Probably a silly question, but here goes. Do you really need rain pants in the summer months (July). I understand the need for a rain jacket, but seems like the lightweight pants/shorts will dry out quickly. Do you guys routinely wear the pants during rain in the BWCA?
I am from south GA and while we always wear a jacket, we rarely wear pants (did that sound right?, we always wear pants, just not rain pants!).
Anyway, thanks for your comments.
Also, any specific brands of rain gear. I have been looking at the Campmor gear. Looks sturdy, breathable, and at a good price.
Thanks,
Jeff

I've had cold rainy days in August when they were needed or at least appreciated. It can actually get cold any time of year and so I wouldn't leave home without them. Used basic REI rainpants for years. Just upgraded to goretex this year because I sweat a lot. You can also use them for warmth in addition to rain so think of them as double duty.

My personal choice are goretex pants that have full length (to the hip) zippers. I like that I can put them on over my boots while sitting in my canoe.

Depends...(not the product). Do you want to be cold & wet down under?

I would say "YES!" you need (rain)pants!!! bwahaha

Bass Pro Shops has some nice stuff. Redhead Thunderlight, I think it's called. It's not horribly expensive, but it's not cheap either. And you don't want cheap!

I vote yes on rain pants. If you get a quick cloud burst they're not necessary, but if you get a good storm or an all-day (or week) soaker, you'll really want them. As noted,they not only keep you dry but also warm. Get the kind with the leg openings (snap or zipper) that you can pull on without removing your boots.

I have the Campmor Storm Venture Waterproof/Breathable Parka and Pants and have been very happy with them.

Yes, you'll want rain pants. My advice is to buy the best rain gear you can afford. I like GORE-TEX. Don't go cheap...it will come back to bite you later.

Without question, you need your rain pants.

First of all, they weigh next to nothing so packing them means little to the overall weight of your pack.

Secondly, and most importantly, layering of clothes, including rain gear, while in Canoe Country is the key to staying warm and dry. Your rain pants will block the wind, keep you from getting wet and provide the last layer of protection.

You need to remember that you'll be deep in the wilderness, a long way from civilization. Do you want to be cold and wet or do you want to be comfortable and dry? "Be Prepared."

Bring 'em.

It is possible to get very, very cold in July or August. I just finished transcribing a trip report from 1985 and described the only time I have had what I feel was real hypothermia (or very close to it) because I didn't have good rain gear back then.

A good pair of lightweight rain pants are essential. Being damp or soaking wet for a couple of days, even in the warmer months, in the north country can be uncomfortable at best and life-threatening at worst.

We bought sets of Gore-Tex Pac-Lite on sale at Cabela's a few years ago and they have held up well and kept us dry. They pack down to a small, convenient size and don't weigh much.

Yes, you need rain pants. It's northern Minnesota wilderness...not GA.

My husband is a very warm person, and he brings (and wears) rain pants. Yes, he more often will wear just the jacket, but he'll wear the pants, too.

Yes, it's not GA - the average high is mid-70's, the record low is 39 for July in Ely, MN. It could be wet, windy, cloudy, and cool - think 50's - while you're there. Take something else to wear besides just a cotton t-shirt.

Well looks like I'm the only one in the "No" camp. Never carry them in the summer. My legs don't get cold. I don't want the extra weight. April, May, late September & October I carry them. If I can find them.

if they don't come with suspenders get some.first trip out with my new gortex rain gear i was not happy to find the seat of my pants wet.sitting in a canoe the rain pants worked down just enough for the water to run off the jacket and down into the back of the pants,not a lot but just enough to make it a hassle.a lightweight set of suspenders keeps the pants pulled up and they are worn under the jacket of course.

Rain pants are great. True, the nylon/zipoff pants dry quickly, but if there's been rain I prefer to be able to sit my arse down in the canoe or on a rock in camp and not have to worry about getting wet in the first place.

quote wetcanoedog: "if they don't come with suspenders get some.first trip out with my new gortex rain gear i was not happy to find the seat of my pants wet.sitting in a canoe the rain pants worked down just enough for the water to run off the jacket and down into the back of the pants,not a lot but just enough to make it a hassle.a lightweight set of suspenders keeps the pants pulled up and they are worn under the jacket of course."

