as with the rain shadow jacket, these pants are hardly waterproof in heavy rain and do not breathe. You will get wet even in no rain from transpiration build up on the inside. They are not easy to get on over hiking boots and ride up the ankles. ankle zippers come unzipped if left partly open to fit over boots. Without gaiters they are worthless.
Plus=compressible. also they seem to have minor rippage with lots of use so I guess the 'ripstop' works well.

I have had some of these and finaly blew out the rear seam. This is a great product, I have used these pants and jacket thru the worst of conditions, terrain vegetation for years and without any tears in my pants and a small tear on jacket. I can tell you they perform just as I was told no wet except sweat. This is easily fixed by using the patagonia capelene underware. it wicks up the moisture from perspiration. I have used many many different rain suits and this is trhe best all round. Its deffinately a buy, thumbs up

These pants are great. I have the rain shadow jacket and pants and they keep me totally dry. I wore both in an all day light rain and did not feel a drop. Easy to get on and off with the zippers on each leg. My hiking buddy was jealous and placed an order for the jacket and pants a few days ago. Awesome Patagonia quality as usual.

I bought these for a trip to Oregon and I was slightly disappointed. While they are ridiculously lightweight and completely waterproof, I felt they could definitely have been more breathable. Overall, however, I am pleased with these pants.

I've been very impressed with these so far. I've worn them in the rain, and they work well, but they also work great over a pair of Smartwool bottoms to keep the biting east Canada wind from getting through. They weigh practically nothing, too.

Very lite but not so lite you have to give up the important features like zippers on the ankles!