Lightest WP/B rain pants?

MontBell Versalite pants – fully wp/b @ 7 oz. Only 1 oz. heavier than the GoLite Reed — but you get two decent-length ankle zips, crotch zip and snap closure. Well worth the lousy one ounce in my opinion.

Driducks – 4 oz. — also fully wp/b but bare bones (no crotch or ankle zips).

Addendum:

Both MB Versalite and Driducks feel pleasant next to skin. The SD Isotope has a very plasticky feel.

Ben, thanks, after your suggestion I researched the Versalite pants and found they are 2 layer DryLightTec, not the 3-layer BreezeDryTec which failed in the RainTrekker pants. So I'll give them a test and report back.
I'm considering my gear choices for Fujisan first week in September.

Get the ULA Rain Wrap for pants — about 3.2 ounces for the Large. It wraps around your ordinary pants like a scottish kelt so you can take them off without having to undress (and vice versa). http://www.ula-equipment.com/rain_wrap.htm

Also take a look at the Outdoor Research Celestial Pants. From what I know I think they may be a bit more expensive and its Gore-tex Paclite isn't BPL's favorite at the moment, but at 7.9oz for large size, they are a very good option if they are available in your neck of the woods.
Jon

Brett:

Until the Peak Shell "Breeze Dry Tec" came out 2 years ago, the Versalite's laminate was MB's most breathable wp/b fabric. As it is our upper body that sweats the most, the laminate is pretty breathable for use as rain pants, IMO.

I realize you use the "breathe through" test to determine "pass / fail". But I don't think that translates directly into "real world" use. Not to push the Peak Shell jacket (I know you 'tested' it and didn't like it for various reasons in addition to breathability) — but I really think you should give a try — meaning buy it, wear it for one outing, then return it to MB in "like new" condition. If nothing else, it will allow you to compare performance with your eVENT jacket and your DIAD jacket — in terms of how much they differ. I don't see these as "pass / fail" — but more in terms of degrees…

Anyway my two cents. Let us know what you decide on! We are such gear heads. :)

Roleigh, thanks, I had no idea that was available, but I'm not secure enough to wear it.. but it reminds me that similarly, a poncho is a light and easily donned rainwear.
Jon, that is the lightest I've seen in goretex; thanks..
Ben, breathability is less important for pants for me also. I wear rainpants less than the top because supplex nylon pants dry quickly after a brief rainshower. However, rain pants are something I always carry, even on a day hike, so saving a few ounces is worth a net cost of $40 or so. (I'll sell two of my other shell pants)

About the PeakShell, I'll try it on again; as you explained earlier the fabric is truly breathable and water"proof". But the unsecured hood draw-strings would have to be tamed to avoid whipping my face and eyes in strong winds. Why didn't they put those on the inside like a Houdini?! I've pretty much decided to sell my DIAD, an old Columbia goretex, etc, then buy an Integral Designs Thru-hiker when I can make the net cost come out close to 0.
Thank you all for the suggestions.
Edit; John, thanks for the correction on the Golites.

I dont know if there are avaliable in Usa

But you must check the Berghaus paclite pants mine in size M weights 196 grams (6.9 ounces ¿?) in my scale, and is a paclite long zipper pants

Montane 'Atomic' overtrousers. 6.2oz (XL) and long zips.

The new Golite Reed pants do have watertight ankle zips.

I second the Montane Atomic pants. I have the jacket, and will get the pants when I can afford them. Make sure you find this years model, as they improved something with the laminant…but these are the lightest, most functional rain pants you can get that meet your needs.

Brett:

For something that you carry, even on a day hike — a "just in case" piece of equipment, I highly, highly recommend (again) the 4 oz. Driducks!

While the Driducks are really not as fragile as written up by some, you can always carry something else on more challenging, multi-day trips. But Driducks is a great "stand by" option, esp. for day trips.

Thanks Carlos and Scott,
Those Montane Atomic pants must be the lightest at about 5 ounces(!), and are a little expensive..

Ben,
Darn it! I'm trying to REDUCE the number of items I have.. and you brought up more than one good choice.. I just want to pare it down to one pair of wind pants, one 1/4 zip for 3-season, and one full-zip for winter.
Just a few hours ago I went to Montbell Shibuya, tried, and then ordered the Versalite pants you recommended in M, grey; they had to order them from another store (they are selling well maybe?) Trying the L, they were feather light, comfortable against the skin, and slightly porous to air. Leaving the fly and leg zips open will allow them to vent if necessary.
I will be selling my year old Montbell 1/4 zips (slightly heavier), and my full-zip Red Ledge.

Those Dryducks, or the similar Frogg Toggs do seem like a great piece of kit to keep in my bicycle panniers for rainy commutes… cheap enough to not worry if they were stolen, and I could carry them on day hikes..

I would recommend AGAINST leaving the fly zip open!!! :)

Though I use and reccommend the Driducks for trail use, I wouldn't use them on a bike. On my first pair I blew out the crotch seam (about a 5 inch tear) just by squatting down to get something out of my backpack. Sure a little duck tape solved the problem, but if you're on a bike, with all your weight on the seam on a narrow bike seat, in a crouched position, with constant movement in the legs, I personally wouldn't trust it. The seams are welded, not sewn, which makes them the weak point IMO.

But for trail use, so long as I have a large size and bunch up the pants a little before sitting down, I haven't had the same problem since, and it's hard to beat the breathability to weight ratio for full pants.

Slightly off-topic, but I just bought a pair of OMM Kamleika overpants. At 250 grammes these aren't particularly light – but they do stretch in four directions: they feel very much like my running tights, so you don't get that rustling, baggy thing you usually get with overpants, but they are WP/B. I'm going on a longish walk in the next few weeks so will try them out then (along with my new Paramo Velez Adventure top and Rab Super Dru).

OutdoorsMagic would probably have reviews of the Berghaus Extremlight pants.

My DriDucks pants ripped a 12" slash across the back after only several times sliding into a car seat while wearing them. Since I have a four-foot butt, it wasn't so bad, but others might get a bit of rain from an 12" rip.

Ben, well, they have a snap at the waist, and its only an outer layer..
The other comments about dryducks echo what I have heard in the past; great single-use garment or multiple use for someone who can really care for their gear.

Brett:

You said you ordered the Versalite pants, right? Hope you like them — be sure to post your impression.

Brett, others, did you check out the backpackgeartest reviews (3) on the rain wrap?

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Rain%20Gear/Jackets%20and%20Pants/ULA%20Rain%20Wrap%20Skirt/Test%20Report%20by%20Chuck%20Kime/

It shows pics of its use in the field. This year will be my first use of it. I'm out for 17 days and last year, only used rain pants one day, so I figure go minimal on rain paints since they are not used that often anyway.