This kilt is less structured than the Zpacks kilt we tested, and its easier to move around in, but during our tests the fabric swished around our legswhen Anna walked, the kilt kept getting stuck between her legs. The last thing to consider is style. Theyre also a few ounces lighter than most of the other rain pants we considered. They feel like crepe paper and cant keep you warm or protected from the wind, but they do the job well during a rainstorm. And these pants are likely to stand the test of time longer than our other picks because of the fabric. We combed through reviews on multiple retail sites to look for reports on long-term wear, too. Unlike other rain pants, however, the PreCip pairs have an effective ankle cinch (an elastic drawstring) to help you taper and shorten them after you put them on. For a quick walk through the woods or muddy outdoor chores, any of our picks will work just fine. As for the price, the PreCip Eco Pants are at the lower end of the high-end rain pants we tested and at the higher end of the cheaper options. But they perform in rain, snow, and mountaineering conditions, plus theyre the most durable option we tested. They also have a more tailored cut than many rain pants we tested; the mens version has a cinching buckle, and the womens version has Velcro tabs at the sides. However, if youre planning to hike in colder climates or at higher elevations, if youre in a place prone to frequent, heavy rainstorms that last for long periods of time, or if youll be trekking through wet, brushy areas, this guide is for you. 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company. If youre just looking for a pair of rain pants to help you wait out a rainstorm, these are likely to feel too heavy and robust, but theyll do especially well for mountaineering adventures and winter storms. Articulated knees on the pants help with mobility. Designers also add gussetspieces of fabric shaped like a triangle or diamondto the crotches of rain pants to reduce the stress on the seams. However, they dont have some of the features we like on other pants, such as ankle zippers or elastic cinches. Previously an editor on the Wirecutter outdoors team (where she edited the first version of this guide), she now covers parenting, baby/kid, outdoor, and travel gear. Theyre finished with belt loops, a zippered fly, and a button closure. The Torrentshell pairs did just as good a job as the PreCip pants when it came to keeping us dry in Portland, Oregon, rain and staying breathable on our hike in a rain forest. Made from a breathable polyester material thats coated with a proprietary watertight membrane, they are ideal for light-to-average amounts of rainfall, but may not stand up to heavier conditions (though, according to some reviewers, they will keep the wind out). The result is a 3-layer construction that breathes well but still keeps you dry. Though water-resistant pants are available, for this guide we reviewed only rain pants that were 100% waterproof. Columbia Storm Surge Waterproof Rain Pants, Mountain Warehouse Waterproof Rain Over-Pants, E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E Is Wearing Platform Sneakers This Summer Instead Of Sandals, The Best Walking Shoes For Flat Feet & Overpronation, According To A Podiatrist, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter. Water didnt bead up and jump off the PreCip pants quite as well as it did off the ArcTeryx Beta pants, but neither did the water cling to the Marmot pairs fabric. Tripping over pants isnt fun, and neither is feeling like youre wearing a couple of trash bags. Additionally, they offer wind-resistant protection and have adjustable Velcro tabs at the waist to ensure the elements are kept at bay. When youre faced with chilly weather, a pair of insulated, water-repellant pants is crucial. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that they have side slits to give you access to the pockets on your base layer some shoppers have noted that water has seeped in through these spots, and suggested affixing Velcro tabs to keep them closed. Rain pants can help solve this problem. Although we didnt experience any chafing, the material felt cheaper than that of our top pick, and the pants had just one pocket. Although the PreCip pants are still roomy enough to move around in and to pull over base layers, they have a narrower cut than any other rain pants we tested and a better range of inseam lengths to fit people of different heights. After reading many websites and reviews, we looked at the top-rated and best-selling rain pant models that were widely available. The fabric looks and feels identical to that of the PreCip pants. We conducted an eyedropper and spray test (per Sokolowskis advice) to see whether the water soaked through or beaded on pants. And, while neoprene may not be the conventional go-to for a pair of bike pants, if you are looking for more legging-style rain pants for cycling, a handful of Amazon fans pointed out that these work especially well keeping you dry and warm during cold-weather showers. With a quality cut and the relative stretch of the fabric, the gusset starts to become secondary unless someone is really doing bouldering or face climbing., Ease of use: Ankle zippers are important because they let you easily don and shed your rain pants as you hike. Marmots PreCip Eco Pants (available in mens and womens versions) will keep you dry just as well as the competition for a lower price, and theyre available in a wider array of inseam lengths. Their fabric isnt as soft and stretchy as that of the sleeker Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic pants. Then we tested for water resistance. If youre trekking through a cold, very wet environment or hiking in rain for extended periods of time, you should have completely waterproof pants. Some rain pants are made from stretchy fabrics that allow for greater mobility; these may be more expensive, but spending more can be worth it for the comfort. In our tests the water-repellent coating on the PreCip pants held up well during Oregon rainstorms, even after five hours of continuous washing. They are among the least important pieces of outerwear. Nylon and polyester are the most common and are considered to be water-resistant, which means youll be kept dry but could eventually get some soak-through. During our water and wash tests, the Beta pants felt hardier than competitors. They come in 30- and 32-inch inseams. Its