Backside Line
Desire a easy, no-frills rain pant that delivers reliable efficiency at a finances worth? That’s the Columbia Insurgent Roamer II (males’s) and Storm Surge (ladies’s).
These pants excel in preserving you dry with their sturdy Omni-Tech™ material, offering strong waterproofing and wind resistance for hikers and outside lovers alike.
Not like pricier choices, the Insurgent Roamer II retains issues simple. There are not any zippers for air flow or pockets for storage, however the elastic waistband and adjustable drawcord guarantee a comfortable, customizable match. The material is light-weight and comfy, making these pants simple to put on for lengthy hikes or sudden rainstorms.
The trade-off for the minimal design is versatility—the Insurgent Roamer II isn’t very best for technical terrain or heavy-duty bushwhacking. Nevertheless, they shine for informal hikers or these searching for an inexpensive backup rain pants. For the worth, these pants are a strong possibility in our information to one of the best rain pants to maintain in your package for staying dry on moist adventures.
How We Examined
From lab sprays, spritzes, and hose-downs to mom nature’s equivalents in fall and winter climbing within the Colorado Rockies, we examined the bounds of those rain pants. We additionally examined their sturdiness, labored up a sweat to see how they vented inside moisture, and… nicely, stretched our legs to see how they felt (and sounded). The swish issue is an actual bummer with rain pants. Don’t fear; we took word.
Fast Specs

Columbia Insurgent Roamer / Storm Surge
Greatest No-Nonsense Rain Pants
CleverHiker Ranking:
4.3/5.0
Worth:
$60
Weight:
12.2 oz. / 11.5 oz.(males’s / ladies’s)
Zipper Size:
None
Professionals
- Reasonably priced
- Versatile for metropolis or summits
- Easy design
- Adjustable waist
- Adjustable ankle cuffs
- Sturdy materials
- Snug for layering
Cons
- No zippers for air flow
- No pockets for storage
- Should take away footwear
- Saggy match
Consolation & Mobility
With regards to consolation and mobility, the Columbia Insurgent Roamer II pants maintain issues easy however efficient. These pants are light-weight and roomy, making them simple to drag on over climbing gear.
The elastic waistband with an adjustable drawcord ensures a safe but comfy match, and the relaxed minimize permits for loads of motion whether or not climbing, climbing, or crouching to arrange camp.
Whereas the shortage of options like articulated knees or stretch material is perhaps noticeable for extra technical actions, the pants carry out nicely for informal outside use. They’re comfy sufficient for prolonged put on, and the light-weight materials doesn’t really feel restrictive or cumbersome.
That stated, should you’re scrambling over rocks or tackling rugged terrain, you may discover the match barely much less accommodating in comparison with higher-end choices with added mobility options that gained’t sluggish you down.
Climate Resistance
The Columbia Insurgent Roamer II pants excel at what they’re designed to do—preserving you dry when the climate turns. That includes Columbia’s Omni-Tech™ waterproof know-how, these pants present reliable safety towards rain and wind.
Totally seam-sealed and made out of sturdy materials, the pants do a wonderful job of stopping water from seeping via, even in regular rain. The material can also be wind-resistant, providing an added layer of consolation on blustery days.
Whereas they lack the premium waterproofing of high-end rain pants, they carry out admirably for many wet-weather conditions, particularly contemplating their budget-friendly worth.
One trade-off is that they don’t have options like storm flaps or bolstered panels, which suggests they may not maintain up as nicely below prolonged publicity to heavy downpours or tough situations.
Nonetheless, for on a regular basis rain and light-weight to reasonable outside actions, these pants present dependable climate resistance at a fraction of the price of pricier choices. Should you want inexpensive rain safety, the Insurgent Roamer II pants ship.
Air flow
Air flow is the place the Columbia Insurgent Roamer II pants take a extra primary method. These rain pants don’t have zippered vents or superior breathability options, however the light-weight Omni-Tech™ material does a good job of letting some airflow via whereas preserving rain out. For informal outside actions or shorter hikes, they handle to strike a good stability between waterproofing and luxury.
