If you want to enjoy hiking year-round, you’re going to want waterproof hiking pants, especially if you are hiking in the Pacific Northwest. In the great PNW, the winter months can be mild at lower elevations but often rainy, so making sure you have a reliable pair of waterproof walking or hiking pants is key.
There are so many waterproof pant options, finding the right ones can be tricky – but not to worry, we’ve done the research for you!
Here are our Top Picks for Waterproof Hiking Pants for Women:
BEST ALL-AROUND WATERPROOF PANTS
1. Black Diamond Stormline Stretch Rain Shell Women’s Waterproof Pant
These popular Black Diamond rain pants have a proprietary laminate coating, BD.dry™ plus an added durable water repellent (DWR) to help keep you super dry. The best thing about these pants is that the fabric is slightly stretchy, making them easy to move in, so ideal for hiking and walking.
Fit: The fit is fairly slim, but with enough room for a layer underneath––the stretchy fabric helps with mobility. While there is a bottom zipper for compatibility with boots, be warned, it may be tough to pull the pants over your boots.
Packability: The pants pack down into their own pocket, complete with a clip loop so you can attach it to your pack. At 7.6 ounces, it’s a great addition to your keep-me-dry arsenal.
PROS: Lightweight, slightly stretchy
CONS: Hard to pull over boots
Shop Black Diamond Stormline Stretch Rain Shell Pant – $99
2. Arc’teryx Zeta SL Women’s Waterproof Rain Pants
Thanks to the double layer of GORE-TEX® fabric in these pants, you know you’ll stay dry in even the rainiest of weather. Plus, the Gore-Tex fabric is also super breathable, which is great. For many rain pants, breathability can be a problem – once you start sweating, it might as well be raining inside your pants!
The pants zip open 3/4 along the leg (it’s hard to see from the photo, but check out this video from Arc’teryx), which is not only super helpful for pulling them on/off over other layers, but also allowing you to vent the pants when you are hiking so you don’t get too hot.
Fit: The fit is slim as far as rain pants go, but they are still rain pants . . . So the fit is loose and for most women will allow for a layer underneath. Be warned, there are no pockets. However, if you’re using these as a shell to go over another layer, that shouldn’t be a problem.
Packability: At 9 ounces, the pants are also fairly light making them easily packable.
PROS: Lightweight, easy on/off, packable
CONS: No pockets
Shop Arc’teryx Zeta SL Pant – $255
3. Marmot Women’s PreCip Waterproof Pant
We love that these waterproof pants unzip fully along the leg with a dual up/down zipper. This makes it super easy to take on and off, put over layers, and vent the pants for some cool, fresh air when needed. The waterproofing in these pants is Marmot’s proprietary NanoPro™ fabric that is waterproof, windproof, and breathable.
Fit: Again, these are rain pants, so pretty baggy and the pants make that lovely swishing noise, which can be annoying but can’t be avoided.
Packability: At 11.5 ounces, the Marmot PreCip pants are not as lightweight as some but are still light enough to throw in a daypack, no problem.
Shop Marmot PreCip Waterproof Pant – $80
MORE VERSATILE, LESS WATERPROOF
Ok, we know you’re looking for waterproof hiking pants but we wanted to share a couple of our favorite, water-resistant pants. These pants are more versatile, making the transition from trail to travel really well. So, if you’re walking through the misty highlands or damp city streets, these are both functional and (fairly) fashionable. Plus, they come in more colors than just black!
1. Eddie Bauer Women’s Guide Pro Water-Resistant Pants
The Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants use StormRepel DWR water-resistant finish to help shed water rather than letting it soak into the material. The fabric is also made of two-way stretch material so movement from walking to hiking is easy.
Fit: The stretchy material makes for a more fitted look and Eddie Bauer offers a wide range of sizes for Petite, Plus, and Tall.
Packability: While these aren’t a super lightweight shell rain pant, they are still fairly lightweight and easy to pack into a carry-on or backpack.
Shop Eddie Bauer Women’s Guide Pro Pants – Currently on sale for $56 (Amazon)
2. prAna – Women’s Halle Water-Resistant Pants
prAna makes excellent cross-functional clothes for outdoor activities and everyday wear. The Halle Pants are made of prAna’s “Stretch Zion” fabric for great fit and flexibility treated with a durable water repellent (DWR) for a water-resistant finish.
Fit: As noted, the stretchy material gives the Halle Pant a fitted appearance with a slim boot-leg cut. The pant legs also roll-up to just below the knee for warmer days when you need an extra breeze.
Packability: As far as hiking pants go, these are relatively lightweight and the material makes them easy to pack down.
Shop prAna Halle Pant – Currently on Sale for $57 (Amazon)