The NYT-owned website Wirecutter recently published an article recommending rainpants for travel in rainy places (such, apparently, as Denmark). I don't think the article is behind a paywall, it's at https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/marmot-precip-eco-pants-review/
I'm curious if people have found rainpants useful for travel?
Hi John,
13 RS Tours...I've ALWAYS taken my Patagonia rain pants...and never regret it! They don't take up much space and I'm a light packer. On numerous trip I've been very happy I've had them...as has been my wife despite her saying on some trips I will not need them.
Didn't read the article but I've learned my lessons...rain pants go with every trip!
I think it depends on time of year and what you're planning on doing. I'm not familiar with Denmark but I have been to Iceland and Norway. Didn't need them for a trip in June. Nor were they necessary for a hiking trip to the Scottish highlands in September. Assuming you aren't point-to-point hiking during a rainy season I would just wear quick dry pants. Just don't wear clothes that are primarily made of cotton. If cotton clothes get wet they'll make you cold and will take forever to dry. If it's potentially muddy or boggy terrain consider gaiters to keep the water out of your shoes and the cuffs of your pants dry.
The one trip I brought rain pants on, I didn't use them once. We went to Ireland in June 2019 and happened to experience their worst heat wave in 39 years. I haven't taken them on a trip before that or since. In July 2024 we were in Germany and got rained on for a few hours at Neuschwanstein. We only had raincoats (no umbrella) and were wearing quick dry nylon pants. As soon as we were inside the pants started to dry. We weren't soaking wet at all. Even our shoes were fine--just damp. I'll probably never take rain pants along again. The reason is because to truly be useful, they have to go in your day bag. They do no good if you take them all the way to Europe but leave them in your room as you are out and about. Our day bag is full enough without two pairs of rain pants.
Never in 22 years of trips to Europe. I can't see needing them not unless you're on a hiking trip in the middle of nowhere versus site seeing in a city. Their just trying sell something you don't really need.
John, thanks for the article and your posted question. There wasn’t a paywall this time. The author said she, “had long ignored rain pants. I thought of them as niche hiking gear, relegated to the purview of the outdoorsy and certainly not to the purview of the stylish.” Well, her epiphany came while getting drenched during a commute by bicycle, and not on a hiking trail. Biking is an outdoorsy activity, even in a city, and it’s not simply an urban means of getting from Point A to Point B. As such, that can warrant extra preparation and gear/clothing.
I stopped being very stylish a long time ago, and at least one pair of nylon “hiking” (not “rain”) pants has come on every trip for a long time, whether to London, or rural Sardinia, or …
On trips where hiking will be a definite part of the agenda, I bring packable rain shell pants. When bicycling is involved, and rain is anticipated, I’ve got bike-specific rain pants from Showers Pass, as well as Gore-Tex bike bottoms.
On a very rainy day in Denmark in October 2023, the multi-purpose hiking pants were good enough, for getting to the Metro stop in Copenhagen, and scurrying between the bus stop and the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde. Walking to the grocery in Ireland earlier that year, holding a borrowed golf umbrella sideways to fend off the driving rain, rain pants weren’t worn, but we had them on other days while hiking. It is mostly a city vs. country thing, unless you’re on a bike in a rainy place, in which case rain pants are advisable, and no one will mistake a pedaling tourist for a fashion model. That said, a soggy person won’t be a stylish standout, no matter the clothes.
We’ve used them in Ireland, England and Italy and glad we had them especially when other tour members were complaining about cold wet jeans and soggy sneakers. I haven’t been to Denmark but two summers ago in Ireland, it literally poured for several days. Again, it depends on where you’re going and what time of year and if you’re on a tour or on your own and can opt out for a day outside in wet weather. And to add, I bring my waterproof Brooks sneakers if it’s a country or time when wet weather may happen. Soggy sneakers is even worse than wet jeans, in my opinion at least.
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I bought rain pants for a trip to Iceland. Never needed them.
Maybe it’s just us people from the Pacific Northwest that know how miserable you can actually be soaking wet and cold while outside that bring them along if there’s the possibility of rain…..dependo :-)
My Trip Report title says it all. The rain pants provided much needed warmth on the canal cruises and waiting for the Flower Parade, in addition to protection from the heavy downfalls.
I just purchased a new pair in blue: I- creak on Amazon has them in colors!
Never felt a need to use them in my daily life, assume traveling will be the same. Besides I try and stay with a carry-on when possible. My raingear for travel is a tiny disposable poncho I bought at Disneyland. 8 years old, still unopened. If it rains every shop is selling umbrellas, I buy one then donate it before I leave town so I don't have to pack it.
I packed waterproof trousers/rain pants for a walking holiday in the Outer Hebrides islands in Scotland last June, and I used them multiple days. I think they are useful for hiking/walking in the countryside. In a city I do not think you really need them because you can either use an umbrella or a long raincoat to help keep your legs dry instead.
I wore the rain pants over a pair of synthetic fabric leggings. I would not have wanted to wear them over bare legs; I think they are meant to be worn like "over trousers" (like a jacket for your legs?). The weather in Scotland was in the 40s so the rain pants provided me with an extra layer of warmth.
