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10/29/2017 03:05PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Looking for a new pair of rain pants. Must be: light weight, breathable, durable.
Any suggestions?
 
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10/29/2017 03:35PM  
Simms Hyalite have served me well.
 
moosedoggie
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10/29/2017 03:53PM  
I'm interested in the group's response. My experience has involved the butt of the pants losing their effectiveness while the legs remain dry.

I guess I need some "Iron Butt" rain gear.
 
OldFingers57
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10/29/2017 07:12PM  
My wife and I have been happy with the REI e-vent rain pants. Light weight and pack small and breath fairly well. Plus not too expensive.
 
Savage Voyageur
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10/29/2017 07:46PM  
Look at the Columbia rain pants. We have an outlet close to me and the price is right.
 
Tman
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10/29/2017 09:26PM  
I have had good luck with the Marmot Precip pants as long as I wash them regularly with the Nikwax wash in durable water repellent and then dry them in the dryer.

One thing I recommend with any rain pant - full length side zips. I've got big feet and there is no way to put on regular rain pants without removing my boots/shoes. The side zips are more than worth their cost and weight. Easy to take the pants on/off quickly - even if it is just a quick rain shower. Before the full zips I would always wait too long to put them on due to the hassle. I'd always end up wet anyway.
 
mastertangler
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10/30/2017 07:32AM  
I think much depends on time of year and your "style" of tripping. In shoulder seasons you would certainly be advised to get rain gear which is tough as nails and does not leak, period. That omits most of the breathable options IMO. I have a pair of Helly Hansen that I use offshore and they are very durable and when I am done I merely wash them off with a hose.

I also own a pair of E-vent rain pants from Arctexy. They are fine for summertime use although they might be overrated as per the membrane and I do not stay quite as dry as promised despite the high dollar paid. I also would be loathe to bushwhack in these and would fully expect them to get damaged. But for lightness and breathability they are tops.

So evaluate what your needs are and the amount of money you wish to depart with before you pull the trigger. Staying dry is not something which is optional on a canoe trip as the unintended consequences can at times be life threatening.
 
10/30/2017 08:41AM  
I like Marmot Precip Full Zip pants. Inexpensive, lightweight and have kept me dry.

Like moosedoggie I have experienced loss of effectiveness in the butt area while the legs stay dry. Wish manufacturers would put extra waterproof layers in the butt area. I have a couple of buds who have spent some big $$$ on their Arcteryx rain gear and have been disappointed in their effectiveness.

I figure I will can come out ahead if I buy an inexpensive quality pant and when the butt area doesn't stay dry anymore ... then just buy another pair. I am in my 3rd season with Marmot Precips and they are still going strong. Not bad for $59 price vs +$250 price.
 
KerryG
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10/30/2017 10:45AM  
Based on my 50 some odd years of tripping and virtually every other serious tripper I've ever spoken to, I've reluctantly come to the conclusion that the idea of breathable and waterproof is largely a myth - the two just don't go together. Water resistant maybe but in the shoulder seasons that really won't cut it.
 
10/30/2017 11:22AM  
quote mastertangler: " I have a pair of Helly Hansen that I use offshore and they are very durable and when I am done I merely wash them off with a hose."


I think I have those same pants. Breatheable is NOT one of their strong suits. However, they will keep the rain off you for sure. You may be just as wet on the inside of the pants though :)
 
10/30/2017 12:47PM  
quote KerryG: "Based on my 50 some odd years of tripping and virtually every other serious tripper I've ever spoken to, I've reluctantly come to the conclusion that the idea of breathable and waterproof is largely a myth - the two just don't go together. Water resistant maybe but in the shoulder seasons that really won't cut it."

AGREE 100% WITH THIS POST !! Sometimes what you have on under your rain gear makes all the differences between comfortable and hypothermia.
 
