Regatta Pack-It Overtrousers - Review 2023

Overall Construction:

With the influx of big companies trying to break into the outdoor clothing market, there’s a lot of emphasis on introducing products with “new” technology or cutting-edge features.

While not necessarily the most advanced in their segment in terms of construction and features, the Pack-It Overtrousers (for their price) don’t cut corners where it matters: waterproofing and breathability.

Moreover, while we do have some misgivings about the trousers’ overall design, these rain pants offer significant value for money and are worth considering if you’re looking for waterproof pants that simply do their job.

Features:

The Regatta Pack-It Overtrousers are made from Regatta’s signature Isolite 5000 fabric, which is designed to be lightweight, breathable, and waterproof–ideal for outdoor use.

The pants come in a variety of sizes and colors. They have a standard elasticated waist for easy on-off use, as well as two open side pockets for easy access to your valuables (a polarizing feature that we’ll get into later).

Durability:

Durability-wise, like most rain pants in the sub-50 dollar price range, they don’t really have an extremely robust build. However, while Regatta’s Isolite 5000 fabric is rather thin, the pants do hold up fairly well under a fair amount of casual outdoor use.

The key thing to remember here is that these aren’t 100-dollar trousers, and as such, they’re not exactly the most durable rain pants on the market. Don’t get us wrong, though, you definitely get more than what you pay for with these pants, especially with proper care, but don’t expect them to withstand wanton abuse.

Waterproofing:

When it comes to waterproofing, the Regatta Pack-It Overtrousers are among the best in their price range. Regatta’s Isolite 5000 fabric has a hydrostatic head of 5000 mm. Moreover, this already waterproof fabric is coated with a durable water repellent finish, adding even more water protection.

The pants hold up extremely well under light to heavy rainfall. You shouldn’t have any problems keeping your valuables dry during extended camping trips and hikes. That said, water does seep in through the pants’ open pockets.

Obviously, this can be remedied by attaching zippers onto them, or pairing them with a waterproof jacket that covers the pockets. Nevertheless, this can be a deal-breaker for buyers looking for waterproof pants for cycling or any outdoor activity that involves a lot of crouching and knee-bending.

Breathability:

The Regatta Pack-It Overtrousers don’t really offer much in the way of breathability. While the pants’ Isolite fabric has an inner hydrophilic system that allows water vapor to escape, we’ve noticed that what helps more with breathability is the pants’ open pocket design.

While you won’t feel like your legs are in a sauna, if you’re doing anything close to a workout, chances are, you will sweat in these rain pants.

All that said, this is really par for the course when it comes to waterproof pants in this price range, so no surprises there.

Weight and Fit:

One of the highlights of these waterproof pants is their weight and relatively sleek fit.

Weighing around 180 – 210 grams (depending on the size), these pants allow ease of movement and are a great choice for those looking for something that’s functional and easily portable.

Packability:

Unless you’re an avid adventurer in Southeast Asia or some other rain-loving region, the bulk of your rain pants’ lifespan will be spent inside a bag. Hence, one of the most important things to consider when buying waterproof pants (or any rain gear for that matter) is packability.

If you haven’t guessed by now, these waterproof pants have great packability. You can easily roll them up into a small ball (~just a tad bigger than your fist) and stuff them in a small stuff sack. They’re extremely light as well, so carrying them inside your camping bag, or inside a small dry bag won’t be an issue at all.

Value:

While Regatta has always been a divisive brand among outdoorsy circles, even the snootiest of gear snobs would agree that the Regatta Pack-It Overtrousers offers great value for money.

At around 20 to 25 USD, you get a more than serviceable pair of waterproof pants that are great for a wide variety of activities. Sure, there are a lot of better rain pants out there (with more features, or with better breathability), but it’s hard to beat the Regatta Pack-It Overtrousers’ quality at their price point.

Conclusion:

The Regatta Pack-It Overtrousers are a classic for a reason.

They’re affordable without being cheaply made, they’re extremely lightweight, can withstand extensive use (with proper care), and they offer a decent amount of water protection (as long as you tape up/zip up their pockets). Their sleeker-than-normal fit also makes them less bulky and ideal for a wide range of body types.

If you’re looking for something that doesn’t break the bank but does most of the things you’d expect from a pair of waterproof pants, the Regatta Pack-It Overtrousers are worth considering.

See how the Regatta Pack-It Overtrousers stacks up against other Waterproof Pants here!