I bought the cheapest pair I could find at REI as I did not want to overspend on apparel that I would not wear in my daily, non travel life. I packed the rain pants by rolling them and then compressing them with a couple pairs of rubber bands. They fit easily into a packing cube in my carry on backpack.
We certainly did when visiting Iceland and Ireland and rain pants saved many a day unless you like walking around in soaked pants. We also had waterproofed shoes as wet socks and shoes are not pleasant, either. It's a low-cost way to be more comfortable.
If you're visiting a location at a time of year where it's known to be cold and/or rainy there is nothing to lose in having them. They're like an insurance policy.
I take them every time I go on holiday to Wales or anywhere else in the UK if I plan to be outside a lot. It can rain every day for a week and I still want to get out and about for walks. No such thing as bad weather and all that.
margie--True;)
I have never taken my rain pants anywhere except Iceland and the Alaskan bush. We have 7 trips to Iceland so far, with our 8th this summer. Several of these trips were for several weeks at a time. I would never go to Iceland without them, and I learned that after our first trip. I have not needed them on every trip, but when I did, I absolutely needed them. The nice thing is they block the wind too, so they are good for more than just rain.
We were in Denmark in October and lucked out with weather, no rain at all. Then in Bergen in August, nonstop rain. So you just never know. I knew that we could duck into buildings though vs in Iceland or Alaska where I would be out in the elements for longer.
I have the REI brand ones and they have a zipper at the bottom so I can just pull them on without having to take my boots off, which makes it much easier.
I only take my rain pants when planning to do significant hiking. We have done point to point multi-day walks in Wales, England, Scotland and the Ardennes Forest. I was very glad to have rain pants for this vacations. If I am returning to the same lodging and doing day trips around a city, I am comfortable without rain pants as I never wear wear pants at home for my daily activities.
I resisted rain pants when I thought of them as similar to fire fighter pants that were ugly and noisy. But then I found some that fit well, and was so glad I had them on our RS Scotland trip. I still wear them in soggy Seattle over leggings. I guess quick dry pants are a good alternative but if you will be rainy and cold, consider rain pants.
I agree that it depends on where you are going and what you activities you plan. I wore them every day on my trip to Orkney and Sheltand in August 2023 as our tour was out in all weathers. I'm headed back to Orkney and Shetland in July and they will be with me every day!
For my trips to France or to other areas that will include city time, no. I do not take them. In October I was in Brittany and there was one day when I might have used them when the guide took me and another tour member on a hike thru a neolithic stone site in the pouring rain. None of us had on rain pants but we all had on rain jackets. I did not get that wet and knew we'd only be gone for the afternoon.
Yes to rain pants! Have been very happy I have them with me. They take up little room in your luggage and are good not only for rain but as an added layer in cold, windy weather.
I wore mine many of our days in Ireland. By the end of our 12-day tour, everyone had bought a pair. I brought to Norway, but I never put them on. Mine don't take up much space, so I tend to pack them.
Depending on the destination(s) and season of travel, lightweight, effective Patagonia rain pants are with me. Such were VERY worthwhile when walking about Reykjavik in really snotty weather. Also, they've kept me comfortable during rainy spring bike trips. The rain pants are lightweight and don't take up much space. Even with rain pants, helmet, gloves and other clothing/gear, my main bag easily meets all airplane carry on requirements.
I was in Iceland for 2 weeks in June 2023. And I wore my rain pants for all or part of probably 12 of 14 days. I do think we had an unusually rainy June in Iceland that year. At the end of the trip, I realized that along with my rain jacket and waterproof hiking shoes, my actual clothes never got wet. Which was a gift considering that we spent big chunks of every day outside. I'd definitely take them on any trip to Scandinavia or in Britain where I planned on doing a lot of outdoor stuff.
I have never seen rain pants! Going to Iceland and it sounds like I need to buy them.
We haven't taken them to Europe yet but we will be packing them for Peru. Mine are the Sierra Design brand and about 30 years old. I've probably used them a dozen times mostly on domestic camping and hiking trips. They pack into a very small pouch, are light weight and don't take up much room. They were designed to be put over your boots with a drawstring at the hem. I think Marmot is a very reliable brand for outdoor clothing.
I bought some for a trip to Iceland one December.
While it didn’t rain and barely snowed, the wind was just fierce.
I was glad to wear them as a sort of barrier to wind.
I ordered these for my upcoming trips to Iceland and Ireland.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08W1MV593/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I didn’t want to spend a lot of money. These are currently on sale for $30. I ordered the large to make sure they’ll fit over a pair of jeans.
They are not the most attractive looking pants, but if there’s a heavy rain with wind, I know I’ll be glad I have them.
Carrie--Those will be perfect! The zipper at the bottom is the biggest key for me.
mikliz97, i remember reading on the forum that the zippers were very important. :-)
I must walk funny because my pants get the most wet when I'm in the rain. We're in Lucerne caught in a rain storm. My wife's were dry and mine looked they just came out of the washing machine. I try to take waterproof pants whenever I can fit them in.
