DWR Wind pants?

[Sumi Wada]

I have a week-long hike coming up in November where I'm expecting mostly warm (65-75*) and dry days. However, last camp will be at a higher elevation, cooler temps and potential rain/sleet/snow. I'm expecting 35-40* at camp. I'm not really expecting torrential rains; sleet/snow is much more likely.

I normally wear light hiking pants and take a pair of light shorts and a lightweight merino baselayer for sleeping. I'm thinking about adding lightweight wind pants, maybe something with DWR so they're "water-resistant"? I don't want them to weigh more than 2-3 oz. I though I might make a pair out of the Momentum90 fabric from thru-hiker.

So, would they be worth it? That is, will they keep me warmer and dryer than my hiking pants?

[Dale Wambaugh]

I think wind pants are practical if you wear only light shorts for your normal fair weather hiking and need the leg coverage. If you wear light nylon pants, I don't see the gain, in fact wind pants are just extra weight at that point. I have gone to zip-offs rather than carry both pants and shorts.

SUL tops survive well enough, but sitting, sliding on rock, catching lower brush, etc takes a toll on the light fabric. What I found with SUL wind pants is that they are so fragile that I was constantly having to watch every move. In the scenario above, I would be wearing 2.5 layer rain pants with a light base layer under.

Other options that come mind: use a DWR treatment on your existing hiking pants or take some DriDucks pants if you don't have rain pants and want a light, cheap CYA option.

[James holden]

whudda dale said

if yr hiking pants have DWR and its in good condition … or if it can be re-treated … then you dont really need it

if you want more rain/wind protection get real rain pants

[Sumi Wada]

Good point about fragile UL fabrics.

I know that I don't need rain pants and even the DriDucks are too heavy to be worth taking. I think I'm probably over-thinking this. Baselayer and hiking pants should be enough. Thanks.

[Jake Palmer]

As others have said wind pants won't gain you much if you wear hiking pants with DWR, but where are you hiking in November that will be warm and dry? I ask because I would much rather carry a little extra weight and stay dry than not be prepared and get soaked. On my last trip we were supposed to get a light drizzle but ended up in a storm with rain and 30mph winds. I was really glad I brought all of my rain gear even though I didn't think I would need it.

[Sumi Wada]

>> where are you hiking in November that will be warm and dry?

Grand Canyon, first week of November.

[Eric Blumensaadt]

Sounds like you need a GTX PacLite pant that will shed rain & wet snow as well as keep you dry. DWR on wind pants won't cut it.

If you truly must do some "butt sliding" wear a pair of synthetic shorts over the rainpants. British commandos usually wear regular BDU uniforms over their GTX suits to protect them.

[Sumi Wada]

>> Sounds like you need a GTX PacLite pant that will shed rain & wet snow as well as keep you dry.

Yikes, no, we're talking about the Grand Canyon, not the Cascades. Think Las Vegas. I really don't need rain pants. I only thought of the wind pants because I could make it for an ounce or two and thought it might provide just enough warmth/water-repellency to make it worthwhile. Maybe use them as pajamas as well.

In fact, there's a kit on thru-hiker.com using Momentum90. Wouldn't they be worth *something*?

[James holden]

for hiking youll wear yr hiking pants … when its cold youll wear yr shorts and hiking pants …

if its really cold at night or at camp yr better off served by light long johns

consumerism for the sake of consumerism is the road to dead bird/patagucci damnation ;)

[Dale Wambaugh]

">> where are you hiking in November that will be warm and dry?

Grand Canyon, first week of November."

Take a pair of 3oz wind pants down there and you will bring back very expensive ribbons!

[Sumi Wada]

>> Take a pair of 3oz wind pants down there and you will bring back very expensive ribbons!

LOL… yeah, that's why I responded "good point" to your earlier response and decided I was just complicating things.

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