SectionHiker.com Backpacking Gear Reviews and FAQs 
Marmot makes two styles of Precip Pants: Full Zip Precip Pants and Regular Precips. The Full Zips are designed for winter hiking, backpacking and climbing. They are sometimes called “New Style” Precips by online retailers because they were introduced after regular Precips (also called “Old Style”) which only have calf high boot zips. I own a pair of each.
Winter Layering
I feel that full length side zips are a must-have requirement for any serious cold weather pant layering system. Sweat buildup in winter should be avoided and side zips provide you with the ability to aggressively vent any moisture buildup in real-time. In addition, having side zippers eliminates the need to remove your boots, crampons, snowshoes, or skis before you put on or take off a pants layer. This is essential because you don’t want to stop moving for very long in winter and get cold.
The side zippers on the Precips work very well and don’t jam with use. They are also two-way, so you can pull them down from the top and/or up from the bottom. If you want to take off the pant without taking off your boot, simply zip both zippers to the top of the pant, undo a velcro attachment on the waistband and the leg comes right off. Do the same on the second leg and you can take the whole pant off.
What would the world be like if all pants were like this?
In addition to the side zips, the Full Zip Precips have one front pocket and two back pockets that close with zippers and are great for carrying small stuff. The pants themselves are made with a breathable multi-layer laminate Gore-Tex knock-off and have fully taped seams to prevent leaks. And finally, they weigh 12.7 oz. in a size XL (mens.)
I must confess, it was pure luck that I decided to buy these Full Zip Precips Pants. I bought them because I didn’t want to spend a lot of money to buy full zip winter pants, but I’m extremely pleased at home good they turned out to be. Highly recommended!
Disclosure: The author owns this product and purchased it using their own funds.
Written 2009. Updated 2022. Author is still using the product.
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I'll be hiking the JMT from July 12 – Aug 4 and need a rain bottom. Should I get the full zips or the calf zips? They will function mainly during downpours, but I can see wearing them to the Mt. Whitney summit for wind protection.
If you're only going to buy one pair, I'd get the full zips, especially if you're going to be hiking the JMT with lots of high peaks so you can vent and even remove them without taking off your shoes/boots.
Thanks for this review, I’m definitely going to pickup the full zips. I have some convertible hiking pants that I have to remove my boots & gaiters to convert and that takes a lot more time than I care to waste.
Do you recommend buying a size up? if you wear another layer of pants below these?
Unfortunately I don’t have the time to go into the city to try them on , since my trip is coming up.
No need. They are quite baggy.
Thanks!
Hi! Stumbled in here whilst searching for a full-zip pant shell for winter outings. I have some REI calf-zip pants i like, but have seen the light on the benefit of full zip for winter. Much as i’ve liked Marmot products in general, i’m a little leery of Precip; i’ve had a couple of the jackets fail prematurely—inner coating de-lamination, zipper failure. Perhaps they’ve solved these issues in more recent iterations of the line. Still, are there any alternatives for full-zip shell pants worth considering? I’ve read some glowing reviews of Paramo Cascada II pants (https://www.paramo-clothing.com/en-gb/explore-range/product/?pk=DC2EC91F-F3F3-4415-9949-D46BFE7B7BE5&attributes=5A01410B-7BF6-46CC-8A97-FFEA0A577F6E), but these are three-quarter zip. Thanks for any feedback, and thanks for your great blog.
Paramo waterproof wear can be very warm. If you don’t like full-zip Marmot precips, really any other brand will do and will be much cooler.
I use these (seems like daily right now) for my bike commute. The zipper idea is great but the velcro is too weak. I need to have the zipper all the way up to keep the velcro from pulling loose. They should have put snaps or some other fastener as I think velcro is fine for some applications but not where there is pulling. Velcro wears out pretty fast compared to other fasteners. Also it would be really nice to add some sort of vent on the back of the leg, under a flap of course. Some way of venting air through using motion to move the air out.
These are my go to rain pants. I do not often use them but I often carry them. They are great for wind, rain, and snow, as well as a little extra warmth when the temperature goes really low.
Gotta say that after seeing 3 different Marmot Precip rain parkas de-laminate I am not a fan of anything Precip.