The dearth of thigh or aspect vents may make these pants really feel a bit hotter throughout intense exercise, particularly in humid situations. Nevertheless, the roomy match permits for respectable air circulation in comparison with tighter, extra technical rain pants. Pairing them with moisture-wicking base layers also can assist you keep comfy should you’re breaking a sweat.
Whereas they gained’t win awards for air flow, the Insurgent Roamer II pants supply sufficient breathability for many informal use. Should you’re climbing in cooler, wet climate, they’ll maintain you dry with out feeling overly stuffy.
Weight
The Insurgent Roamers nail it on the subject of weight. At 12.2 oz. (males’s) and 11.5 oz. (ladies’s), they’re light-weight sufficient to pack simply into your gear with out including a lot bulk, making them a handy alternative for day hikes or informal outings. Whereas not ultralight like some premium choices, they’re nonetheless transportable and gained’t weigh you down on the path.
The simplicity of the design contributes to their manageable weight. With out options like zippers or bolstered panels, the pants stay light-weight whereas nonetheless providing dependable rain safety. This makes them a fantastic backup choice to maintain in your pack for sudden climate, particularly should you’re prioritizing affordability and performance over high-performance supplies.
Nevertheless, for these trying to reduce each ounce for ultralight backpacking, the Insurgent Roamer II pants could really feel a bit of heavier in comparison with pricier, extra technical rain gear. However for many informal outside lovers, they hit the candy spot.
Sturdiness
The Columbia Insurgent Roamer II supply respectable sturdiness for his or her worth, making them a strong alternative for mild to reasonable outside use.
Infused with Columbia’s Omni-Tech™ waterproof material, these pants can deal with on a regular basis put on and tear, corresponding to strolling over slippery trails or via mild brush. The totally seam-sealed design provides to their resilience by stopping water from seeping via in wet situations.
Draw back: The dearth of bolstered panels or heavy-duty supplies means these pants aren’t constructed for rugged adventures or harsh environments. Scrambling over rocks, bushwhacking, or prolonged use in difficult terrain could result in put on and tear extra rapidly in comparison with higher-end rain pants.
Ought to You Purchase the Columbia Insurgent Roamer II / Storm Surge Rain Pants?
The Columbia Insurgent Roamer II Rain Pants are a fantastic alternative for anybody searching for inexpensive, dependable rain safety for informal outside actions. With Omni-Tech™ waterproofing, these pants maintain you dry in reasonable rain, and the light-weight, packable design makes them simple to hold on hikes or throw in your bag for sudden climate. The adjustable waistband offers a snug, safe match, and the roomy minimize permits for simple layering over different gear.
Nevertheless, they aren’t constructed for excessive situations, tough bushwhacking, or heavy-duty use. They lack options like air flow zippers or bolstered panels, which might make them much less breathable or sturdy for harder actions. Total, should you’re looking for reliable rain safety with out the premium price ticket, the Insurgent Roamer II pants are a strong alternative.
What Different Rain Pants Ought to You Take into account?
Nonetheless wish to store for a wet day? Listed below are some high contenders to the Insurgent Roamer/ Storm Surge on our finest rain pants gear information.
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Overview: These pants are a bit pricier however include 3-layer H2No® know-how for wonderful waterproofing and breathability. They’re sturdy and very best for hikers searching for a higher-end possibility with sustainable supplies.
Out of doors Analysis Foray Overview: A premium alternative that includes GORE-TEX® material, the Foray pants supply top-tier waterproofing and breathability. They’re nice for extra technical hikes and backcountry adventures, with full-length zippers for air flow.
REI Co-op Rainier Overview: A budget-friendly possibility that rivals the Insurgent Roamer II, the Rainier pants present dependable waterproofing and breathability for informal hikers. They’re light-weight, packable, and designed for reasonable outside use with out breaking the financial institution.