Does anyone here not wear pants...

[Foyt20]

When its raining ? I personally dont like rain pants, so when it rains i put on my jacket and my rain cover, and let my legs get wet. Any thoughts? What Do you do?

PS: Obviosly thse who wear Ponchos may feel left out, so maybe you all can elaborate on what you do and why you do it?

[MyFeetHurt]

In the words of the immortal Homer Simpson... "Don't you hate pants?"

to answer your question, I wear pants. Always.

[Footslogger]

Depends on the outside temperature. On the AT I did not carry rain pants and did not miss them ...and we had a LOT of rain in 2003. That said, I did (and still do) carry a pair of really lightweight quick dry nylon pants and have been known to pull those on at the end of the day in the campsite.

I hike pretty much year-round in nylon shorts and in the colder months I add high gaiters, which act as a sort of lower leg pant and keep junk from getting into my shoes.

'Slogger

[JAK]

Depends on the wind chill factor.

[hobojoe]

I don't hike when it rains. Simple solution.
Except in '03 I guess!

[swamp dawg]

I carry rain pants and use them most of the time when its cool on the trail. I think it also helps a bit to keep rain out of your footwear. Rain pants also serve as townwear while you are washing you clothes.
Life is good on the trail...Swamp Dawg

[wrongway_08]

I always wear mine, the are comfy! Keeps all the nasty dirt off my pants when I sit also.

Maybe if it was hot out and I had flip flops on - the thought of that rain water my shoe - - - no thank you !

[Tipi Walter]

I usually wear shorts most of the time, even in winter and especially in the rain. Sometimes when I'm cold I'll wear shorts over a pair of long underwear(merino), the usual 'thruhiker look". I always carry a pair of rain pants with me, goretex models, and use them mostly in the winter for a warming basecamp layer as I don't like to get them wet. Ironic, ain't it?

When it is really windy and frigid, I'll wear the long underwear under the rainpants but usually it gets too hot for comfort and it impedes quick movement.

Other pants like nylon zip offs, military style fatigues, blue jeans, whatever--all are not needed and never taken. Now, if my legs started to look tiny and skeleton-like, I'd probably seriously consider wearing pants all the time. Nothing worse than a huge massive backpack sitting atop two spindly stick-legs.

[JAK]

I like brushed nylon hiking shorts over a light long skin layer. I sometimes add flannel boxer for extra warmth and hygene where it counts. I haven't found a wool pair yet, but I find I can manage to keep one pair of cotton flannels clean and dry. I can get buy without them while washing them with boiling water or drying them on my head.

[mudhead]

Depends on the wind chill factor.

You really are naughty today.

[tlbj6142]

Many folks use their rain pants (and jackets) on laundry day. Though, I've seen some folks wrap their tent fly around their waste when rain pants are not in use.

[Jason of the Woods]

I tried to not wear pants one time but the other people on the trail looked at me funny. Honestly my rain pants are awesome in the cold, wet conditions that usually accompany a long hike in the Appalachians. They are just the Campmor brand with the Precip jacket for the top.

[Summit]

I don't hike when it rains. Simple solution.
Except in '03 I guess!

Then you must not backpack at all? How can you spend any amount of time in the mountains and avoid rain. If you're on a several day hike and the rain comes and lasts for three days, do you sit in a shelter for three days?

[highway]

Three season I NEVER wear pants, just shorts.

[Blissful]

I took my rain pants in the beginning and the end of the hike. Only wore them when it rained at camp. They were too hot to hike in.

[RITBlake]

Three season I NEVER wear pants, just shorts.

Ya I'm the same way. I find that if I wear rain parts I usually get too hot and just end up taking them off on the first big hill climb. They are great around camp, esp when it's buggy, or in case of a real real cold storm, but other then that they stay in my pack.

[RadioFreq]

Just a second....I'll check.

[Footslogger]

Just a second....I'll check.

..........takes you that long to check ??

'Slogger

[Peaks]

Rain pants are the only long pants that I carry in summer. It they get used depends on how cool it is, how windy it is, and how hard it is raining.

[Carp]

Rain or no, I've found that my happiness is inversely related to the amount of pants I am wearing.