I am not tall, but I get a TALL jacket that helps with stuff like that.

quote HowardSprague: "Rain pants are great. True, the nylon/zipoff pants dry quickly, but if there's been rain I prefer to be able to sit my arse down in the canoe or on a rock in camp and not have to worry about getting wet in the first place."

Good point. Gotta hate swamp a$$.

Keep your eye out for sales on quality raingear. Finding a great deal is fun. You can usually find marmot precip pants (what I use and like) at a discount on campmor or other online retailers.

I wouldn't camp anywhere, warm or cold, without a full rain suit. Just like to be prepared for nasty weather.

quote talusman: "Well looks like I'm the only one in the "No" camp. Never carry them in the summer. My legs don't get cold. I don't want the extra weight. April, May, late September & October I carry them. If I can find them.
"

I'd be in your camp to talusman. While I think that having them would be nice, they're not a prerequisite for me. If it's raining I'll wear nylon snap pants that shed the water "pretty well", and stay under the tarp for the majority of the time. I can hack 3-5 hours of rain if I'm paddling to and from my camps (the exercise keeps my core warm and like you my legs don't really get cold). It should also be said that I'm an August BWCA tripper and that if it's raining I'm not gonna go fishing so that also affects my decision. For earlier or later trippers and the more dedicated fishermen I'd say they'd probably be an essential.

I would prefer to have a pair with me in case of stormy weather. More times than not during the finshing opener I usually wear them to keep the cold wind out! Gore-tex is the bomb.

Look on e-bay for military surplus Gore-Tex. I bought a pair 5 years ago for $35 and they've been worth every penny.

I always take them & put them on for hard rain. You can get hypothermia getting wet cold feet & legs.

I wouldn't take a BWCA trip without full rain gear. Might not use it (pants), but better safe than sorry. Have used full rain gear in July when rain pounded down for a couple of days. The temperatures are unpredictable any time of year, and the pants will offer needed warmth.

i use my rain pants alot when portaging early in the morning when the leaves are covered in dew. you can get soaked on a foggy morning without a cloud in the sky.

I have learned from many canoe and kayak trips. . .plan on getting wet. That said. . .no cotton comes on the trip of any kind. If paddling (canoe or kayak) I typically wear kayak style paddling pants or swim suit. I have sets of rain gear. . .one high end goretex. Both I find I get quite warm in. So I reserve those for colder days.

I would bring rain pants with. You can get hypothermia any time in the year. I have been chilled at times when I got my pants wet not wearing rain pants. When the water evaporates it will chill you down. If you have a good set of rain pants on this will not happen. They pack small, take them.

I agree on taking full rain gear, period. Go for the tall versions if you can find them, long is good, unless you are short, lol. LL Bean has tall stuff, which I love, size wise. Also, I have put them on for bug protection more than once.

Yes, rain pants. The first day of a mid July trip, we arrived for our tow from Moose Lake...overcast and 45 degrees. Intermittent rain all day, although the sun eventually came out and warmed things up a bit.

I think a good pair of rain pants are light enough to not even consider not taking them.

Again... Bring em!

Yes, without question you will need rain pants. Maybe not this year, maybe not next, but at some point you will be up there on a trip and wake to 45 degrees and rain or if early season, 20 degrees and snow. Buy the best you can afford, get the kind with zippers to the waist and add a good set of suspenders, They are light, they are durable and you can lose a pair of long pants and depend on your rain pants.

Yes bring them you'll be happy once your in the BW and the weather turns on you! Trust me the weather is weird up there, it can be 90 degrees and sunny just south of Duluth but in the 60s and raining in the BW.

My $0.02 is to bring rain pants. Wet + wind = cold. With the way weather varies you can't count on it being warm whenever you get wet. I invested in a good goretex rain outfit 4 trips ago and wore it for rain only once. Have worn it for warmth from wind numerous times.

quote whiteh20: "Yes, without question you will need rain pants. Maybe not this year, maybe not next, but at some point you will be up there on a trip and wake to 45 degrees and rain or if early season, 20 degrees and snow. Buy the best you can afford, get the kind with zippers to the waist and add a good set of suspenders, They are light, they are durable and you can lose a pair of long pants and depend on your rain pants."

the key word here is SNOW, nothing will save a trip when is snows better than a good full goretex rainsuit.

Thanks guys. Very helpful as always. BTW, if your ever in S. GA. canoeing, you don't need to bring your rain pants. It's so hot here you'll be dry in about 15 minutes!
Thanks again,
Jcreamer