Check out the versalite pants on the Montbell site.
3.2 oz, taped seams, etc. Some proprIetary Montbell WPB fabric.

I've been waiting for these for quite some time. Apparently they came out a while back, but we're recalled due to an issue with the seams. It looks like they fixed that.

Actualky 3.6 oz for M. My bad.

The weight sure looks nice, but the DWR for the Versalite jacket didn't score very well in the State of the Market Report for lightweight wp/b jackets. Maybe a good option for those that hike in shorts and want pants instead of chaps or a rain skirt. Somebody buy a pair and review them, please :)

the reason why they were sent back is because they shipped their entire stock without taping the seams, so the montbell store in boulder had to send back their entire shipment. at least they checked them before they sold any...

Got my versalite pants today! 3.65 oz with the stuff sack for a medium according to my kitchen scale. Fit is perfect for me (I normally wear 32x30 pants) Very minimalist. No pockets or zippers, but very functional elastic around waste and ankles.

Haven't tested in the field yet, but something I'm very impressed with is how durable the material seems. I used to use Sierra designs hurricane pants, and these almost appear more durable. (though I'm certainly no fabric expert)

Despite the durable appearance, it squishes to the size of a slightly fatter red bull can! Well, somewhere between a red bull and coke can.

Will update this once I try them in the rain.

How would these compare to the Montane Featherlite pants?

Way less breathable and more water resistant than featherlite. That's really all it can be.

Let us all beseech the Gear Gods that Never Wet soon releases their product for sale. Then we can put on our own "Most Excellent" DWR to garments that need it.

I own Featherlite pants, it is something I pack and carry often when its cooler and/or damper. What's your question? Weight?

I don't use Featherlite pants particularly for waterproofing, I use them as predominantly to add a bit of insulation, summer rain reduced chill on bare legs, to slow the wetting and add a bit of insulation to poly-cotton long pants. I have beefed up the DWR via some Nikwax TX.

I find I cannot really wear waterproof pants, apart from Paramo when its close to freezing temperatures, as simply far too much heat generation and easily becomes sweaty, I'm typically one or two layers less on my legs than upper body. I have some OMM Kamleika pants for winter wet cycling and they just about have enough breathability if its cold and I'm not pushing my output too much.

Will Rietveld's Review

Edited by hamerica on 05/03/2012 13:40:52 MDT.

Main question was around whether these were more like rain pants or wind pants like the featherlites. I carry the featherlite pants now for use in camp and always thought about trying them for rain when it is colder.

These seems like a good choice for rain pants for most hikers (ie. don't wear them that often). The weight and price are right and the durability sounds good as well.