Come prepared for High Sierra downpours with the waterproof Helium pants from Outdoor Research. These pants are fully waterproof with taped seems, but the fabric is designed to maintain breathability so you don't get too clammy. Plus they pack down really well so they don't take up too much room in your pack.
Come prepared for High Sierra downpours with the waterproof Helium pants from Outdoor Research. These pants are fully waterproof with taped seems, but the fabric is designed to maintain breathability so you don't get too clammy. Plus they pack down really well so they don't take up too much room in your pack.
Come prepared for High Sierra downpours with the waterproof Helium pants from Outdoor Research. These pants are fully waterproof with taped seems, but the fabric is designed to maintain breathability so you don't get too clammy. Plus they pack down really well so they don't take up too much room in your pack.
Come prepared for High Sierra downpours with the waterproof Helium pants from Outdoor Research. These pants are fully waterproof with taped seems, but the fabric is designed to maintain breathability so you don't get too clammy. Plus they pack down really well so they don't take up too much room in your pack.
Last updated at 07/23/2024 11:01:07
originally posted on outdoorresearch.com
First of all, these are amazing waterproof pants that are incredibly light and pack down super small. Great to keep in your bag just in case and adds hardly any weight or bulk. You could pack these down even smaller than the built in back pocket. I bought these for daily bike commuting in the PNW and so far so good! Slim enough to not get tangled in the chain. Can easily slip off and on over shoes.I got the 'Coyote' color and because of the material it has a strange reflectivity to it, which I don't mind on the bike. But if you want low-key style, get the black. Also I am 5'7" 145 and THE ONE THING I would change is to not even have pockets, but to have side zips that open up to the inside to get at the pockets on your under layer. Since these work the best as a ... MoreFirst of all, these are amazing waterproof pants that are incredibly light and pack down super small. Great to keep in your bag just in case and adds hardly any weight or bulk. You could pack these down even smaller than the built in back pocket. I bought these for daily bike commuting in the PNW and so far so good! Slim enough to not get tangled in the chain. Can easily slip off and on over shoes.I got the 'Coyote' color and because of the material it has a strange reflectivity to it, which I don't mind on the bike. But if you want low-key style, get the black. Also I am 5'7" 145 and THE ONE THING I would change is to not even have pockets, but to have side zips that open up to the inside to get at the pockets on your under layer. Since these work the best as a light shell over 'normal' clothes, I wish I could access all the pockets underneath without digging down my pants via the waistband.
originally posted on outdoorresearch.com
TLDR; Buy these pants.. for ultralight camping, they are very tough to beat. Outdoor Research customer service is amazing.The Helium pants were exactly what I expected.... amazing. They felt even lighter than I anticipated, and are extremely compact when packed up. I'm glad I ordered the large. At 5'10/175 lbs with generous hindquarters, the fit was perfect. The M would have definitely been too small.Outdoor Research was fantastic to deal with. I originally ordered the M but decided to switch to the L. OR was extremely accommodating and helped to cancel/reorder. When the pants went on sale THE NEXT DAY, OR refunded me the difference in price. I will certainly return for future purchases, which I'm sure there will be many. Thank you!
originally posted on moosejaw.com
I got these for a section hike of the southern half of the JMT. I was hoping to only have them as "insurance" against bad weather, so I really liked their packability. They can be rolled up and stuffed in the outside pocket of the backpack very easily. On the 7th day, we ran into a hail and rain storm, so they got put to use for about two hours hiking generally downhill in the rain and hail. They performed perfectly. Very light weight and breathable enough.The next day, we we climbing into weather, so I put them on before it started to rain. They did get warm when climbing, but once it started to rain (and hail again), they performed well. Any rain paint that is weatherproof will not breath completely when climbing, but these did the job and as the temperature ... MoreI got these for a section hike of the southern half of the JMT. I was hoping to only have them as "insurance" against bad weather, so I really liked their packability. They can be rolled up and stuffed in the outside pocket of the backpack very easily. On the 7th day, we ran into a hail and rain storm, so they got put to use for about two hours hiking generally downhill in the rain and hail. They performed perfectly. Very light weight and breathable enough.The next day, we we climbing into weather, so I put them on before it started to rain. They did get warm when climbing, but once it started to rain (and hail again), they performed well. Any rain paint that is weatherproof will not breath completely when climbing, but these did the job and as the temperature dropped, they kept me warm and dry.
