9 Best Ultralight Rain Pants [2025]

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This is a gear evaluate of the Best Hiking Rain Pants for 2025.

I’m an enormous fan of carrying and utilizing waterproof rain pants when out on the path. During the hundreds of miles of mountaineering I’ve performed in my life, they at all times discover a means into my backpack. When mixed with an Ultralight Rain Jacket or perhaps a Backpacking Umbrella you can be protected and dry within the backcountry.

Below I’ve reviewed the perfect waterproof pants of 2025, they’re all both unisex or accessible in ladies’s rain pants sizing and males’s rain pants sizing.

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How We Tested

All the Hiking Rain Pants on this evaluate have been extensively evaluated and researched by the knowledgeable creator who has a few years of expertise in Thru-Hiking, Backpacking, and Hiking. Some of the Rain Pants had been bought by the creator and a few had been equipped by the producer. They have been rigorously examined by the creator in all types of climate. The analysis, testing, and expertise of the creator have mixed to give you the perfect rain pants for mountaineering and backpacking 2025. Read the Review Policy for additional particulars.

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Best Lightweight Waterproof Rain Pants for Backpacking 2025

Here is an inventory of all the perfect light-weight waterproof rain pants for backpacking in 2025:

More Rain Pants to Consider:

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The low weight and packability of the Outdoor Research Helium rain pants make them best for actions like mountaineering and backpacking, the place retaining bulk to a minimal is so essential.

I’ve been utilizing and testing the Outdoor Research Helium ultralight rain pants for thru-hiking many lengthy trails during the last couple of years. They have served me effectively, and I like their light-weight and compact dimension for inexpensive ultralight rain pants.

The skinny materials of the Outdoor Research Helium pants doesn’t make it any much less robust, however I’d not prefer to take these waterproof pants bushwacking via areas with sharp sticks and branches.

The small ankle zippers make the pants ultralight, however make them tougher to placed on with out eradicating your footwear.

Overall, the Outdoor Research Helium pants are probably the greatest rain pants for backpacking and thru-hiking.

If you’re on the lookout for pants which are as mild as attainable, then the Zpacks Vertice pants are a terrific choice.

When I examined these rain pants, I used to be impressed by how extremely mild they had been. They additionally had extra-wide legs, which suggests you’ve gotten elevated airflow as you stroll. While they don’t have zippers, it’s straightforward sufficient to get into and out of those pants with no need to take your footwear or boots off. There are a few snap lock buttons that preserve the underside of the leg closed whereas utilizing these waterproof pants.

As talked about above, the Zpacks Vertice Rain Pants are very skinny, which sacrifices a little bit of sturdiness. So finest that you simply use them on trails relatively than bashing your means via unmarked trails. The weight of the pants ranges from 2.5oz to three.3oz, relying on what dimension you might be. And they pack up very small. They are so small you possibly can pack them contained in the pocket of the Zpacks Vertice Rain Jacket or another rain jacket when not in use.

Overall, if you wish to preserve your backpacking gear as light-weight as attainable, you possibly can’t go fallacious with Zpacks Vertice pants. These are my favourite rain pants for marked trails and the perfect waterproof rain pants for backpacking and mountaineering. If you might be thru-hiking, then get a pair of those.

The Arc’teryx Beta waterproof pants are a severe pair of pants finest suited to somebody spending quite a lot of time within the backcountry or who needs their rain pants to double as a pair of non-insulated ski pants.

The Arc’teryx Beta is made with Gore-Tex could be very waterproof. And contains a lengthy full-length waterproof zip, which isn’t solely purposeful however can be utilized for venting warmth when wanted.

These waterproof pants could be essentially the most purposeful and most waterproof pants on this evaluate, however they’re additionally the heaviest and costliest.

Overall, the Arc’teryx Beta is a severe pair of rain pants. They are the very best high quality and finest for individuals who spend quite a lot of break day marked trails within the backcountry and take their time in nature very significantly. If you solely spend your time on marked trails, then these could be overkill for you.

Made with 100% recycled materials, the Marmot Precip Eco Pants are safe and sturdy, because of the twin slider zip on each legs secured by velcro straps on the waist and metallic snaps on the ankles. For additional safety, they are often locked down for final rain safety or opened large on scorching days for some reduction from the warmth.

Marmot Precip Eco Pants makes use of NanoPro waterproofing in a lot of its clothes gadgets, and whereas it might not be as efficient as Gore-Tex, Pertex, or eVent, it nonetheless performs effectively. The ‘Eco’ within the identify refers to its environmentally pleasant building, so if you purchase these pants, you recognize you’re serving to the planet!

