Lightweight hiking pant?

Patagonia Sol Patrol????

good DWR, windproof, light at ~ 5 oz, side zips at the ankles- might be discontinued though, but a few places still have them

Ya, those are looking real good. I can still get them in my size at a discount too…

my wife and I have had ours about two years- we really like them, we're using them in the winter too- layered over a light base layer or a base layer and R1 if it's really cold

Are they quiet and comfortable for something I could wear around camp in evenings and mornings?

I'd look at eVent pants. They are very breathable and waterproof (but 'spensive).

To renew the DWR of laminated W/B garments I've found Revivex spray the best. Use it at least once a year. Good DWR keeps the material breathable and from "wetting out", i.e. getting soaked all over so it can't breathe.

You might be asking a lot for one pair of pants. Some of your criteria seem to be somewhat in conflict. For example, if they provide 'extra warmth in camp', then they are likely to be a little too warm to be an ideal hiking pant. I also personally don't think it's a great idea to use the same pants as both hiking pants and rain pants, since even the best DWR will fail in extended rain, and WP/B pants (ie. eVent, GoreTex) are always too stuffy to be a good hiking pant. The exception may be if you normally only get light and short rains or you are okay with getting your legs wet, then you could use a DWR coated pant as both hiking pant and rain pants.

You may want to considering separating these needs into a few garments instead of just one. For example, you could pick up some 4oz BPL Thorofare pants which are very comfortable, lightweight and quick drying hiking pant and they are capable of handling light rains with their better than average DWR coating. Then on cool trips you could supplement these pants with some tights worn underneath (ie. 5-6oz) and on rainy trips you could layer true WP/B rain pants (4-6oz) over top.

If you try to do this all in one (hiking pants, rain pants, warmth), you may end up with pants with mediocre breathability, mediocre rain abilities and a bit warm for hiking in, while maybe too cool in camp.

I personally use:
– Patagonia Sol Patrol Pants (7.0oz) – Hiking Pants
– GoLite Tights (5.3oz) – Leg insulation on cool trips
– GooseFeet Down Pants (7.3oz) – Leg insulation on cold trips
– MYOG Cuben Pants (2.5oz) – Non-breathable Rain Pants (for fairly dry trips)
– GoLite Reed Pants (4oz) – Breathable Rain Pants (for wet trips)

the MB pants are far from a full on rain pant, but they do have a good DWR so they do pretty well w/ light rain/damp conditions- if they do get wet (just like a windshirt) it still helps keep heat in and dries very quickly

the material is stretchy (hence the name :)) and aren't "crinkly" like many rain pants

if you really need rain pants, consider a lightweight option like chaps or a kilt, personally have never felt a need for rain pants

I really dont feel I need to much rain protection for my pants, which is why I would like to switch to a lighter non waterproof pant.

The idea is that they will be better for hiking and wearing at camp, while providing enough warmth to keep me comfortable in the rain.

The BPL Thorofare looks great also. Im guessing these function similar to the MB stretch.

Where can you still get the thorofare pants in normal sizes? BPL only has really small and really big stuff on closeout.

The MB wind pants tend to run long and lean. If these end up not being suitable for your body type, the montane featherlites are a similar product with a different fit.

I would look at pants designed for runners, who are next in line with UL's for weight consciousness. I have used New Balance running pants that were pretty close to your criteria. They were polyester, which I found warmer and quieter, and the DWR was very acceptable. Nylon pants with a crisp DWR finish are usually pretty noisy. The running pants are very mainstream, so you can find them at big box stores and discounters like Ross. I found a pair of Adidas running pants in a thrift store with ankle zips, stretch cuffs, nlyon fabric and are just 6oz. They set me back a fat $4.99 :)

http://www.shopnewbalance.com/detail.asp?type=MNAPPT&style=MRP0129 shows a good example, but like other sports clothing sites, no weights posted :(

Montane Featherlight wind pants come to mind, and just 4oz. Size up as with MontBell. Do keep in mind that the UL wind pants are not very durable. UL tops don't get the same abuse as bottoms, pants are exposed to sitting or sliding on rock, catching on low brush, getting muddy and scraped by the other foot, crawling in and out of shelters, etc.

The lighter soft shell pants are excellent for the uses you mention, but double the weight. Outdoor Research Ferrosi shoft shell pants are on my want list at 11.3oz.
http://www.outdoorresearch.com/site/ferrosi_pants_m_s.html

The North Face Prolix Pants are advertised at 9.3oz: http://www.altrec.com/the-north-face/mens-prolix-pant

I am going to attempt an AT thru starting in early march. What do you think of this leg layering system? I will only take running shorts and my dri duck rain pants. If it is really cold while hiking, I would throw on the dri ducks. Anybody have experience using the ducks this way? Any reason this would be a bad idea? I am going to purchase a second set as a backup to mail to me incase the ducks rip..

Dale you said:

"I found a pair of Adidas running pants in a thrift store with ankle zips, stretch cuffs, nlyon fabric and are just 6oz. They set me back a fat $4.99"

I couldn't agree with you more. These second hand pants are my favorites. I've been using them for about 10 years now and most of them weigh about 6 ounces. I think they must typically be made of something like 2 ounce per square yard material.

I carry a lighter pair (Montanes?) for sleeping and use around camp. The lighter ones couldn't tolerate the bush whacking I do, however, like the 6 ounce wind pants.

I wear a medium but I usually buy an extra large. This gives me plenty of air space inside that helps a lot when wearing them in hot weather for bug and sun protection. Yes, I look like a clown.

I suggest avoiding the type with a liner in them. Needless weight and slower to dry. No good for warm weather.

Daryl