10 Best Rain Pants of 2024

The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L (men’s / women’s) are durable with solid construction and excellent attention to detail at a more wallet-friendly price point than other models. While they’re heavier than most on this list, they’re also one of the most feature-forward.

As long as weight isn’t your main concern, the Torrentshells are a great choice for most adventures. They’re impressively durable and the thicker fabric offers great protection against brush and heavy rain compared to ultralight pants, and they’re less likely to snag, tear, or show damage, too.

These pants are also well-ventilated. Thigh-high two-way zippers mean you can release heat almost the full length of your legs. We also love the long zippers since we don’t have to take off our footwear to remove or put on the Torrentshells.

We love the two handwarmer pockets. Something of a rarity on most rain pants, they are ideal for stashing your keys, wallet, or chapstick. We also appreciate other details like the snug elastic ankle cuffs and a wider waist cord for a dialed-in fit.

Our only complaint about the Torrentshells is around the material itself. The fabric is a bit bulky, stiff, and heavy. It’s also not the quietest, but you’d be hard pressed to find rain pants that are. Unless you’re counting every gram, these pants are truly built to resist the elements.

With a little care, this pair will keep you dry and comfortable across multiple seasons of frontcountry use. It’s also a burly option for the backcountry if you don’t mind a bit more weight in your kit.

The lightweight, comfortable, and feature-forward Black Diamond Stormline Stretch (men’s / women’s) pants are one of our favorite new additions to this list from spitting, spatters, and spritzes to downpours, drenchers, and gullywashers.

The Stormlines check every box we want in quality rain pants. At only eight ounces, they are one of the lightest pairs we tested and pack up awesomely small into their own pocket. The elastic waist makes the pants feel instantly comfy, and the drawcord allows for a custom fit. We dig the smooth ankle zips as well, allowing just enough room to wrangle these pants on and off without removing your shoes.

Where most rain pants sacrifice style for practicality, the Stormlines are a refreshing exception: these are not your parents’ parachute pants. They fit like… well, regular pants so they work especially well for both trail and town – a rarity for rain pants.

Don’t be fooled by the Stormlines’ slimming fit, though. These Editor’s Picks are great for big-movement activities thanks to their ultra-stretchy fabric. If you’re hiking steep ascents and descents, climbing over deadfall, or navigating boulder fields in rain, slush, and snow, the Stormlines allow for great mobility and move with you. 

That said, the slim fit is not for everyone. Folks with larger body types may find this trim uncomfortable. And, it’s not as easy to layer underneath them compared to other pants that are wider, and baggier. These pants are very lightweight, but they’re much less tear-resistant or waterproof than burlier options.

However, the Stormline Stretch are so comfortable, lightweight, and packable that we recommend them as an easy addition for any adventure where you need a reliable and smart-looking pair of rain pants.

The Outdoor Research Foray (men’s) and Aspire (women’s) are impressively durable and comfortable. For those seeking a breathable and versatile pair of rain pants for any wet conditions, these top performers will help you prevail against the precipitation.

The Foray and Aspire include unique details that make them an exceptional choice for sloppy, wet trips, and even snowy weather. They include not only an attachment for suspenders at the waist but inset stirrups at the ankles (both sold separately). These features help keep the pants tight against your hips and sealed around your hiking boots in driving rain and sudden spring snowstorms.

The Foray and Aspire also stand out for their ¾-length zippers. These seam-sealed, smooth zippers run from ankle cuff to mid-thigh. This directly translates to excellent ventilation, since you can unzip the pants as far as you want to in order to dump heat when you’re warming up. And, when the rain clears, simply unzip them completely for easy removal without taking off your shoes.

But, premium features come with a premium price tag, and these are some of the most expensive rain pants we tested. That said, they’re worth every penny for their excellent functionality, weatherproofness, and outstanding construction.

Plus, these pants come in short and tall sizes, making them an excellent choice for many body shapes and sizes, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a more durable pair of pants. For folks heading into the raw elements who need a shell that can keep up, the Foray and Aspire rain pants will help you stay dry and determined.

