Saturday, October 18, 2025

REI Rainier Rain Pants Evaluate


Backside Line

When fancy pants collect within the wild, they converse in hushed, jealous tones in regards to the REI Rainier Rain Pant (males’s / ladies’s) as a result of it performs at a excessive stage however goes simple on the pockets. These dependable and reasonably priced path companions supply trendy options often discovered solely in premium manufacturers.

Key options embody leg-length zippers that accommodate bigger mountaineering boots, ankle cinches to maintain out the moist, an elastic waist with Velcro changes, and a drawcord that helps it keep put. The roomy handwarmer pockets are excellent for preserving your palms toasty or stashing a snack.

The Rainiers run large, so contemplate sizing down, however REI’s beneficiant one-year return coverage has your again when you get it incorrect. REI has upgraded to a “quieter materials” on this iteration, addressing earlier noise considerations. Whereas heavier than pricier choices (making them much less preferrred for multi-day hikes), the Rainiers excel at preserving your legs dry and your pocketbook pleased. See how they stack towards our favourite rain pants gear information.

How We Examined

We examined for 3 months of variable climbing in finicky climate in northern Wisconsin and the Colorado Rockies. We skilled loads of drizzle days and various on the colder aspect. We additionally carried out some water spray checks at dwelling, together with full-force hose-downs to check dry instances.

Fast Specs

Stock image of REI Rainier

REI Rainier

Finest Local weather Impartial Licensed Rain Pants


CleverHiker Ranking:

4.5/5.0


Value:

$100


Weight:

12 oz. / 11.9 oz.(males’s / ladies’s)


Zipper Size:

Full

Professionals

  • Value
  • 2 zippered hand pockets
  • Slim match
  • Inclusive sizing
  • Elastic waist
  • Sturdy Velcro changes
  • Cinching ankle cuffs
  • Glorious air flow

Cons

  • Heavier/bulkier than most on this checklist
  • Material not as comfy towards the pores and skin
  • Noisy cloth
  • Not as packable as some

A hiker adjusting the drawstring on the REI Rainier Full Zip Rain Pants
The REI Rainier Full-Zip Pants are an reasonably priced 2.5-layer rain pant. – photograph credit score: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

Consolation & Mobility

Although many have to measurement down, the Rainiers have an athletic match that’s relaxed sufficient to hike with out feeling cumbersome. On scrambles, the pants really feel barely restrictive however don’t really impede operate. The within layering is easy towards the pores and skin, and getting out and in is a breeze, even with bigger mountaineering boots, because of the full-length zippers. 

The articulated knees help motion, and an elastic waist and drawstring wire maintain the pants agency on the hips; there isn’t any fly. The adjustable cuffs on the legs are a deal with; they use a rubber clasp that cinches the pants tight across the ankle. 

The entrance pockets characteristic a storm flap, are massive sufficient, and have a handwarmer materials that makes the colder days palatable. There aren’t any again pockets.

Total, the pants match properly and look nice. The professionals at this worth level far outweigh the trade-offs, reminding us why we prefer to maintain a pair of Rainiers useful as a trusty workhorse.

Closeup of someone wearing the REI Rainier rain pants, stepping up on old lumber in a field.
The Rainiers match nice and produce glorious vary of movement. – Photograph credit score: Brian Dixon (cleverhiker.com)

Climate Resistance

The Rainier affords stable safety towards the whole lot from drizzles to regular downpours. Water beads successfully, and we’re impressed with REI’s Hydrowall Waterproofing know-how, which mixes​​ a 2.5-layer stretch polyester shell with a breathable, waterproof, and windproof membrane. 

Sometimes, we get a slight dampness across the knees and seat, however for essentially the most half, we keep dry on the within. Throughout larger intensities, moisture vapor switch is ample with out utilizing the aspect vents. Opening the vents from the highest zipper helps evacuate any extra moisture rapidly when you’re going at a robust tempo.

The seams held up properly in our hose-down check, which included a barrage of water in 30-minute cycles. Total, the shell dried adequately. We soaked down the pants on a dry however chilly day and headed for the path. We have been delighted to remain heat and dry because the wind kicked up, and we lined the miles again to the automotive in file time.

Closeup of someone wearing the REI Rainier rain pants, stepping up on old lumber in a field.
We love the ankle match of the Rainiers. – Photograph credit score: Brian Dixon (cleverhiker.com)

Air flow

Seasoned hikers know that variable climate forces you to manage your sweaty efforts underneath sunny skies whereas preserving one eye open for incoming clouds and the inevitable impromptu squall. The Rainiers excel in these situations, with leg-length zippers providing a straightforward and fast air flow resolution for each situations. 

