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If there is one sure thing about the great outdoors, it’s that the weather is unpredictable. You can start your hike in bright sunlight only for a sudden downpour to pop up. Because of this, it’s always wise to always bring along the best rain pants.
A good pair of rain pants should be waterproof yet breathable, flexible, lightweight, and durable. Based on these criteria, we’ve presented the best waterproof pants below. As you make your pick, be sure to look for the features outlined in this buying guide so you can end up with the best rain pants to keep you dry and comfortable on the trails.
OUR TOP PICK
Black Diamond Stormline Stretch Men’s Rain Pant
- What Makes These Waterproof Pants For Hiking Stand Out
- Best overall rain pants
- Top-tier waterproof/breathability ratings – 10,000mm/10,000gm/m2
- Four-way stretch gives you an unrestricted range of motion
- Regular fit allows you to wear the pants over base layers
- Articulated knees and gusseted seat enhance flexibility
- Tennis ball size package when stuffed into their own back pocket
- High quality full length zippers
Sizes: Small to extra large
Waterproofing: BD.dry 2.5-layer Laminate
Face Fabric: 88% Nylon, 12% Elastane
Gender: Men
Fit: Regular
Weight: 8.3 ounces
EDITORS CHOICE
The North Face Dryzzle Full-Zip Men’s Rain Pant
- What Makes These Waterproof Pants For Hiking Stand Out
- Best Gore-Tex rain pants
- Lightweight and space efficient when packed
- Available in short, regular, and long inseams
- Full length side zip for easy on and off on the fly
- Covered zippers and factory sealed seams
- Kick patches on ankle for protection against abrasion
Fit: Standard
Material: Gore-Tex Paclite
Inseams: Short: 30in, Regular: 32in, Long: 34in
Weight: 10.4oz
BEST VALUE
QR Men’s Tactical Rain Pants
- What Makes These Waterproof Pants For Hiking Stand Out
- Best budget rain pants
- Tactical design with eight cargo pockets and a D-ring
- Teflon-like Duratex fabric repels water and dirt
- Elasticized waist band provides a form-fitting fit
- Ergonomically designed to not hinder your movements
- Incredibly tough yet lightweight and breathable pants
Material: 65% Polyester
Other Material: 35% Cotton
Waist: 28 to 46W
Length: 30 to 36L
Fit: Relaxed
Weight: 1.25 Pounds
- What Makes These Waterproof Pants For Hiking Stand Out
- Best women's rain pants available in petite sizes
- Windproof and waterproof rain pants for women
- Four-way stretch fabric provides a flexible fit
- Packable into their own left-hand zipper pocket
- Zippers at the ankles for easy on and off
- Adjustable cuffs for customizing fit
Material: Polyester
Waterproofing: 2.5 Layer REI Elements Laminate
Petite Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large
Inseam Length: 28+ inches
- What Makes These Waterproof Pants For Hiking Stand Out
- Best women's rain pants for winter hiking
- Available in petite, regular, and plus sizes
- Built-in leg gaiter keeps rain and snow out of your boots
- Seams are fully sealed to seal out harsh elements
- Ventilation outlets on the outer thigh keep you cool
- Waterproof and breathable membrane with 10k/10k ratings
- 40g of insulation keeps you warm in wintery conditions
Regular Sizes: 2 to 18
Short Sizes: 2 to 16
Pants Inseam: Short: 29 in. Regular: 32 in.
Insulation: 40g Polyester
Gender: Women
Fit: Regular
Rise: Mid
- What Makes These Waterproof Pants For Hiking Stand Out
- Best men's pants for cold weather and altitude hiking
- 3/4 length waterproof side zippers for easy on and off
- Instep patch for protection from edges, crampons and boots
- Waterproof/breathable 3-layer Gore-Tex construction
- Water repellent treatment, taped seams, and zipper flaps
- Articulated knees and gusseted crotch allow unrestricted motion
- Reinforced hardwearing material at the knees, seat and lower legs
- High quality full length zippers
Sizes: Small to XXL, Short and Regular
Weight: 18.5 oz.
Material: GORE-TEX Pro
Gender: Men
Fit: Slim
Rise: Mid
Inseam: 33.5 in.
- What Makes These Waterproof Pants For Hiking Stand Out
- Best men's rain pants for all conditions
- Available in regular as well as tall men's sizes
- NanoPro coating provides excellent waterproof and breathable performance
- 100% taped seams and zippers with storm flaps and cuff closures
- Full-length side zippers and ankle zippers for ease of use
- Elastic waist and multiple zippered pockets
- Compressible into a very small pocket-size package
Sizes: Small to XXL, S and M Tall
Fabric: Ripstop nylon
Waterproofing: NanoPro Coating
Inseam: 32 inches
Gender: Men
Weight: 12 ounces
4ucycling Fleeced Windproof Mens Rain Pants
- What Makes These Waterproof Pants For Hiking Stand Out
- Best spandex/soft-shell rain pants for cold weather
- Cycling design provides exceptional comfort and flexibility
- Expanded knees and pleated crotch enhance range of motion
- Water repellent face fabric and wind and splash resistant lining
- Microfleece lining keeps you toasty in cold weather
- Windproof front fabric and breathable back fabric
Size: Small to 4X large
Material: 75% Polyester Front
Material: 85% Polyester Back
Lining: Microfleece
Fit: Snug but Flexible
Gender: Men’s
Columbia Men’s Rebel Roamer Men’s Rain Pant
- What Makes These Waterproof Pants For Hiking Stand Out
- Best ultralight pants for rain (6.4 ounces)
- Omni-Tech waterproof and breathable technology
- Active fit and elastane provide flexibility
- Elastic waistband with drawstring for a secure fit
- Velcro gathers on the bottom cinch the ankles closed
- Ability to roll up into a compact, space efficient package
Size: XS to XXL
Inseam: 30 to 32 inches
Fabric: Nylon and Elastane
Waterproofing: Omni-Tech
Gender: Men
Fit: Active
Weight: 6.4 Ounces
Singbring Outdoor Men’s Breathable Rain Pants
- What Makes These Waterproof Pants For Hiking Stand Out
- Best waterproof pants hiking for cold weather hikes
- Windproof, waterproof, and snow proof pants
- Breathable rain pants with breathable knee patches
- Abrasion resistant fabric and reinforced knee area
- Multiple waterproof pockets provide handy storage
- High quality full length zippers
Sizes: Small to XXL
Waist: 29 to 47 inches
Material: 92% Polyester
Other: 8% Spandex
Gender: Men
Weight: 13.62 Ounces
How To Choose A Pair Of Rain Pants For Hiking – Buying Guide
Use
How you intend to use your new pair of pants plays an important role in the type of pants you should go for. For summer hikes, you may find ultralight pants more comfortable. If you love the challenge of more extreme hikes though, your pants have to be waterproof and rugged while still remaining light and comfortable.
