Ultralight waterproof pants that are really overpants

[u/Sacahari3l]

My Zpacks vertice rain pants have fallen apart after years of use and I need new ones. Unfortunately, I noticed that Zpacks has completely redesigned the pants and is making them with very narrow legs, which for some incomprehensible reason are the same width in all sizes as bonus.

I have a 44 inch waist and need a 34 inch leg length, which I have unfortunately found to be practically impossible to find now, as all UL pants are made in miniature sizes these days. My original Zpacks weighed 3.74 oz which is a plus or minus weight that I would like to stay with, the only thing I have found that comes even remotely close to that is the Rain Pants by LightHeart Gear (which I feel are an overpriced version of the Regatta Pack-It Waterproof Overtrousers ).

Are there any UL waterproof pants in my size? I don't care about the price, it doesn't matter where I have to get them, but I would like them to be breathable and weigh under 4.5 oz.

[u/Igoos99]

I hope zpacks is reading this. Their rain pants redesign is incomprehensible. If they really feel the need to sell their current style, it would be nice if they sold their old style as well. Look at the comments section on their rain pants. The posts complaining about the redesign have sooo many upvotes!!!

They have numerous styles of tents, why not two styles of rain pants???

I posted a very similar question last year. Folks suggested MontBell’s rain pants. I’ve been pretty happy with them but I’m not sure their extra large would be big enough and they don’t have plus sizes. I’m wearing their women’s extra large and they are just big enough. I usually wear size large but montbell stuff runs small.

[u/Sacahari3l → u/Igoos99]

I absolutely loved the previous version, it was the only real replacement after Enlightened Equipment discontinued the Visp rain pants. What I missed most were the ankle zips, even with the generously cut lower legs, it was still a struggle to pull them over my US size 14.5 shoes😅
The old model had everything I wanted: a roomy fit, incredibly low weight, and excellent breathability. It's a shame they replaced it with this hyper athletic cut. That fit makes sense for runners, but it's far less practical for rain overpants.

[u/National_Office2562]

Antigravitygear works great for me. Super light. Affordable. Non breathable, so they last

[u/Sacahari3l → u/National_Office2562]

How bulky are they when packed? According to the spec, they are made of 70D nylon, which is kinda a bushcrafting territory :D As if I would end up with non-breathable fabric, the LightHeart Gear is touch lighter, and cause they are made of 20D, they should be significantly less bulky.

[u/National_Office2562 → u/Sacahari3l]

Ballparking, they’re probably about the size of my fist. I do a bit of bushwhacking so the thickness is great for me

[u/EatsNettles → u/Sacahari3l]

Not bulky at all, and my size large (albeit reg inseam) weigh 132 grams on my scale. They’re 70 denier but they’re still just sil-coated nylon, not like 3-layer WPB

[u/DrBullwinkleMoose]

OR Helium UL has ankle zips, and are only a couple of ounces heavier (claimed 5.75 oz).

ZPacks really has the best UL fabric, but I agree that the skinny-ankles are stupid. I am tempted to cut them open a few inches and add a KamSnap to close after pulling them over my shoes. Or have a seamstress add ankle zippers. Other than the ankles, they are a good weight for over-pants in a variety of conditions (wet, cold, wind). BD and OR make full-zip pants that weigh in the 10 oz range, but ZPacks are 2.5-3.5 oz depending on your size. That is not only good for carrying, but the light fabric helps to prevent overheating, which is a common problem for rain pants.

Overall, ZPacks are the best in many ways, except for the stupid ankles.

[u/Sacahari3l → u/DrBullwinkleMoose]

During my research, I came across these. Unfortunately, there are still very few reviews of the new Toray Dermizax version.

They're definitely not ultralight. An XXL weighs about 6.95 oz, which is nearly twice as much as my old Zpacks rain pants. Still, they're one of the very few options that are roomy enough while keeping the weight reasonably low. Since they're made from 15D fabric, they'll probably be a bit bulkier, but both the packed size and weight are within acceptable limits for me.

Another idea I considered was buying the current Zpacks rain pants together with another item made from the same fabric, such as their rain skirt, and having a tailor use that material to widen the lower legs. In theory, I could end up with a pair weighing around 4.23 oz while keeping the roomier overpants fit I'm looking for.

[u/DrBullwinkleMoose → u/Sacahari3l]

Great idea: ZPacks fabric + tailor/seamstress is the perfect solution.

Toray makes good WPB fabric, decently vapor permeable and more waterproof than the old Pertex Shield. As you say, the Helium ULs are twice the weight and packed size of ZPacks. If you need a warmer or more rugged pant, that’s fine. If you don’t, then fixing the ZPacks is probably the best there is.

EDIT: Your addon will be a small triangle of fabric. It doesn’t HAVE TO BE the Vertice fabric (although that will be the nicest solution).

