[treeswarper]

Let me see, I wore tin pants at work. Here is a picture of one of the "Offices" on a nice day. Now, wade through this stuff on a rainy day and you've got bushwhacking. Actually, this is a well laid out area, wade through a helicopter unit, where the cutters don't seem to be concerned about the lay.

fellandbuck

Wore them in snow too. That's not me in the blue pants.

I'm sold on them. They are heavy and they are cotton, so I guess they might kill you. They'll look like they are wet, but they aren't. I think I've tested them quite thoroughly.

[Blue Dome]

[Critter]

Blue Dome, I'm not sure if that would really work for me. I'm trying to stay dry. You are, however, right in saying that merino wool is the best fabric in that situation(and most situations). I'm still thinking about the advicet treeswarper gave.(not because I just found out he's((she's)) a girl). I'm hoping I said all of that perfectly.

[Dane]

I've never needed waterproof pants....if it's raining that hard in the alpine I'm bailing out or hunkering down. It seems Critter is more willing to head out into poor weather than I am...but if I can climb it in the rain it's not a hard enough climb for me (I'm rarely motivated for something that isn't pushing my limits, and storms aren't the place to do that). Bushwacking is a whole other kind of wet than rain, in my experience. Every plant you brush releases a highly concentrated torrent. I could see that overwhelming the DWR and fast-drying of a good softshell. But for most people in most situations BD's setup works great. If you get wet just keep moving...down probably better than up.

[Dane]

Also, I have some heavy-duty eVent bibs for sale. If you think bibs are what you need you'd be hard pressed to find better.

[Relax]

[GeoHiker]

This is what you need in that kind of rain. Cabela's I own a set of the Extreme Guide parka and bibs that have been awesome. I've bushwacked in pouring rain, fished all day in wind and pouring rain out on the salt/river in Alaska and stay bone dry. You must not be able to wear contacts? I'd go nuts if I had to go back to wearing glasses while hiking. Fog up and get wet what a pain.

[RumiDude]

In a long sustained hard rain, yer just going to get wet. All you can do is mitigate the effects. Have a plan on how to sorta dry out. Rumi

[hiker1]

If the trip is not in extreme rain + serious and prolonged bushwhacking, I use an old pair of cheap rain chaps. Advantages: they breathe well (even though they are not goretex etc), and make toilet use easy, and are very lightweight. Normally use them with gaiters (OR) under them, or over if necessary.

[Schenk]

Legs don't sweat as much as most of the rest of your body so that opens things up a bit. I have been happy with many shell pants, from el-cheapos to nice Gore tex. If I have a choice I will wear Gore tex every time though...

[Ski]

here you go, Critter. this is an old Filson tin Cruiser. about twenty years old. never waxed before. (first photo) second and third photos are after applying an entire can of Filson's Oil-Wax and melting in with a heat gun. (hair dryer was taking too long.) I'm guessing about four of five pounds. no way can you beat this for crashing through evergreen huckleberry and vine maple. I try to steer clear of devils club, myself.

filson_01

filson_02

filson_03

*edit 100813 18:30 PDT - net weight after waxing 4.16 pounds (on Mike's scale up at Albertsons) *the jacket was actually darker after waxing. the first photo was taken under artificial light, the second two in sunlight.

[treeswarper]

Accessories are important. The Filson Hat can be used to water a Used Dog. Unleashed, of course.

[Critter]

I've decided to go with the cheapest Gor-tex pants I can find. In the mean time (tonight) I'll probably get another $30 pair of Storm Venture rain pants from Campmor. That makes pair number four in 2 years. They don't last long with the abuse I put them through but they really work and they are excellent for the winter (except glissading).

[ranger rock]

I"ve got REI brand light weight rain pants.. they seem pretty good..

[Ski]

Critter, see my earlier post here The Nisqually Rain Pants are on a clearance sale right now for $40. Looking at it again, that previous thread is worth reviewing.