Basic Rain Pants

[DanShell]

This is my first project sewing something and with a little help from my wife (who is a competent sewer) I came up with a pair of basic rain pants. They simply have elastic on the waste and around the bottoms of the legs. I made them large enough to go over my boots without the need for zippers so they are quite large and baggy but you wouldn't know you have them on when wearing them.

They are made with 20d silnylon so they are not robust by any means. I didn't make them to rock hop or bush bash with but simply just an addition to my wet weather kit if things are pouring down. My rain coat is quite long so as a rule I rarely even wear rain pants but at 70g and being able to pack down so small I am happy to carry these.

Much to my wifes amusement they ballon out with air when I put them on but once I expel the air they are fine LOL

[Kainas]

Much to my wifes amusement they ballon out with air when I put them on but once I expel the air they are fine LOL

Be sure not to release too much gas while wearing them!!

Good job, I sew a lot and the first project is always a simple pair of elastic waisted pants - usually pyjama pants but this is an interesting variation!!

[Orion]

Your pants look great. With silnylon they will not breathe and the elastic at the waist and legs will keep the moist air inside. It will be interesting to hear how they work out for you.

I made a pair of basic rain pants recently out of lightweight Cuben fabric. I made them baggy and optionally open at the legs, hoping that would minimize condensation. They are very light at 33g, silky, and quite nice to wear around the house. On a recent rainy trip I carried them wadded up in my short's pocket, ready to deploy if necessary. I found that in some cases condensation was not an issue at all and in other cases it was substantial. What I don't know is whether my usual Gore-tex pants would have been any better. The one time I was really wet underneath these pants I was also soaked (from perspiration) under my Gore-tex jacket.

[DanShell]

Thanks, yeh I should remove the elastic from the legs, it will make them easier to put on too.

The main reason I made them was for sewing practice I guess Ill throw them in my pack if there is a chance of rain but I have rarely reached for rain pants even when it was very wet.

[Moondog55]

Nice job on getting them so compact.
Replace the bottom elastic with shockcord and a cordlock and good to go