Rain Pants

[DannyS]

Hello, I would like to know what temperatures you would start to consider wearing rain pants? I'm from WA so it's never been cold enough to need them, but I'll be heading to a colder climate later this year. I would actually rather not have them, are there lighter weight and better alternatives? Are they even necessary, your legs stay pretty warm whilst hiking and I don't mind getting wet?

Thanks for any help.

[norts]

Getting your legs /pants wet isnt a problem if there are no other adverse weather conditions, but as soon as you put wind and low temperatures into the equation then you have a problem.

In summer here in Tassie I always carry a pair of light w/proof pants just in case and in winter I take a heavier more robust pair because I will encounter those conditions .

Roger

[DannyS]

Getting your legs /pants wet isnt a problem if there are no other adverse weather conditions, but as soon as you put wind and low temperatures into the equation then you have a problem.

In summer here in Tassie I always carry a pair of light w/proof pants just in case and in winter I take a heavier more robust pair because I will encounter those conditions .

Roger

Norts what do you consider light weight? If I have to buy some I'll be looking at a pair of Rab Bergen's which are 290 grams. Are they light for rain pants?

[Giddy_up]

I wear them quite a bit in temps of 20 degrees or less and raining of course. I find that once I start to get wet for prolonged periods I get very cold quickly and it's hard to get that warmth back. Stay dry and warm and you function so much better and enjoy the experience more, also it doesn't have to be 5 degrees and dropping to become hypothermic. My advice....if its prolonged rain and below 20 degrees put them on, you've carried them, use them.


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[wayno]

varies from person to person, i know people who pretty much never put them on, even in snow. not that i'd recommend that
if you're feeling cold. put them on.... toes, or fingers getting cold? put them on...
err on he side of caution if you're not used to walking in cold temps much... you'll get a feel for what conditions you need to put them on...
as mentioned it comes down to rain and wind chill in the end, if its calm and dry you could be walking around in them to below zero if you feel comfortable..... as the wind or rain gets up then i'd err on the side of putting them on...

[norts]

I carry Rainbird waterproof pants as my back up, cheap, dont last long in scrub, dont breath, but do have a short side zip so I dont have to take of my boots to get them on/off. Just weighed them, about 180gms. Kitchen scales arent that accurate.

Roger

[Giddy_up]

Just weighed my MD Cascade pants. 489gms


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[wayno]

weights can vary a bit, they can go as low as just over a hundgred grams, the montane minimus... something that light isnt likely to last as long as heavier ones especially scrub bashing
some people use "rain kilts" basically a skirt of waterproof material.... they are about knee length,
they are a bit of a risk if you're not already experienced in cold conditions. they might not be warm enough.
i use these http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/mens-revel-pants.html
350gm
i've also got some 700gm heavy duty macpac prophet ones, made for winter alpine conditions

could pay to go with something cheap but breathable if you're not sure how much you'll wear them. get ones with at least three quarter length side zips if you're likely to have them on and off during the day. the short zip ones are a pain getting on and off over boots you might need to put plastics bags on your boots when you're putting the trousers on or taking them off to avoid dirt form your boots getting into the pants., hence longer zips make that easier. the short zip ones are really better if you're just going to have the trousers on all day,

[slparker]

Anyone tried softshell pants in the rain? Not waterproof but warmish when wet.

[wayno]

softshell material varies a lot in how heavy the fabric is. different pants could give different results...

[DannyS]

softshell material varies a lot in how heavy the fabric is. different pants could give different results...

Wayno you mentioned a kilt, how would a kilt with long gaiters go as a combination? Would that be more versatile? Would it still be effective in the cold?

[wayno]

it might, again it comes down to the person and the conditions...
ifyou're not from a cold climate its a gamble you'll cope with cold very well. you'll probably feel the cold more than the locals... depends whre you're going, if you're going to tas or nz i wouldnt bother with a kilt. its more mild weather gear that stuff, to keep your shorts dry, it's more to reduce sweat buildup in warmer weather...
your safest bet is to go with rain pants really given you're a novice in colder climes.

[bailz66]

Just pack em

If you feel cold put them on

If its raining/wet put them on

If its windy but your not cold I wouldn't worry

Preatty simple.

I have some Montane Superfly Pants and they have been outstanding for me.

[DannyS]

Ok thanks! your right I'm not acclimatised to the cold at all, I'll buy a set. Thanks for your help.

[wayno]

depending on how cold its going to be especially at this time of year you might need long johns for the colder days as well.

[DannyS]

Just pack em

If you feel cold put them on

If its raining/wet put them on

If its windy but your not cold I wouldn't worry

Preatty simple.

I have some Montane Superfly Pants and they have been outstanding for me.

Thanks bailz I'll look into those, I was looking at the rabs but those superfly's look like they have better features in the high contact areas.
Cheers

[wayno]

superfly's are event, wash them after each use in some sort of tech wash for breathable membranes otherwise they'll clog up and stop breathing and or delaminate.

