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Worn over tights or on their own, these pants can be a game changer when the sky opens up.

Whether you’re running, hiking, or biking, nothing grinds the fun to a halt faster than having cold, wet skin. But it’s not just your core that you need to consider—once your legs get too damp and chilly in the rain or snow, it can be hard to warm up, no matter how fast you might be moving. In freezing temps, waterproof pants can be a game changer, whether you stack them over tights as an insulating layer or wear them on their own. Paired with a good waterproof jacket, the best waterproof pants will keep you warm and dry so you can venture out in any conditions.

Weather-resistance and breathability are so often at odds—if your pants or jacket can fully block out rain, they’re often equally ready to hold in all your sweat. Either way, you’re getting soaked after the first mile or two. But the best waterproof pants put breathability at the top of their priorities list by using multilayer waterproof membranes and strategic vents in the fabric. These can help release more of your sweat vapors so you don’t end up escaping the rain only to continue brewing in your own body-heat sauna.

If you’re looking for full waterproof protection—and not just water resistance for the occasional drizzle—taped seams are a must to block moisture from crawling into the cracks between connections in the fabric. Clothing makers prevent this by heating and fusing tape over a jacket’s stitches, often along the edge of a hood or zipper pockets. Not all weather-resistant pants have fully taped seams, but those that do will be more effective in a true downpour.

More Gear to Keep You Dry: Our Favorite Waterproof Jackets • Waterproof Shoes • Lightweight Jackets • Tips and Gear for Running in the Rain

The best waterproof pants are both lightweight and easily packable, so they won’t weigh you down and you can store them in a backpack, bike bag, or even compressed into their own pocket for easy carrying by hand. In the event of inclement weather, you can bust them out when the sky opens up mid-hike or long run, and then stow them away when the clouds burn off.

Zippers can reduce the overall effectiveness of waterproofing—but they’re also great for securing key pockets, allowing for more ventilation, and making it much easier to get waterproof pants on and off. Many of our favorite waterproof pants have copious zipper pockets for small storage and full- or half-length zipper seams, so that you can pull the pants on over your shoes or base layers.

To determine the best waterproof pants, I used my own experience hiking and bike commuting in a few of these models, as well as input from fellow runners and hikers in my network. I also crowd-sourced on social media and scoured online reviews of multiple sites for additional standout models, as well as to tease out pros and cons of each. The pants included here were evaluated based on comfort, quality, value, and waterproof performance—for running, hiking, or bike commuting.

Considering their fairly reasonable price, these lightweight pants are high in quality and pack in lots of useful extra features, such as a waterproof phone pocket and full-length zippers for easy donning and removal. But their best feature is simply the comfortable overall fabric, made of a “DryQ Active” stretch material that blocks out rain while still allowing for some sweat ventilation. The elastic waist with adjustable belt and snap tabs at the ankle make these even easier to get on and off. You can layer them over other pants or tights for an added waterproof layer, but they’re comfortable enough to wear alone.

Showers Pass maintains a high standard for waterproofing that reveals its Pacific Northwest roots—the brand is best known for making comfortable rain jackets that let you bike, hike, or run through an epic deluge without any water seeping in through the seams. These three-layer Artex bonded pants can be pulled on over other pants or worn on their own as essentially a dry bag for your legs, with taped seams to prevent any moisture from sneaking in. An elastic waistband with a cinch cord and zippers at the ankles make it a little easier to pull them on, mid-bike ride or run.

These loose-fitting pants are designed to be worn as a rain shell over other pants or tights, so they lack the stretch of the Ozonics and Bantamweight pants. That said, they work well for protecting you from wind and rain, with a waterproof poly-nylon outer layer and mesh interior for added breathability. An elastic waistband and wide ankle that cinches down with Velcro makes them easier to pull on and off. There’s a small interior pocket for your keys, but it won’t hold much else.

We love Marmot’s waterproof Precip jacket, so it makes sense that the brand’s accompanying waterproof pants are equally high-performance and -quality. Made of a 2.5-layer waterproof coating that releases sweat vapors while blocking rain, the pants are surprisingly lightweight for their level of weather protection. All seams are fully taped, including those at the zip-front hand pockets, rear zip pocket, and side zippers. They’re easy to pull on due to those full-leg side zippers, but a bit on the loose and billowy side for running and biking.

Ultimate Direction’s fully waterproof and windproof Ultra Pants are great for hiking and a bit better for running than many of the models listed here because the legs are more tapered and less swishy. The pants are made of nylon with an integrated 2.5-layer laminate that blocks out rain yet also allows your skin to breathe and sweat vapors to escape. An elastic waistband with an adjustable drawcord makes it easy to get a comfortable fit, while side zippers on the legs help you pull them on over shoes.

If you prefer a narrower fit that sits closer to your body and doesn’t swish around while you’re running or hiking, these waterproof joggers are excellent when worn on their own in the rain or snow. When worn over other tights or pants, the fit is a bit tight and requires sizing up. The pants are made of polyester with an integrated Nike Storm-FIT membrane that’s designed to be equally waterproof and breathable. All the seams are sealed, including those over the thigh and lower-leg zippers, which allow you to release heat.

These waterproof running pants from Swiss performance brand On have a premium look and feel that also comes with a premium price tag. The jogger-style pants sport a unique design that pairs a waterproof polyamide membrane on the upper leg over a stretchy, fitted tight that covers the lower—so they’re more breathable and fitted overall, but not easily layered. The button waistband is less forgiving than elastic waistbands with drawcords, but there’s enough stretch there to get a comfortable fit. Zippered side pockets hold small valuables, and short zippers at the ankles make the pants easier to pull on.

Thru-hikers and bike tourists desperate to shave weight off their overall gear tally should take note of these featherweight gems: At just over five ounces, they’re some of the lightest fully waterproof pants you can buy. The pants are made with a 2.5-layer Pertex shield and a polyurethane membrane designed to block out water while breathing well, with fully taped seams to add to the weatherproof factor. An elastic waistband with an adjustable drawcord, plus zippers at the ankles, makes them easy to pull on or off over other layers. The pants have a single zipper pocket that they can be packed down into when not in use.

RW: What are the most practical features to look for?

C.G.: Long side zippers, which make it far easier to pull the pants on or off over shoes—particularly when the sky opens up mid-bike ride. And, in non-torrential weather, well-placed vents, which keep the pants from turning into leg saunas

RW: How should waterproof pants fit?

C.G.: That depends on whether you plan to wear them alone or as a top layer. Worn alone, they should fit like standard pants or joggers. But many are designed to be worn as a top layer over tights or over pants, so you can expect the fit to be slightly looser but not baggy or billowy so that they crinkle when you walk. Pay attention to the size guide and comments about sizing from other buyers and consider sizing up if you plan to layer them over other pants.

RW: If you’re already wet, is it too late to slide them on?

C.G.: The best time to put on waterproof pants is right before it starts raining or just after the first drops fall. If you put them on too early, you risk overheating and getting too sweaty. If you put them on once you’re too wet, you’re likely to just trap that cold, clammy moisture against your skin. In uncertain conditions, the best move is to stow the pants within reach so you can access them quickly before the damage is done.