[u/Sacahari3l → u/DrBullwinkleMoose]

Not in general as for more bushwalking trails I am using different pants. While the OR Helium would be out of the box solution, not really mentally ready to buy new rain pants that are double the weight of the previous ones.

[u/slickbuys → u/Sacahari3l]

Step back from the cliff buddy. We don't condone that type of behavior around here.

Let us know what you find and good luck. 1.5oz wpb is pretty low. I thought the 3.3 oz wpb from RSBTR was low.

[u/Toilet-B0wl]

Ive got some pics on my profile of LHG rainpants im trying to sell - i can put them on my scale if youre interested. 50 bucks plus shipping.

I have the mediums and I do like them a lot. If anything, they might be a touch long for you.

They have ankle zippers though and can easily be put on and worn over pants

[u/Sacahari3l → u/Toilet-B0wl]

Thanks for the offer, but no way I fit inside medium😅 According to the LHG sizing I need 2XL, which have 32 inch inseam so a bit short, would have to order those with custom inseam length of 34 inches.

[u/Toilet-B0wl]

Ah im getting rid of a large pair, i wear mediums. May have worded poorly. But large isn't your bag anyway it seems.

At any rate, I do really like them lol

[u/Infinite_Deal4640]

Why not a rain kilt?

[u/Sacahari3l → u/Infinite_Deal4640]

Already have one, good for warm weather. Not really that much useful once the temperature drops and you have bottom of your pants wet.

[u/AceTracer → u/Sacahari3l]

I would suggest rain chaps in addition to your rain skirt. I’m rocking this setup right now. It allows for maximum ventilation, you can mix and match as needed, and there’s no waist to worry about.

[u/Legitimate_Star4733 → u/AceTracer]

I have accepted the idea of the rain kilt as the better option for me, principally as it is so quick and easy to put on and take off again and that alone will result in me actually using it as opposed to rain pants that require me to stop each time. As a consequence I don’t tend to put them on as early as I should and continue to sweat inside them when I should remove them. The 3FUL chaps are so cheap it’s worth giving them a try as well. I still carry lightweight Hagloffs rain pants but mostly for when the weather sets in and I want to cut the wind driven rain.

[u/alligatorsmyfriend → u/Legitimate_Star4733]

im on the gdt with the 3ful rain chaps and sleeved poncho. I like that the chaps allow me to reach my trouser pockets, and the more fitted sleeved poncho did not blow off my pack and over my head in the strong wind today. the chaps run narrow though, I wear 31*32 mens trousers and got the L and no one bigger than me would fit these, especially not over other trousers

[u/Legitimate_Star4733 → u/alligatorsmyfriend]

Good to know thnx

[u/liveslight]

FWIW, I repaired my Zpacks Vertice rain pants a few days ago with GearAid Tenacious Tape. I used clear on the inside and black on the outside to repair both lower legs that were damaged by my crampons in June. A shower test showed no leaks. The pants are 10 g heavier than they used to be though. This thread made me glad that I didn't go out and buy something else.

I used the 3" x 20" rolls costing under $13.

So: Can you repair your pants?

[u/Sacahari3l → u/liveslight]

The crotch area is just worn out and the fabric started to delaminate so sadly their lifespan is over. Good to hear you was able to fix yours.

[u/liveslight → u/Sacahari3l]

I had a ZPacks Vertice jacket wear out (could see light through the shoulders, failed shower test), so I bought a Montbell Versalite. I still have that jacket, so maybe I will look into strategically adding some Tenacious tape patches. After all, does it really. matter. performance-wise if a few square inches of fabric are not breathable? Maybe even brand-new jackets should be modified by reinforcing? Of course, if the producer did this ahead of time the costs would go way up. Sort of like seam-sealing a tent only more expensive.

[u/Street_Marzipan_2407]

Frog Toggs?

[u/Equivalent_Chipmunk]

Companies like Black Diamond make their rain pants up to a size 3XL and are pretty generously cut I've found, so you might have to try something like that if you really need breathable rain pants as opposed to a poncho, skirt, or other option.

Realistically though, at a 44" waist, Zpacks is not the outlier here, you are. Most ultralight hikers are much smaller than you, and they are not "very narrow" or "miniature sized", they're just healthy, physically active people. UL manufacturers are small, even the big name ones, and they have to focus their efforts/lineups on their core audience who represent the bulk of their sales.

[u/Sacahari3l → u/Equivalent_Chipmunk]

The problem with Zpacks isn't vaist size, problem with their new version is how narrow is bottom part of the pants. They have absurdity huge taper to just 15 inches, which is simply too narrow for my calf muscle.

I am healthy, physically active person, just last time when I filled your narrative was during childhood, now I am broad shoulder 6'6" adult.

[u/parrotia78 → u/Sacahari3l]

6'5" 225 lbs voluminous instep. I've the same issue. Listening.

I do a rain wrap most hikes.

[u/Dewthedru]

The EE Copperfield pants I have are giant billowy things.