not the end-all and be-all.. Up ahead, four of the best rain pants for women on Amazon! The cuffs are reinforced with scuff-resistant ballistic panels and are zipped to allow for the easy on-and-off of boots. womens ArcTeryx Beta Pant and the mens ArcTeryx Beta AR Pant, Similar pants, but fewer sizing options, in mens sizes, Similar pants, but fewer sizing options, in womens sizes, An even tougher, cold-weather option in mens sizes, An even tougher, cold-weather option in womens sizes, Runner-up: Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Pants, associate professor and director of the sports product design program at the University of Oregon, professor and program director for the outdoor product design and development program at Utah State University. She has lived in Colorado for six years. We also tested Gore-Tex options; however, we found that a basic DWR coating did just about as good of a job of keeping most people dry in most normal hiking situations for around half the price (except for the materials used in our upgrade pick, which contains Gore-Tex Paclite and proved to be the most waterproof and breathable option in the mix). Similar to a wetsuit, these nylon and neoprene leggings will keep you warm and dry whether youre splashed while canoeing or are fully submerged playing water sports. Usually its a cost decision, so if you get pants that are fully waterproof, theyre more expensive. Anna Perling tested rain pants in Portland, Oregon, a city notorious for its rain. In 2022, freelance journalist Jenni Gritters updated this guide. The ankle zippers on the Torrentshell pants come up higher on the leg than on most of the other rain pants we tested, which makes getting them on and off over boots even easier than with our top pick. Enjoy exclusive offers, the latest on products, and new ways to get outdoors. Because rain pants often have ankle zippers or snap cuffs that would make alterations difficult, its important to find a pair with the right size and cut for you. If you wash or put these products in the dryer, the membrane will start to fall off, said Sokolowski. Both the mens and womens models come only in black. Care and maintenance instructions depend on each pair of pants, according to our experts. Former Wirecutter writer Liz Thomas, who held the womens unassisted speed record on the Appalachian Trail between 2011 and 2015, said she hikes with an umbrella for maximum water protection with less weight. Susan Sokolowski, associate professor and director of the sports product design program at the University of Oregon, phone interview, July 12, 2017, Sean Michael, professor and program director for the outdoor product design and development program at Utah State University, phone interview, July 13, 2017, Stephen Regenold, founder, Gear Junkie, email interview, July 17, 2017, How to Choose Rainwear, REI, April 7, 2016. We like that these pants come in extended sizes, but we recommend turning to the Outdoor Research Helium pants for a plus-size option before you try these. Youll be able to get a more customized fit if you opt for pants with an adjustable waist, too, whether the pants use a drawstring, elastic cord, or belt. If youre somewhere warmer or in a place with intermittent rain, a breathable pair of water-resistant pants might be enough. Plus, full-zip pants are often more expensive than half-zip options. Copyright. No matter what kind of outdoor adventure is in store hiking, biking, or even just sightseeing you already know how important it is to have a rain jacket on standby. We also consulted REIs handy rain-gear guide throughout our research and writing process. She lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband and two children. Some functionality on this page requires JavaScript to be enabled in your Web browser. These pants are just as dry and comfortable in the rain. Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Pant (mens and womens): Light, soft, and stretchy, the fabric on the Stretch Ozonic pants makes them feel and look more like hiking pants than a traditional rain layer. Full-zip pants are easier than half-zip pants to get on and off, and they unzip to keep your legs cool, but our experts were concerned about the added weight of full zip pants and the risk of zipper failure. FREE SHIPPING with $50 Purchase - or - FREE with the L.L.Bean Mastercard Details. (They dont come in plus or petite sizes, however. The ankles had only shin zippers and Velcro (no buttons), and one tester reported that the REI pants stuck to her legs during a rainstorm, even though they initially repelled water. We also looked for pants that offered petite, plus size, and multiple inseam-length options. And his request was granted: During our eyedropper and spray tests, and our hikes in the rain, these pants repelled water just as well as our other picks did, and theyre available for a similar price. Our plus-size and petite womens testers both found the waist a bit snug, and our legs got cold during rainy hikes because the fabric was fairly thin. Despite their wider range of sizes (up to XXL), however, ArcTeryx clothing tends to run narrow, so youll probably want to try them on before you buy. Either way, dont underestimate the convenience of pockets or additional features like drawstrings or Velcro closures to ensure you stay comfortable. They come in only one length, but they have vented ankle zippers. When the DWR membrane starts to visibly flake off, thats a sign that your rain gear is failing. Backed by over 1,400 perfect five-star ratings, the Storm Surge rain pants were designed by Columbia, an iconic outdoor brand based in the Pacific Northwest which means you can trust they know a thing or two about wet weather. While the brand doesnt make any claims about wind resistance, some reviewers have confirmed that this pair has effectively kept the wind out. The Cloud Cap pants come in sizes XS to 3X for women, in regular, petite, and tall inseams, and that variety makes them worth considering. Thats why youll want to look for a pair thats coated with a durable water-repellant (DWR) finish, meaning theyll shed water instead of absorbing it. But when we took these pants out on a windy, rainy night, they started to wet through after just an hour. For this reason, we eliminated any pants that weighed more than a pound. On our Hoh Rain Forest hike and around town, the PreCip pants felt breathable.
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