The Marmot Minimalist Pants are ideal for hikers. The GORE-TEX Paclite is guaranteed to keep you dry, and the addition of features such as pockets, a 1/4 length zip on the bottom of the legs, and a drawcord to pull the cuffs tight make them a practical choice for walkers.
Buying options:
- Two pockets
- Cuffs designed to fit over hike boots and cinch tight to them
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Not very light
- Legs can be too narrow for men
See the Marmot Minimalist Pants in more detail:
These pants will keep you dry and comfortable on a hike. The GORE-TEX Paclite material used for these pants gives them great waterproofness and breathability while also being lightweight and flexible. Practical features like pockets and zips on the cuffs so they can be put on without taking your boots off will appeal to any hiker. The regular cut is a bit narrow, but women love the fit. We have chosen the Marmot Minimalist Pants as our best women’s rain pants for hiking.
Compare to Similar Products:
Product | Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Pants | Marmot Minimalist Pant | Outdoor Research Helium Pant | Arc'teryx Beta AR Pant | Mamot PreCip Eco Pant Full Zip | The North Face Men's Antora Hiking Pants | Rab Downpour Eco Pant | Columbia Rebel Roamer | Showers Pass Transit |
 | |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |
Buying Options | |||||||||
Our Award | Women's Performance | Women's Best Lightweight | Men's Performance | Women's Best Rain Pant for Hiking | Men's Best Value | Men's Best Cycling | |||
Waterproof Fabric | 2.5L Dry.Q Stretch Ripstop | 2.5L Gore-Tex with PacLite Technology | 2.5L Pertex Shield Diamond Fuse | Gore-Tex Pro | Nono Pro Eco | 2L DryVent Seam Sealed | Pertex Shield Membrane | Omni-Tech Waterproof/Breathable | Nylon |
Face Fabric | 100% Recycled Polyester | 100% Polyester | 30D 100& Nylon Ripstop | N40r-X Gore-Tex Pro | 100% Recycled Nylon Ripstop | 100% Recycled Nylon Ripstop with DWR Finish | Artex 3-Layer | 70D 100% Nylon | Artex 3-Layer |
Cost | $110.36 | $184.95 | $129.95 | Price not available | $59.99 | $97.00 | Price not available | $59.40 | Price not available |
Read our main guide: 9 Best Waterproof Rain Pants for Hiking
Analysis and Test Results
The most attractive feature of the Marmot Minimalist Pants is the GORE-TEX Paclite fabric they are mainly composed of. You can be confident these pants will protect you from the wind and rain when you are hiking. The Paclite version of GORE-TEX is thinner and more flexible, making these pants light and comfortable to wear while also providing plenty of breathability. The waist has a zippered fly secured with a press stud, and it is partly elastic to give a good fit.
A welcome feature is the two pockets with water-resistant zippers. The cuffs have a drawcord to tighten them to your boots. A 1.4 zip can be opened to make pulling the pants on over your hiking boots easier. This zip has a storm flap and a press stud to secure the bottom. While the addition of pockets and zips means these pants are not as light as some other models they pack down easily. The articulated knees provide an excellent range of movement. Some men find the legs too narrow, but women find the regular cut of these pants to be a good fit.
Performance Comparison
Water Resistance
Marmot uses GORE-TEX Paclite fabric to make these pants. As you would expect from GORE-TEX, they have excellent breathability. The material has a waterproof rating of 28,000 mm. All the seams are taped, and there is a very good PFC-free DWR (durable water repellent). A storm flap protects the fly zip, but while the zips on the pockets are water-resistant, there are no flaps to prevent water from getting in when they are open. A drawcord in the cuffs helps to tighten the bottom of the leg to make sure no water can get in.
Breathability
The GORE-TEX Paclite has good breathability with a 15,000 g/m2/24 hrs rating. There are no vents or zips to provide extra ventilation, but you shouldn’t need it unless you are working very hard. These hiking pants will be comfortable when hitting the trail in all weathers.
Comfort and Mobility
The knees on these pants are articulated, making for easy movement. The cut is regular, but it tapers through the knee. The cut seems to suit women more than men. There is room to fit a warm layer underneath, but some men find them a bit narrow in the thighs. The inner lining is soft against your skin and doesn’t get clammy.
Materials
The primary material used to make the Marmot Minimalist Pants is GORE-TEX Paclite. This comprises 100% recycled polyester plain weave bonded to a GORE-TEX membrane. An abrasion-resistant treatment is applied to the inside to provide protection. The zips are water-resistant.
Durability
GORE-TEX is known for its durability, so you can be confident these hiking pants will keep you dry for years. The zips, drawcord, and press studs are all high quality. All the seams are taped and firmly sewn.
Marmot’s warranty says they will repair or replace any item that is defective in material or workmanship.
Weight and Packability
GORE-TEX Paclite is one of the lighter and more flexible materials. However, the zips and pockets mean these are not the lightest waterproof pants available. It is easy to fold them into a small bundle, but they do not pack away into a pocket or have a bag to stow them in. The Marmot Minimalist Pants weigh:
Men
288.5 g / 10 oz
Women
262 g / 9 oz
Features
These pants come with some great features. They have two pockets with water-resistant zippers, one on each side of the front. For some reason, it is rare to find pockets on hiking pants, so it’s refreshing to find a pair with some.
The waist is elasticated around the back half. At the front, there is a fly with a zip that is secured with a press stud. They fit well while also allowing room for extra layers when the weather turns cold. The waistband will sit comfortably under a harness or a rucksack waist strap.
Marmot has designed the cuffs of the trouser legs to be practical for hiking. A ¼ length zip opens the side of the legs to mid-calf to make it easy to pull them on over boots. A press stud at the bottom secures the zip and the storm flap. There is also a drawcord in the cuffs so they can be tightened to create a tight fit over your hiking boots.
Sustainability
Marmot put a lot of effort into trying to “produce environmentally conscious products”. They say they are “motivated by the richness and beauty of the natural world and the chance to experience it with others. But how do you outfit adventure seekers in their quest to explore the world’s highest peaks, map out first ascents, or venture off-trail without adversely affecting the environment? We do this by minimizing our impact on the planet and its resources, protecting wild places and wild creatures, and supporting scientists and researchers working to protect our planet”. They use recycled fabrics when possible, and their coatings are PFC-free. The materials Marmot uses are Bluesign-approved, and they also have certification from the Higg Index and WRAP.
Conclusion
The Marmot Minimalist Pants are a practical pair of pants to take hiking. They can be pulled on over boots, and the cuffs can be adjusted to fit snugly to keep mud and water out. The GORE-TEX Paclite material is guaranteed to keep you dry while offering good breathability. You also get two pockets, a handy feature that is rarely included.
Disclaimer: This article contains Affiliate Links. You won’t pay any more for buying through these links, but we may receive a commission from any purchases made through them. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you choose to support us by buying through our links, we thank you as it helps us to continue providing the resources we do to help you enjoy the outdoors more!