Material
Rain pants and rain jackets usually feature multi-layer fabrics. Ripstop quality nylon or polyester face fabric, and a waterproof breathable laminate/membrane. This blend keeps you dry without retaining sweat on the inside.
Since flexibility is essential for hiking, it’s a good idea to get pants constructed with a stretchy component such as lycra elastane. Fleece-lined snow pants are perfect for cold-weather hikes. Â
Weight
Hiking rain pants should be lightweight so as to not weigh you down. Accordingly, most hiking points are between 10 and 20 ounces in weight. There are even ultralight pants that weigh less than 10 ounces.
Of course, the weight depends on the materials used and the included features. If you are hiking in the rain and good weather, lightweight pants are ideal. Winter hiking rain pants, on the other hand, will be on the heavier side.Â
Waterproof
The whole point of wearing rain pants is to stay dry. This means that rain pants should be waterproof or have a level of water resistance that will suit the elements you’re likely to encounter.
For protection from heavy rainstorms, look for the best waterproof pant constructed with waterproof breathable fabrics such as Gore-Tex and featuring fully taped seams and zippers covered with storm flaps. Face fabrics with durable water repellent (DWR) coatings also do a great job of shedding moisture.Â
Fabric Construction
Rain pants aren’t composed of only one material. Some rain pants are made of nylon/polyester blends while other feature nylon/polyester and elastane blends. Most rain pants are also constructed with multiple layers.Â
For example, the face fabric and a waterproof breathable membrane. This fabric construction determines the kind of protection the pants will offer. Rain pants designed for wintry conditions also feature an insulating fleece lining. Â
Seams
The seams are weak points where water can seep through. To ensure the pair of rain pants you get will be waterproof, make sure the seams are taped or heat sealed. This means that the glue used to hold the waterproof fabrics together is applied using heat in order to create a watertight seal.Â
Versatility
Rain pants are versatile articles of clothing. This is why it’s a good idea to choose a pair you can wear when fishing, hunting, cycling, or jogging in the morning. A stylish pair of pants for rain can even be worn as casual pants during the rainy season. Beyond this, some convertible hiking in rain pants can go from pants into shorts and vise versa.
Durability
Hiking and backpacking rain pants are bound to come into contact with abrasive materials such as brush, thorns, rocks, and dicey terrain. For long-lasting performance, you need a pair of pants that can hold up well to anything you encounter on the trails. Be on the lookout for tough face fabrics such as heavy denier, ripstop quality nylon, and polyester. The zippers should also be strong enough to withstand frequent use without fail.Â
Fit
Taking your waist, hips, and inseam measurements and comparing them to the provided size chart will help you determine the right size to order. Beyond this, it’s a good idea to go through the pair’s rain pants reviews left by users. This will give you an idea as to whether the pants fit true to size or run large or small. Â
Flexibility
Last but certainly not least, make sure the rain pants will provide the flexibility you need when hiking. To ensure the pants won’t restrict your movements, look for a relaxed or active fit, stretchy fabrics, articulated knees, and gusseted inner legs.
FAQs
Q:Â What Are The Benefits Of Rain Pants?
Rain pants keep you dry and warm when it rains. The best waterproof pants do this while still allowing your feet to breathe and perspiration to escape. Getting rained on and soaked though when hiking is one of the worst hiking experiences. Rain pants prevent this from happening.
Q:Â What Are Waterproof Pants Made From?
Synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester are the most commonly used face fabrics as they are lightweight, tough, and water resistant. Some premium quality rain pants are constructed with waterproof breathable fabrics such as Gore-Tex. To add flexibility, most rain pants also have a spandex/elastane content.
Q:Â How To Wash Waterproof Pants?
It's okay to machine wash waterproof pants as long as you wash them separately and use a cleaner made for waterproof garments. Once you’re done, it's best to hang the pants to dry as the waterproof/breathable membranes and durable water repellent treatments can be ruined by the heat in a drier.
Q:Â Do You Need Rain Pants For Hiking?
Yes. Rain pants are necessary for hiking. Even when hiking in sunny conditions, a sudden downpour can occur. Since there are no building to shelter in, you will need a rain pant and jacket to keep you warm. The best thing about rain pants is that they are packable and easy to bring along without much hassle.
Globo Surf Overview
You can never be sure what the day has in store for you when embarking on a hike. This is why it’s wise to pack a pair of waterproof rain pant. The best hiking rain pants are windproof and waterproof yet breathable, lightweight, packable, flexible, and durable. Hopefully the top rated rain pants for hiking reviews coupled with the buying guide has made it easier to find the best rain pants for hiking.
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