If you’re on a budget and weight isn’t a dealbreaker, the REI Rainiers (men’s / women’s) are an outstanding option for all-around use.. Our team has been a big fan of the Rainier pants for a long time.They’re a solid choice for most hikes, and some of the best affordable rain pants on the market.

Their smart and simple design offers the core features that we love about a versatile pair of rain pants, including full-length zippers, cinch cords at the ankles, and an adjustable drawcord at the waist to keep them from slipping down. We love pants with handwarmer pockets, and the Rainiers feature pockets with storm flaps and plenty of room to stash a small knife, half of a protein bar, or your earbuds.

This REI model stands out for its accessibility, too. Like the REI Flash Stretch, the Rainiers come in an extensive range of sizes, making them a great choice for a wide range of body types. And coming in at only $100, they’re one of the best values on this list.

At the lower price point, these pants do bring a bit more heft. Because of their bulk, these pants pack a bit bulkier, too. That means they’re best suited for times when weight doesn’t matter as much like car camping or trips with a basecamp.

But, for most people and most activities, the Rainiers are an excellent choice for anyone who’s headed outdoors when the skies are looking moody. They are reliable, durable, comfortable, and affordable – the perfect combo to get you out there, even in the rain.

The Outdoor Research Helium rain pants (men’s / women’s) are ultralight, fast-drying, and comfy. They are also the most affordable ultralight pants we’ve tested.

The Helium’s low weight and packability are perfect for activities like hiking and backpacking when keeping weight and bulk to a minimum is key. For a very reasonable price, you can add ultralight pants to your kit that weigh only about five to six ounces, and squash down remarkably small into their own pocket. 

They’re made with thin materials, but our team found this latest iteration of the Helium Pants is tougher than previous versions and is more tear-resistant than many ultralight rain pants. They held up admirably in rain storms from day hikes in sand dunes to backpacking high passes in the summer mountains.

This Outdoor Research classic doesn’t skimp on details, either. The ankle cuffs include lace loops – a nice touch to keep your pants attached to your shoes to keep water out. We also appreciate the Velcro closure at the waistband for a custom fit, and the wide variety of inclusive sizes that many other models simply don’t offer.

Our biggest beef with the Heliums come down to breathability. Due to their short ankle zippers, these pants tend to build condensation faster than we’d like after prolonged use. And, the zippers aren’t quite long enough to keep your shoes on when putting this layer on or taking it off, so you’ll need to budget a bit of extra time to stop trailside to remove (or put on) your pants.

However, the Helium is our go-to for lightweight and affordable pants when the thunder clouds are gathering. They are a great value for the price, which makes them a smart option for backpacking on a budget and staying dry on trail.

If you want the most affordable, no-frills rain pants on the market, the Columbia Rebel Roamer (men’s) and Storm Surge (women’s) are the ticket. These pants may be inexpensive, but we find they can handle serious moisture, whether it’s a misty morning, the occasional downpour, or even a basic layer for snow sports. 

These Columbia models do the bare minimum exceptionally well. The drawcord and elastic around the waistband make them adjustable and comfortable. A simple Velcro patch at the ankles allows you to tighten or loosen them around your boots. And, the Roamer and Surge are pleasantly oversized through the leg – just big enough to fit over your layers, but not so baggy that you lose all style points.

Having said that, these pants are simple. If you’re looking for an adjustable and slimming fit, zippers for ventilation, or pockets for storage, you’ll want to look elsewhere. At this price though, we want our rain pants to do one thing: keep us dry. And these ones do exactly that.

Our team put them through the wringer on spring snowshoeing trips in intense rain in the high Rockies and dreary gray dog walks in the city, and these pants got the job done. They do tend to “wet out” quickly on low-temperature days, but most rain pants have this issue – even ones that are four times more expensive and have zippers for ventilation. Though they’re a bit heavy and bulky, for this price, we don’t mind at all.

The Roamer and Surge are practical and affordable. They easily fit over your other layers and will keep you dry on short trips, daily use, occasional storms, or as an emergency layer.