The elastic waistband will stretch to suit effectively, whereas the velcro at your hips secures the zipper and makes positive the pants match round your waist. The waterproof pants have an off-the-cuff dishevelled match, which provides you loads of room for layers.

The full two-way zippers let you open the pants from hip to foot, making them much more breathable when you should vent a number of the warmth build-up. The pants have two zippered hand pockets and a zippered again pocket that’s straightforward to entry.

Overall, the Marmot Precip Eco Pants are barely heavier than a number of the different waterproof pants on this gear evaluate, however their environmentally pleasant heritage makes them a terrific selection.

Comfort is essential with breathable rain pants, which makes the Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic a sensible choice. The smooth, stretchy material will not be solely straightforward to maneuver in but additionally quiet to maneuver round in.

The Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic pants even have full-length zippers for air flow, which additionally makes them straightforward to placed on or take off.  The smooth, stretchy material permits for relaxed, unrestricted motion.

Despite its compact design and good air flow, it’s a bit heavier and bulkier than ultralight pants. They do pack up fairly small into their pocket for storage, however I’d have favored to see higher pockets, and solely the boys’s pants have a built-in belt.

Overall, I just like the Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic. The quiet stretch materials is nice, and I feel we’ll begin to see many extra gear firms making high quality rain pants from materials like this sooner or later.

A superb minimalist choice, Montbell Versalite pants are extremely light-weight and pack down extremely small, making them good for thru-hiking and backpacking. 

While the fabric isn’t as sturdy as some others, they’re nonetheless breathable regardless of having no zippers for air flow.

The small zippers make the waterproof pants ultralight, however make them tougher to placed on with out eradicating your footwear.

Overall, these are probably the greatest ultralight rain pants for thru-hiking, however they lack the sturdiness for use off marked trails.

Affordable, sturdy, and solidly made, the thicker material utilized in Patagonia Torrentshell 3L makes it extra protecting in opposition to brush and heavy rain than different ultralight pants.

They additionally function handy pockets the place you possibly can retailer your keys or pockets. These are notably suited to front-country use. Their thick material protects in opposition to heavy rain.

If you need light-weight rain pants for the backcountry the place the paths finish and the bushwacking begins, the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L is price contemplating. These provide good safety and are straightforward to tackle and off.

The pockets are good and work higher than most on this gear evaluate. 

Overall, the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L are nice light-weight rain pants however not like different rain pants they’re bulkier and the fabric is a bit stiff.  Buy these if you need strong rain pants which are sturdy and waterproof.

The Outdoor Research Foray 3L rain pants are like the large brother of the Helium Pants besides they aren’t a lot stronger.

The pants use high-quality and light-weight 3-layer recycled nylon material that’s not solely very waterproof however permits the pants to pack right down to a small dimension into the again packet.

The Outdoor Research Foray has a great waterproof 3/4 zip which not solely works effectively to let you placed on and take off the pants with no need to take away your boots, however additionally they work effectively at venting warmth when wanted. Not all pant zips are ready to do that.

Overall, the Outdoor Research Foray 3L pants are good high quality light-weight Rain Pants.

The Marmot Minimalist rain pants are an fascinating pair of pants. They virtually bridge the hole between rain pants and mountaineering pants.

The Marmot Minimalist has options often solely present in mountaineering pants reminiscent of aspect hand pockets, a zipped fly, and articulated knees for elevated vary of motion. These useful options work in favor of the consumer.

The Gore-Tex Paclite is a light-weight 2-layer material that does an excellent job and retaining you dry and providing an above-average stage of breathability. The ankle zip is nice sufficient that you simply don’t have to take off your boots when utilizing these pants.

Overall, the Marmot Minimalist is an efficient pair of purposeful rain pants for somebody wanting pants which have options much like regular mountaineering pants.

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Other Waterproof Pants to Consider

Here are another pants that aren’t on the record however worthy of consideration:

• REI Co-Op Essential rain pants: The REI Co-Op Essential rain pants are a price range light-weight choice.
• REI Co-Op Rainier Full Zip pants: The REI Co-Op Rainier Full Zip pants are a full function full-length zip choice that also comes at a great worth.

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Rain Pants Comparison Table

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Ventilation

You can by no means have an excessive amount of airflow, or at the least, the choice of getting extra airflow. Zippers alongside the perimeters of rain gear imply you possibly can let extra warmth out in the event you get too heat. But they arrive at the price of weight and sturdiness. Zips are a weak level on the perfect rain pants, simply as they’re on a rain jacket.

However, some ultralight rain pants zippers (particularly these with a roomier match) breathe virtually as effectively with pants that includes zips as a result of they’re usually product of thinner supplies. 

