ashenUnpredictable weather is something that has to be anticipated whenever you plan an adventure in the wild. Equipping yourself to counteract such circumstances is always wise rather than postponing your trip. Waterproof hiking pants are a must for any backpacker or any kind of wild explorer. In this post we will introduce and review some of the best waterproof hiking pants for both Men and Women. You can choose in accordance with your budget since we will be recommending pants of different price tags for all sorts of travelers. So if you’ve had unpleasant experiences with bad weather in the past while hiking, then this post is for you. Sit back and have a nice read as we course through the list prepared for each of you adventure lovers.
Waterproof Hiking Pants Pre Purchase Guide
As always you deserve to know how we separated out these specific pants and how you can verify if our judgement is accurate enough.
Material and Build Quality
A common criteria to be aware when choosing any clothing item. The same goes for hiking pants. While ultralight pants are great and comfortable they tend to wear out quickly. Therefore it is always wise to balance between comfort and durability. If you are planning a hike to an area with severe weather patterns and rough landscapes something like the Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic is the best. There are quite enough brands of this caliber for you to select from. Each trying to outrank the other with its build quality.
Some rain pants posses multiple layers for optimum insulation and protection. 2 layered pants are made with a Durable Water Repellent-coated layer and a breathable layer. You might also come across 3 layered pants. One layer for DWR, a breathable mid layer and the innermost layer that keeps sweat and dirt from blocking the ventilation and breathability of the upper layers. Needless to say the more the number of layers, the expensive the pant becomes and the higher the quality becomes.
Insulation and Condensation
Well this is pretty obvious, but has to be highlighted. You might not need them in the Summer, but it will come in handy in the fall and specially during winter travels. Keeping the body temperature is always beneficial. Therefore insulation is a major concern.
You are most likely to form condensation inside the fabric on a rainy day. Happens when air is cooled to its dew point or when saturated with water vapor. Since this is the reverse of evaporation, you needn’t worry about your pants giving away or failing. The droplets will evaporate once your body temperature starts to catch up with your hikes and climbs.
Comfort and Lightweight
As we mentioned earlier the pants shouldn’t be too light, but at the same time shouldn’t be too heavy either. It also helps in packability making it easier to cram them down the backpack. Also you have to lookout for the comfort factor. The last thing is a pair of pants that limits your mobility and feels like your wearing iron. A lightweight minimalist pant is perfectly capable of securing your limbs from strong weather conditions.
Extra Features
Now you might be wondering that this can only lead to a weight increment in your hiking pants. However zippers are an essential in a waterproof hiking pant. Besides making it easier to put on and take off, they have other functions as well. Regulating the body temperature by closing the zipper or opening it and extending room for more breath. However the fact that zippers add weight remains unchanged.
With these criteria in mind lets proceed to Best Waterproof Hiking Pants that we recommend.
Outdoor Research Men’s Waterproof Hiking Pants
- Made from Pertex Shield 2.5 L, 100% Nylon and a 30D ripstop body
- 5.5 ounces
- Waterproof and Windproof
- Drawstring closure
A product by Outdoor Research who is widely known for great technical apparel and accessories. With three colors available these pants offer the best protection for your legs irrespective of your activity or the weather. Fully seam-taped and built with YKK AquaGuard ankle zipper, these pants are suitable even for the fiercest storms and the greatest downpours. Has a reflective logo embedded which means its visibility at night is great and hence your safety is ensured.
Additionally the outdoor research pants feature a a carabiner loop, an elastic waist with drawcord, gusseted crotch, internal loops for instep lace and a back pocket that is resourceful as a packable sack to stuff small accessories. Extremely comfortable, breathable and top quality integrated material for the build and available in 6 different sizes. The outdoor research is undoubtedly one of the best Men’s waterproof hiking pants.
Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic
- Dry.Q Active Stretch 2.5L, 40D nylon
- Integrated belt
- 10oz
- Regular fit
- Full-length side zippers
The Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic is without a doubt a best waterproof hiking pant for both Men and Women. We didn’t tie it in the first spot because of the price tag compared to the Outdoor Research and the weight. However the material quality is better and I guess it justifies the price. Manufacturers are solely focused on providing comfort with this pant therefore it has high elasticity.
Ample ventilation is ensured with the full length zippers too and the integrated fully adjustable belt for the Men’s version adds more value. The Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic is all about luxurious comfort while the weather is bad and you are on the road. The downside is the added weight with the zippers and the pocket placement is a bit awkward to fully utilize.
Arc’teryx Zeta-Best Waterproof Women’s Hiking Pants
- 40-denier nylon ripstop (N40r) GORE-TEX with PACLITE Plus tech
- 8.1 ounces
- Wind and Water proof
- Zippered fly with snap and adjustable webbing closure
- Reinforced insteps
A great product for the price. Undoubtedly a best waterproof hiking pant for Outdoor Women. The material combination renders two breathability with waterproofness. The pants can even fit a six footer and available in five sizes. A zippered fly and gusseted crotch is integrated so the fit is the same as of a regular pant.
The downside of the Arc’teryx pants are the absence of pockets. It is a bit of a disappointment that there aren’t any pockets to store something like a flashlight. Also the pants are a bit pricy because of the quality of the material. Nonetheless the fact remains that this is a good pant for women who are constantly outdoors even in bad weather.
MARMOT Men’s-Best Budget Waterproof Hiking Pants
- 100% Nylon NanoPro Laminate
- 12 oz.
- Zip closure
- Full-length side zipper
Definitely the best budget waterproof hiking pants for Men and Women. Available in five sizes the Marmot hiking pants are breathable with the side zippers, waterproof and windproof. Suitable for any outdoor activity like hiking, climbing or cycling in the rain. It is the Nano fabric material and the taped seam that ensures waterproofness.
