For the cost, these pants offer the best value of all the pants we tested. The ArcTeryx Beta pants (available in mens and womens versions) are the most insulating and durable rain pants we tested. Articulated knees on the pants help with mobility. They also weigh about 5 ounces more than our top pick. Details, (Most orders will arrive in 2-5 business days), L.L.Bean is a registered trademark of L.L.Bean Inc. Likewise, they have Velcro-adjustable cuffs, taped seams, and an elastic waistband. Because the PreCip Eco Pants are made from ripstop nylon, they still feel somewhat like trash bags. Rain pants are a just-in-case item that youll rarely need to take out of your baguntil you really, really do. 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. These lightweight, comfortable pants will keep you dry through rainy hikes. Utah State Universitys Sean Michael recommended looking into company-specific washes or treatments. 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. 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. Thanks to their ultra-lightweight construction and included storage pouch, these affordable rain pants are great for carrying in your backpack or jacket pocket and can easily be pulled on over your regular pants, leggings, or shorts when the weather suddenly turns rainy. They also have zippered side pockets. To find the best rain pants, we spent 15 hours combing through reviews of mens and womens rain pants, reading 11 other guides in all.
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