Mother Nature can be cruel. There’s nothing worse than spending a long holiday weekend hiking in picturesque mountain ranges only to have a storm roll in, leaving you soaked to the bone on the first day. However, if you’re prepared for the elements, having a pair of rain pants will keep you dry. But, what are the best rain pants for hiking?
Outdoor gear has improved a lot in the last few years. Long gone are the days of external frame backpacks and cutoff jean shorts paired with tennis shoes. Today’s hiking gear is made from advanced fabrics like Gore-Tex and NeoShell. The products available has all the bells and whistles you need to stay warm and dry during your mountain adventures.
One of our big goals here at The Adventure Junkies is to help make your life easier when it comes to shopping for outdoor gear. In this article, we’ll walk you through what you need to look for when buying rain pants and show you our selection of some of the best models of the year.
The Ultimate Guide To Find The Best Rain Pants For Hiking
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HIKING RAIN PANTS 101
3 Things to Consider When Purchasing Rain Pants for Hiking
1. Material
Hiking in heavy downpours can be awful without the right gear. If there’s a chance of rain during your hike, it’s a good idea to bring rain gear, including rain pants. Look for a pair of pants that is not only waterproof but also breathable and durable. Many clothing manufacturers have developed their own waterproof fabrics. Others use fabrics such as Gore-Tex, Pertex and Polartec.
Waterproof pants and jackets are made of fabrics consisting of either 2, 2.5, or 3 layers of fabric. As you might of guessed, the more layers of fabric, the more waterproof protection you’ll have. Pants with 2-layer protection offer basic protection against the rain. They are also the most affordable option. If you think you’ll be hiking in severe conditions, it’s best to spend the extra dough to get 3-layer protection.
2. Leg Zips
You want pants that you can put on easily and quickly over your boots. Rain pants for hiking generally have a leg zip to help you get your pants over your bulky hiking boots. Leg zips can range from short ankle length up to full-length zippers. Most hikers will be fine with ankle zips, but it depends on your boot size.
3. Fit
Rain pants for hiking should not fit like a pair of skinny jeans. They should fit comfortably and offer great freedom of movement. Most hikers tend to layer rain pants over their normal hiking pants so you’ll want a pair of rain pants that you can fit over your other pants. You might even consider sizing up for this reason.
Photo by http://ift.tt/2flqQlR
HIKING RAIN PANTS REVIEWS
Top 10 Best Rain Pants for Hiking of 2016
PATAGONIA TORRENTSHELL PANTS
BEST FOR: For the adventurous trekker
WOMEN’S VERSION: Patagonia Women’s Torrentshell Pants
MATERIAL: H2No Performance Standard waterproof breathable ripstop nylon
FEATURES: Pull-on elasticized waistband with internal drawcord, zippered handwarmer pockets, articulated knees, welded, water-repellent side zips from cuff to thigh
PROS: These pants are well-designed with all the bells and whistles you need for the backcountry
CONS: The inside liner might wear out quickly with regular use
MONTANE MINIMUS PANTS
BEST FOR: Hikers who like don’t need all the bells and whistles
WOMEN’S VERSION: Montane Minimus Pants
MATERIAL: Pertex Shield, DWR coating
FEATURES: Knee-length zippers, hook-and-loop ankle tabs, articulated knees, reflective trim
PROS: The Minimus Pant is extremely lightweight and easy to pack
CONS: These pants have no pockets and run a bit short if you have long legs
OUTDOOR RESEARCH HELIUM PANTS
BEST FOR: Ultralight hiking
WOMEN’S VERSION: Outdoor Research Aspire Pants
MATERIAL: Waterproof (20k) and breathable (20k) Pertex Shield+
FEATURES: Zip front hand pockets, 100% taped seams, ankle side zips with cuff tabs, back zip pocket
PROS: Lightweight pant that breathes well and packs down to the size of a granola bar
CONS: Ankle zippers don’t allow you to put the pants on over hiking boots or shoes
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR STRETCH OZONIC PANTS
BEST FOR: Hiking in weather conditions that can rapidly change
WOMEN’S VERSION: Women’s Stretch Ozonic Pant
MATERIAL: Dry Q Active 2.5L 40D 100% Nylon
FEATURES: Full-length side zips, belt loops, enhanced knee articulation, elastic at back of waist for comfort
PROS: These lightweight stretch pants fit well and pack down to fit into a pack
CONS: These pants don’t have any reinforcement around the high wear areas
ARC’TERYX BETA SL PANTS
BEST FOR: The minimalist hiker who wants to stay dry
WOMEN’S VERSION: Women’s Beta SL Pants
MATERIAL: GORE-TEX 3L Nylon
FEATURES: Articulated knees, gusseted crotch, 1/4 length leg zippers, waist drawcord, adjustable pant cuff
PROS: These pants keep you dry and are easy to get on in a hurry
CONS: They are expensive and have no pockets
THE NORTH FACE RESOLVE PANTS
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
BEST FOR: Hikers on a budget
WOMEN’S VERSION: Women’s Resolve Pant
MATERIAL: 70D HyVent 2L-100% Nylon
FEATURES: Mesh lining, elasticized waist, two hand pockets, ankle zipper, seam sealed, lifetime warranty
PROS: Theses lightweight rain pants are budget friendly and comfortable
CONS: The ankle zip may not be long enough to get over a pair of hiking boots
COLUMBIA REBEL ROAMER PANTS
BEST FOR: Hikers who want a very budget friendly pair of rain pants for “just in case” needs
WOMEN’S VERSION: Women’s Storm Surge Rain Pant
MATERIAL: 100% Omni-Tech Nylon 70D MP LTX
FEATURES: Hook-and-loop adjustable cuffs, elastic waistband, fully sealed seams
PROS: This pant has a modern classic fit at a very affordable price tag
CONS: No pockets
MARMOT PRECIP PANTS
BEST FOR: Hikers who like to layer clothing
WOMEN’S VERSION: Women’s PreCip Full Zip Pant
MATERIAL: 20 denier Stretch NanoPro Membrane
FEATURES: Fully sealed seams, elastic waist with draw cord, ankle zips, zip front pocket
PROS: No frills waterproof pants that are true to size and keep you dry
CONS: Only has one pocket
HELLY HANSEN VOSS PANTS
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
BEST FOR: Hikers who just want to stay dry in severe conditions
WOMEN’S VERSION: Women’s Voss Pants
MATERIAL: Helox + polyurethane
FEATURES: Elastic adjustable waist, welded seams, fully wind- and waterproof, adjustable snap bottom hem
PROS: These pants will keep you dry to the bone
CONS: These pants don’t have good breathability
REI TALUSPHERE PANTS
Check out the latest price on:
REI
BEST FOR: Perfect for day hikers
WOMEN’S VERSION: Women’s Talusphere Pants
MATERIAL: Polyester 2.5-layer REI Elements
FEATURES: Zip pocket, waist drawcord, ankle zips with cuffs
PROS: These pants are both budget-friendly and comfortable
CONS: The ankle zip might not be big enough to put on over hiking boots
Now We’d Love to Hear From You! Do You Pack Rain Pants For Hiking On Your Mountain Adventures?
Disclosure: The Adventure Junkies is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost for you. We also use other programs like REI, LeisurePro and others to keep our site independent. You can read more about how do we review here.
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