On one hike, we stored the Velcro clasps in place on the hips and easily dropped the highest zipper down six inches or so to dump physique warmth. By controlling the dimensions of the opening, we had a useful thermostat on board. Provided that many choices at this worth (and better) don’t have full-length leg zips, we stay in gush mode in regards to the large bang for the buck.

When temperatures dropped, we zipped up and located the Hydrowall’s breathability to be as much as expectations. Because of an improve by REI, the interior cloth is smoother and quieter than in earlier fashions.

Closeup of someone wearing the REI Rainier rain pants, with the side zipper open.
Full-length zippers permit for loads of venting. – Photograph credit score: Brian Dixon (cleverhiker.com)

Weight

The Rainier is a moderate-weight pant that weighs 12 ounces and is straightforward to pack. These aren’t the lightest pants in our assessment, however they pack a number of options into the mid-weight and mid-price class, making them interesting to a broad inhabitants of hikers.

They’re nice for typical path use and have a shell with taped seams that carry out properly in mild brush and scrub. There are 2.5 layers of a ripstop nylon shell with a Hyrdowall membrane that’s waterproof but breathable.

The design of the full-length outseam zippers makes for straightforward change-ups on the path and doubles as a venting mechanism. The cinch-down cuffs on the ankles assist maintain the moist out. On the waist, we just like the extensive elastic band with a drawcord that allows you to regulate the pants on the hips. 

We preferred the interior layer and the way silky it felt towards the pores and skin once we have been on the path. Though they wouldn’t make the checklist for many who have to shave each gram, the Rainiers carry out “excellent” for almost all.

Closeup of the zipper and ankle area of the REI Rainier rain pants on boots.
The zipper/Velcro adjustment makes it simple to cinch the cuffs round boots, however does add to the general weight. – Photograph credit score: Brian Dixon (cleverhiker.com)

Sturdiness

On high-altitude days, we encountered loads of abrasive challenges to emphasize check the Rainiers: sharp rocks, harsh alpine scrub, and felled timber that pressured us to stand up near bark and branches. The Rainiers simply resisted these mild to reasonable abrasions, and we discovered them sturdy sufficient for the value. 

The Rainier’s building is stable however can’t compete with three-layer shells with particular reinforcements within the high-wear areas. After a while, as with many pants, the scrapes and put on of the material will denude the DWR, forcing an aftermarket repellent utility. These sprays will be simply discovered at REI and on-line and are a standard a part of upkeep when the manufacturing unit stuff wears off.

Touchdown in the midst of rain pant choices for sturdiness, the REI Rainier is a savvy use of your gear price range. It affords high quality rain safety and a bevy of undervalued options.

Closeup of someone wearing the REI Rainier rain pants, with the side zipper open.
These are an excellent worth for reasonable sturdiness and nice options. – Photograph credit score: Brian Dixon (cleverhiker.com)

Ought to You Purchase the REI Rainier Rain Pants?

In the event you can’t already inform, we imagine the Rainier is ideally fitted to the Goldilocks purchaser.

These will probably be a stable alternative when you want high quality and worth within the mid-price level vary. The pants serve the on a regular basis hiker who doesn’t nerd out on weight or pack-down considerations. The Rainiers persistently shine within the price range purchaser class as a result of they ship higher-end options at an excellent worth. 

Bear in mind sizing when buying. The pants might really feel roomy in your customary measurement, so contemplate going one tier down to check. If sized appropriately, they’re a slim match. Our tester is 6’ 2” with a 34” waist and located the “Medium Tall” excellent.

A hiker zipping up the REI Rainier Full Zip Rain Pants
We’ve lengthy beloved the REI Rainiers for day hikes, foraging missions within the fall, and path crew volunteer days. – photograph credit score: casey handley (cleverhiker.com)

What Different Rain Pants Ought to You Contemplate?

When contemplating the REI Rainier pants, another prime picks from our information to the very best rain pants would possibly attraction to you as properly.

Columbia Insurgent Roamer Evaluate: We just like the Columbia Insurgent Roamer II or the Storm Surge as price range buys. They supply important rain safety and maintain you dry for brief outings and even sledding within the yard. These are fabulous, nothin-but-the-basics selections for pocketbook-conscious hikers.

REI Trailmade Evaluate: REI has an excellent various to the Rainier: The Trailmade Pant is a cushty, no-frills, primary pant that does a superb job for the cash. With an athletic lower and thinner materials, these work for every type of adventures however are a greater performer in hotter climate.

Marmot PreCip Eco Evaluate: The PreCip Eco is a superb lighter-weight ankle-zip possibility in comparison with the Rainiers however you’ll must be extra cautious with snags and abrasions due to its lighter weight.

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