The Best Rain Pants for Men and Women to Stay Active in Any Weather

A quality pair of rain pants helps you stay dry and comfortable during showers and other inclement weather. Like cold weather jackets and waterproof headphones, they’re essential gear for hiking, backpacking, and other outdoor activities. Unlike ski pants, they are not necessarily warm, so if you wear them in colder temperatures be sure to layer appropriately (though most will block wind, in addition to moisture).

Rain pants come with a variety of features through womens and mens clothing brands. Some are more appropriate for everyday hikers and people who like to do their daily walks in any weather, while others feature enhanced durability for more extreme activities like mountaineering and ice climbing.

Our top picks for the best rain pants

Best full-zip rain pants: Marmot PreCip Eco Full Zip Rain Pants

Women’s | Men’s

Best versatile rain pants: NorthFace Venture 2 Rain Pants

What to consider when choosing rain pants

Made from either polyester or nylon, all rain pants feature a durable water repellent (DWR) coating of some kind. In general, nylon is stronger and stretchier, while polyester tends to be more waterproof. Many outdoor clothing companies have developed their own DWR technologies that they use for their raingear like H2No, NanoPro, or Helox—all of which work well.

Ventilation

Rain pants, being waterproof and windproof, can be unexpectedly warm. Some feature ventilation zippers at the thighs, so you can better regulate your body temperature. If you plan to hike in warmer climates or tend to run hot, look for a pair with ventilation capabilities.

Pockets

I always appreciate a garment with pockets, especially zippered ones. That being said, zippers provide added ingress opportunities for water so I wouldn’t recommend storing anything important of the paper variety in the pocket of a pair of rain pants.

Ease of taking on and off

Rain pants come with varying zipper length openings on the legs to help make them easier to take on and off. Shorter, quarter zip lengths may not provide enough room to successfully wrangle your pants over a pair of hiking boots, while full length zippers will obviously make pulling them on and off a fairly quick and simple maneuver. However, the longer the zipper is, the more the pants will weigh and the higher the possibility of moisture seeping in.

Packability

If you’re a hiker, backpacker, or bike packer, you’ll likely want a pair of rain pants that packs down small and doesn’t add a lot of weight to your pack. Look for ones that pack easily into their own pocket.

How we chose the best rain pants

I’m an avid cyclist, all-weather bike commuter, hiker, and backpacker who spends a lot of time outdoors, no matter what the weather may be doing. I’ve personally worn all of the rain pants included in this guide, some of them more often than others, all in varying levels of wet and stormy. I also consulted extensive online reviews of the products featured here, as well as pooling the knowledge and recommendations of my outdoor community network. If you’ve ever spent time sitting around a campfire or at a picnic table with a group of hikers or cyclists, you know that, inevitably, the conversation turns to gear, especially that of the rain variety.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Are rain pants worth it?

If you spend a considerable amount of time outside hiking, biking, working, or just walking and don’t like the weather dictating how long you’re able to stay comfortable, a quality pair of rain pants is well worth the price. The best ones are waterproof, while also being breathable to minimize sweat buildup during activities.

What pant material is best for rain?

Both polyester and nylon work well for rain pants. No matter what they’re made from, they’ll feature some kind of DWR (durable water repellent) coating that makes the material waterproof. Many companies/brands have developed their own proprietary coatings, processes, and fabrics (such as Patagonia’s H2No® and Marmot’s NanoPro™) that they use in their rainwear.

How do you wash rain pants?

Wash rain pants on the gentle cycle with a small amount of detergent (but no fabric softener), then hang dry. Never put them in the dryer as the heat can damage the waterproof coating and render them useless for rain protection.

Should you size up in rain pants?

In most cases, you shouldn’t have to size up in rain pants. They should be cut to accommodate layers underneath. You also don’t want them to be too baggy or bulky because the extra fabric could hinder your movements and potentially get caught on things like a bike chain ring or trailside trees and bushes.

Do you wear anything under rain pants?

Rain pants are more comfortable with a layer underneath to prevent them from sticking and/or clinging to your skin. I personally always wear something underneath them. If I’m hiking or trekking in hot weather, I skip rain pants altogether and opt for shorts made from a water-resistant, quick drying fabric.