REASONS TO BUY
Fantastic price
Easy to pull on and remove over boots
Full-length zippers
Respectably breathability for the price
REASONS TO AVOID
Average weight
Marmot PreCip Eco Full-Zip Review
A fully featured rain pant for hiking and backpacking that offers solid weather protection at a price that's tough to beat
Credit: Backcountry
RELATED: Best Rain Pants of 2023
Our Verdict
The Marmot PreCip Eco Full-Zip offers one of the best overall balances of performance for the price. Offering the full suite of features that most folks are looking for in their rain pants, this piece of rain protection will work well for any number of outdoor uses without breaking the bank. Marmot did a fantastic job keeping this model's weight and packed size very respectable while maintaining the bargain price. At an even lighter and less expensive level, we also tested the 1/4 zip version of these, which is basically the same exact model but without the side zips. Check out our full assessment of the even more classically configured Marmot PreCip Pants.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Marmot PreCip Eco Full-Zip | |||||
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| Awards |  |  | |||
| Price | $100 List $75.00 at Amazon | $71.47 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $129.00 at Evo Compare at 2 sellers | $59.99 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $79.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | For the price, it's tough to beat this fully-featured model | An excellent choice where packed space and weight are a priority | A no-frills, versatile rain pant that will keep nearly any outdoor enthusiast happy | This pant won't break the bank and is stormworthy and versatile | Hikers on a budget, with limited and short exposure to truly foul weather will dig these pants as an emergency product in the bottom of your pack |
| Rating Categories | Marmot PreCip Eco F... | Outdoor Research He... | Patagonia Torrentsh... | Columbia Rebel Roamer | Marmot PreCip Eco Pant |
| Water Resistance (25%) | |||||
| Comfort and Mobility (20%) | |||||
| Breathability and Venting (20%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Packed Size (10%) | |||||
| Features (5%) | |||||
| Durability (5%) | |||||
| Specs | Marmot PreCip Eco F... | Outdoor Research He... | Patagonia Torrentsh... | Columbia Rebel Roamer | Marmot PreCip Eco Pant |
| Measured Weight | 12 oz | 6.5 oz | 12 oz | 12.5 oz | 8.5 oz |
| Waterproof Fabric Material | NanoPro Eco | 2.5L Pertex Shield Diamond Fuse | 3L H2No Performance Standard Shell with PFC-free DWR finish | Omni-Tech Waterproof/Breathable | NanoPro Eco |
| Face Fabric and Layer Construction | 100% recycled nylon ripstop | 30D 100% nylon ripstop | 100% recycled nylon ripstop | 70D 100% nylon | 100% recycled nylon ripstop |
| Pockets | 3 | 1 | 2 | None | 3 |
| Side Zips Length | Full length zide zips | 1/4 length ankle zips | 1/2 length | None | 1/4 length |
| Put On Over Hiking or Mountaineering Boots | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Stows Into Pocket | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Waistband Closure | Elastic + shock cord | Elastic with drawcord | Elastic + shock cord | Elastic + shock cord | Elastic + shock cord |
Show full specification details ▼Hide full specification details ▲
Our Analysis and Test Results
If you don't want to spend a lot of money but want a fully-featured rain pant for trekking, backpacking, and mountaineering, the Marmot PreCip Eco Full-Zip is one of the best options. Marmot uses a recycled face fabric with better DWR than older versions. The PreCip Eco fabric is PFC-free and features a microporous coating that is designed to be more durable than the previous version.
Preformance Comparison
The Marmot PreCip Eco Full-Zip is a fully-featured pant with very good weather resistance at a good price.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Water Resistance
The PreCip Eco Full-Zip offers solid rain protection, especially considering its price tag. It features a 2.5-layer construction and Marmot's proprietary NanoPro Eco for its waterproof membrane. We found this proprietary membrane held up better than average compared to other models. Our testing team was impressed by its recycled ripstop nylon face fabric, which easily offered some of the better DWR in the review and beaded up water far better and longer than similarly priced models.
The latest version of the PreCip Eco features a much better and longer-lasting DWR than previous models.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
We liked that this model didn't have a front fly, which only helped it to more effectively seal out the elements. However, it was prone to leak water in through the front pockets. This wasn't a big deal as long as we remembered to zip them shut.
After extensive use in both real-world and side-by-side garden hose tests, our entire testing team was impressed with the storm worthiness of this pant and found it to be one of the most weather resistant in its price category.
This pant features a loose cut, which helped with mobility and layering, but it certainly feels a little bulkier than some other pants tested. Tester Ian Nicholson (5'10", 170 lbs) is shown here in a size Medium.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Comfort and Mobility
The PreCip Eco doesn't offer anything special regarding articulation or fit, but its slightly looser cut increased mobility. Folks who like these pants but don't want the baggier fit should note that the non-full zip version of this pant, the Marmot PreCip Eco Pant, has a slightly narrower and less baggy fit.