First of all, these are amazing waterproof pants that are incredibly light and pack down super small. Great to keep in your bag just in case and adds hardly any weight or bulk. You could pack these down even smaller than the built in back pocket. I bought these for daily bike commuting in the PNW and so far so good! Slim enough to not get tangled in the chain. Can easily slip off and on over shoes.I got the 'Coyote' color and because of the material it has a strange reflectivity to it, which I don't mind on the bike. But if you want low-key style, get the black. Also I am 5'7" 145 and THE ONE THING I would change is to not even have pockets, but to have side zips that open up to the inside to get at the pockets on your under layer. Since these work the best as a ... MoreFirst of all, these are amazing waterproof pants that are incredibly light and pack down super small. Great to keep in your bag just in case and adds hardly any weight or bulk. You could pack these down even smaller than the built in back pocket. I bought these for daily bike commuting in the PNW and so far so good! Slim enough to not get tangled in the chain. Can easily slip off and on over shoes.I got the 'Coyote' color and because of the material it has a strange reflectivity to it, which I don't mind on the bike. But if you want low-key style, get the black. Also I am 5'7" 145 and THE ONE THING I would change is to not even have pockets, but to have side zips that open up to the inside to get at the pockets on your under layer. Since these work the best as a light shell over 'normal' clothes, I wish I could access all the pockets underneath without digging down my pants via the waistband.
TLDR; Buy these pants.. for ultralight camping, they are very tough to beat. Outdoor Research customer service is amazing.The Helium pants were exactly what I expected.... amazing. They felt even lighter than I anticipated, and are extremely compact when packed up. I'm glad I ordered the large. At 5'10/175 lbs with generous hindquarters, the fit was perfect. The M would have definitely been too small.Outdoor Research was fantastic to deal with. I originally ordered the M but decided to switch to the L. OR was extremely accommodating and helped to cancel/reorder. When the pants went on sale THE NEXT DAY, OR refunded me the difference in price. I will certainly return for future purchases, which I'm sure there will be many. Thank you!
I got these for a section hike of the southern half of the JMT. I was hoping to only have them as "insurance" against bad weather, so I really liked their packability. They can be rolled up and stuffed in the outside pocket of the backpack very easily. On the 7th day, we ran into a hail and rain storm, so they got put to use for about two hours hiking generally downhill in the rain and hail. They performed perfectly. Very light weight and breathable enough.The next day, we we climbing into weather, so I put them on before it started to rain. They did get warm when climbing, but once it started to rain (and hail again), they performed well. Any rain paint that is weatherproof will not breath completely when climbing, but these did the job and as the temperature ... MoreI got these for a section hike of the southern half of the JMT. I was hoping to only have them as "insurance" against bad weather, so I really liked their packability. They can be rolled up and stuffed in the outside pocket of the backpack very easily. On the 7th day, we ran into a hail and rain storm, so they got put to use for about two hours hiking generally downhill in the rain and hail. They performed perfectly. Very light weight and breathable enough.The next day, we we climbing into weather, so I put them on before it started to rain. They did get warm when climbing, but once it started to rain (and hail again), they performed well. Any rain paint that is weatherproof will not breath completely when climbing, but these did the job and as the temperature dropped, they kept me warm and dry.
Fabulous product! I love these pants. The waist line is flexible and adjusts easily if you need to layer. I do wish there was a little more room in the groin area. I have found when hiking up a steep grade a lot of tension is put on the pants. Haven't ripped yet but I feel like they will eventually.