[bailz66]

They are also not very cheap either. If you do decide on them buying them from overseas is the best way to go about it

And yes you need to wash them pretty reguarly.

[wayno]

these guys ship pretty cheap and fast

http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/ ... pants.html

[DannyS]

That's good advice on the washing wayno.

[DannyS]

Thanks for the link wayno they work out cheaper than the rabs, cheers.

[tryangus]

Norts what do you consider light weight? If I have to buy some I'll be looking at a pair of Rab Bergen's which are 290 grams. Are they light for rain pants?[/quote]

I've got a pair of these. I carry them for bush walking but they also get a work out for ski touring as well. Lightweight but somewhat more hardy than your standard plastic 'swish' pants. Recommended.

[wayno]

rain pants cn be as light as 120 grams.. 300 grams is on the lighter side of medium weight thers a lotof models around that weight,. you can go up to 7 or 800 grams those usually have a lot of reinforcing , more for climbing.
i'd go heavier than 300 grams if your'e scrub bashing.

[Orion]

My lightweight WPB rainpants are just a bit over 200g. I think they're Marmot, maybe the Precip pants? I don't remember.
I don't need them very often but when I do I'm very glad to have them.

I'm thinking of scaling down the weight for trips where it's not too cold and rain is unlikely, maybe something like these at 35g:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin ... ad_id=7341

That fabric doesn't breath but when you really need rainpants breathability is not as much of an issue. Or so I imagine.

If you're not into making stuff yourself you can buy a pair of WPB pants that weigh only 82 grams. They're not cheap though.

http://www.zpacks.com/accessories/wpb_pants.shtml

[DannyS]

rain pants cn be as light as 120 grams.. 300 grams is on the lighter side of medium weight thers a lotof models around that weight,. you can go up to 7 or 800 grams those usually have a lot of reinforcing , more for climbing.
i'd go heavier than 300 grams if your'e scrub bashing.

Wayno I was looking at the link you sent and I think the montane superfly pants look good, the other choice is the rab bergens. The difference between the two is that the montane pants have reinforcement on the high wear areas, bum, ankles and knees. In your experience do you see that as useful?

[DannyS]

My lightweight WPB rainpants are just a bit over 200g. I think they're Marmot, maybe the Precip pants? I don't remember.
I don't need them very often but when I do I'm very glad to have them.

I'm thinking of scaling down the weight for trips where it's not too cold and rain is unlikely, maybe something like these at 35g:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin ... ad_id=7341

That fabric doesn't breath but when you really need rainpants breathability is not as much of an issue. Or so I imagine.

If you're not into making stuff yourself you can buy a pair of WPB pants that weigh only 82 grams. They're not cheap though.

http://www.zpacks.com/accessories/wpb_pants.shtml

I like the weight of the zpack.

[wayno]

rain pants cn be as light as 120 grams.. 300 grams is on the lighter side of medium weight thers a lotof models around that weight,. you can go up to 7 or 800 grams those usually have a lot of reinforcing , more for climbing.
i'd go heavier than 300 grams if your'e scrub bashing.

Wayno I was looking at the link you sent and I think the montane superfly pants look good, the other choice is the rab bergens. The difference between the two is that the montane pants have reinforcement on the high wear areas, bum, ankles and knees. In your experience do you see that as useful?

depends what you're going to do with them,
if youre likely to be kneeling in them or sitting on rough ground around a campsite much, its a good thing or if you're doing similar in snow.
if you wear micro spikes or crampons , reinforcing around the ankles is good....

[wayno]

rab have got it over montane on the range of clothes they make, but personally i think montane on the whole are better on design detail.

[creeping_moses]

Haven't read the whole discussion above, but I can never help but put a passionate vote in for the Mont Tempest rainpants when talk of wet weather gear for your legs comes up.

I've had 3 pairs of these bad boys and have worn them for years in Tasmania in horrid scrub and freezing winds in testing snow, and also in the high mountains and ridiculous mud of Africa's equatorial ranges. The pants are my single favourite piece of gear. Full length side zippers make for super fast entry and exit even when soaked in mud, the mud/snow cuff is proper robust, they are comfortable and come up high on the waist, with great braces.

They are Hydranaute Pro fabric, which you might not know, but I personally regard it as just as good as goretex and possibly as good as eVent, but I haven't worn eVent pants. Personally, I don't care about breathability wehn it comes to pants. When I don rainpants, it has to be horrid weather and very cold, so I just want to be dry from the outside first and foremost. Also, I use the Tempest pants as my scrub pants, and they are brilliant for that.

The only time mine have ever failed was when I have inflicted damage to them trying to dry them over a huge fire.

Check them out if you like!

http://www.mont.com.au/index/catalog/product/003

[wayno]

and they are 690 grams., if you're not going scrub bashing you might want to get something lighter....