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GoLite Tumalo Rain Pants Review

Golite Tumulo Rain Pants
Golite Tumulo Rain Pants in Scotland

I’ve owned a pair of Golite Tumalo Rain Pants for over a year and use them for 3 season hiking because they’re so lightweight and such a great deal ($50/pair). I got to use them for nearly 6 days of continuous drizzle, rain, wind, snow, sleet, and hail in Scotland last month which is the first full-on test that I’ve been able to perform of their multi-day wearability and performance in highly adverse conditions. That’s really where the rubber hits the road when it comes to breathable waterproofs in my honest opinion.

The Tumalo pants did really well in those conditions, surprisingly so considering how leery I am about manufacturer’s claims about breathability. They kept me dry and I didn’t notice any perspiration accumulation while wearing them although I was backpacking through mountainous backcountry, non-stop for 10-12 hours a day. They didn’t wet out or chafe, they provided excellent wind protection even in gale force winds, as well as an extra thermal envelope in cold weather. As far as I’m concerned the GoLite Tumalo rain pant is a best buy and I’m likely to stockpile another pair or two because they’re so inexpensive.

12 inch zippers make the rain pants easy to put on and take off
12 inch zippers make the rain pants easy to put on and take off

GoLite’s Tumalo rain pants are 2.5 layer pants (8.6 oz in an XL) made using GoLite’s proprietary Trinity breathable layer sandwiched between a nylon face and a printed backer fabric for better durability. Trinity replaced Pertex in 2012, because according to GoLite, it is more waterproof and has better moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) results.

Thigh pocket with waterproof zipper and keychain keeper
Thigh pocket with waterproof zipper and keychain keeper

Despite their low price, the Tumalo rain pants have some nice features including 12 inch high calf zips with a rain flap that make it easy to put on the pants and take them off without removing your boots or hiking shoes, a right hand thigh pocket with keychain keeper, a drawstring waist and cord lock and full seam taping.  There’s even a model of Tumalo Rain Pants with Full Zips for just $10 more  if you prefer more venting and want to use them in winter and need a longer zipper to get them on and off while wearing large mountaineering boots.

Specifications

  • 8.6 ounces in size men’s XL
  • 32 inch inseam
  • 12 inch calf zippers with rain flap for added protection
  • velcro tabs on leg hem
  • right hand pocket with waterproof zipper and keychain keeper
  • draw cord waist with cord lock
  • fully seam taped
  • color – black

Disclosure: Philip Werner owns these rain pants and paid for them with his own funds. 

Written: June 2013.

6 comments

  1. Sounds likes great value!
    Just wondering what you wore underneath?
    I find being less hairy is a disadvantage when it comes to rain pants in that any perspiration makes the bare skin stick to the inside of the pant, especially at the knees.
    Sounds like these are lined though which might eliminate the problem.

    • Just my normal lightweight RailRiders Ecomesh hiking pants. I never wear rain pants against my bare skin and really view them as a layer to be put on and taken off as needed.

  2. Thx for the post. GL now makes same pants w full length zippers. Picked up or for $50. Haven’t fully tested, but like what I see so far.

    • I’m very tempted to buy these for winter but I haven’t destroyed my current pair of marmot precips yet. :-) I will probably switch when the time comes. Of course some people do like full zips for 3 season use too.

  3. Hello, I own a pair of Tumalos. They are really light and waterproof but they started to ‘unglue’ from the bottom, i mean the leg opening. Have you had this issue ?

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