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Condensation

When carrying a pair of rain pants on a chilly, wet day, condensation could type on the within material. When individuals see this, they could assume the rain pants are defective, however your rain pants are doing their job.

If you’re feeling wetness forming inside your pants, don’t panic. As lengthy as you’re carrying acceptable wicking layers beneath, it’ll probably evaporate with physique warmth, and so long as you retain shifting, it is best to keep dry and comfy.

But to be as comfy as attainable when backpacking, be sure you take care of your rain gear, reminiscent of airing it out at evening. You also needs to keep away from bushwhacking, which is a assured means of ripping holes in your pants and your rain jacket. 

However, it have to be famous that no mountaineering gear will ever be actually 100% waterproof. If you spend all day in torrential rain, then the gear will grow to be moist sooner or later.

It’s good to know this to keep away from disappointment in case your rain pants do get moist on a very moist, depressing day.

The most essential factor is that your rain pants preserve you dry for so long as attainable, however at all times needless to say there’s a restrict to simply how dry they’ll preserve you.

Try to maintain the water beading on the skin of the rain pants by treating them with a high quality DWR. While all of the rain pants on this evaluate have them utilized within the manufacturing facility, they may put on off over time and should be retreated.

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Layers

The variety of layers a pair of rain pants has will decide how waterproof and breathable they’re. It’s extra widespread to search out 2-layer and they’re often essentially the most inexpensive.

They’re usually designed with a Durable Water Repellent-coated (DWR) outer shell and a breathable liner that’s often made with mesh.

Meanwhile, 2.5-layer pants are usually the lightest and made with the identical DWR outer shell. The inside layer is product of a skinny polyurethane laminate or coating that’s designed to stop sweat and grime from clogging up the breathable pores of the pants from the within. 

A 3-layer rain pant is the best. They have every part 2-layer and a couple of.5-layer pants have, reminiscent of a DWR-coated outer shell, a breathable and waterproof midlayer, after which a polyurethane lining of the innermost layer. But they’re additionally heavier.

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Weight and Packability

Good packability and a lightweight carrying weight is so essential relating to rain pants. Layering may be difficult to get a hold of if you first begin mountaineering, and also you be taught from expertise.

After some time, you’ll have it down pat, however it’s possible you’ll be not sure what to take with you at first, or when you should add or take away a layer. Your rain gear is your outer layer, a defend defending you from the weather.

Rain gear will often be in your pack quite a lot of the time, solely busted out if you want it.

Therefore, your rain pants can’t be heavy or cumbersome and have to be straightforward to hold round if you’re not carrying them. They must be straightforward to wrap up and tuck away into your pack.

Most rain pants match this invoice and are packable and light-weight by default. However, some might be higher and lighter than others. Lightweight, minimalist pants are sometimes all of the safety you want from mild rain and wind.

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Comfort

Hiking gear has developed to the purpose the place you not need to accept plasticky supplies, pants that limit your actions, or uncomfortable waistbands that dig into you.

There are loads of nice rain pants which are designed with motion, consolation, and hip-belt compatibility in thoughts. All of the gadgets within the gear evaluate are appropriate with being worn excessive of mountaineering pants.

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Durability

While ultralight rain pants are nice if you need to cut back the quantity of weight you’re carrying round, the materials do put on out faster. If you’re venturing out into extreme climate or robust terrain, it’s possible you’ll need to put money into a thicker pair of professional quality rain pants.

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Zippers or Snap Lock Buttons

While I touched on zippers when speaking about air flow, let’s discuss their different operate: the removing of the pants.

Rain pants which have full-length zippers provide essentially the most airflow and are the simplest to placed on and take off whereas retaining your footwear on. But zippers do add bulk and weight. Over the previous couple of years, each set of rain pants that has greater than 100 days of use has damaged the zips. So remember that the zips are in a really excessive put on space and frequently lined in mud and sweat that can prematurely put on them out.

Another choice for the light-weight rain pants is a snap lock button or cinch twine which opens the underside of the legs to make it simpler to placed on with out having to take away your footwear. I’ve used snap lock buttons and but to have any points however like all issues which are uncovered to a excessive diploma of wear and tear they too will even fail in time.

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Price

A superb pair of waterproof pants within reason priced in comparison with many different gadgets of out of doors clothes. Many of the backpacking waterproof pants on this record are priced between $100 to $200, with the high-end rain pants coming in at virtually $500. You would solely spend that sum of money in the event you lived in a moist space and went to the backcountry A LOT.

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Conclusion

Here is an inventory of all the perfect backpacking rain pants in 2025:

More Rain Pants to Consider:

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Frequently Asked Questions

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