Rain Pants for the OLT

[Pongo]

Hi Folks,

I'm off to the overland in March and have resigned myself to getting some rain pants. I don't own a pair so am at that stage where I'm poking around the internet trying to work out what to get. So I was wondering if you kind folk could lend me hand / a few suggestions.

Given my shape, I really need to try on pants so I really need something I can get in Australia, and I have a preference for lightweight gear as I'm cutting pack weight atm. I might get a cuben fibre wrap one day, but I'll leave that for later, for now I think I'll stick with pants. I'm not sure if it's worth mentioning, my jacket is a Macpac Hollyford, its long enough to go about halfway down my quads to will double up with a pant a bit.

I was eyeing off the Montane Minimus Pant (http://www.backpackinglight.com.au/prod1076.htm) which seems to be reasonable. Does anyone have experience with them? Or reason to warn me off them?

Thanks all, any input would be appreciated.

[wayno]

careful. the lightweight pants won't stand up to impact with scrub or scraping on rocks if you end up using them in that environment, ultralighters dont go into that sort of environment. in the states their gear doesnt tend to come into contact with the vegetation you have in tasmania and other bushy overgrown tracks in aus....
that pertex shield is very thin stuff, made for saving weight first and durability last

this is what i have, 350gram, still on the lightweight side, been robust enough, i dont bush bash in them though
http://www.bogong.com.au/or-revel-pant-l-black-1.html

[norts]

If only doing the OLT then a pair of cheap Rainbirds are ok, they dont last long when you get into scrub or sliding down boulder.
http://www.rainbirdclothing.com.au/inde ... D=19419394
For summer on track walking I have a pair thrown in the pack.
Edit - also they are available in Tasmania, at least one of the bushwalking shops in both Launie and Hobart have them, so you can try them on.


Roger

[photohiker]

+1 on the Rainbirds. They should last the OLT and still have a bit of life left in them for other activities.

[alanoutgear]

I lashed out a few years ago and bought a pair of Gore-Tex rain pants by Berghaus from Paddy Pallin. They cost a heap and it hurt paying for them, but after the first wear I never regretted it - great adjustable fit, full length zips for easy on/off, vents, hard wearing, light, small (like a gralefrit when packed), and breathable.

Can't find Berghaus on the PP site but these look similar: http://www.paddypallin.com.au/marmot-precip-full-zip-rain-pant-mens.html

[wayno]

they've still got gore tex http://www.paddypallin.com.au/marmot-mi ... -mens.html

[wayno]

bear in mind if youre going to be taking them on and of over muddy boots, having overtrouses with a three quarter length or full length side zips mean you can take them on and off without having to slide your boots through the legs getting mud on them, or take your boots off

[Strider]

Snowgum do a pretty decent rain pant at a fairly reasonable price (around $120).

[Hallu]

Be careful what you buy, I got those : http://www.montane.co.uk/range/men/legwear/terra-pants assuming they were waterproof, they aren't. They work in a drizzle, but for continuous regular rain, forget it. Only buy Gore-Tex and/or DWR. If not clearly specified, and it only says "fine for all weather" don't bother. Usually when they say "Quick-drying" that also means they'll get wet very fast.

[wayno]

gore tex is good yes but event is also good, and neoshell. and pertex. hyvent, membrain

[quicky]

Hi Folks,

I'm off to the overland in March and have resigned myself to getting some rain pants. I don't own a pair so am at that stage where I'm poking around the internet trying to work out what to get. So I was wondering if you kind folk could lend me hand / a few suggestions.

Given my shape, I really need to try on pants so I really need something I can get in Australia, and I have a preference for lightweight gear as I'm cutting pack weight atm. I might get a cuben fibre wrap one day, but I'll leave that for later, for now I think I'll stick with pants. I'm not sure if it's worth mentioning, my jacket is a Macpac Hollyford, its long enough to go about halfway down my quads to will double up with a pant a bit.

I was eyeing off the Montane Minimus Pant (http://www.backpackinglight.com.au/prod1076.htm) which seems to be reasonable. Does anyone have experience with them? Or reason to warn me off them?

Thanks all, any input would be appreciated.

I've got some Montane Minimus pants, and they perform brilliantly. I'm careful when playing around on rock, but generally speaking, mine work a treat. The fit is great, the expandable velcro ankle cuffs are brilliant, and they're nice and light. The scrub hasn't really hurt them to date. Plus, the OT is well groomed, so there is ample opportunity to take care.

[Hallu]

Personally I still can't wrap my head around the fact that rain pants cost as much as a tent or a backpack... and unlike those items, they're almost never on sale, god knows why.

[wayno]

the breathable membranes drive the price up

maybe not enough people buy them. or people go shopping for jacket and pants and are attracted by a coat sale and the catch is to pay full price for the pants.

[Pongo]

Thanks a bunch for the suggestions and advice.

I'll have a look at both the minimist and minimalists (man if that isn't confusing I don't know what is! ) to get a feel for durability. I'm leaning towards the lighter pair + some love and care. As it is with most kit, I suspect I'll end up with both types eventually.

[Jason68]

Go the good old cheapie rainbirds! Watch dirt/crud in boot zips though. They (only used pants) lasted the Bibb Track over winter, was impressed!

[Hallu]

I'm trying to find a descent pair of waterproof pants right now, but it's tough finding one with short inseam... And for the marmot ones, either they don't specify the inseam, or it's on amazon/campsaver that won't ship Marmot products overseas...

[wayno]

use a mail forwarding company in the states and you can get anything shipped from there...

