Weather: it’s one of the most unpredictable factors when spending time outdoors. If you’re halfway up a maintain trail, a sudden thunderstorm can really put a dampener on your hike. So it’s very important to make sure you have the best men’s rain pants to keep your legs dry.
At the end of this article, I’ll offer you a few tips and tricks on how to choose the best pair of pants for you.
But before that, let’s look at a list of the best men’s rain pants that you can trust to wear.
10. Frogg Toggs Bull Frogg Water-Resistant Rain Pant
These Bull Frogg rain pants from Frogg Toggs have zippered leg openings so they can be donned over existing clothing.
They also have an elasticated waist with drawstring so you can adjust them to fit you.
Made from breathable fabric, you won’t overheat or get damp inside these pants.
Another feature they offer are pass-through pockets.
Namely, instead of keeping your belongings in the outer pants, you keep them in the layer underneath and slide your hands through to reach your possessions.
Thereby, this will keep everything dry, safe, and close within reach.
The only negatives of these are that the cuffs don’t have any fasteners so wind might be able to get up the legs.
Heights:
- Breathable
- Come with zipper openings on the legs – to fit over boots
- Adjustable drawstring around the waist
- Pass-through pockets
Plains:
- Odd sizing – it’s better to get a size up so they will fit over your clothes
- No adjustment on the cuffs
9. 5Oaks Men’s Waterproof Comfort-Fit Rain Over Pants
Made from Ripstop polyester and with Durable Water Repellent (DWR) technology, these Rain Pants from 5Oaks seem like a great pair for wearing in bad weather.
They have button poppers on the cuffs to keep the wind out.
They also have an elasticated waistband with a toggle to keep them in the right place.
You also get two zipper pockets on the front of the pants and a pocket on the thigh too.
Reports indicate that their material is waterproof but not necessarily breathable – so they might make you sweat very easily underneath these pants.
The only other downside is that the cuffs don’t tend to fit over boots even with the button adjustments – you’ll need to remove your shoes before putting these on.
Heights:
- Water repellent technology
- Ripstop material
- Adjustable button poppers on the cuffs
Plains:
- Not completely breathable, you will sweat underneath
- Make sure you size up as they should go over your normal clothes
Recommended: Pair those new pants with the best rain jacket too!
8. SWISSWELL Rain Pant for Men Waterproof Rainwear
If you’re looking for a the best men’s rain pants that will keep things simple but useful, basically just something to keep you dry, then these Swisswell pants might be perfect for you.
They have an elasticated waistband to keep them in place and hook and loop fasteners on the cuffs.
You’ll get two pockets but no closures.
They have a hydrostatic head rating of up to 3000mm – this is the rating of how water pressure it can stand and the higher the number the more waterproof they are.
The material is 100% polyester, which makes them lightweight.
It also makes it very easy to pack them up and take them on the trails with you.
Heights:
- Lightweight
- Hydrostatic rating of 3000
- Very basic rain pants – essentially meant to keep you dry
Plains:
- Very long legs in comparison with the waist
- Open pockets
7. Mountain Warehouse Pakka Mens Rain Pants – Waterproof Overpants
These Pakka Rain Pants from Mountain Warehouse are rated at 1500 on the hydrostatic scale and made from IsoDry technology.
This makes them pretty waterproof, even when compared to others on this list.
They come with a small packing bag so when the weather is good, you can put them away easily.
These rain pants come with an elastic on the waistband, and hook and loop fasteners on the cuffs.
Both of these help keep the wind and weather out of the pant legs.
But in order to get them on, you will first have to remove your boots which, in sudden downpours, can really affect how wet you get.
Heights:
- IsoDry technology
- Hydrostatic rating of 1500
- Packable into the included bag
Plains:
- Pockets don’t fasten
- No drawstring on the waist
6. Columbia Men’s Rebel Roamer Rain Pant
With a waterproof guarantee, these Rebel Roamer Rain Pants from Columbia definitely deserve their place on this best men’s rain pants list.
You can rest assured and be sure that they will keep you dry in cold, bad weather.
They have an adjustable drawstring waist and hook and loop fasteners on the cuffs.
Unfortunately, they have no pockets and it’s not possible to put them on over boots.
Still, if you’re looking for something simple yet durable, then these pants are a great choice.
If you do decide to get these, it’s a very good idea to check the sizing as these are listed based on waist and inseam length.
Heights:
- Drawstring adjustable waist with elastic, adjustable leg opening
- Simple yet effective
Plains:
- No pockets
5. Outdoor Research Men’s Foray Pant
The fact that they are manufactured using Gore-Tex clearly places these among the best men’s rain pants that you could get.
It also ensures that you are getting a quality product, albeit a pricier one.
These Foray Pants also have an ingenious feature in that the zippers on the legs not only go up three-quarters of the length of the legs, but they are also double zippers.
This means you can open them from the cuff to get them on over your boots.
You can also loosen them from the top to reduce heat buildup and cool off after the rain has stopped.
