Topic

Waterproof Pants ?

  • This topic is empty.
Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)
Idan Y BPL Member
PostedDec 20, 2014 at 10:25 am

Hey guys,

I'd to hear your recommendations about waterproof pants. I had an awful experience with driducks-like pants and want to upgrade my current system.

I do own Montbell Dynamo which is nice, but on serious downpour they fail quickly.
I'm looking for something around 7 oz that breath well and cost no more than 150$.
Also, 3L would be sweet.

any ideas? or i'm asking too much?

Thanks!

Roger Caffin BPL Member
PostedDec 20, 2014 at 12:27 pm

I used to carry great big heavy GoreTex trousers. Weighed a ton. Got wet.
Then I carried light Peter Storm PU-coated trousers. Much lighter. Still got wet.
Now I carry Golite Whims – water repellent, not WP. Funny thing is, I don't think my trousers get much wetter even in heavy rain. But they do dry off much faster.

Cheers

PostedDec 20, 2014 at 4:41 pm

I have an REI Kimtah "suit" of parka and pants. I like the breathability and durability of the mid-weight fabric. About 1 lb. for each piece. I just waited for various sales to buy the parka and pants. Total cost was around $220. with tax.

The Kimtah rain pants is also my ski outfit for wet snow/fog conditions but I use the parka a lot for skiing any day.

My 1st WPB suit was CABELA'S GTX PACLITE and was tough but not real breathable. I use it for rainy training hikes.

Anton Solovyev BPL Member
PostedDec 20, 2014 at 9:48 pm

Similar question.

I use rain pants as my only outdoor pans, essentially. I am looking for full side zippers because I need to be able to put them on or off w/o taking off shoes and also since (only) full zippers allow to effectively dump heat (3/4 don't really work as well). My old pair was Marmot Precip at 300 grams. Unfortunately, these days there's nothing under 360 grams. I somewhat reluctantly picked up Arcteryx Alpha SL (365 grams), since the construction seems great and zippers and buckles work really well. Still trying to decide whether to keep them, since going to heavier gear is opposite of what I have been doing.

Anybody know of any full zip shell pants at ~300 (10-11oz)? Golite had a model, but now they are obviously no more…

PostedDec 21, 2014 at 12:41 am

I took regular nylon hiking shorts and sewed some EPIC fabric onto it for the legs, and if need be, combine it with a silnylon rain kilt. I say kilt, not because of macho reasons, but because it was patterned on a wool kilt made in Scotland (thrift store find). The EPIC fabric can wet through, but not much and dries quite fast, meanwhile fairly breathable. EPIC on shoulders, back, upper arms, etc, of a jacket is not as good because it gets more direct pelting.

If i'm using a poncho, i forgo the silnylon rain kilt.

Ito Jakuchu BPL Member
PostedDec 21, 2014 at 1:15 am

Anton,
Not much help probably but I have rain pants from a Japanese brand called Finetrack that have a ¾ zip, and they weigh 225gr. The zippers go from the ankle to the quads. The ankles have buttons too, so you can open the zip all the way but still have it fastened at the ankle. Great venting and because they open up totally on the bottom they can go over shoes/crampons if necessary. I have an XL (but think USA Large, I'm 184cm and the length is great).
They are called Finetrack Everbreath Photon Pants if you want to try Amazon JP or something.

John S. BPL Member
PostedDec 21, 2014 at 1:26 am

Anton, check out Marmot precip and Red Ledge for full zip rain pants.

James holden BPL Member
PostedDec 21, 2014 at 12:56 pm

if you are dealing with freezing sustained rain "water resistant" pants are generally not sufficient … the DWR (even if its still good) will get overwhelmed in short order and your underwear will soak through …. the heat loss from the damp cloth on our thighs (lot of blood vessels there) can make you feel quite cold even when moving

with "WPB" pants you will still get a bit damp from sweat, but youll be warm and damp vs cold and wet

the trick is to wear a very thin long underwear under the pants … dont simply put the pants over everything else like many folks do

remember sweat is a function of warmth, and the minimal layer underneath will minimize that when moving …. it will also make things easier to dry when it gets damp

;)

Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)
Loading...