[Jason68]

Or have a look at a site like

http://www.iclimb.co.nz/

There's a mirror AU site off that, they'll order mount-bell stuff in through their NZ from US that you can't get shipped directly to AU.

Might be of interest to you

[wayno]

onestepmore mentioned they can be slow ordering, if they are out of stock they only reorder every few months.

[Jason68]

Very true Wayno.

[Pongo]

To add some complexity, does anyone use their rain pants as camp pants? It was mentioned in another thread and got me thinking about it. If a rain pant dries quickly, or in theory doesn't wet through at all, I might end up opting for - Thermal pant + rain pant...

Thread in question: viewtopic.php?f=25&t=12381

[wayno]

you cant rely on wet weather gear not to wet through, if it rains hard enough and is completely wet on teh outside it can't let the sweat out... or if its a cheap membrane it can let the water through in high winds....
i think better membranes will withstand winds up to around 200k

[Tortoise]

To add some complexity, does anyone use their rain pants as camp pants? It was mentioned in another thread and got me thinking about it. If a rain pant dries quickly, or in theory doesn't wet through at all, I might end up opting for - Thermal pant + rain pant...

Thread in question: viewtopic.php?f=25&t=12381

Hi Pongo, I think that was me. I should clarify - the ridiculously cheap light non-breathable rain pants are just for camp, instead of spare shorts, long pants or the like. I also take a pair of rain pants for the rain.

Pros for Rainbird - relatively cheap (<$45 i think); Lasted me for years, even with some off-track - though i put my gaiters over them if it's scrubby, and then they don't breathe much. But that's not a big issue for me. Yep, the zips can be tricky in mud.


Cons for goretex - heavy, expensive, no longer waterproof once stabbed by a gazillion bits of scoparia etc, that you will find on any decent side trip from the OLT

Others obviously have different views.

[madmacca]

My theory on rain pants is that you are going to get wet regardless if it rains heavily enough for long enough.

I see the value of rain pants is that they significantly reduce wind chill. In wet, windy and low temperature conditions (eg. OLT, Vic/NSW alps), this can suck the body heat out of you in just a few minutes.

[steveh72]

I'm a plus and a minus for the rain bird

My rainbird pair has survived numerous outings through tassie scrub & snow etc and still work fine (no holes) after two years. I do use gaiters though

My teenage sons who do the same walks but tend to slide down rocks and snow as teenagers do have destroyed a couple of pairs( who don't use gaiters)

Having said that a fellow hiker has managed to destroy (rip) three high end over pants on the same walks. On the last walk he caught a log and ripped a very large hole and that was the heavy duty version high end pants(montane) from memory and very expensive ones at that.


I should add tracks walked with snow / heavy rain and very ordinary conditions
(Ie blizzards) with rainbird include ART to Pelion, blue peaks, roogona which is similar country to OLT and the rain bird worked well

Just my two cents worth

Hope this helps

Cheers

Steve

[stepbystep]

Rainbird/Gondwana etc should be ok for the OLT. Having said that I saw a guy on Barn Bluff who shredded his and still had the whole track to do. Dolerite's a killer.

I've been through 4 pairs of cheap and nasties and they are not suitable for real scrub or sustained rocky traverses, none have lasted a season of off-track.

The best pair I have had are the Mont Austal, pretty tough but not indestructable

[quicky]

To add some complexity, does anyone use their rain pants as camp pants? It was mentioned in another thread and got me thinking about it. If a rain pant dries quickly, or in theory doesn't wet through at all, I might end up opting for - Thermal pant + rain pant...

Thread in question: http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=12381

If I'm not using a rain skirt (which I do primarily for 3 season hiking in Aust incl. Tassie) http://www.zpacks.com/accessories/cloudkilt.shtml, I often use rain pants as camp pants, with only thermals on underneath. In fact, I use this as my primary layering system for my legs right the way through Aussie winters and snow camping/hiking too (again, if not using rain skirt). I take the shell pants off when I get in my sleeping bag, unless I am using them to boost warmth when pushing weight limits.

[Moondog55]

A few things I have noticed over the years
Rain pants can be life savers in really bad weather and I always take a pair.
Full length zippers on the legs are worth the extra cost and weight, as are double knees.
I wear mine over the top of my gaiters for track walking and inside my gaiters for climbing and skiing.
Too heavy and bulky is worse than too light as the temptation is to leave them behind
I always carry them and seldom wear them as modern micro fiber pants with a good DWR are windproof and shower resistant and dry really quickly
Adding a pair of waterproof breathables to your legs can add 5 or more degrees to comfort levels
I own 3 pairs of Goretex overpants and I tend to pack the lightest pair, as emergency clothing for REALLY bad weather
Still waiting to find a replacement for my full zip full Bib&Brace
If they rip good clothing can be repaired, cheap clothing can be replaced
A plastic rubbish bag makes a good rain kilt and costs 80 cents
I got a year out of my cheap full zippered "Rainbird" over trousers, my kids destroyed theirs in a week

[Stibb]

A plastic rubbish bag makes a good rain kilt and costs 80 cents

I thought so too until I actually tried it. If you stand still they work fine but as soon as you start walking they bunch up around the waist and becomes utterly useless. Made of the right material, I'm sure a rain skirt can work fine.

I had rainbirds once. They lasted one trip to Cape Raoul

I got some super comfy Macpac (Resolution) on sale recently that I've used around Cradle. Very happy so far but too early for a final verdict. Not for off track stuff but suitable for the OT. Definitely preferable to both rubbish bags and the rainbirds IMO

[Moondog55]

Hi Stibb; it worked for me one very stormy day when I was caught out, yes the did grab but I dealt with it easily enuf