Salomon Outerpath 2.5L rain pants: first impressions
When you’re out in nature for extended periods of time, or even decide to brave the conditions after a less than favorable weather forecast, a good set of rain pants is pretty much essential. Salomon Outerpath 2.5L waterproof pants are exactly that.
• List price: $150 (US) /£120 (UK)
• Materials: 100% polyamide
• Waterproofing: 10,000mm
• Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL (women’s); XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL (men's)
• Colors: Deep Black
• Weight (men’s size M): 8.36oz / 237g
Salomon Outerpath 2.5L waterproof pants aim to balance comfort, breathability, and waterproof protection while still allowing freedom of movement. After putting these to the test during some wetter days in the Swiss Alps, they’ve proven to be an impressive addition to my hiking kit, though there are a few areas where they fall just short of perfection.
At first glance, the Outerpaths stand out for their lightweight design and solid waterproof rating. As the 2.5L name suggests, the Outerpaths are made using a 2.5-layer waterproofing construction. This means the trousers are made using a face fabric and a waterproof/breathable membrane but with a partially bonded inner liner. Generally speaking, this tends to be a great option for lightweight products but can lack durability compared to three-layer alternatives.
Salomon’s AdvancedSkin Dry technology offers 10,000mm waterproofing and breathability of 40,000g/m²/24h, so they promise to keep you dry without trapping sweat. I couldn’t find any evidence to the contrary here, as I remained comfortable in both cooler and more muggy lower altitude conditions. (See also: What is hydrostatic head? How waterproofing is measured.)
Weighing in at just 8.36oz (237g), the Salomon Outerpaths are among the lightest waterproof trousers I’ve tested. However, compared to my Berghaus Paclite Gore-Tex overpants, I noticed the Outerpaths don’t pack down quite as small, which could be a consideration for those focussed on keeping pack size to a minimum. Still, these pants offer a great deal in terms of protection and breathability, and around 50g less than more expensive competitors such as the Rab Ladakh Paclite Plus Pants.
Meet the reviewer
Salomon Outerpath 2.5L rain pants: sizing and fit
The fit is pretty large on these trousers, and offers plenty of length in the leg, which is great for extending down over your hiking boots. I tested a men’s size M, and the pants provided plenty of room to comfortably layer over my hiking pants without feeling bulky or restrictive. The elastic waistband was just about tight enough for my 30” waist over some trousers, and the durable Ripstop fabric feels tough enough to handle rough conditions while offering plenty of freedom of movement. For context, I am 6ft tall, and quite a slight build at 70kg.
Salomon Outerpath 2.5L rain pants: in the field
I tested the Salomon Outerpath 2.5L rain pants over several hikes in the Swiss Alps, facing varying degrees of wet weather. In both heavy rain and persistent drizzle the Outerpaths performed admirably. The AdvancedSkin Dry membrane does a stellar job at keeping water out while still letting moisture escape, which – particularly at lower altitudes where it was still pretty muggy – was a really big help.
On warmer days, the breathability was noticeably effective, preventing the clammy, overheated feeling you sometimes get with waterproof gear. Though the trousers don’t feature a totally waterproof zip, the storm flaps provide ample coverage and prevented water ingress in all weathers.
The addition of a two-way zipper along the legs is a nice touch too. Not only does it make slipping the pants on over hiking boots far easier, but it also allows easy access to my phone or snacks without having to peel layers off. Though I did find that the combination of the storm flap and stiffer zip seam often made the trousers fold in a slightly odd way when walking, which was noticeable when hiking steeper trails. It’s not a deal breaker, far from it in fact, but worth noting, and something I haven’t noticed so much on pants with waterproof zippers and no storm flap.
Back-to-back wet weather days were where the trousers shone through most. When wild camping, you don’t always have access to much dry space, and therefore getting your gear ready for the next day can be a little bit of a struggle. I found the breathability aided drying time, making back-to-back days in poor conditions that little bit easier to handle.
