Some pants on the market are designed to be practical, and some are designed to look good. The best women’s rain pants must and usually are in the former as they’re designed to keep one dry in wet weather.
When considering which pair of rain pants to purchase, it’s a good idea to know what type you’re looking for.
- Do you want to wear them over existing clothes? Or do you want to wear them on their own?
- Also, what type of material you’d prefer? A more plastic feel or a more fabric touch?
Well to make things easier, here is a list of the best women’s rain pants that you can trust!
We’ve also offered details and an answer to all of the questions above, to make it even easier to pick.
10. Columbia Women’s Storm Surge Waterproof Rain Pants
These Storm Surge Waterproof Rain Pants from Columbia may not be the most fashionable pants on the market, but they’re among the best women’s rain pants that will keep you dry.
Manufactured using Omni-Tech nylon fabric, they’re breathable yet waterproof. They also have a mesh lining to keep you warm.
While they have no exterior pockets, these pants do have one small pocket on the inside (smaller than a phone small).
This pair has an elasticated waist and the cuffs have hook and loop adjustments.
There are no zippers up the legs, but reports indicate this hasn’t really hindered the ability to put the pants on over a pair of boots.
Heights:
- Waterproof
- Breathable and comfortable fabric
- Elasticated waist and adjustable cuffs
Plains:
- Very small interior pocket – no outside pockets
Recommended: Be sure to pack everything you need, so consider taking a look at hiking backpacks or even a backpacking backpacks too!
9. Tofern Womens Winter Softshell Pants
Upon immediate inspection, these Winter Softshell pants from Tofern are not to be worn over another pair of pants.
That is because they provide enough heat and protection on their own, without any need for extra layers.
In fact, it has been reported that you may actually be too hot if you add extra layers.
The interior is polar fleece lined to keep you warm at low temperatures.
The outer layer is made from polyester and Spandex and has a hydrostatic rating of up to 1000mm.
They have a partially elasticated waistband to keep them in place but unfortunately, nothing on the cuffs of the legs.
There are three pockets on the pants, two on the front and a rear one.
The only real negative points mentioned by other users are the sizing of the pants – so do check that when ordering – and that the material can be very noisy as you’re walking. They’re not that good for expeditions that require silence.
Heights:
- Waterproof to 1000mm
- Windproof and breathable fabric
- Use fleece for added warmth
- Not designed to be worn with multiple layers
Plains:
- The fabric is quite loud when walking – not the best for quiet areas or hunting trips
- Elastic waistband – but not on the cuffs
8. BenBoy Women’s Outdoor Waterproof Windproof Fleece Slim Cargo Snow Ski Hiking Pants
These rain pants from BenBoy are lined on the outside with a cheaper version of Gore-Tex called Wei-Tex.
This means they have water repellent capabilities, but some users report they’re not as waterproof as they are advertised to be. They have multiple pockets including two front pockets, a rear one, and even one on the thigh.
So you can easily fit quite a number of belongings upon yourself.
Also, even though they come with an included belt, this is only partially elasticated and there are no adjustment options on the cuffs.
The pants have a fleece lining on the interior, so they are only really designed for a thin layer underneath.
The biggest shortcoming with these BenBoy pants was the quality as many have stated that the fastener wasn’t up to standard. But if you’re looking for something that can withstand snow or short hiking trips, and not something to survive torrential rain, then these might just be the best women’s rain pants for your needs.
Heights:
- Multiple pockets
- Fleece-lined interior to keep you warm
- Slim fit
Plains:
- Run slightly small
- It has a higher waist than other comparable pants
7. Viking Women’s Windigo Waterproof Rain Pant
At first glance, these Windigo pants from Viking are not the most fashionable pair of pants on the market.
While they’re certainly not going to win any awards on the catwalk, they will surely help keep you dry.
These rain pants are made from Hi-Tech polyester which is waterproof but not that breathable.
So if you wear them for a long time, you might start sweating underneath and they might also hold in the moisture.
There are zippers on the side of the legs that expand the cuffs so you can put them on over your boots and then fasten them back up again.
One thing to watch out for with these pants though is the sizing- they have been reported to have very odd sizing with the legs being too long or the elasticated waist being too small.
Heights:
- Zippered leg openings so you don’t have to take your boots off
- Spacious enough to wear several layers underneath
- Practical and waterproof
Plains:
- Not breathable and they hold the moisture in
- Double-check the sizing chart
6. Mountain Warehouse Pakka Womens Rain Pants -Waterproof Overpants
Coated in IsoDry technology, this pair of Pakka Overpants from Mountain Warehouse will be able to withstand light to moderate rainfall with its hydrostatic rating of 1500mm.
It has an elasticated waist to keep them in place, and adjustable cuffs to keep them snug against the body.
Depending on the size of your boots, you may or may not be able to thread these pants on over them.
These pants come with an included pack so you can store them away when it’s no longer raining.
The only real downside to these are the measurements, so do check the sizing chart to make sure you get the correct fit
Heights:
- Elastic waist and hook and loop adjustable cuffs
- Waterproof and lightweight
- Easy to pack away in the included bag
Plains:
- The pockets are just slits – you can’t close them
- More practical than stylish – they have a plastic feel to them
Suggested: Be sure to also check out the Men’s version of these same pants.
