These rain pants infuse the durability and lightweight waterproof protection of the Helium Collection that's been tested and trusted since 2010. Packing down to the size of your palm, these make a great emergency layer or dependable option for fast-and-light adventures. Durable, windproof, and shockingly breathable, these waterproof pants are made for outdoor adventure. Leveraging Diamond Fuse technology--a fabric engineered to be lightweight yet durable through extended wear and washing--these expert-designed women's rain pants have all the details you need to stay dry, including taped seams, a drawcord waist, and lower leg zips so you can pull them off without taking off your boots (you're welcome). And, did they mention these pants pack down to the size of your palm? Keep these handy on your next bike tour, or fold them into their stuff-sack back pocket and throw them in your pack. When a downpour rolls in, slide them on, then carry on feeling so comfortable, you'll almost forget it's raining.
These rain pants infuse the durability and lightweight waterproof protection of the Helium Collection that's been tested and trusted since 2010. Packing down to the size of your palm, these make a great emergency layer or dependable option for fast-and-light adventures. Durable, windproof, and shockingly breathable, these waterproof pants are made for outdoor adventure. Leveraging Diamond Fuse technology--a fabric engineered to be lightweight yet durable through extended wear and washing--these expert-designed women's rain pants have all the details you need to stay dry, including taped seams, a drawcord waist, and lower leg zips so you can pull them off without taking off your boots (you're welcome). And, did they mention these pants pack down to the size of your palm? Keep these handy on your next bike tour, or fold them into their stuff-sack back pocket and throw them in your pack. When a downpour rolls in, slide them on, then carry on feeling so comfortable, you'll almost forget it's raining.
These rain pants infuse the durability and lightweight waterproof protection of the Helium Collection that's been tested and trusted since 2010. Packing down to the size of your palm, these make a great emergency layer or dependable option for fast-and-light adventures. Durable, windproof, and shockingly breathable, these waterproof pants are made for outdoor adventure. Leveraging Diamond Fuse technology--a fabric engineered to be lightweight yet durable through extended wear and washing--these expert-designed women's rain pants have all the details you need to stay dry, including taped seams, a drawcord waist, and lower leg zips so you can pull them off without taking off your boots (you're welcome). And, did they mention these pants pack down to the size of your palm? Keep these handy on your next bike tour, or fold them into their stuff-sack back pocket and throw them in your pack. When a downpour rolls in, slide them on, then carry on feeling so comfortable, you'll almost forget it's raining.
These rain pants infuse the durability and lightweight waterproof protection of the Helium Collection that's been tested and trusted since 2010. Packing down to the size of your palm, these make a great emergency layer or dependable option for fast-and-light adventures. Durable, windproof, and shockingly breathable, these waterproof pants are made for outdoor adventure. Leveraging Diamond Fuse technology--a fabric engineered to be lightweight yet durable through extended wear and washing--these expert-designed women's rain pants have all the details you need to stay dry, including taped seams, a drawcord waist, and lower leg zips so you can pull them off without taking off your boots (you're welcome). And, did they mention these pants pack down to the size of your palm? Keep these handy on your next bike tour, or fold them into their stuff-sack back pocket and throw them in your pack. When a downpour rolls in, slide them on, then carry on feeling so comfortable, you'll almost forget it's raining.
Last updated at 05/12/2026 14:16:31
Helium Pants - Womens Ultralight Waterproof Pants WS / Black
Free delivery between 19–27 May
Outdoor Research Ws Helium Rain Pants Black l Size S l Summit Gear
Free delivery between 15–25 May
originally posted on outdoorresearch.com
From the first wear, these pants were leaking through the membrane. After one quick walk (less than 30 minutes) in moderate rain, the water had seeped through the membrane at the front of both thighs, leaving my pants underneath soaked. This worsened in the second and third wear. I'm hoping this can be resolved through warranty as it's clearly a defect, but I won't be repurchasing.
originally posted on outdoorresearch.com
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.
originally posted on outdoorresearch.com
I used this pants all summer when backpacking, they are light, pretty comfortable and dry fast, a bit tight around the waist and too big at the ankle but overall they feel good. I wish they came with an elastic at the bottom so I could cinch them in, they are huge at the bottom!!!unfortunately they are not durable, if part of your hike involves bushwacking they will rip easily, Mine lasted one summer, sucks! Will have to buy a better pair of rain pants that are more resistant to different conditions you encounter when backpacking
| Featured Gear | OR Helium Series |
| Average Weight | 173g (Medium) |
Helium Pants - Womens Ultralight Waterproof Pants WS / Black
Free delivery between 19–27 May
Outdoor Research Ws Helium Rain Pants Black l Size S l Summit Gear
Free delivery between 15–25 May
From the first wear, these pants were leaking through the membrane. After one quick walk (less than 30 minutes) in moderate rain, the water had seeped through the membrane at the front of both thighs, leaving my pants underneath soaked. This worsened in the second and third wear. I'm hoping this can be resolved through warranty as it's clearly a defect, but I won't be repurchasing.
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 used this pants all summer when backpacking, they are light, pretty comfortable and dry fast, a bit tight around the waist and too big at the ankle but overall they feel good. I wish they came with an elastic at the bottom so I could cinch them in, they are huge at the bottom!!!unfortunately they are not durable, if part of your hike involves bushwacking they will rip easily, Mine lasted one summer, sucks! Will have to buy a better pair of rain pants that are more resistant to different conditions you encounter when backpacking
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.
Ever since I bought my new OR rain pants it has refused to rain! I'm looking forward to using them. They're super light and packable and seem to be well made. I love the back pocket and the snaps and long zippers on the legs. They're not too crunchy so I think they'll be on the quieter side. Back when I started building my backpacking kit, the guy at my local gear shop told me to hold out for OR rain pants-meaning wait until I could afford them. I think they'll be comfy and breathable over shorts and toasty over flannel leggings. Now if only it would rain!!
Took these rain pants on a ~550km 22-day thru-hike in the Canadian Rockies. My boyfriend and I both had a pair and ours both wore out at the seam on the inside leg above both ankles within a day or two of hiking with them. OR needs to add a more robust seam at this place so it doesn't tear. Due to dirt build-up, gear tape just fell off when we tried to repair on-trail. The rain pants were necessary on our trip for bush-whacking and protection from rain and snow, and did provide us with protection, but would definitely not buy again for this price due to durability issues - next time it's frog toggs for $30 for sure.
I can't speak to their performance yet, but I can speak to their sizing. Having read reviews on this product on other sites, I followed consistent advice to size up. Some reviews said to size up one size, while others said two. I am usually a small (6) in pants, so I ordered the medium pants. When I received them, I noticed that they fit over thin yoga pants, but they were not suitable for going over my quite fitted/not-at-all bulky jeans. I returned the mediums and bought the large.
Don't buy these. The are not waterproof - the moisture soaked thru on a 30' walk in mildly wet conditions. Also, the fit is terrible. They should be made to fit over clothing but the waist is too tight even though the rest of the pants fit OK. Very disappointed and should have read the reviews that said, ominously, NOT WATERPROOF...LEAKED IMMEDIATELY...nice color, though. I got them b/c I wanted rainpants that weren't black.
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.
A three-star rating may not be fair, as I didn't get to wear these, but I was disappointed that they didn't fit, despite my careful attention to the size guide. I was hoping that it would be a looser fit, because, after all, these are rain pants and you don't really plan to wear them on bare skin. I wanted some room to wear long underwear underneath or tights. I'm 3'4, 130lbs and the small was too close-fitting all over. I had to return them.
| Featured Gear | OR Helium Series |
| Average Weight | 173g (Medium) |
