Comfortable, breathable, packable, and extremely waterproof, the Mitre rain pants will maintain you heat and dry for years to return.
In faculty, I used to be a proud member of my college’s backpacking membership. Although I spent quite a lot of time on the paths, I didn’t have some huge cash. So I made do with makeshift and borrowed gear. At the time, I lived in California. So trash-bag ponchos and waterproof shells labored more often than not.
After commencement, I took a celebratory journey to the South Island of New Zealand the place I spent a miserably chilly and moist 10 days studying the arduous approach that waterproof doesn’t actually fall within the “optional” class in relation to backpacking gear. It’s important.
I bought a rain jacket proper after that journey. It proved to be a recreation changer. Most of my thru-hikes had been nonetheless reserved to California, however after one other depressing 10-day trek via the Sierras the place it rained each single day (even supposing it was summertime), I made a decision it was time so as to add rain pants to the gathering.
And after just a few lemons, I discovered a pant that might sustain with all my rainy-day adventures: Marmot’s Mitre Peak Pant.
In brief: Designed for backpacking, climbing, and some other outside exercise, the Mitre Peak pants characteristic two various kinds of GORE-TEX. That mixture makes them severely waterproof and cozy to maneuver in.
The Mitre pants embrace considerate pockets and handy ankle zippers, permitting you to slide them on and off with ease. They’re additionally extremely sturdy. I’ve little doubt they are going to be part of my backpacking gear lineup for years to return.
Marmot Mitre Peak Pant Review
First Impressions
On paper, these pants look nice. Featuring GORE-TEX, they had been promised to be fully waterproof whereas remaining breathable, packable, and providing loads of mobility.
But after they arrived, I had combined emotions about them. The high quality was apparent, and I had little doubt I’d keep heat and dry anytime I used to be carrying them. On the opposite hand, they appeared stiffer and heavier than rain pants I’d had previously. Which didn’t appear supreme for climbing and backpacking.
But, like most issues, you may’t choose a guide by its cowl. So I took the paths to present them the previous faculty strive.
Mitre Peak Pant Features
Marmot took all of the wants of the formidable hiker into consideration when designing the Marmot Mitre Peak Pant. They mix GORE-TEX 3L (a sturdy, waterproof materials) with GORE-TEX Active (a water-resistant materials that permits the pants to stay light-weight and straightforward to maneuver in).
The Marmot Mitre Peak pants characteristic ankle zippers and a partial elastic waistband with hook adjustment for a snug and customized match. Additionally, the Mitre pants sport waterproof pocket zippers, long-hem ankle zippers, Cordura scuff guards, and articulated knees for full mobility.
Mitre Peak Pant Specs
- Claimed weight: 10 oz.
- Material: GORE-TEX Active 3L (face material), Cordura (scuff guard)
- Seams: Fully sealed
- Fit: Regular
- Leg opening: Hem zippers
- Pockets: 1 zippered thigh
- Waist: Partial elastic, built-in belt
The Trail Test: Marmot Mitre Peak Rain Pant
Most of the rain pants I’ve worn previously match like a pair of waterproof sweatpants. They’ve obtained an elastic waist so you may pull them on and off and over different layers with ease.
The Mitre pants match extra like a tailor-made pair of climbing pants. Once on, they really feel much like ski or snowboard pants, with out the insulation liner.
Fit and Function
The pants have a hook adjustment on the waistband to regulate the scale. So it was simple to make them greater for these occasions once I needed to throw them on rapidly over my shorts or put on them over a pair of leggings in chillier circumstances.
They labored over spandex-style shorts, lengthy underwear, and leggings. But they weren’t essentially the most comfy to put on over conventional climbing or operating shorts. I additionally discovered the ankle zippers to be useful when taking the pants on and off or when becoming them over a pair of trainers.
They additionally maintain me fully dry, which is what anybody needs in a pair of rain pants. Although I all the time want climbing in shorts when the climate permits, the Mitre pants are comfy and permit loads of motion for climbing, climbing, and anything you must do in them.
I now stay in Honolulu, the place it rains typically. Typically, it’s heat sufficient that I simply embrace the rain however on longer hikes and the occasions once I’ve chosen to do in a single day adventures, my Marmot Mitre Peak pants have are available clutch. They’re somewhat hotter than different pants I’ve worn, so that they aren’t the very best match for tropical adventures.
But they’ve been via the ringer in Hawaii and I’m excited for his or her future.
Durability and Packability
Most of the hikes on the islands are extremely rocky, muddy, and slippery, so I continuously discover myself falling or sliding downhill parts on my rear finish. The Mitre pants are extremely sturdy and after an excellent washing, they appear nearly as good as new.
The final pair of rain pants I had had been the Stretch Ozonic pants by Mountain Hardwear. By comparability, the Ozonic pants felt lighter and had been extra comfy to hike in. But after one backpacking journey, they already had a gap in them.
I initially bought the Ozonic pants as a result of I assumed they appeared lighter for backpacking however once I seemed on the weight of every pant, it turned out that the Ozonic weighs 300 g whereas the Mitre weighs simply 280 g. The Mitre pants fold down small and take up minimal house in my pack. So my authentic assumptions had been inaccurate.
Although the Mitre pants are dearer, I’ve had them for about 6 months now they usually’re nonetheless in tip-top form.
Praise for GORE-TEX
Anytime I’ve ever owned something product of GORE-TEX, it’s been unimaginable. And the Marmot Mitre Peak pants are not any exception. GORE-TEX does an incredible job of retaining the pants waterproof and sturdy.
I’d by no means come throughout GORE-TEX Active earlier than, however it allowed the pants to be versatile. They additionally had been surprisingly breathable as properly, stopping perspiration from increase on the within. I used to be very impressed!
Final Thoughts
At $300, the Marmot Mitre Peak pants are an costly pair of rain pants. But the standard is phenomenal — they’re light-weight, comfy sufficient to hike in, they usually’re extremely sturdy and waterproof. They’re somewhat stiff, however for what they provide, that’s a negligible disadvantage.
Although it’s an funding upfront, they’re pants that I’ve little doubt will accompany me on journeys for years to return. (The John Muir Trail, Everest Base Camp, and Na Pali Coast are just some journeys I’m eyeing proper now.)
Plus, in stable black, they complement each outfit and pack completely. In my expertise, the Mitre Peak Pant is the MVP of rain pants.
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