UL Rain Pants – Versalite vs Zpacks Vertice? Other options?

IMO black would create condensation and add to the shivers

Care to expand on this idea?

Got a pair of Zpacks Vertice on the way. They offer three inseam lengths for every waist size. If they are a bit more breathable that will work best. We’ll see about that.

The monsoons hit hard last evening with high wind, hail and rain falling in sheets. One fellow had his roof ripped off. The Weather Mate app forecast high winds and hail projected right in our specific area right before it hit. It was exciting. Love this kind of weather and will not stay home so the ultralight pants will be used. The desert will come alive. Saw a desert tortoise earlier this week after a smaller rain. Those are very rare.

The Zpacks Vertice arrived and the Large/Regular weigh 3.3 oz oh my scale. They have a nice relaxed fit so will layer over well. They have snaps at the ankle to close down for trail runners or open just a bit more or wide open for heavy boots. I wear Keen Arroyos year round so the tighter setting is perfect. The waist is big but the elastic cinch cord adjusts easily and comfortably and makes a great keeper strap for the packed pants.

Roger; To be clear, the rain garments I use are from Patagonia, and are both breathable and water proof.  But I think black would decrease the breathability.  At least that has been my experience in the past.

I think black would decrease the breathability.
Why?
In physics terms.

Cheers

I have the Zpacks Vertice pants and they aren’t very waterproof. I had a pair of Marmot Precip rain pants for 8+ years and they were great but not lightweight. Totally waterproof and durable until they finally wore out. I’m not super happy with the high-priced Zpacks pants.

The ultralight rainwear maker’s care directions suggest a treatment with Nikwax TX  Direct or Granger’s Wash + Repel DWR Treatment on regular intervals to maintain the water repellency.  Some suggest every few trips, some folks do it once a year.

If I can get a couple years out of my ultralight outerwear I’m happy. People complain about prices but this hiking stuff is dirt cheap compared to many toys the masses crave and put themselves into debt in order to attain.  Getting out where one uses this gear in the outdoors is very healthy for body and mind.

“Getting out where one uses this gear in the outdoors is very healthy for body…”

One would think… but those DWR chemicals (both what comes on rain gear and what you refresh it with) contain ‘forever chemicals’ which are toxic for us and the environment… many, if not most of the modern synthetic clothing has harmful chemicals…

“many, if not most of the modern synthetic clothing has harmful chemicals…”

They are even in the couch and home too. Don’t drink the water either. We use a Berkey purifier so I’m hoping that helps. Lol The stuff is everywhere, not just backpacking equipment.

so what do we do right now? I don’t think I can pack beeswax treated canvas.

OK, Roger, I’ll try; but have been a moderator by profession, not a physicist.  Do know that black materials do not reflect heat as well as light colored ones.  When generating heat and moisture in strenuous exercise like BP, or paddling a kayak against wind and current in heavy rain, I find that lighter colored fabrics feel more comfortable. Or maybe it is just a bias and all in my head.  But I feel dryer and cooler in those M-10 WPB products from Patagonia, at least when they have cost me much less on sale.

Hi Sam

It is an interesting thought, and observation. It is worth thinking about.

Cheers

I’ve been looking at light heart gear pants and jacket

I bought a Lightheart Gear rain jacket a while back. They sent the wrong color, doesn’t look anything like the website image. They denied it but did offer me a refund if I wanted one. I kept it – whatever. It is extremely warm and I sweat buckets in it, even when it’s 40F outside. It might be completely waterproof but I  haven’t really been able to test that part of it, because I’m so soaked from sweat in it. I need to stand outside for 20 minutes in a downpour, not moving!

Good to know haven’t bought one yet….. Was also looking at a montbell versatile…..

Looking at using in bob marahall in may or other cooler weather trips. Warm weather I’ll just go umbrella

“I need to stand outside for 20 minutes in a downpour, not moving!”

Shower! I always test all my rain gear in the shower before trusting it on backpack trips. I have had a few leak right out of the box and returned them without ever taking them on a trip.