Bought these for my AT thru hike starting Feb 2023. Lightweight and comfortable. Before use, I added Nicwax Direct spray, as I do with every new item I buy. I tested them using a high-pressure garden hose for 20 straight mins with no issues. I then used these during torrential rains in both hurricane Ian and hurricane Nicole and they worked flawlessly. They kept me dry, warm, and did not wet out, as that was my biggest worry. The pant leg zippers need to be just a little bit higher. Getting into them with my Altra lone peaks was easy. However, getting into them with my Merrell Moabs qtr shoes was a little slower. Nothing would stop me from buying about pair of these.
After many years with my Marmot rain pants and one very fun butt slide down snow, it was time for me to invest in new rain pants.I could not have been much more disappointed by these :(I wore these 4-5 times on a single backpacking trip, with no extreme or unusual use (no butt sliding this time!). The entire seat is now fraying and torn open in 2 places. I sat still on flat slabs of rock a couple times while cooking, but otherwise only wore these while lounging in camp or hiking.NOT DURABLE AT ALL :(I'd recommend Marmot instead.
I already owned these pants and loved it so much I bought one on sale for my sister who is still carrying 'heavy stuff' for hiking and backpacking and needed an assist lightening her load. I shaved a pound off of my base pack weight by carrying the Helium jacket and rain pants vs. my heavier options. Since I carry rain gear as safety gear o on all of my hiking and backpacking trips this reduced that 'dead weight' while providing gore-tex protection. (11.4 oz for jacket and pants together). These also function as wind pants and upper/lower extra layers.Note: if you purchase both I recommend getting one of the lovely new colors for the jacket instead of grey. My own set is grey upper/lower and a hiking buddy did compare me to the 'Michelin Man' when we were on top of ... MoreI already owned these pants and loved it so much I bought one on sale for my sister who is still carrying 'heavy stuff' for hiking and backpacking and needed an assist lightening her load. I shaved a pound off of my base pack weight by carrying the Helium jacket and rain pants vs. my heavier options. Since I carry rain gear as safety gear o on all of my hiking and backpacking trips this reduced that 'dead weight' while providing gore-tex protection. (11.4 oz for jacket and pants together). These also function as wind pants and upper/lower extra layers.Note: if you purchase both I recommend getting one of the lovely new colors for the jacket instead of grey. My own set is grey upper/lower and a hiking buddy did compare me to the 'Michelin Man' when we were on top of a windy mountain with the wind whipping and puffing out my grey jacket/pants.I did rip the bottom of the pants with Crampons on a crazy cold winter hike when I pulled them out to use as summit wind pants as we went above treeline. I repaired them and used them happily for a couple years after that. I usually bring my heavier rain pants in these conditions but forgot that trip. (Note these are fine with Microspikes, it is just the longer spiked crampons that were a problem). The new ones I just bought seem to be a sturdier 'ripstop' fabric.These have performed well for me in rain. If the forecast is for heavy rain I have heavy full-zip pants that I would bring instead but for 90% of my hikes these are the ones I bring. Perfect way to carry 'safety' gear and minimize weight.
I have yet to use these yet, am leaving on a 200km trek across algonquin in two weeks. I needed a good set of light rain pants I could slide on. My normal pants are water resistant but not water proof and I wanted something that would stuff easily into a pack or under my canoe seat. These definitely fit the bill, Good construction, very light easy to get on over boots and other clothing. May update when I get back
Good rain pant.Lacking features such as pockets, but given the light weight nature of the product, very effective.Purchased for a multiday bikepacking trip, I chose them for the size and weight and truthfully because many other options I was considering were sold out.While not cycling specific, I found then suitable on the bike with a strap to bring in the extra fabric around my calves. Very comfortable to walk in and around camp. Super water resistant if not 100% waterproof in my experience.
Brought these pants on a trip to Alaska. Held up well in the rain and from splashes of water while kayaking, but my seat had water droplets and my bum was soaked through after. So these pants are great for rain but if you kneel or sit down on anything wet, the water will get through. I am a size 29-30 waist but bought the medium and it fits over my hiking pants well. If I got the small I think it would still fit but would be very tight. Otherwise they feel high quality, are very light, and easy to store in my backpack