BobDobbs2
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10/31/2017 08:08AM  
quote Tman
One thing I recommend with any rain pant - full length side zips. I've got big feet and there is no way to put on regular rain pants without removing my boots/shoes. The side zips are more than worth their cost and weight. Easy to take the pants on/off quickly - even if it is just a quick rain shower. Before the full zips I would always wait too long to put them on due to the hassle. I'd always end up wet anyway. "


this X2
 
10/31/2017 08:59AM  
I've had marmot minimalist gore tex rain pants for a few years and love them. Super packable, breathable and a great company for customer service. highly recommend them.
 
zski
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10/31/2017 10:48AM  
quote walllee: "
quote KerryG: "Based on my 50 some odd years of tripping and virtually every other serious tripper I've ever spoken to, I've reluctantly come to the conclusion that the idea of breathable and waterproof is largely a myth - the two just don't go together. Water resistant maybe but in the shoulder seasons that really won't cut it."

AGREE 100% WITH THIS POST !! Sometimes what you have on under your rain gear makes all the differences between comfortable and hypothermia."

I agree as well. Perhaps a separate 'under rain gear' thread is in order.
 
wetcanoedog
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10/31/2017 11:37AM  
years ago I bought pants that were double heavy nylon in the knees and seat and they have served me well.i sewed suspenders on to keep them pulled up and in really bad weather I put on light weight gaiters to seal up the space between pants and boots.
I also have a light weight nylon poncho handy because getting into rain gear in the canoe is a hassle.
 
SteveElms73
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10/31/2017 03:53PM  
I've had a pair of Arc'Teryx Beta AR pants for several years and they've served me extremely well
 
11/01/2017 10:43PM  
quote SteveElms73: "I've had a pair of Arc'Teryx Beta AR pants for several years and they've served me extremely well"


The best. Nothing compares with Arc'Teryx.
 
Minnesotian
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11/02/2017 03:36PM  

I picked up a pair of these earlier this year.
Mens Storm UL Zippered Pants

Got them for $49. On my last trip to Quetico, I did three bushwacks with them on and they held up wonderfully. No rips, no tears and there were plenty of times it could have torn with lesser fabric. Had them over my Muck Boots and at one point during a bushwack I found a deep, beaver dam made pool and went up to my hip. But, these in combo with my Muck Boots, made it seem like I was wearing hip waders. Pulled myself out of the pool and I was completely dry still. I also had to wear them pretty much every day for 5 days straight and they were just great.

 
BuckFlicks
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11/02/2017 04:41PM  
quote Wally13: "I like Marmot Precip Full Zip pants. Inexpensive, lightweight and have kept me dry.


Like moosedoggie I have experienced loss of effectiveness in the butt area while the legs stay dry. Wish manufacturers would put extra waterproof layers in the butt area. I have a couple of buds who have spent some big $$$ on their Arcteryx rain gear and have been disappointed in their effectiveness.


I figure I will can come out ahead if I buy an inexpensive quality pant and when the butt area doesn't stay dry anymore ... then just buy another pair. I am in my 3rd season with Marmot Precips and they are still going strong. Not bad for $59 price vs +$250 price. "


I remember when Man vs Wild was a thing, Bear Grylls wore outdoor pants that had reinforced knees - looked like a rubber patch glued or stitched over the outside knee. Maybe canoeists need reinforced butts.

Yes, I am aware of the double entendre and my statement stands, either way.

I've always liked Marmot Precip pants. Last time, I bought a cheap pair of rain pants at Bass Pro Shops that I liked quite a bit, and costs less than half as much, with similar effectiveness.
 
11/04/2017 10:57AM  
I think I am going to go with the Marmot Precip pants. I went backpacking last weekend in the snow and by the time I got to camp my pants were soaking wet from perspiration. My current rain pants did not have enough breathability.
I guess I will use those for times when I am just sitting around. Thanks for all the suggestions.
 
