Reader Reviews

Rating: 3 / 5

I got the 2006 version with out the leg zippers because it is what I wanted, (the lighter version).

I'm sure the breathability that Golite claims for it is accurate, but something twice as good as a trash bag only leaves you half as dry.

I have to admit that I am just a little too spoiled from event fabric products.
Everything else just doesn't cut it. I bought a $100 full leg zip event pant and took out the zippers to bring it down to 11 oz. I have been in heavy rain covering 25+ miles on foot and did not get even a drop wet from inside or out.

After the Reed pants were on for a hour, I had so much sweat built up inside, I had to take them off.

As far as being light and water-proof, they receive a 4.
For breathability they receive a 2.

Golite itself deserves a "5" for being on top of the game when it comes to giving the public the litest most innovated product with the best available fabric at a good price.

There is still a long ways to go for the lite-weights to play catch up to Event.

Edited by awsorensen on 03/14/2007 19:23:19 MDT.

Rating: 3 / 5

I've loved Golite Reeds for years. I added a 9" uretek zip to each leg of my current pair about a year ago and they've been great, and only wigh 4.3 oz (size L). I just picked up a back up pair for my upcoming PCT attempt, sat down to add leg zips in then realized I got the new ones, not the old kind. Incredibly, Golite has added a CLOTH zip to the legs of the Reeds! In fairness to Golite, the zip has a rain flap over it, but it'll be pretty easy for water to run in. I couldn't believe they'd use the zipper you'd find on the back of a skirt on a pair of rain pants. Then I weighed them - 6.5 oz!!!

I would have happily paid more for Reeds made of the old fabric that had an actual waterproff zip in them. Ah well, back to the sewing machine to "un-create" what they have done and put a proper zip in. Then I can lose the rain flap weight too.

Buyers beware.


Mike Maurer

Rating: 4 / 5

I have got the old Golite Reed pants (without the side-zips) and i love them.They are very light 120gram in size large and offer good leg coverage.This is a rainpant that you put in your pack and forget about them until you need them and then they will keep you dry.The fabric isn't Event but i think Goltie designed them as a just in case rainpant,and if you use them in that way you will love them,if you need a rainpant that you are gonna wear a lot of the time get something else.

Rating: 5 / 5

I've had my pair of GoLite Reed pants since at least 2001. They were still sold as Ray-Way gear way back then. These pants are blue (as I remember getting them on sale). This vintage pair of pants has an elastic/drawstring waist and straight cuffs.

The Reed weighs 5.19 oz. for size XL. I carry the pants much more often than I ever use them. But when needed they've kept me from getting a bad chill in cool, wet weather. I've only worn them on trail and in camp. They have held up just fine.

I recently refreshed the DWR finish with a wash-in coating. I have always only washed these pants and the accompanying GoLite Newt jacket only in a soap rather than detergent.

Light, keeps me pretty dry, bought 'em on sale. I really like the Reed.

Rating: 2 / 5

I have a later version with leg zips. When hiking steep uphills, these pants are a real handicap because they try to keep you from lifting your knee. Made my summit twice as hard to keep fighting that. For keeping on trails where the steepest climb is a standard switchback angle, may be fine.

It's like they don't have any articulation, although you can see two darts at the knee.

Note: I had powerstretch tights underneath, maybe if they were silk..

They are not breathable.

Since they are nearly unusable for me, I am giving them to my friend for biking to work.
YOU - and GoLite - CAN DO BETTER!

Edited by Paul_Tree on 11/02/2008 12:19:24 MST.

Rating: 5 / 5

I've got the original Reed pants (4oz in a size medium) and they are prefect rain pants for UL hiking. They've been adequately durable, totally waterproof and light. I don't want ankle zips, since you only use rain pants once in a while and I'd rather take my shoes off than add complexity and weight so I can shove my dirty shoe through.