Best ultralight rain pants

If you want the lightest weight and most breathable hiking rain pants, choose the Zpacks Vertice. Weighing only 3.2 for a men’s medium, these duds are seriously ultralight yet still completely waterproof.

• Weight: 3.2 oz
• Price: $149
• Fabric: 3L Vertice, 7D nylon ripstop
• Side Zippers: none
• Pros: Ultralight. Ultra Breathable
• Cons: Delicate. No mechanical venting.

Features

Thanks to the thin fabric and incredibly air permeable Vertice fabric, these hiking rain pants have a breathability rating of 56k, more than 3X that of a traditional Gore-Tex garment. Those stats blow the hubcaps off of mainstream rain gear that claims to be super breathable and is a huge cottage industry flex.

While we’re grateful for the use of ripstop nylon, this is a 7D fabric, which is incredibly thin for rain pants, and they must be worn with care. These are not compatible with bushwhacking, and can only be used on-trail. To extend the life of the garment, make sure not to sit on abrasive surfaces.

As hiking rain pants go, they’re also very feature-light, but this we’re okay with. Rain pants spend most of their time stowed anyway. The Vertice have an adjustable shock cord waist band and dual ankle adjustment straps. No pockets or zippers.

Verdict

If you want the lightest and most breathable ultralight hiking rain pants, then the Zpacks Vertice is your go-to option. Just treat them respectfully.

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Compare these to the other best rain pants of the year, and don’t miss our guide to the best rain jackets.