HighPlainsDrifter
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11/04/2017 08:42PM  

Outdoor Research Foray rain pants, GorTex, 3/4 side zip.
Excellent pants
 
11/08/2017 11:50PM  
I was in Forks Washington where it rains 120 inches a year and bought a pair of Helley Hansen rain pants. Best I have had and I have owned a lot of Marmot rain gear. They have a quick dry liner on the inside and belt loops so you can wear them all day like regular pants. If it looks like rain in the morning those are your pants for the day.
 
jeroldharter
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12/21/2017 10:46PM  
Obviously late to this thread. I gave up on rain pants in BWCA/Quetico. If wetfooting, half of my legs are wet anyway and the pants keep them wet. If I am portaging, the rain pants turn into an oven such that I am drenched in sweat. If I am in the canoe, it is awkward if not dangerous to change into/out of rain pants.

My choice, which I have seen nobody else choose, is a silnylon rain kilt. It is completely waterproof, is simple to put on and take off, packs smaller than my fist, can function as a small ground cover. A quick shake and it is almost dry. I think of the kilt as a CCS Lean for my lower parts. And there are few witnesses in Quetico.
 
bwcasolo
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12/22/2017 05:38AM  
walllee: "
quote KerryG: "Based on my 50 some odd years of tripping and virtually every other serious tripper I've ever spoken to, I've reluctantly come to the conclusion that the idea of breathable and waterproof is largely a myth - the two just don't go together. Water resistant maybe but in the shoulder seasons that really won't cut it."

AGREE 100% WITH THIS POST !! Sometimes what you have on under your rain gear makes all the differences between comfortable and hypothermia."

This is the most important for rain wear. I bike to work year 'round here in NE Iowa. I own top shelf clothing. Mostly Patagonia. In the winter months, I ride a mountain bike with studded tires. It's a 3-mile commute one way. Layering in wool or their capilene fabric helps wick the sweat away. Pit zips help. Summer rains, I'll still sweat underneath, but with a light capilene shirt, it's better.

It's no different when I am paddling and portaging with rain wear. Buy good quality, but don't break the bank over it.

I have a pair of REI pants I wear when canoeing.
 
HowardSprague
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12/22/2017 11:22AM  
I have some gore tex rain pants from LL Bean that I like a lot.

I think this is them: LL Bean GoreTex Stowaway rain pants

But they also have these, for a little less:

LL Bean Tek2.5 trail model rain pants

I've had very good luck with LL Bean in general. (Now, their Stowaway Gore Tex rain jacket I have now has been fine, but had to treat/spray a couple times. Next rain jacket will be an upgrade to....?...something else.)
 
thlipsis29
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12/23/2017 03:23AM  
I'll add my two cents almost two months late: surplus military ECWCS GORE-TEX have worked for me quite well. Reinforced knees and butt and two external pockets. I've bought mine brand new off eBay for 1/2 to 1/3 the price of any other brand as have two or three other guys in my group. Stayed dry and warm on several trips in May.
 
12/23/2017 09:21AM  
moosedoggie: "I'm interested in the group's response. My experience has involved the butt of the pants losing their effectiveness while the legs remain dry.

I guess I need some "Iron Butt" rain gear."


same here
 
RackWrangler
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12/27/2017 07:21PM  
thlipsis29: "I'll add my two cents almost two months late: surplus military ECWCS GORE-TEX have worked for me quite well. Reinforced knees and butt and two external pockets. I've bought mine brand new off eBay for 1/2 to 1/3 the price of any other brand as have two or three other guys in my group. Stayed dry and warm on several trips in May. "


+1 I love mine.
 
flopnfolds
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01/05/2018 08:03AM  
My half cent for what it is worth, especially since you already bought the pants.

It depends upon what you need the rain pants for. If you will be fishing in the cold rain, get some totally bombproof pants. If its just for traveling, my preference is to not wear rain pants. I haven't found a pair that I like to travel in, too hot and clammy.

I wear soft shell pants, most of which has some water repellent properties, and if its colder I wear a pair of wool long underwear under pants. I find I don't really get cold while paddling/portaging, even while its raining. I do keep my torso dry with a rain jacket.
 
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