rain shorts? …possible or just plain stupid?

I've been considering this too for the summer. Sit wherever you want with no worries, while staying cool and it's light. If you do it, let us know how it goes.

Ryan Jordan did something similar, but cut them below the knee. There's a photo if you scroll down in this thread:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=1257&disable_pagination=1

I met a German guy on the AT who did the same and was wearing tall gaiters. Seemed like a pretty slick setup to me.

I like the just below the knee rig. I have windpants trimmed in a similar manner.

Just throwing this out there, but if versatility is an issue, you could rig some sort of shock cord, cord lock system that would allow you to roll pants up and still have the option to roll them down and avoid bringing gaiters.

The way I look at it is pants can be considered shorts if you just roll them up. Very versatile in that regard.

I'm still waiting for Paramo to make some WPB pants that zip off below the knee. Maybe I'll get Cioch to alter my cascadas.

Thanks for the replies. I want to avoid zip off pants / rolling up pant legs because my golite reed's are already only 5.5 oz. I'm just trying to figure out if I can go any lighter, and still have functionality. Right now the pants in question, in their intact form weight 7.9oz, so keeping them unaltered would be pointless, as they weigh more than my current setup.

Though it would be nice to have them end below the knee for more coverage, the pair of pants in question do not have a gusseted crotch or darting at the knees, so they restrict mobility a tad. I'm thinking that so long as I wear running shorts with a short inseam, then these will layer completely over them, while still ending above knee for mobility. I guess it would be nice for a ultralight skin-out summer setup. ULA rain skirt for the girlfriend, and rain shorts for myself…get my protection while still looking good…not bad eh? :)

Wind shorts thread here

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=24658

I'm thinking that anywhere warm enough for you to hike in shorts, you prolly don't need rainproof shorts…

good point! that's the criticism/advice i need before i go off and do something stupid. It would just be a comfort issue…in the sense that if it were warm enough for me to hike in running shorts, then presumably those hiking shorts will dry soon after the rain stops…but its just for that 1hr of 'damp crotch' that I don't really like dealing with. Might be worth the 3 oz or so weight penality to carry the waterproof shorts, so to avoid that situation. Which brings me to my next idea…full on hiking in only waterproof shorts??? Nix the 3oz running shorts, and replace with 3 oz waterproof shorts? I wonder how breathability/comfort would if I was wearing them all day, rain or shine.

Not that I really know, but…

Maybe a damp and uncomfortable crotch will help keep your mind away from the water dripping down your legs uncomfortably and soaking your socks. :)

I guess what I'm really saying is that if the weather is warm enough that hypothermia isn't a real danger — covering your lower self by half isn't really going to hurt or help by much.

I wouldn't fancy wearing waterproof shorts only. Apart from anything else, think of the friction burns if you slip on a steep grass slope and take a slide on your @55!

Stinky too…

A lot of loose fit swimming shorts have a light polycotton mesh liner. Maybe you could soak them in some TX Direct Nikwax to waterproof them.

I'm with DaveC. My Reeds are hacked just below the knee to be knickers/manpris. No zipper and I can pull them on without taking shoes off.

I had the same idea a few years back and I eventually went for a waterproof skirt, not shorts: much easier to make (it was a MYOG thing), no need to be breathable and very functional: you can carry it in any pocket and put it on or take off on the go, I could do it even while walking :)

It works very well for a little over an ounce but not when it's cold. Waterproof shorts will be a bit better than the skirt in the cold. As some have pointed out, there may be little reason to waterproof below the waist when it's warm enough to wear shorts but I still think it's nice to keep dry shorts for such a little weight penalty. I'd say try and see if you like it.

I'm thinking that anywhere warm enough for you to hike in shorts, you prolly don't need rainproof shorts…

That does not necessarily follow. One can wear shorts in some pretty cool weather, as long as one is active. For example, I have sometimes been known to hike in shorts in conditions where rime was forming on the hairs of my legs.

–MV

Bob:

In the scenario you described — where you've got frost on the hair of your legs… if it were to start raining — and I mean raining — would waterproof shorts help you all that much?

In the scenario you described — where you've got frost on the hair of your legs… if it were to start raining — and I mean raining — would waterproof shorts help you all that much?

My point was just that assuming that wearing shorts implies warm out is not always accurate.

Freezing rain, or rain just above freezing? The rain shorts would be a lot better than nothing (you can lose a lot of heat through your thighs), but you'd really want real rain gear and/or a way to get out of the weather.

— MV

"you'd really want real rain gear and/or a way to get out of the weather."

That's the point, Bob.

