Outdoor Research  Helium Rain Pants - Men's

They are very light and kept rain out beautifully the 1 time I wore them but unfortunately got a small hole during that 1st hike. I guess I need to look for something heavier duty even if it comes at the expense of weight. Really disappointed because the hole is right in the seat of the pants. I maybe sat down twice the whole hike and always had a plastic bag under me. For what it is worth they were comfortable. I did need to take my boots off to get them on so the zipper could have been slightly longer, but I knew that trying them on in the store. I chose comfort over some of the full zipper options available.

The only issue I have with these pants is that the zipper on the leg is too short. I wanted to use these as outer rain pants to keep in my pack until needed. However, the zipper doesn't even go past the knee. This makes them extremely hard to put on when wearing boots. This is problematic as taking off boots during a hike or climb is a pain, especially when gaiters are being worn. Definitely try them on when wearing your boots prior to purchasing to see how hard it will be to get them on and off while on the go. I still gave them a three star because they are well sealed and waterproofed and the material holds up to abrasion very well (repeatedly sliding on ice and snow).

I have bought this product twice and used this product twice. Once in the Tetons, and once in the Canyonlands. Each time, the performance is the same. Each time, the failure is the same. Pros: Lightweight, pack-able, easily deployed, keeps the water out, acts as an outer shell. Cons: Sizing may be true to body type, but most people should get a size larger. And, the pants are only usable for casual use e.g. walking. This item is not made to stretch while in the backcountry. For casual use (hikers) this is a great piece of gear and I do recommend the rain pants. For backpackers: Be prepared to deal with busted seams. Fortunately, where the seams bust is only an issue if you sit down.

Great rain pants. Super light and packable, these pants kept me completely dry for 7 days on my spring backcountry canoe trip. I only have good things to say about them. I abused them daily, bushwhacking from lake to lake, branches and trees poking at my legs constantly, not one tear, not even a scratch that I can see. I don`t mind at all that they doesn't have side pockets, to me that's just one more seam where water could get in. I wore the Helium II jacket along with the pants, highly recommend that one as well. Will definitely buy another pair if these ones ever fail me. (doubt it!)

These pants failed my first test: putting them on over boots. The zipper is just too short if you're wearing full-size or winter boots. It might work if you're wearing the lower-cut trail-runner type shoes. They also failed my second test: the sizing is problematic. To get a comfortable fit in the waist over regular hiking pants, I had to go up to a large size (but my waist is only 32-in). But since I only have a 30-inch inseam, the pants were about six inches too long. These are getting returned.

I've owned a pair of these for years and am now ordering a second pair. I use them in the winter as a shell and as rain pants in the summer. They are light weight and the zippers along the legs are very useful for putting them on without having to take off your boots. If I'm overheating I can open the zipper near the top as well.

I only wore them a couple of times in 14 months when the seam in the seat ripped out. They are light, easy to throw in my running pack just in case. However, not much use with no seat.

My only negative for these guys is the length of the zipper on the side, they make for difficult removal and put on, I live in Montana and work in Yellowstone, and storms come and go, maybe 20 minutes in duration but brutal at times, these pants do everything I want and weigh little, but if I may be removing them and putting them back on a lot in a day, these frustrate me. Sounds foolish that this is the issue, but I have struggled with this. You wind up getting the inside all lined out with mud and such, i will keep these as a nice back up but think I am going a notch up to the foray for my true backpack pant.

I brought these on a climbing trip to the Bugaboos and they shed rain with authority. Like any good rain pant, you hope they stay in your pack most of the time and don't weigh you down and the Heliums do just that. They are super-light so you do have to take care of them and not treat them like burly winter pants. My only dis, is that the sizing is about a full size off, I had to go up to a medium just to get over my hiking pants.

Ordered Men's Medium, which according to the sizing chart should have a 32 inch inseam. 32 inseam is usually just a little long for me but these pants barely reached the tops of my boots. I took them off and measured the inseam with a tape measure, it was only 29.5, so the pants are going back. Other than this, they are well made, very light. The ankle zips are just sufficient to allow me to put them on over my Solomon hiking boots. The material and seams seem strong for such a lightweight fabric.