Bushwalk Australia

Another gear advice question please I've searched through all manner of threads here but haven't come up with many specific recommendations.

I'm looking for a pair of rain pants, and as per my tent thread I'm hoping to get something that works for everything I've got planned long term:
- I live in SE QLD (will generally just use quick drying shorts in hot weather)
- Tasmania + NZ ('nice weather' seasons) eg OLT, Milford, Routeburn, maybe some less user-friendly stuff like Western Arthurs
- Nepal eg Annapurna, Everest Base Camp
- Kilimanjaro
- Random bits of snowsports

So far I've narrowed it down to Arcteryx Beta AR:
+ Newest Goretex Pro membrane
+ 3/4 length leg zippers for on/off, venting
+ Cuff compatible with ski boots, inbuilt gaiter
+ Arcteryx design / quality
- Price ($400USD)
- Heavy (~500g)
- Did I mention price?

Any other suggestions?
Thanks!

Given that you'll only need to wear them when it's quite wet and most of the things you want to do in the future won't require them to be super durable I'd suggest going for something lighter, less durable, and a whole lot cheaper. I don't really have much experience with rain pants, but for about $150AUD you can get marmot precip rain pants which are about 377g, or if weight is a concern zpacks make the challenger rainpants for $165USD and weigh around 108g.

Try these:

The Outdoor Research Helium pants are an ultralight (150 grams) waterproof and breathable pants for those looking to shave significant amounts from their pack weight. Weight: 150 grams. $169.95

http://www.wildernessshop.com.au/html/rain_pants.html

First off do you really need rain pants?
Because if it is storm protection you are after then get full zipped whatevers, putting on storm protection over boots is a PITA and in snow you don't want to be taking your boots off and it's much worse if you happen to be wearing skis or snowshoes.
The added weight is repaid the first time you need to put them on
Now if you are wearing them for wind protection just get pull-ons and leave them on and get the lightest most breathable compromise fabric
Mind you that is only my opinion as I don't like storm pants and much prefer full B&B

I don't really recommend taking expensive rain pants into the WArthurs - or, indeed, any of the rougher Tasmanian terrain.

gore tex pro is very breathable and will double as wind proof pants, so will any eVent, so will the marmot pants, or neoshell pants. marmot neo and neoshell are the most moisture and air permeable waterproof membranes
in colder weather I use RAB neoshell pants as normal pants and rainshell pants and windproof ones, you can vent the legs by opening the zippers without having to take the pants off. they have a fly and pockets and take a belt if you need one. if its too warm for them then i'll be wearing shorts... three quarter length side zip is enough to get on and off over the top of boots.

they are the neostretch model but they don't make them anymore
the Nexus look like they are a similar replacement http://rab.equipment/ww/shop/men/waterp ... ants-10136

Arcteryx have great marketing however I've found over time that their quality is not nearly worth the price they demand. Go with a cheaper brand and you won't see a difference. I second the suggestion for neoshell, it's much more breathable than Gore tex.

You don't need an inbuilt snow gaiter in your rain pants, as you won't be skiing powder in them. Gore tex is fragile and ski edges do not treat it kindly, reinforced patches or no. Softshells are much nicer for skiing in and if it's cold you don't need a waterproof pant. I wear softshells when skiing deep powder at -20 and spring corn at +20.. if it's warm enough that the snow is wet, chances are your pants will dry quickly (depending on how much time you spend eating snow, that is ).

You do need 3/4 or full zips if you plan on doing backcountry skiing or mountaineering in warm, wet conditions (a general example is scottish winter conditions, how similar to NZ this is I don't know). This is mainly for venting, as you won't be taking your pants on and off during the day.

I have a set of Arc Alpha whatever pants with 3/4 zips and I've worn them three times in total, all skiing, and each time I wished I had my softshells.

Thanks everyone!

Would love the weight savings of the ZPacks or OR Helium pants but they are lacking the side zippers, and as per Moondog's suggestion I decided that should be a priority.

Thanks for the suggestion of the Neoshell pants, more breathable and less noisy are big advantages. I spotted a fantastic deal on some Rab Nexus from Amazon UK (~195AUD shipped) and jumped on it

glad to be of help, shopping around definitely pays off... my last trip i was even wearing my rab pants on the plane, i was going onto the track the same day

I used a light weight pair of rain pants (goretex sea to summit approx 180$) on the western arthurs....lasted a day. I think in certain situations the weight v durability argument doesn't stack up. Get gear that suits local conditions.