Placebo effect FTW! If it makes you feel better and more comfortable do it. But let's be honest here waterproof shorts are not very useful and that's why they aren't manufactured for mass consumption. However if the thought of sitting on a wet rock and keeping your butt dry makes you feel better wear some waterproof shorts damnit!

Both possible (think a pair of scissors) and plain stupid imho.

Chers

I actually can see the value in LONG rain shorts (past the knee). Sometimes that fairly cold rain, over longer periods of time, can start getting me cold, yet I hate wearing pants. Long rain shorts would be light and breathe, but help to keep you warmer. It's all personal opinion vs. conditions vs. whatever.

Also, the concept may not be for everyone, but I don't think I'd call anything that Plesko and Chenault actually use a "stupid" idea. Those guys are serious hikers, bikers, and/or adventurers, it seems like.

I'm also surprised to see so many people dismiss the idea of rain shorts: some people say bring rain pants, some say they aren't necessary. I've found rain shorts can be a very light and functional compromise in the right conditions.

I've hacked off some O2 rainshield pants (think driducks) to long shorts, and kept them with me for trips with good forecasts in places where weather can change quickly. I felt very happy (and warmer) to be soggy only from my knees down rather than having heat zapped from me by cold rain drenching my shorts and thighs.

Of course, this is just my experience in my locale: we hike in different conditions all around the world and for some rain shorts might be completely inadequate and others overkill.

matt

ahhh, I think I may have to bite the bullet and give it a shot. For the proponents out there, I got a question about length. It seems pretty unaminous that you guys prefer the shorts to end below the knee….is this because of a warmth issue? rain protection issue? From the responses, it seems like both

I mentioned that the rain pants I have in question lack a gusseted crotch and darting at the knees, so mobility in their current form is restricted. I'm afraid that If i keep them longer than knee length, they will continue to restrict my mobility, and they just won't save me that much weight over my golite reeds.

I'm wondering if i can address both the warmth/protection issue, and still have them end above my knees, by making a simple cinchcord system. I can add the tiniest of shockcord/cord lock within the bottom leg hems, so I can cinch them tight around my thighs so as to trap the heat if needed. If its a rain protection issue, well I dont really think wet knees/shins is that much worse than then just wet shins.

Thanks for all the feedback!

I like the idea of below the knee rain pants. That's a great idea. There have been many times when I've put my rain chaps on and gotten too hot so I tighten the elastic at the cuffs so I can pull them up to my knee and have them stay there.

Perhaps you could cut them below the knee first, then if you don't like it cut above the knee.

> waterproof shorts are not very useful and that's why they aren't manufactured for mass consumption

there are many items that are useful and are not manufactured for mass consumption. See the MYOG forum on this site or just think of something you would like to have and you can't buy. Mass production is about profit, not usefulness and those two don't necessarily go together.

Heat loss on the lower legs is not that important: it's basically bones and some modest muscular mass over there with no vital organs. And the skin (unlike the manufactured membranes) is waterproof and breathable so it's not such a bad idea to let it get wet when and where it won't greatly affect your core temperature. Sometimes it's just too harsh to let it get wet even in the lower legs and it's not only about temperature but also wind or how exposed the place is but in many situations it works.

I don't like rain pants. It needs be really cold/windy/exposed (and, of course, wet) for me to wear them and go through the hassle of putting them on, taking them off. Meanwhile, they're dead weight in the pack, which is where the dead weight weights more. Making them easier to use (zips) just makes them heavier. Unless I know I'll consistently face harsh conditions, I prefer to spare the hassle and the dead weight and go for something else that will work.

There's an important part of the weight equation: not all base weight is equal. Clothes worn on your body don't affect weight wise as much as clothes carried on your pack. There are clothes that are part of my base weight but I'll wear fairly often. If there's an item that I'll hardly ever wear I try to avoid carrying it or concentrate on trying to make it lighter while keeping functionality.

Go for it – both Mont Bell and Ground Effect have waterproof shorts/knicks.

Ground Effect:

http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/product-detail-HEL-LON.htm

Mont Bell

http://webshop.montbell.jp/goods/disp.php?product_id=1130275

Actually the Mont Bell ones used to be quite short shorts.

Traditional bush-walking gear in Australia (and New Zealand) is shorts with long (knee length) canvas gaiters – in rain we add a long (thigh or knee length) goretex and in winter we add tights under the shorts – I've done lots of ski touring dressed like that. It beats overpants because you get much better breathability (I have to say that although I've always carried overpants I can count on one hand the number of times I've worn them).

Long waterproof shorts with long gaiters gives you roughly the same effect.