rain pants - yes or no?

If you are going to be outside a lot and you want to be dry in a rainstorm, rain pants make the difference. If you take them and you don't need them, you'll think, "Why did I bother?" If you do need them you will think, "I am glad I brought these!" It is a toss up which it will be.......

What activities do you have planned that you plan to wear your rain pants to? I live in the Netherlands and rain pants are mostly (solely) worn here by kids when they have to bike to school in the rain. If the weather is so bad that you would need rain pants to just be able to walk around a city, you wouldn’t want to be outdoors at all.
Also, when do you arrive here? Weather forecasts aren’t very reliable until a few days in advance and even then they can still be wrong.

Dutch_traveler, we will be at Zuiderzee Museum on April 13th and Alkmaar Cheese Market on April 14th. Keukenhof on April 17th. Being from Kansas, I am no stranger to wild forecast fluctuations and anticipate that what I see now may not be what we experience. But, seeing so much rain and wind on the forecast has me questioning the need, especially since I already own the gear.

Carol, I learned my lesson in Scotland for rain gear (or lack thereof). I had a jacket and waterproof boots but hiking on Skye left my legs wet since I hadn't bought any rain pants at that time. Hiking is different than a trip focused mostly in the city, but I do remember wishing I had them!

Usually I just bring my rain shell. If there's a lot of rain forecast, I may bring my Ultra Light Frogg Toggs jacket. The only time I brought the Frogg Toggs pants was on one of my trips when downpours were forecast - and happened. I may have looked goofy wandering around Buchenwald in them, but otherwise I would have been soaked.

After that one day of staying dry, I never regret bringing the jacket, even if I don't use it. I still reserve bringing the pants for the worst of forecasts.

Rain pants might be needed for hiking in Scotland, but you don’t need them when you visit a city in the Netherlands. A waterproof jacket and waterproof shoes are all you need.
Also I’m not sure what weather forecasts sites you use, but Dutch websites don’t predict rain and storm for April 13 and any forecasts beyond next week are totally unreliable.

If the weather is that rainy and gusty, rain pants would be a great option. I play golf and have a full gortex suit and hat that is perfect for rain anticipated travel. Also, if it gets cold, the pants layer over jeans/leggings/pants really well. If the rain is not that bad I have a packable waterproof rain coat that goes to my knees and has a hood.

Don't forget shoes, you may want to bring a pair of waterproof shoes and a couple of pairs of extra socks to change into.

Im sorry but you can’t compare a visit to the Zuiderzee museum to playing golf or hiking in an exposed environment like the Isle of Skye. You will be very uncomfortable wearing rain pants to the Zuiderzee museum. Yes, part of the museum is outdoors but even then will you constantly be going in and out of buildings.
No one in the Netherlands wears rain pants to walk around in a city. Like I said, kids wear them when they have to bike to school in the rain and people might wear them when they go hiking in the countryside, but that’s it.

Thank you for your insight! It is very helpful.

Leave your rain pants at home! Save space & weight in your suitcase!

My husband and I lived in the Netherlands 🇳🇱 for 4 years and never once wore (or wished for) rain pants. We were fine with good raincoats, and rarely even used an umbrella. We just put our hoods up if it was raining.

The weather there (seasons, temperatures, amount of rain and snow) is very much like western Oregon and Washington. It’s a bit more windy in the Netherlands, but that won’t affect your wanting rain pants.

I brought rain pants (in Netherlands now) but I'm cycling in the countryside all next week, so I'm glad I have them even though the forecast is for rain one day. I wouldn't wear them in the cities just walking around. It's been very cold; of course that can change quickly. I wish I brought my puffy coat instead of just rain coat and fleece...been rather cold.

Nah, don't be the tourist in rain pants. Do though be the tourist in synthetic or blend pants that will dry. Or whatever, wear jeans and be a little wet. You won't melt.

Ytravel bold move cycling this early in the season, much respect, stay warm!

I’ve never canceled or postponed an activity due to rain while traveling internationally. Time is precious. The clothes and I will dry out. Do what makes you comfortable. Sometimes I’ve packed the umbrella or rain gear and have not needed it. Other times I’ve left it at home assuring myself it wasn’t needed and had to make other arrangements including infrequently getting soaked.

Hi Julie, You mentioned you have outdoor activities planned - How long are these during the day? Are you taking heavier weight long pants anyway? Unless you're biking or walking long distances in the countryside, a pair of heavier weight pants should be enough. I'm not sure why no one seems to wear rain pants in cities there, but I've seen women shucking rain pants heading into large city restaurants & even concerts in Denmark & Sweden (perhaps its just that the weather is that much colder here?) Take them & you may be the only person who is reasonably dry! Here's a fun post about not packing too light - https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/give-yourself-some-slack-on-packing-light

Julie - what did you end up doing ?

Hey all! I am working on typing up my trip report. It’ll be a bit lengthy by the time I’m done so it’s taking some time. To give some closure to this thread in the meantime, I’ll just say that I did bring my pants and I did wear them with no regrets! ;)

If you plan on walking outside in the rain for an extended period of time, the answer is yes.