Wind Pants
Top Picks
How we choose: The best wind pants highlighted here were selected based on 10 reviews of 4 products. Our top picks are those that are readily-available in the United States and have received the highest overall ratings from reviewers.
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If you've used a wind pant that you think should be listed here, please share your experience.
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Montane Featherlite Pants
(1 review)
Reviewed
by E Bohne
Light-as-air fabric magically protects your legs from cold wind and light rain! Wonderful for hiking in the cold and damp when the wind kicks up. From now on, I won't hike without them.
Reasons to Buy
- Extremely light and compact
- Velcro tabs at bottom of legs allow for customizable fit over boots/socks
- Fabric blocks wind admirably, and keeps one surprisingly warm
Reasons to Avoid
- Fabric, while water-resistant, is not waterproof
- DWR coating needs to be re-applied every so often
- While I didn't tear them yet, fabric is very, very thin
The Montane Featherlite Pants are my new favorite thing in the world. I went hiking in the Adirondacks this past weekend, and the weather was sloppy and damp, chilly (about 33 degrees), and windy. The first day, I wore my typical synthetic, warmish tights, and had a very cold posterior most of the day. The second day, we decided to do a little mountain climbing. I pulled out these pants, which I normally keep buried in the pack for emergency use — well - they are no longer for emergency use only — they were fantastic! I wore them layered over my tights, and they magically blocked the wind.
Read more: Montane Featherlite Pants review (1)
REI Vaporush Windstopper Pants
(1 review)
Reviewed
by PhilNC
Comfortable soft-shell hiking pants that do what they say—keep wind and even light rain and most snow off your legs and keep warm in cooler temps while also allowing venting in warmer (but not hot) weather. Durable, comfortable, and can even pass for decent pants in town stops.
Reasons to Buy
- Good wind resistant Gore fabric
- Decent water/snow resistance
- Very comfortable
- Flexible stretch panels
- Durability
- Quick drying
- Sustainable (Bluesign) manufacturing
Reasons to Avoid
- Too warm for hot weather
- Soak through in brush or heavy storms
- Not as fast drying as lighter pants
- Athletic fit not for everyone
- Price
Features REI documents the following features, and I have provided my comments on each alongside, with more explanation in the appropriate section. Fully windproof and highly breathable, GORE WINDSTOPPER fabric is water repellent enough to keep you dry in anything but a prolonged downpour. True - see Weatherproof section below. They kept me warm in winds up to 40 mph and through light rain and heavy snow storms. Stretch soft-shell panels at front of knees and back of thighs permit excellent freedom of movement while maintaining windproof, water-repellent and breathable warmth.
Read more: REI Vaporush Windstopper Pants review (1)
More Reviews of Wind Pants
Trailspace reviewers have shared 10 reviews of 4 different wind pants.
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Other Types of Pants
Find more pants reviewed in these related categories:
Waterproof Pants
Soft Shell Pants
Down Insulated Pants
+7 more types
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