waterproof pants
Is it necessary to carry waterproof or can you just carry quick dry pants?
Depends on the temps. When it's cold I always carry waterproof. When it's warm, I just let my legs get wet.
I have a pair of sierra designs rain pants the only cost 35 bucks, best ones I've seen. They work great, pack small and lite, and outperformed my marmot precip pants in every catagory.
Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hatred. And hatred leads to the dark side.
Most waterproof pants will cause you to sweat. I prefer to let the air dry me.
it depend on whether you'd rather be soaked by sweat, or soaked by rain. i prefer rain.
Rain pants or water proof pants for me. Socks get wet and you have a long tough day ahead of you. It's hard to sweat that much where your dry feet will be compromised. jnf
I always carry a pair, just in case. You may come to a point where you wish you had a pair. I like to walk around in the rain, though...
Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hatred. And hatred leads to the dark side.
For cold wet conditions, I use waterproof pants and gaiters. For warm wet conditions, I use water resistant/quick dry pants with short gaiters. The gaiters will prevent the rain from soaking into your socks and shoes from your pant cuffs.
-Avi
AT completed: NJ6-1, NY13-2, CT5-2
Frogg Toggs
In warm weather, Frogg Togg rain pants are the only long pants I pack with me.
By the way, my gaiters don't keep my socks and feet dry. Water runs down my legs and into my boots anyway.
For me rain pants (and jacket) are part of my cold weather gear. When hiking in the rain the idea is to stay warm, not dry. If the weather is warm enough to be wet and stay warm then I don't bring rain gear. If there's any doubt then I put them in the pack.
Usually, the ONLY pants I bring are rainpants. If it's chilly I'll add some silkweight polyester long johns. When it's cold I add polyester fleece pants.
But the rainpants are my pants, windpants, rainpants, protection for my fleece, etc.
Frogg Toggs!
not a lot of bushwhacking down here, so i use Dropstoppers as my 'pants'. a swimsuit and synthetic T are the base, polypro longjohns (top and bottom) go on over those as needed from dec-feb, and the Dropstoppers go on over that if needed. (gotta love hiking in the south). in the summer (march through november), i usually just bring the shorts and T shirt, a hat, and the Dropstoppers top. getting wet actually feels good... nice thing about all these bayous is that you can jump in any time to cool off!
oh. and to answer your question, no, i don't think waterproof bottoms are necessary... i have Green Beret friends who hike in shorts regardless of weather and temperature, including well below zero... their huge loads and energy expenditure ensure they stay warm, even if soaking wet... the problems begin when they stop to rest... an immediate change into dry clothing is a must... for us mortals, for three season hiking, i think shorts and something to cut the wind on your legs when you stop are good enough... but that 'something' doesn't HAVE to be rainpants.
I use waterproof pants, primarily to deal with cold wind and rain. When it is warmer, I don't bother.
The primary reason for rain pants is laundry days. Though my brother wrapped his hammock tarp around his waist when he sent home his rain pants during warm weather.
Yellow Jacket -- Words of Wisdom (tm) go here.
I have crossed over to the Frogg Togg delarium!
Blister "Bitchen" Sister
Rain pants are most useful for cold, windy weather. Blocking the wind from going through your breathable fabrics is HUGE in these conditions.
I have a pair of Red Ledge Thunderlight rain paints w/full zippers. Waterproof/breathable and I can lower the zips on the top to ventilate as required. They're a little heavier than frog toggs at 12.5 oz, but a lot more durable and part of my layering system.
I get most of my camping/hiking with the Scouts, so durability is also a consideration along with functionality and weight. Trying to balance the 3 can be tricky at times.
Peace,
Joe
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