While this model's loose fit helped with its overall mobility, its freedom of movement was still pretty average.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Marmot's previous version of this pant had larger velcro tabs at the waist, which we found uncomfortable under a pack's hip belt. They've reduced the size of the tabs, which helps with comfort. This version has a fully elastic waist and a wide waistband, offering a nice balance of stretch and security and minimizing sag while walking up the trail. However, these pants feel a bit clammier than some of the spendier products we tested.
This model offered a wide waistband which proved comfortable even under the waistbelt of a heavy pack. We appreciated its lack of a front fly, as it allowed the pant to do a better job of sealing out the weather.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Breathability and Ventilation
This model's breathability was slightly below average overall but better than most other rain pants in this price range. The PreCip Eco Full-Zip Pant offers top-notch ventilation, which performs as well as you could hope for. As the name would imply, this pant features a full-length zipper on each leg, allowing plenty of ventilation from the top and bottom.
The full-length size zippers allowed for plenty of ventilation and allowed for easy pull-on over any type of footwear.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
However, if it's pouring or you're hiking on a wet overgrown trail, using the side zips for ventilation isn't an option, as they will likely funnel water down the insides of your pants and your boots, negating the purpose of wearing rain pants. It's worth noting that the PreCip's mesh-lined pockets can pull double duty by offering some (though obviously limited) ventilation.
Showing the full side-zips opened all the way up.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Looking to save some money without compromising functionality?
Marmot's Marmot PreCip Eco Pant version is nearly identical to the PreCip Full-Zip we tested, just without the side zippers and for a reduced price. While full-length side zippers are great for ventilation, they're not a practical tool for hiking or exploring during active precipitation events. Because this version of the PreCip has fewer features, it will also save about 4.5 ounces, a nice bonus for the weight-conscious traveler. If you're planning on only using your rain pants as an emergency shell or for brief periods of especially wet weather, the PreCip Eco Pant might meet all your needs at a nicer price.
Marmot's Marmot PreCip Eco Pant version is nearly identical to the PreCip Full-Zip we tested, just without the side zippers and for a reduced price. While full-length side zippers are great for ventilation, they're not a practical tool for hiking or exploring during active precipitation events. Because this version of the PreCip has fewer features, it will also save about 4.5 ounces, a nice bonus for the weight-conscious traveler. If you're planning on only using your rain pants as an emergency shell or for brief periods of especially wet weather, the PreCip Eco Pant might meet all your needs at a nicer price.
Showing one of three pockets featured on this pant. While some of our testers liked having the front handwarmer pockets, few of us actually used them to carry anything as it was far more comfortable to carry items in our jacket or pack.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Weight
The Marmot PreCip Eco Full-Zip Pants weigh just under 12 ounces on our scale — especially impressive given all this model's features, including its full-length zippers. While on the lighter side among rain pants on the market, they are heavier than many options we tested.
Packed Size
The PreCip Eco Full-Zip Pants are pretty average among products in our review regarding packed volume. However, they are certainly still smaller than average among shell pants on the market and plenty small enough to please any backpacker or hiker. They take up about as much space as a Nalgene bottle.
This pant was pretty average for compressibility (shown here next to a 1-liter Nalgene for size reference) but is still plenty small enough to keep most hikers and backpackers happy.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Features
This contender is packed full of features that most backpackers and hikers commonly look for. There are three total pockets; two hand pockets and a third zippered back pocket. At the top of the side zippers there are Velcro closures (on the waist of the pant) to help keep the zips closed and the pants from sliding down, which would occasionally come undone when wearing a pack. The waist belt would also slowly open the zippers, pulling the velcro apart and causing the pants to start to slip down. This was a minor annoyance but certainly wasn't a dealbreaker.
The elastic band and a snap closure on the cuff help create a seal around your footwear to keep water and mud out.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
The PreCip features an elastic shock cord with a toggle that helps cinch pant cuffs, keeping debris out of the wearer's shoes. We felt this design worked okay; however, when used on snow, we'd recommend bringing gaiters, though these pants were highly functional when used for some off-trail travel.
Durability
The PreCip Pants are tougher than we first expected. We found them to have above-average durability for their abrasion and tear resistance. While hardly burly, they're plenty tough enough for most backpacking, hiking, or similar applications, and you shouldn't have to baby them. The DWR held up longer than most similarly priced options, and several of our testers noted that they didn't need to be re-treated as frequently.
The PreCip Full-Zip is the most feature-rich pant with full side zips in this price range.
Credit: Ian Nicholson
Should You Buy the Marmot PreCip Eco Full-Zip?
This pant offers an excellent blend of features, functionality, and storm worthiness for the price. While it wasn't as breathable as Gore-Tex models in the review, it likely presented the best breathability in its price range. It also comes loaded with features and offers comparable (or better) rain protection to a number of more expensive models.
What Other Rain Pants Should You Consider?
For a similar pant that only unzips partway, the Marmot PreCip Eco is the 1/4 length version of this model. If you like the PreCip pants but want a less clammy feeling pair in a similar price range, the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Pant is a great option. However, the zippers on those pants only unzip just above the knee. For a super affordable rain pant with decent performance, check out the Columbia Rebel Roamer.
—
Ian Nicholson
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