The waist is elastic so that all your movements remain free and undamped and it is an easy fit. There are zippered side pockets and a back pocket to store a few minor essentials. The downside is the weight been a bit too much. Nonetheless this pant is definitely a winner for those in a tight budget. The more exclusive Marmot pant is available for more than twice the price built with GORE-TEX technology and 100% polyester and much more enhanced features.
Patagonia Torrentshell
- ECONYL recycled ripstop nylon
- 100% recycled, 3-layer H2No Performance Standard waterproof/breathable face fabric
- 11.8 ounces
- DWR-treated 2-way side zippers
The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L is a worthy option for both Men and Women as a durable, well built waterproof hiking pant. The ripstop Nylon combined with the Tricot lining fabric ensures maximum waterproof properties and better protection against rowdy weathers. Integrated mesh in hand pockets and elasticized waistband. Easily packable.
Pants can be stuffed into their own stow pocket that has a carabiner clip-in loop to make carrying on any backpack easier. Again the Patagonia pant is a bit bulkier, but a worthy choice for the long run.
North Face Men’s Venture 2
- 100% Recycled Nylon with DWR Finish
- Knee-high zippers
- Light and packable
- Pack away in the hand pocket
Available in over ten plus sizes the North Face Men’s Venture 2 is another great option for budget pants. Drawstring closure, sealed seams, Adjustable ankle tabs and zip-secured hand pockets are all integrated despite been a budget pant. These pants are great for lightweight backpacking as they are easily packable in the hand pocket leaving ample room for your hammocks and other camping gear.
North Face has been manufacturing durable high quality outdoor gear for athletes and explorers alike since 1966. The Men’s Venture 2 is suitable for any area with steady downpours and wild winds. However some customers faced issues with the breathability.
Versalite Pants Men’s and Women’s
- 2-layer GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER 10-denier Ballistic Airlight nylon ripstop
- 3.2 oz for Men and 2.9 oz for Women
- Articulated knees
- Fully seam taped
- Stuff sack included
Montbell Versalite is a splendid choice for both Men and Women who are looking for extremely lightweight waterproof pants. However given the lightweight nature, durability is a question with these pants. Plus it has no zippers or pockets which further explains the weight loss. So you might be wondering why this pant made it to the list? Well not everyone wants pockets and zippers, Some prefer streamlined, lightweight wearables just to get the job done.
Although breathability is limited, the thin material still makes it almost possible for a considerable extent. Hence it is ideal for backpacking, mountain climbing and hiking. A bit inconvenient too due to the lack of zippers at the ankles. Nonetheless if been minimalist as possible is your intention then the Versalite pants are a good choice.
REI Co-op Rainier Full-Zip Rain Pants-Men’s and Women’s
- Peak 2.5-layer recycled ripstop nylon
- Full-length outseam zippers
- Articulated knees
- Elastic waist
- Available in six sizes for Men and five sizes for Women
If you are looking for further budget options for waterproof hiking pants besides the Marmot pants then say hello to the REI Co-op rain pants. Adjustable draw cord at the waist, zipped hand pockets, optimum ventilation with the outseam zippers. Built for the required level of waterproof and windproof to withstand the toughest weather conditions.
You can convert the pockets into a stuff sack once flipped. Some users even commented that their legs were kept dry even while digging a snow cave for long hours in different positions. People who intend to use these pants for multi purposes opt for a bigger size just so that they are well insulated all times. The only downside is that the pants are a bit bulkier than the rest. And dew users have complained on the drawstring malfunction, saying that it only tightens the front of the pants and not the back.
Columbia Men’s Rebel Roamer
- 100% Nylon
- Omni-Tech technology for breathability and waterproofness
- Available in multiple sizes
- Best for long distance travel
Not so much in the comfort, but in the budget and durability zone. However the nylon and elastane comfort-stretch fabric maintains a degree of comfort for an average user. Features a seam-sealed waterproof build. Available in a variety of sizes, colors and inseams. Lightweight and easily packable.
Integrates a waist cinch and boot straps to keep rain out from all sides. Another plus point is the inclusion of two side zippered pockets and two back pockets to securely store your minor scale items. However some customers have complained that their pants had no pockets at all. And the absence of side leg zippers minimizes convenience. Nevertheless the Columbia Rebel Roamer is a good choice for someone minimalistic but prefers quality.
Montane Mens Minimus Pant
- PERTEX shield lite technology
- 145g
- Articulated knees
- YKK side zips
- Easily packable
Available in a variety of sizes the Montane Minimus is one of the lightest pants you can get your hands on. These pants were specifically built for long distance travels maintaining optimum comfort, breathability, waterproof and windproof ability. All of these are stuffed in just 145g.
Has reflective tabs for safe night travels, elastic waist with drawcord and hook and loop calf tabs. An overall satisfying pant for hiking, mountain climbing even in the worst torrents. Additionally it comes in a handy meshed stuff sack.
A Little Trivia On Rain Pants
Don’t change into your rain pants straight away when that first chilly breeze seeps in or the first droplet of rain water falls. Hold off for a bit because if you wear them immediately, you might start to sweat from the condensation. Therefore its better to wait until the cold catches up with you to slip on your pants, this way you’ll quickly dry up.
As for the criteria mentioned in the purchase guide, it all comes down to your personal requirements. The important things to keep in mind is that the pants shouldn’t be too heavy neither too lightweight, a couple of pockets are always handy, high quality material will do the job and zippers make it wearing them convenient. We hope this guide was helpful and answers your questions.
