Waterproof Pants
Want to keep your legs dry from rain and snow with a hard shell? See our top picks in waterproof shells and rain pants below, thanks to hundreds of independent reviews and ratings by hikers, backpackers, alpinists, backcountry skiers, trail runners, and paddlers.
The best waterproof pants, reviewed and curated by the Trailspace community. The latest review was added on July 14, 2023. Stores' prices and availability are updated daily.































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Recent Waterproof Pant Reviews

Arc'teryx Beta AR Pant
My first Arc'teryx hardshell. Let's see if it fits the bill... Haven't used it that much on purpose since hardshells are my last resort, especially when it comes to pants. Why? Well, primarily because of the extra weight and secondly because of the whole process of getting in and out of in the field. I think of hardshells like a pair of crampons: use them only when needed and not for the whole duration of the hike. Hardshells are the bane for many hikers because they usually don't work the way they… Full review

Beyond Clothing ARX 2.0 L6 Rain Pant
Durable and functional, the BEYOND ARX 2.0 L6 Rain Pant is a three-layer expedition-fit hardshell that is best suited for long days in inclement weather. These highly durable rain pants are best for people who prioritize hard-wearing rain gear over weight savings. They are ideal in cool and cold weather, but can be sufficient in warmer weather during downpours. In a world saturated with outdoor products, people have more opportunity than ever to fine-tune their personal rig to their needs. BEYOND… Full review

Arc'teryx Sabre AR Pant
Terrible pants, terrible Arc'teryx customer support. Pants ripped on the third day of use, on piste! The knee blew out. Arc'teryx support was a disaster and rejected a product defect. Pants also run small and show dirt—they get grotty quickly. Buy Patagonia instead if you care about product quality and sustainability! Arc'teryx is corporate profit over quality and ethics. Stay away. Full review

Jöttnar Valdyr Pants
A severe condition hard shell, drop-seat pant for winter climbers, alpinists, and ski-mountaineers. Used in all the previously mentioned as well as long winter hikes, snowshoeing, and backcountry Nordic skiing. Workmanship is excellent, Colour schemes limited, Internal powder gaiters along with kevlar instep protectors for protection against skis and crampons + errant snowshoes. image courtesy Jöttnar Fit & Comfort I'm 6'2" (187cms) and the large size fits surprisingly well. They don't feel… Full review

Rab Kinetic Alpine Pants
Summer has a new friend. The Kinetic has proven a phenomenal solution to non-winter protection. Often, during summer and fall, to carry a Gore-Tex pants shell isn't convenient. When weight is of the matter, the Kinetic offers full waterproof protection with these reliable pants. This shell isn't an over-pant. It is a full garment on its own. The construction is flawless. The quality is outstanding, on pair with all RAB products. It is both comfortable and breathable. It feels light and indeed it… Full review

Amundsen Peak Knickerbockers
The Amundsen Peak Knickerbockers are designed to stand up to some of the most extreme winter conditions on earth. The quality of construction and materials is obvious out of the box and comes through in the wearing experience. They'll stand up to any winter condition and are surprisingly wearable during the summer, too. A great investment if you prefer fewer, high-quality pieces in your outdoor gear collection. LoneStranger was lucky enough to be assigned the Men's Peak Knickerbockers for review… Full review

Amundsen Peak Knickerbockers
The Amundsen Peak Knickerbockers are designed to protect from the elements on a cold winter peak yet vent well enough to climb mountains in full pack on a hot summer trip. Combined with gaiters or just calf length socks knickerbockers are a versatile and different option to consider that brought a surprising amount of functionality to the trail in all seasons. Wide waistband, articulated knees, and five zippered pockets combined with a durable, four-way stretch, 3L fabric make these technical gear,… Full review

Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Pant
Lightweight and well-made, but won't take much abuse. Recently got the Stretch Ozonic Pants (men's medium, short) and put them to the test on a climb of Mt St Helens the other day. Needed some lightweight basic wind and rain protection. They fit that bill. Didn't take up much pack space and were easy to get on and off over boots. Fit was very good and fabric was helpfully stretchy. I liked the feel of it. The only downside was that the seat didn't hold up well to the enjoyably long butt glissade… Full review

Patagonia PowSlayer Bibs
Patagonia's PowSlayer Bibs are a premium, lightweight yet durable, waterproof snowsports pants for the backcountry-focused skier and rider. They work equally well for inbounds and side-country trips too. Their Gore-Tex Pro fabric keeps out all types of precipitation—not just powder—reliably and comfortably all day long. With a 100-percent recycled face fabric, they bring together environmental credibility with technical waterproof/breathable performance. At $599 the PowSlayer's MSRP is decidedly… Full review
Other Types of Pants
Find more pants reviewed in these related categories:

Soft Shell Pants

Wind Pants

Down Insulated Pants