Heights:
- Drawstring and elasticated waist
- Long double zips – easily put them over layers and it’s possible to open the zip from the top to reduce heat
- Can be packed into the rear pocket
- Gore-Tex waterproof technology
Plains:
- On the expensive end
- No fastener on the cuffs – there might be a bit of ride up after long periods of use
Suggested: You might also be interested in taking a look at the best hiking shoes for women and men.
4. Marmot PreCip Men’s Lightweight Waterproof Full-Zip Pant
Trying to get a pair of rain pants on over your existing clothing can be quite a hassle as you have to climb into them while wearing boots. Even a long zipper means you still have to thread your feet through the legs.
Well not with these PreCip Rain pants from Marmot as they have full-length zippers so you can put these on and then assemble the pants around you.
They have hook and loop fasteners so they will stay on while you’re attaching the zip.
They also have an elasticated waist so you can be sure they will be comfortable too!
The only negatives found for these pants are that the hook and loop fasteners on the side are not particularly reliable and they can come undone when putting the pants on, or even when just using the pockets.
Heights:
- Elasticated waist
- Full-length side zippers
- Waterproof to 10,000mm
Plains:
- Velcro fastener at the sides (that assists in getting them on) is not very reliable
3. Salzmann Waterproof Rainsuit with 3M Scotchlite Reflective Material
This item is actually a whole rain suit – but as it’s a reasonable price for even just a pair of rain pants, it’s been included on this list of best men’s rain pants.
This suit from Salzmann is manufactured using 3M Scotchlite reflective material – so you should be able to be seen even on the wettest night.
Still, reports do state that the tape has been known to peel off after extended use.
It’s been designed to be worn over a full outfit, so it’s better to size up when checking measurements too.
Also, no matter what size you get, you can fit it into the provided bag so it can easily go back into your backpack.
The only real negative points regarding the pants are that there are no pockets and the cuffs don’t have any elastic or adjustment options.
Heights:
- Not just a pair of rain pants but in fact, a whole rain suit
- Made from 3M Scotchlite
- You can put it on over your clothes
- Can be packed away into the provided bag
Plains:
- The jacket has pockets, but the pants don’t
- Elasticated waistband – no adjustment on the cuffs though
Suggested: The Best Waterproof Hiking Shoes to Keep Water Away!
2. Grundéns Men’s Weather Watch Pant
If a pair of pants were originally designed for use by fishermen, you’d expect them to be suitable for a hike on a rainy day – these Weather Watch Pants from Grundéns are exactly that.
They’re not designed to be worn over existing layers. Instead, they can be used as a normal pair of pants.
Although you should also know that wearing a pair of shorts or other insulating layers won’t hurt one bit.
They have ¼ length leg zippers and adjustable cuffs to make it easy to get them on and off.
These pants come with a belt included, and belt straps to affix suspenders so that they stay up in even the harshest winds.
The fabric is waterproof and breathable, but that does mean that after extended use, the breathable fabric may let a little moisture in.
Heights:
- Adjustable cuffs with ¼ length leg zippers
- Attached belt and belt loops to affix suspenders
- Waterproof and breathable
- 3 pockets including a knee-high one on the right leg
Plains:
- Very long in the leg
1. Viking Professional Journeyman FR Waterproof Flame Resistant Bib Pant
If you’re looking for something as rugged as you are, and something that can hold up to moderate rainfall for a good few hours, then these Journeyman pants from Viking are for you!
They were quite obviously designed for maintenance workers – look at those reflective bands.
The pants have an elasticated waistband and zips on the cuffs with Velcro so you can get these on over your boots.
You also get a detachable bib with suspenders so you can wear these under your jacket and not have to spend time adjusting the height of your pants constantly.
The only conflicting reports on these are the levels of water resistance they have.
Some wearers stated they are only repellant, while others claim they are incredibly waterproof so do check for yourself as this may be down to individual batches.
Heights:
- 100% waterproof and windproof
- Reflective bands around the legs
- Elasticated waist and zippers with Velcro for easy access with removable bib
Plains:
- No pockets
- Size up as the actual sizing can constrict you a bit
Tips and Things to Follow When Picking the Best Men’s Rain Pants
When deciding on a style, or which pair to get, it’s vital to look at the particular features of the pants.
An ideal pair should not only be waterproof and windproof but should also have adjustable leg openings.
This will help get them over your existing clothes without having to take your boots off.
The best men’s rain pants should have an elasticated or adjustable waistband and leg cuffs so that they stay up and keep the cold out.
You should also get a breathable pair, so you don’t soak them from the inside from sweat.
Most of the pants on this list tick at least two out of three of these boxes.
Conclusion
So, this was my selection of the best men’s rain pants that you could get, as well as several things to consider as you are trying to decide which pair to go for.
No matter what the weather throws at you, make sure you’re prepared and stay dry with any of these pairs of pants!
Have you used any of these already? We’d love to hear what you think of these rain pants for men?
Recommended Read: The Best Hiking Pants for Women & Men