Rain pants, who knew this was going to be the hardest part of this trip?

 I have already mentioned rain pants a few times so far.  Rain Pants, aka  rain or waterproof pants or over-pants, or over-trousers (my personal favourite), or any combo of those.  

I need water proof pants because we will be doing 'wet landings' where we have to put our feet in water to get out of the zodiac.  Here is a picture that demonstrates this nicely:

Rain pants (over the boots), wet landing, and penguins.  
All it's missing is the poop! 

So,  I think the last time we discussed my rain pant situation, I had borrowed a pair from Carolyn which were so long but I was going to make them work.  Then Amy gave me a pair which were also so long. 

My plan had been to just tuck the extra foot of pant into my boots but I found this TripAdvisor forum on rain pants 

How are boots worn?

which may be the greatest conversation ever had about rain pants.  They specifically says 'pants over boots'.  I highly encourage you to read the forum, it veers wildly into penguin poop conversation!. 

Best answer, in my humble opinion:  

Amy gave me hers because she had found a store that sold petite rain pants for a low price (Mountain Warehouse, if you are interested).  Hmm, petite is what I need! So, I ordered a pair of petite (or short in Mountain Warehouse parlance) rain pants.  I went up a size figuring that they had to go over two layers of base and regular pants.  I ordered them to be delivered to the store so I could try them on and make sure.  Good thing I did. 

They were giant.  Clown rain pants.  Since these were my third pair, I figured I would see if I could make them work.  Nope, they literally fell off me.  No amount of cinching was going to make them stay on.  So I took them back to the counter to return them.  The nice young lady pointed to a rack and said 'there's more over there'.  Well, I didn't have much hope but I grabbed two different styles.  

So, as in all things in life, there was no perfect choice.  First off, Mountain Warehouse sizing is not normal.  I think they may be a UK company?  Anyway, one pair (the Downpour) fit comfortably and was 'short'.  Which means to say only a couple of inches too long.  But I wouldn't say they are 'waterproof' because they have side zippers on the legs (and snaps in case the zippers weren't enough?).  If I remember correctly from my physics class, water can get through a zipper.  

The other pair (the Spray) was just a bit snug.  They would have worked but they weren't 'short'.  They also had side zippers but they had a flappy thing on the inside of the leg that covered the zipper.  So, I assume more waterproof (is this like more unique or more perfect? But I digress, yet again).  

Figuring 'bird in the hand' and all of that, I bought the Downpour pair that fit but aren't fully waterproof.  But I went home to see if they had the Spray online in 'short'.  They did!  But what size. Honestly, their sizing makes NO sense.  So, I ordered two pairs.  Which arrived today and are currently sitting by my front door. 

Which means, I currently have FIVE pairs of rain pants in or almost in my house!  Hopefully I can narrow it down to just the ONE pair and return the rest.  I'll let you know how it goes because by now, I'm sure you are as obsessed with my rain pant options as I am (haha, no you are not, you are just wondering how long until we get to actual, real live penguins! - three months my friends, three long months!). 

July 18.  So, that package was not my rain pants.  But two pairs arrived today!  But I have since also ordered another, super cheapy pair which aren't here yet.  But I think we have a winner!  

It is very hot today, over 30 degrees but I changed into jeans (to replicate the base and top layers I will be wearing) and my boots (with wool socks, why not go all the way) so I could make sure they fit.  

They fit!. They are the right length. They are comfortable.  They seem waterproof.  They are cheap, not super cheap but under $50.  ]

Here they are with the 'waterproof' test. I have no idea if this video will work.  

Can one love rain pants?  I think one can.  Now, I have to get out of these wool socks!