ANATOLY IVANOV / PROSE / 2008-09-04
OUTDOOR 2008: RAB DRILLIUM EVENT RAIN PANTS PREVIEW
BACKPACKING / PREVIEWS
THE RUNNING SHORTS + RAIN PANTS SOLUTION
Unless you hike in rain-free, mud-free environments, you might face 4 basic scenarios:
- sun, hot, sweat
- rain, mud, warm
- rain, mud, wind, cold
- wind, cold
My solution is to wear running shorts and complement them with rain pants when it starts to rain or when it gets too cold for my bare legs, somewhere below +15º C (60º F). No hiking pants. No gaiters.
- In the sunshine, I can push hard and sweat as much as I like without worrying about chaffing or loosing my soaked pants.
- In the rain, I’m fully protected from water, wind and mud.
- In the wind and the cold, I can move in 0º C (30º F) temperatures in comfort.
I prefer the tight-fitting, Lycra running shorts variety to eliminate chaffing and simplify layering. I wear them all the time.
Rain? Wind? Grab the pants, unzip, slide the shoes in. Keep moving.
Ever looked at the back of your hiking pants after a day on a mud trail? Was that light beige? With rain pants, just sweep them in a stream. Instant clean. Almost dry.
Material? eVENT, of course. The best waterproof / breathable fabric at the moment.
OK, what lightweight, half-zip, eVENT rain pants do we have on the market today? Not that many. The new Rab Drillium eVENT rain pant is one.
Photo: Rab Drillium eVENT rain pants / With permission from Rab / Author unknown
WHAT’S NEW AND INTERESTING?
A rare item:
- lightweight eVENT 3 layer fabric
- calf length water resistant zip with storm flap behind
- articulated, pre-bent knees for unrestricted movement
SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES
- Manufacturer: Rab (rab.uk.com)
- Model: Drillium Pants
- Year: 2009
- Materials: 3 layer eVENT fabric, retro-reflective detailing, seam tape, YKK water resistant zippers, elasticized waistband
- Main features: lightweight, half-zipped eVENT rain pants
- Men’s model: yes
- Men’s model weight: 275 g (10 oz) in size Large
- Women’s model: no
AVAILABILITY
Should be in stores worldwide in spring 2009.
MY QUESTIONS AND DOUBTS
I have no idea about the fit!
ALTERNATIVES
- C.A.M.P. Compact Pants Pro
- Integral Designs eVENT Rain Pants
Montane used to make the Air Pants. My favorite. 230 g (8 oz) of eVENT in size M.
Rain? I pull them on when shooting in situ photography, cycling, traveling and, of course, backpacking.
Not sold anymore, because too expensive in the eyes of the buyers. Well, your rain jacket may not be enough. You can still die from hypothermia wearing your soaked pants in the sudden alpine sleet on that windy ridge.
2 COMMENTS
Serge / 2008-12-16 07:58
Whether you used a C.A.M.P. Compact Pants Pro or Jacket Pro? How about waterproof / breathable?
ANATOLY IVANOV / 2008-12-17 03:35
Сергей,
Nope, sorry, haven’t tried the CAMP rainwear yet.
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