Opinion wanted: Carry my DriDucks or Torrentshell + Columbia hiking pants?

I would just do shorts + rain jacket and wear the running tights around camp.

The DD are not durable and would likely tear if you brush against the mountain laurel or other brush. If you're only out for a couple days, you would probably be fine. If you're out for much more than that, I'd opt for your TS w/ pants. I was out last weekend and while sitting in camp, completely ripped my DD pants from a very small snag on the ground. I'm now shopping for something more durable and trying to avoid sticker shock… FWIW…
-DGL

Mmhmm, I used the DriDucks when I went to Shenandoah last year, before I had the Torrentshell. they survived, and did okay, but the bagginess gets old, and I know it's only a matter of time before they do tear.

My trip will just be over a weekend so not the end of the world if they get shredded – mostly they were bought as an experiment.

At that location, that time of year, I would take the Driducks top unless you plan on bushwacking. Its much lighter and more breathable.

The bottoms are another matter. The driducks bottoms rip out really easily. You could convert them to knee length knickers; I have a friend who did this and they don't seem to rip out as knickers. Or you could convert them to a rain skirt. Or get a separate rain skirt. Or make a trashbag rain skirt.

I think the most comfortable option that time of year is shorts for walking and either light long johns and possibly a skirt or windpants.

The weather in September should be pretty mild. I walked the Shenandoah AT over Thanksgiving with shorts, long johns, and a rain skirt.