What to wear when it's raining in the city: pants (2/3)

Back when the Arc'teryx jacket craze was at its peak, people were most of the time pairing it with denim, and a pair of Nike Air Force 1's, Air Max's or Salomon XT6. I will be touching on shoes in the third part of this series, so let's focus on the jeans for now.

Every time I saw this combination, my tech geek self could not help but flinch at this ridiculous combination. The wearer had one of the most effective protections against the elements known to man on their upper body (when it was not a counterfeit, which, in most cases it was) but was wearing the worst possible fabric you can wear in the rain: COTTON.

This is something you will hear me say very often in my articles so get used to it. When heavy moisture is involved, pure cotton is your WORST enemy. I say "pure cotton" because in the city, cotton blends are acceptable. Mind you, I consider a cotton blend to be an excellent choice. On trails, in the mountains though, no cotton blends: wool or synthetics are a must and outdoor enthusiasts even go so far as to say that "cotton kills". This refers to the risk of getting lost or injured and getting hypothermia because of your clothes not drying.

But let's go back to the city. No such thing here as being stranded in the middle of nowhere unsheltered, so we don't have to be so extreme. But you can still get wet and get sick. Therefore, pure cotton is a no-no as an outer layer, because it takes ages to dry. You must have noticed it a thousand times. Apart from late spring or summer, when doing the laundry, your jeans, hoodies and t-shirts stay wet for a very long time. Your sports clothes though: practically dry when they get out of the washing machine!

Why, you ask? Simple. Cotton retains moisture. Synthetics like polyester and nylon, because of their artificial nature do NOT hold on to moisture. I know it hurts, but it is plastic after all. Understand now why your rain jacket is likely made of polyester or nylon?

Does that mean you also have to get fully waterproof pants? Well, this is getting expensive!

Not necessarily. Not in most cases. The most important part of your body is your upper body. It is the part that contains all your vital organs, and this is the main part to keep dry and toasty. However, even if keeping your legs dry is not as crucial, you still should do so. Wet legs can get very, very uncomfortable. But lightly, temporarily wet legs are no big deal. Since you are moving around, your legs are always active and this will help get them dry faster than your upper body; as long as you are wearing the appropriate, quick-drying fabrics.

So what should I wear? Well, let's talk about it.

Cotton blend trousers

Pants (or trousers if you are in the UK) worn in the rain should contain at least some synthetics. Cotton blends (or "polycotton") are a magical fabric that works wonders in the city, as the name suggests, thanks to its combination of polyester and cotton. This fabric helps you benefit from the breathability of cotton while enjoying the quick-drying properties of polyester. Let's be honest: it will not be as breathable as pure cotton and as moisture-wicking as pure polyester but it will be a little bit of both. Nylon (or polyamid, same thing) also works instead of polyester. It actually even works better. The combination of cotton and nylon is sometimes called "conyl". Originally used in US military cargo pants, it is a quick-drying, tough as nails fabric that is usually more expensive than its polyester counterpart.

And that is enough for your legs. Unless you are spending a long time outside in heavy rain or you are cycling, which we will touch on later.

Ok so what should I wear??

Simple. Anything with cotton and polyester in it! You want examples? I will give you examples: Cotton blend sweat pants. Military surplus cargo pants (French F2 pants are perfect for this use case).

Ok, you want something smarter that you can wear to work. I got you: Uniqlo pants made out of cotton blends (or pure synthetics) are a great, cheap option; but my favourite of them all has to be the trusty 874 Dickies work pants. I have been wearing these since my skateboarding days in the 90's and will probably be buried in one. I am not going to lie: they are probably my favourite pants of all time. Why you ask? Because of their versatility, durability and price, coming in at 75€, usually dropping to 50 on sale. Need tough pants to do manual work in? That is what they were originally made for. Want semi-formal pants for office work? They fit the bill. Maybe you just want comfortable pants you can chill in and wear to any occasion, and they are just perfect for that. The cherry on the cake is their anti-stain treatment and quick-drying properties.

Wait a minute, so you are telling me that I will never be able to wear jeans in the rain any more in my life?

Not exactly. Jeans are fine if the rain is just a gentle drizzle and you're only stepping outside for a very short while. OR, you are wearing a long water-resistant/waterproof coat, in which case you should be fine with jeans. Understand that as pants made of 100% hydrophilic fabric, jeans are just no ideal in wet weather. For optimal results, what you want is a fabric with hydrophobic characteristics. Enter synthetics.

The almighty 874 Dickies pants. Dress them up or down, as you please.

100% polyester/nylon pants

Now, let's say you lead a very active life no matter the weather and you need pants to fit your lifestyle. Whether you are walking or cycling in the rain for an extended period of time and you don't need to dress up, you might need 100% synthetic pants for that very quick-drying experience.

Nylon or polyester joggers, for one, are an interesting option. Some of them (Adidas, I am looking in your direction), can even have a semi-formal look to them. 

A more effective option are hiking-like pants (treated with a water-resistant coating and wind-resistant) called "wind pants" by brands like The North Face, which are ideal for that urban cycling way of life.

This type of pants, just like sports clothes, not only dry quickly but also wick moisture away from the inside, making sure you stay dry even when sweating a little. These are perfect if you do not mind the sporty look. I know I certainly don't!

Waterproof pants

You have made it this far into this article, which means you are looking for hardcore protection from the elements. As it happens, you often go on missions in heavy rain, whether you are just walking the dog, running serious errands on your bike or picking up your kids from school.

In that case, you need waterproof pants. They are not as necessary as a waterproof jacket, but if you know the weather is going to get nasty and you are going to be out and about for a while, you absolutely need them. Now you can go down the cheap route with Decathlon pants, and it is not a bad route to go down. For about 20€, you should be able to get a decent pair of packable pants that will keep your legs dry without hurting your pockets. But you have to be aware that you get what you pay for (even if you are getting a lot for the price): these pants will be less durable than pricier options, not as well cut, and not as waterproof. But for very occasional outings, these will not disappoint.

For optimal protection, my suggestion is the pants version of the jacket I recommended in the first part of this series. The Patagonia Torrentshell waterproof pants. These will set you back a hefty amount: 150€. I got them at 50% off, and they have been saving my life ever since, every time I have to pick up my kid or I am cycling and the weather does not want me to. These are extremely durable and waterproof, and feel like a huge step up from my Decathlon pants, which stay at the bottom of my bag, for emergency purposes only. 

Note: both of these pants are "overpants", meaning you just wear them on top of the pants you are already wearing. If the latter happen to be very relaxed-fitting trousers, you will be struggling. Just something to keep in mind.

There you have it! My take on quick-drying and waterproof trousers. Remember they are not as essential as waterproof jackets but they are still a nice-to-have. Depending on the situation, they can really make a difference. What is important is to correctly assess the intensity of the rain. Waterproof pants will be overkill and you will break out in sweats quickly. At the other end of the spectrum, cotton blends will not be enough in heavy downpour, especially when cycling. There is definitely a learning curve to this, and it is not always easy to predict the elements. But once you master this skill, you will stay dry like a pro at all times.