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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Gear Forum Best Rain Pants (Actually Waterproof) |
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05/29/2019 09:51AM (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I have a pair of Craft cycling rain pants that I have had for 6 years. I tech wash them before trips, yet I feel like they always bleed moisture. I like them because the crotch is gusseted and designed for cycling. The legs narrow at the bottom and there is a vent across the top.
What have you found to be your go-to rain pants?
What have you found to be your go-to rain pants?
Get outdoors, ya dingus!
05/29/2019 10:21AM
walllee: "Cabela’s Guidewear have been excellent. "
There is no question... Cabela's Guidewear is the best raingear, bar none. I own a set - jacket & bibs - and I think one could wear them in a hurricane and still stay nice and dry. I've told my wife several times that, of all the outdoors gear I've ever purchased, this rain gear is the best I've ever purchased - period. Love it!
One main problem - they're heavy and bulky. Not exactly canoeing-friendly that way. The secondary 'problem' is the cost. Parka and bibs will set you back between $500-$600 unless you get them on sale (which I did + gift cards).
I had a set of Marmot PreCip jacket & pants that I've used for many years. Finally needed a new set so I purchased the Cabelas Rainy River GoreTex jacket & pants. Lightweight and almost as packable as a nylon rain suit. Roughly the same price as the Marmot PreCip, but because of the GoreTex, a step up (IMO) in quality. About $200 or so for the set.
"Keep close to Nature's heart, yourself; and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean." ~ John Muir
05/29/2019 10:22AM
I spent 4 cold, rainy, windy days on Knife and Vera last week. I lived in my REI rain pants and coat. I have their “top of line” vs. entry level—sorry don’t remember the REI labels but the ones that cost more!—and they worked great! They vents under the arm pits were very nice when paddling in high winds and portaging to help with heat management.
But after the 2nd day of 14+ hours/day in them I started calling them the “stink sack” :-)
But after the 2nd day of 14+ hours/day in them I started calling them the “stink sack” :-)
05/29/2019 10:37AM
I usually forgo the rain pants and just deal with wet pants until I set up shop. I have some cheap gander mt bibs in case I really need but I doubt they work well lol. Also I usually have a couple old school rubber ponchos with for emergencies.
“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
05/29/2019 10:44AM
x2jmorris: "I usually forgo the rain pants and just deal with wet pants until I set up shop. I have some cheap gander mt bibs in case I really need but I doubt they work well lol. Also I usually have a couple old school rubber ponchos with for emergencies. "
Seriously, burn your ponchos and never use them again.
Wearing rain pants and jacket will pay dividends many times over, not only to keep you dry, but to block the wind and add a warmth layer. A stretch of cool, wet days will have you wishing that your pants weren't wet. Rain pants weigh very little and the benefits of wearing them are huge. Don't leave home without 'em.
"Keep close to Nature's heart, yourself; and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean." ~ John Muir
05/29/2019 11:08AM
Jackfish I agree that a good set of rain gear is amazing. But the majority of my trips are base camp set ups. I also rarely ever get cold...at least my legs. I fell in one time when it was a damn blizzard haha. Anyways my reasoning is that it might rain on the way in or out but if I get 5 days of rain I just hang out in camp under a tarp. I wouldn't be out fishing in the rain anyways. So I'm wet until camp and then a tarp and fire go up and all is good. My trips are mostly just to get out there and relax/enjoy life. Whether that be out paddling around in good weather or hiding under a tarp it doesn't really matter to me.
“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
05/29/2019 11:35AM
I have tried a few different rain pants. The pair I like best and use today are Columbia; List price $50, available at Dick's Sporting Goods. I have big thighs and the Columbia has a generous cut. Also the waist is at my hips so, the don't feel like they're riding low.
05/29/2019 12:21PM
x2jmorris... you have enough canoe trips under your belt to know what works for you. I disagree with going into the wilderness with no rain pants because, as mentioned above, they weigh nothing and their benefit can be great. Maybe someday, you'll buy, bring and wear your rain pants and think of ol' Jacques Feesh. :)
"Keep close to Nature's heart, yourself; and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean." ~ John Muir
05/29/2019 12:49PM
Jackfish: "x2jmorris... you have enough canoe trips under your belt to know what works for you. I disagree with going into the wilderness with no rain pants because, as mentioned above, they weigh nothing and their benefit can be great. Maybe someday, you'll buy, bring and wear your rain pants and think of ol' Jacques Feesh. :) "
:) I do bring those gander mt rain bibs I just don't ever use them. They are the only other pants that I bring. I will think of you next time I wear them though because of how you pronounced your name just now.
“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
05/29/2019 09:06PM
I have 2 pair I use depending on temps.
A light pair of Columbia that I modified with extra Velcro tabs so the ankles would stay put & be snug against my boots and a pair of heavier NRS Endurance pants.
