REI Kimtah Rain Pants

Summary

Tough, waterproof, windproof, warm, fully-featured rain pants. I use them for snowshoeing and other cold season activities in the Oregon Cascades.

I bought these at a used-gear sale. They had a small tear low on one leg that was easily repaired with Tenacious Tape and I've used them for two years now with no problems.

They fit very well and are amazingly adjustable, with a comfortable waist, nice deep secure pockets, an inner gaiter, articulated knees, and a lower leg zippers that allow easy on/off with boots in place. The seat is reinforced, all seams are sealed, and they're highly windproof yet the eVent layer allows good breathablity.   

It rains a lot here in Oregon, especially in the colder months. I've used these pants in long days of snowshoeing and hiking when it was either 35 degrees and raining, 32 degrees, windy, with slush falling, and in 10 degree weather snow camping and have found them dry and warm at all times. I generally wear either a light pair of Smartwool long underwear, or, if it will be colder, a pair of medium or heavy weight synthetic long underwear.

The waistband is quite comfortable and allows enough adjustment to allow only a light layer or 2 or 3 heavier layers with easy and without having to repeatedly pull the pants back into place. The cuff has grommets that allow me, if I want, to add some strings as instep cords.  I've not done that as I often wear gaiters.

After heavy use for a couple of years, and after whatever use the previous owner gave them, these rain pants still look great.  There's a little wear on the inner cuff, but not much.   The seat, knees and the rest still look and perform as if new.  

The full price for these ($189) makes them expensive and the weight (11.5 oz for 32" inseam) makes them heavier than I'd want to carry for long backpacking trips. But if you get out in heavy weather I'd highly recommend looking into a pair of REI Kimtah Rain Pants. Wait for a sale or use your 20% off coupon.