5. Marmot PreCip Women’s Lightweight Waterproof Full-Zip Pant
If you’re looking for something you can put on quickly over your existing clothing, then you’ve found just the right pair!
They’re also among the best women’s rain pants in terms of keeping you dry even during a storm or a downpour.
These PreCip Rain Pants from Marmot come with full-length zippers on the legs so that you don’t have to climb into these pants.
Instead, you connect them around yourself using the hook and loop fasteners at the top and then using the zippers to attach them together.
They also have an elasticated waist and button poppers on the cuffs to keep them in place.
With a claim of being waterproof for up to 10,000mm, they should be able to keep you dry even in extremely wet weather.
The only measurable complaints are that the sizing is a little off for some people and that the fabric is quite noisy while walking – but if they keep you dry, then they’re worth it.
Heights:
- Hydrostatic rating of 10,000mm
- Full-length zippers that make it easier to fit them on
- Elasticated waist and buttons on the cuffs
Plains:
- Not fashionable at all
- Loud material – you won’t be that stealthy in them
4. Red Ledge Unisex Thunderlight Full-Zip Pant Full Side Zip Rain Pant
Full zips up the legs are incredibly useful for putting on pants without having to take off your underclothes or boots.
This is probably exactly what Red Ledge had in mind when it created these Thunderlight pants which come with full-length zippers.
They also have Velcro on the elasticated waistband and Velcro around the cuffs at the base of the pants to keep them snug against your body.
This pair of pants also features storm flaps over the zips to ensure the water stays out.
The Thunderlights are coated with a Durable Water Repellant (DWR) finish to keep them waterproof yet still breathable.
They don’t have any front pockets, only a back pocket.
Still, a great thing about them is that you can fit the pants themselves inside a back pocket so you pack them into your backpack.
The biggest drawback is that there is no size chart available, so it’s hard to tell what size you are according to your measurements.
Heights:
- Waterproof and breathable coating with a Durable Water Repellant finish
- Elasticated waistband with drawstring and adjustable fasteners at both the cuffs and the waist
- Full leg side zippers – two way so you can zip down to reduce interior heat build-up
Plains:
- No front pockets, only a back one
- No sizing chart so it can difficult to know what size to get – if you’re considering wearing layers underneath, it’s a good idea to size up anyway
3. Helly Hansen Women’s Voss Windproof Waterproof Rain Pant
Minimal is probably the best word to use to describe these Voss Rain Pants from Helly Hansen.
They have no grandiose features, they’re just one of the best women’s rain pants that will keep you dry.
They have a drawstring and elasticated waist to keep them in place and also button closures on the cuffs.
The waist has been noted to be quite high riding though, and according to many reports, also very tight.
So do check the sizing to make sure they’re comfortable for you.
As stated above, they have no extra features, meaning no pockets either.
That’s one of the biggest drawbacks of these pants as all your belongings will have to be stored in a bag or if you’re wearing layers underneath, in there.
Heights:
- Drawstring waist, button closures on the cuffs
- Waterproof thanks to the brand’s very own waterproof technology; Helox+
- Windproof – you’ll still need thermals or extra layers underneath to keep warm
Plains:
- No pockets
- Not breathable – so expect to get heated inside
Recommended: Make sure you stay warm and comfy, no matter the weather, wear the best fleece jacket!
2. White Sierra Women’s Trabagon Pants
If you’re going to be adventuring in a place where the rain can be temperamental, then you need clothing that can be packed away for those dry times.
The ability to packed it away into itself is one of the key features of these Trabagon pants from Sierra White.
Their material will keep you dry, thanks to the Teflon coating, but it has been reported to be rather like plastic in both the feel of it and the range of movement it offers.
These pants have a drawstring waist and poppers on the cuffs.
They also feature three pockets – in which you can pack the pants themselves.
Heights:
- Poppers on the cuffs
- Packable into a thigh pocket
- Teflon coating to ensure their waterproof-ness
Plains:
- Drawstring waist that has been reported to be very tight
- The material is a little plastic
1. Outdoor Ventures Women’s Sleek High Rise Pants with Bottom Zipper
These pants from Outdoor Ventures are probably the most stylish on this whole list.
They were originally designed as ski pants, but they can also be used in the rain.
They’re not completely waterproof, but the out shell is water-resistant, so you won’t get soaked through to the skin.
There are two different varieties of waistband available on these pants: elasticated or Velcro adjustment – so do be sure to choose the right type for you.
The waist has also been reported to run very high up on the body.
As they were intended for use on the slopes, they have a fleece lining to keep you warm, so you shouldn’t really need extra layers on underneath. Of course, this does depend on the temperatures you will face, so take that into account as well.
Heights:
- Two different types of waist fittings available: elastic or Velcro
- Zippers on the cuffs
- High-waist and boot-cut pants
- Fleece-lined – probably won’t need another layer on underneath
- Two zip-up pockets
Plains:
- The outer shell is only water-resistant
Conclusion
So there you have it, the best women’s rain pants that you can be sure will keep you dry in rainy conditions. Depending on the pair you choose, you can wear them on their own or with other layers underneath.
Make sure you stay dry this season by getting one of these pairs of rain pants, after all, it’s always best to be prepared for all, and that includes light rains to downpours.
Are you already using one (or more) of these rain pants for women? Then tell us all about them in a comment below!
Recommended Read: The Best Rain Jackets to Keep You Dry