Both have been bomb proof & worth their weight in gold. One 11 day trip it rained all or part of every day-that broke my 7 day record...no problem keeping a smile on my face with the right attitude & gear.
A light pair of Columbia that I modified with extra Velcro tabs so the ankles would stay put & be snug against my boots and a pair of heavier NRS Endurance pants.
Both have been bomb proof & worth their weight in gold. One 11 day trip it rained all or part of every day-that broke my 7 day record...no problem keeping a smile on my face with the right attitude & gear.
It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop. -Confucius
05/30/2019 08:14AM
sorry I don't have a specific recommendation for you, as manufacturers and models seem to change every year.
I would HIGHLY recommend something with A) full length side zips, and B) suspender loops.
I have an ancient pair of mammuts in paclite that I refuse to replace despite some fraying and one legit hole. It's nice to be able to put these on/take them off in a hurry without having to sit down and remove my boots.
Also very nice to be able to leave them on, since the full length zips are great for venting. I don't like to portage with them on...but on days when the clouds just can't make up their mind, it's great to leave them on and just vent when needed.
The suspenders work awesome, as they allow me to leave the fly unzipped. This area is covered by my jacket anyway, so it allows for venting without rain getting on my junk.
I would HIGHLY recommend something with A) full length side zips, and B) suspender loops.
I have an ancient pair of mammuts in paclite that I refuse to replace despite some fraying and one legit hole. It's nice to be able to put these on/take them off in a hurry without having to sit down and remove my boots.
Also very nice to be able to leave them on, since the full length zips are great for venting. I don't like to portage with them on...but on days when the clouds just can't make up their mind, it's great to leave them on and just vent when needed.
The suspenders work awesome, as they allow me to leave the fly unzipped. This area is covered by my jacket anyway, so it allows for venting without rain getting on my junk.
05/30/2019 10:08AM
unshavenman: " Marmot Minimalist Gore-Tex Pants for me. I've been very happy with them. They pack small and they are very light weight. "
Marmot Minimalist--jacket and pants. That is what I have. Durable, waterproof, breathable gear that is light enough for backcountry travel.
I would avoid gear like the Marmot PreCip because the GoreTex coating is easily abraided off when carrying packs on extended trips. I had this for my older son, and recently had to replace it when it leaked like a sieve.
Don't go cheap on rain gear---especially if you travel in the shoulder seasons when hypothermia is a real risk.
“Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell.” -Edward Abbey
05/30/2019 10:22AM
Just spent three days last week in rain/windy conditions. Wore the REI Co-op Talusphere Pants and they worked well. 2 of the days were traveling days and they kept me surprisingly dry. It was very cold too, and without them I would have been miserable. Middle of the road price point, and well worth the money.
05/30/2019 01:09PM
I've used the Rab Kinetic Alpine this year a few times already and it's way better than anything I'd tried in the past from Marmot, Patagonia, REI, FroggToggs and a couple other brands no longer around. I so hated my other rain gear that I often just brought waterproof shells and pants made from Event instead. Event is bombproof, waterproof, but thicker, heavier and noisier than the lightweight rain gear.
The Rab kinetic alpine pants and jacket kept me bone dry when it was 40* and raining and I haven't sweat when active at 70+*. The msrp is not cheap but they can be found at a good discount a few places.
Rab is european company I believe - marketed for the rock climbing crowd primarily it seems but I've owned a number of pieces from them and they are all great. :)
The Rab kinetic alpine pants and jacket kept me bone dry when it was 40* and raining and I haven't sweat when active at 70+*. The msrp is not cheap but they can be found at a good discount a few places.
Rab is european company I believe - marketed for the rock climbing crowd primarily it seems but I've owned a number of pieces from them and they are all great. :)
05/30/2019 01:41PM
I splurged for my month solo last fall and bought a pair of Arc'teryx Beta pants and it was worth every penny. It rained almost the entire trip, or snowed. I hiked a lot through dense woods. I wore them for a good part of the trip even when not raining just to keep warm. They have great movement, are tough as nails through woods, sitting on rocks, etc., and I never had even the slightest moisture come thru. Oh and bonus they are l light and very packable.
OT, I bought the Fjallraven Keb Eco jacket too and it is also bulletproof, leak proof. Very comfortable, light and packable.
I bought both for nearly 45-50% off after keeping an eye out on discount sites. I have bought many different rain coats and pants over the years and these are hands down the most effective keeping me dry over long periods of rain, still be able to have full movement, be light and packable, and take abuse.
I do not wear rain pants while tripping in the summer as I wet foot anyway.
OT, I bought the Fjallraven Keb Eco jacket too and it is also bulletproof, leak proof. Very comfortable, light and packable.
I bought both for nearly 45-50% off after keeping an eye out on discount sites. I have bought many different rain coats and pants over the years and these are hands down the most effective keeping me dry over long periods of rain, still be able to have full movement, be light and packable, and take abuse.
I do not wear rain pants while tripping in the summer as I wet foot anyway.
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