Wind Pants + Rain Kilt -VS- Only Rain Pants

Since i don't have experience with those specific trails, i will just keep it very general. What is ultimately more versatile and adaptable?

Personally speaking, i rather dislike hiking in rain pants–the comfort level and range of windpants with rain skirt/kilt for me is far broader. It's easy to put on or take off the rain kilt, and one can wear windpants a good portion of the time.

Look at your system as both a whole, and parts at the same time. Too often, we either focus too much on the specifics and details (e.g. exact weight) or conversely too much on the generals. There is a nice balance to be had, like most things in life.

Btw, if you MYOG and sew at all, you "may" like this idea. I took a pair of regular nylon hiking shorts, and sewed some EPIC fabric onto same to make a pair of pants. The idea was to have a much greater breathablity at the crotch area for most of the time, and for rain or snow have the pretty water resistant fabric (EPIC) deal with that, but still somewhat breathable.

If rain got heavy or very strong, cold wind, then wear a rain skirt/kilt in combo with same. Probably a lot heavier than what you're interested in, but you could apply similar principles to different fabrics.

Justin,
Out of curiosity, when you made your pants by extending the length of your nylon shorts, did you find that the legs felt super baggy or that it was hard to get the fabric to taper down to the ultimate width at the ankle hem?

I ask because I have considered making some lightweight pants out of running shorts that I already like, but I've realized that the width of shorts at their hem is much wider than most pants' width at the same level. Does that make sense?

Anyway, just wondering if your shorts/pants hybrids turned into "hammer pants" or whether it was not big deal.

Sorry to the OP for the thread drift.

Hey KJ,

I hiked the pct last year and used a combo of lukes ultralite argon wind pants (1.8oz) and a trash bag rain skirt (>2oz) for Oregon/Washington. I found that for me personally I could hike through just about anything in my short shorts. I liked the wind pants because they didn't make me feel too clammy if I was hiking, and when it was windy or the bugs were out I could slip them on. (At one point I hiked in just my wind pants because the bugs were so bad!) They also added some warmth to my sleeping bag as I didn't carry any sleeping clothes. If they did get saturated with rain it was uncomfortable. What I found was that a rain skirt provides adequate protection from rain/snow and kept my huge hiker thighs from getting wet, which tended to make me cold quickly. I think it's a great versatile combo, and would use it again.

KJ,
Any issues with leg sunburn in SoCal while wearing only shorts (I realize this is highly complexion dependent though). Did you use sunscreen?

Also, any issues in the Sierra with snow scraping your shins while going sans pants?

I used sunscreen on the JMT this year and still got a mild burn on the tops of my knees and shins toward the end.

Last time I was post-holing was in Colorado in June going up to Columbine Lake. I just wore my wind pants and didn't have a problem other than cold wet feet after some time.

KJ

Hi Derek,

They are definitely on the baggier side. Not being much of a bushwacker, and doing most of my hiking from late fall to early spring, i don't mind this. In fact, except on the very coldest days, i actually like this because they feel cooler to me. I tend to run warm at rest and really run warm while active, and especially on my legs don't need much insulation (years of wearing shorts through much of the winters, even up in MA). The baggier nature of the pants help to keep my legs a bit cooler while providing some insulation and protection from the elements.

I'm not worried about looking GQ on the trail, though i could see people needing more form fitting clothing if they are bushwacking etc.

I use a combo of a Zpacks cloud kilt and their cuben chaps. Vents great and is really light. I will also wear the chaps alone on wet mornings to keep my legs dry. The kilt makes a nice ground cloth for sorting gear or a "porch" for getting in and out of my Hexamid.

Richard – I am looking at getting a Lukes Ultralight wind shirt made with that Argon material. What are your thoughts about the material and Lukes quality?

Hey Edward,

I really like the argon material. It is super breathable. Passes the "darth vader test" very easily. The fit and finish is excellent and you can customize it however you want. It was very baggy though. (Unlike my Houdini which fits perfect) It's a good wind shirt for high activity. I did encounter very high winds on the pct and I could feel it go right through the fabric. Other than that it's great.

I consider Argon borderline too breathable for a windshirt/jacket. Would highly recommend taking off the existing DWR and putting a thin coating of well thinned silicone adhesive on the outer layer.

This does two important things, reduces the breathability a bit, and gives it a truly durable DWR. However, you have to be careful to not apply too thick, otherwise you will reduce the breathablity too much.

Anyone have any input on the difference in breathability of the Montbell Dynamo wind pants 12d material vs. Lukes Argon 0.9 material for his wind pants? I have been hearing that the Argon can be a bit TOO breathable.

Edit: I can breath through my Dynamo at about the same air resistance as my old 34CFM(?) Patagonia Houdini. There's only a light resistance of my breath.

Richard, can you provide any input of the air resistance of your Lukes Argon wind pants?

KJ