Durable rain pants?

[flatfoot]

I'm not that happy with my current rain pants, which have been worn at the seams by my gaitors ( in the area at the side of the knee). This damage happened after a single wet / sloshy trip on the Overland Track last year. I've used tape for a repair but would prefer to relegate this pair to stay in my pack for daywalks.

My current gaitors are the Kathmandu ones with an elastic cord for tightening below the knee. I think this contributed to the damage to the rain pants.

Can anyone recommend a durable rain pants / gaitor combination? (where one item won't seriously chaff the other)

[tasadam]

Well you've come to the right place to ask about that.

Here's a bit of light reading for you...

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2831&p=29874&hilit=pants+mont#p29874

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=5224&p=63348&hilit=pants+mont#p63348

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=3574&p=40300&hilit=pants+mont#p40300

These topics and the positive recommendations of other forum members enticed me to forego my long standing ritual of buying a pair of rainbird or 3 peaks overpants for just about every walk, and shell the coin for the Mont Austral Hydronaut ones. Very happy with them, so's my wife.
Durable? Well, for example. Sliding down off SouthWest Cape Range heading for Pasco Range, on my butt, down the steep grassy bank, over the top of the odd bush or rock etc... No damage. Sliding wasn't entirely by choice (but was fun, and saved some time and effort), I was overdue for a new set of boots and so I didn't have a lot of tread, so was slipping on the wet grass a bit.
Like any wet weather gear, you go bashing through Scoparia and you end up with many tiny holes so the waterproof-ness may not end up being what it should, but they will still be durable, and will offer protection for your legs.

[hikingoz]

I've had similar problems with durability and have gone through a few sets of pants. After searching for some that suited my needs I gave up and got them custom made by Andrew Tuller at Outaware. http://outaware.com/Waterproof%20Breath ... rments.htm

I chose to have patches covering the backside and knees. Also I decided I didn't want zips and just ankle toggles. Lastly I got them cut more like regular pants so they wouldn't snag on scrub and rocks when scrambling. They have got articulated knees and were made to my size. Made of goretex with a codura like material for the reinforcing. They aren't lined and are sealed with seam grip rather than tape. The pockets have waterproof zippers.

They weigh about 600 grams. I think I paid about $200. If I ordered another pair I would consider vent zips on the inner leg. Very happy with the purchase. They are tough as nails.

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[wander]

I gave up on the pants and just use a long jacket that goes over the shorts. A pair of thermals for when it snows. Wandering keeps me warm, it just the getting out of the sleeping bag that is hard.

[Azza]

Mont Austral Hydronaut - is the way to go...
Survived a couple of years of scrub bashed and recently a ten day scrub bash of the Eldon's with only a few minor holes.
The rainbird's were shredded to pieces day 1.
Considering the beating they too I'm pretty happy with their performance - a virtual new pair of STS quagmire gaiters didn't fare so well. But they never do.

If your not off track walking through through the wild's of Tasmanian then the Mont pants should be virtual indestructible.

[flatfoot]

There's some good suggestions here!

I'm interested if you wear gaitors over the pants. If so, what brand/model? Is there any significant wear behind or at the side of the knees of the overpants?

[tasadam]

Always my gaiters are under the overpants - you gear up for the walk, then use overpants if needed...

[flatfoot]

Always my gaiters are under the overpants - you gear up for the walk, then use overpants if needed...

That makes sense

[wayno]

alpine overpants tend to be the most rugged, something like macpac prophet pants. reinforced around the lower leg, seat and knees. they have a built in gaiter, full length zip, , use event membrane , one of the more breathable ones.

[ULWalkingPhil]

alpine overpants tend to be the most rugged, something like macpac prophet pants. reinforced around the lower leg, seat and knees. they have a built in gaiter, full length zip, , use event membrane , one of the more breathable ones.

Agree totaly with the Prophet pants. Well made and appears to be durable. comfy to wear. Easy to get into and out off. just a little on the heavy side
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

[wayno]

true they are heavy, i only use them when i am going to need something that heavy, i have a lightweight pair for normal use
outdoor research pertex, 330gm

[Stibb]

Does anyone use short rain pants? I was thinking that pants that just overlap with the gaiters would be ideal but can't find any info. I might get some Mont and cut off the legs or get OutaWear to make some customs. Opinions?

[slparker]

Stibb,
I use a pair of cycling 3/4 shell shorts... basically just cover the tops of my gaiters. They have a reinforced seat and articulated knees, fitted shape so you can walk comfortably without looking like a homeboy or someone wearing a nappy. $80-$120 online from a british cycling store. You can get goretex and event versions as well.

[Moondog55]

Of course if durability is the main issue you could always use a lightweight pair of WPB rain pants and just add another sacrificial layer over the top, something cheap and not too expensive. perhaps a pair of reinforced poly/cotton work pants with double knees and bum??
Rays Outdoors sell work-pants like that for $40- and Yakka sell something similar about $70- a pair but better made and very hard wearing with Cordura Knees and backside, the drawback is the are almost impossible to pull on over a pair of walking boots

[sthughes]

I have Mountain Designs Cascade Gore Tex overpants. Cost me $150 and seem pretty tough and no signs of wear so far, but haven't done anything too extreme. Wear them over my One Planet RFG gaiters which are fantastic. Nice belt stops them slipping down too much like many tend to.

[stu]

Like Azza i'd have to also recommend the Mont Austral Hydronaut pant.
Have had several pairs over the past 5 years or so & they have performed admirably on some of the toughest walks (Eldons, Franklands, WA's etc. etc.).
They are light for what you get & very, very burly...they stay waterproof for a few walks, but nothing stays waterproof off-track walking in Tassie.
Could do with a fly & belt design over the elastic waist, but that's about all.
Sometime wear them over gaiters, sometime under gaiters...