Cheap Pants

Well, there’s always Tyvek Protective Pants. A little outside the box, but they gotta be light!

How about a pair of Driducks? Light, keeps away bugs, useful in the rain.

Ditto on DriDucks/FroggToggs pants. They aren't pretty but they are cheap, effective pants for camp lounging and added weather protection. Just don't go bushwhacking or they'll shred.

Cheap UL wind pants. 3oz, ripstop nylon, no extra features or zippers. They look like regular pants!

http://www.discountdance.com/dancewear/style_701.html?camp=Froogle_701&utm_source=Froogle&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=701&utm_campaign=Products

I have them, they're fantastic.

>Cheap UL wind pants. 3oz, ripstop nylon, no extra features or zippers. They look like regular pants!<

Max,

These look fine, but the sizing seems way off…
Care to recommend the proper sizing for a male with a 32" waist? Or share yours as a refererence?

Those UL wind-pants look exactly like what I was thinking about getting. I do see what He ^ means about the sizing. At 6'2" and 165 lbs I usually need clothing , meant for lanky people but these seem to take it to the extreme. In order to get the wait size that fits me I'd have to get the XL which then has a 35" inseam which would be to long. Do you have any input on the sizing?

What do you all think the pros and cons are of the wind-pants vs. Dri Ducks/Frog Toggs. I assume the wind pants would be lighter and stronger but won't breathe at all. Anything I'm missing there? Since I very rarely hike with the pants on I think that the wind pants would be the best fit for me.

Has anyone tried those Tyvek pants? If not I might have to fork out $5 and see what they're all about, lol.

Tim do you carry rain pants? For all the uses you described, rain pants are what came to mind. In addition to wearing them with long johns in camp, you could wear them for (((((((drum roll)))))) rain too :)

No I do not usually carry rain pants. I hike in florida usually and for about 9 months a year of it rains, I just continue hiking in my shorts. That said if certainly be open to carrying them as my one and only pair of pants. Do you have any cheap lightweight ones you recommend? How would compare them with nylon pants or frogg toggs?

Before, as I said I was just carrying a pair of cheap zip offs that were given to me. They were usually only worn in camp for a bit of warmth. The only time I wore them hiking was if it was cold and raining. They we're able to keep my long johns from getting soaked but that was about it. I figure just about anything will be better on both accounts. I used them so rarely that I just suffered through hating them for years, lol.

Frogg Toggs are rain pants— DriDucks are similar. The fabric is fragile and the cut is oversize. You can probably buy a top and bottom set easier than the pants alone.

I would look for the cheaper rain pants like Red Ledge, Sierra Designs, etc. Check the sales at Sierra Trading Post, 6pm.com. and so on. REI has the Sierra Designs Microlight pants on sale for $26 (32.5" inseam) (http://www.rei.com/product/867139/sierra-designs-microlight-pants-mens-2012-closeout). Most are in the same weight range with zip-off pants. There are all kinds of athletic clothing manufacturers turning out light cheap rain pants. Golf clothing is another source. My thought with rain pants was based on your description of use and maximum bang for the cost and weight. It seems that you aren't wearing them for aerobic activity, so they might as well be waterproof.

You can find coated nylon "warm up" pants at discount stores like TJ Max, Ross, Marshalls, etc. With your height that style might be easier to find. Many are much like rain pants minus the seam sealing (as in not very breathable but more water resistant). I've found unlined versions around 6oz.

If you aren't worried about waterproofness and living in Florida, some of the light nylon travel pants like those made by Ex Officio would be good in the heat and bugs. They do make long inseam versions without cargo pockets. Not the cheapest.

I went ahead and ordered those Sierra Designs pants you posted. I needed some stuff from REI anyway, so I figured why not. I'll let you all know what I think when they get in. Anything should beat what I was using, lol. Thanks.

It's just a matter of fit; other than that, they are typical layer rain pants. Watch what you sit on, wash them right, and they'll last. Certainly better to trash than a $100+ pair of Gore-Tex wonders.

The pants came in a few days ago and will get their first work out this weekend. Fortunately it doesn't look like there is going to be rain(Well see I always get rained on when there is 0% chance, lol)so they'll just be used as camp pants with my long johns underneath. They fit well enough and are a good length with my trail runners on but are just slightly too long with my camp sandals on. They are baggy as expected and I think I could slip my shoes through them but haven't tried. I am a bit over 6'2".

Does anybody actually use all the stuff sacks that come with this stuff? Even on a day hike I just stuff any supplemental clothing in a dry bag. I suppose I'd rather have the option than not.