Best rain pants / rain gear

Carhartt. Hands down. Although, they are on the expensive side.

 

Stay as far away from that plastic #### as you can. It's heavy and makes you sweat, assuming you actually need to do some work. Carhartt is good stuff, but any Cabela's or Bass Pro Shops will have the good, breathable type (Gore-Tex being the most expensive). But alas, as in most things, quality costs.

 

my brother gave me some called frogtoggs a couple years ago. was skeptical when he gave them to me they're very light and thin material. not sure of the cost but best raingear I've ever had. not cumbersome, very durable and keep you dry as dirt. wicks away moisture from inside as well. use them riding the bike all the time as well and stay pretty dry even in that environment and type of use.

 

Don't forget that your rain gear needs to be FR rated...

 

Froggtoggs or gortex USGI jacket and pants

 

This. Many times rain gear will get overlooked, but you can bet your pusher/boss will be pretty upset if you get tossed off a job because you didn't have the appropriate gear. Catch the wrong company man on the wrong day and you could wind up sitting your entire crew on that job.

Outer layer FR, unless you're not required to be wearing FR. Don't cheap out on it. My Tingley FR trench raincoat cost $65. There are some down as low as $25 locally.

 

I picked up Frogtogg jacket and pants at a Walmart, total price for both was under $50. It's the only trilaminate breathable rainwear on the market that I know of. When Goretex was first introduced it was all trilaminate, meaning the breathable membrane was sandwiched between the outside fabric and the inner lining fabric. I hated it when W.L. Gore switched to bilaminate in the mid 80's. While it was more flexible and quieter, it wasn't nearly as durable and took longer to dry.

Frogtoggs have brought the original concept of the trilaminate waterproof breathable outerwear back... with a wonderful twist. The outer fabric layer is nonwoven, MUCH stronger and more tear resistant than woven fabric. It's also cheaper.

I use mine for chaining or working in muddy conditions. They dry fast and are easy to wash.

You can find them in the outdoor products area at Walmart, in the camping section.