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Marmot PreCip Eco Pant Review

A simple, lightweight, and compact rain pant that excels at a range of outdoor activies at a price that's tough to beat
marmot precip eco pant rain pants review
Credit: Backcountry
Price:  $80 List
Manufacturer:   Marmot
By Ian Nicholson ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Mar 1, 2023
72
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#8 of 9
  • Water Resistance - 25% 7.0
  • Comfort and Mobility - 20% 7.0
  • Breathability and Venting - 20% 6.0
  • Weight - 15% 9.0
  • Packed Size - 10% 7.0
  • Features - 5% 8.0
  • Durability - 5% 7.0

Our Verdict

The tried-and-true Marmot PreCip Eco offers a great price-to-performance ratio. With a simple design, this piece of rain protection will work well for any number of outdoor applications—as long as you're not faced with severe or extended wet weather—and will do so without breaking the bank. Most folks who end up carrying their rain gear far more frequently than they actually wear it will appreciate the PreCip's exceptionally low weight and packed size. We've also tested the full-zip version of this pant.
REASONS TO BUY
Fantastic price
Very light
Impressively small compact volume
Solid storm protection
Respectable breathability
REASONS TO AVOID
Not as breathable as other models
Not as durable or as long-lasting
No ventilation options

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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Pros Fantastic price, very light, impressively small compact volume, solid storm protection, respectable breathabilityLightweight, stormworthy, quiet fabric, good breathability, 3/4 length side zips, effective elastic cuffsUltralight, super compact, good mobility, extremely comfortable elastic waistband, stows nicely in a reversible pocketBest inexpensive pant, above average durability, excellent storm-worthinessFantastic price, easy to pull on and remove over boots, full-length zippers, respectably breathability for the price
Cons Not as breathable as other models, not as durable or as long-lasting, no ventilation optionsNo zip fly, one marginally useful pocketLower durability, feels clammy, hard to pull on over most bootsNo pockets, low breathability and ventilation, not easy to put on without removing footwearAverage weight
Bottom Line A simple, lightweight, and compact rain pant that excels at a range of outdoor activies at a price that's tough to beatHighly protective pants that are light and compact for tucking away in your backpackHard to beat for any trip where weight and packed space are at a premiumA killer pant for the price, offering better than expected feel and weather resistanceA fully featured rain pant for hiking and backpacking that offers solid weather protection at a price that's tough to beat
Rating Categories Marmot PreCip Eco Pant Outdoor Research Fo... Outdoor Research He... Columbia Rebel Roamer Marmot PreCip Eco F...
Water Resistance (25%)
7.0
9.0
7.0
8.0
7.0
Comfort and Mobility (20%)
7.0
10.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
Breathability and Venting (20%)
6.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
7.0
Weight (15%)
9.0
8.0
10.0
7.0
7.0
Packed Size (10%)
7.0
9.0
10.0
8.0
6.0
Features (5%)
8.0
6.0
5.0
5.0
9.0
Durability (5%)
7.0
7.0
6.0
8.0
7.0
Specs Marmot PreCip Eco Pant Outdoor Research Fo... Outdoor Research He... Columbia Rebel Roamer Marmot PreCip Eco F...
Measured Weight 8.5 oz 10.2 oz 6.5 oz 12.5 oz 12 oz
Waterproof Fabric Material NanoPro Eco 2L Gore-Tex with PacLite Technology 2.5L Pertex Shield Diamond Fuse Omni-Tech Waterproof/Breathable NanoPro Eco
Face Fabric and Layer Construction 100% recycled nylon ripstop 100% polyester 50D 30D 100% nylon ripstop 70D 100% nylon 100% recycled nylon ripstop
Pockets 3 1 1 None 3
Side Zips Length 1/4 length 3/4 length 1/4 length ankle zips None Full length zide zips
Put On Over Hiking or Mountaineering Boots Yes Yes No No Yes
Stows Into Pocket Yes Yes Yes No No
Waistband Closure Elastic + shock cord Elastic + shock cord Elastic with drawcord Elastic + shock cord Elastic + shock cord

Our Analysis and Test Results

Marmot's venerable PreCip line of rain gear offers lightweight, budget-minded performance in a variety of forms. In this review, we test both this traditional format (1/4 cuff zips) and the fully separating Marmot PreCip Eco Full-Zip Pant. In most ways—and definitely the important ways—these pants are identical to one another. The fabric is the same, and thus the durability and weather protection are basically the same. The full-zip version vents better and is easier to get on and off. The zippers increase the circumference of the legs slightly, making them feel a little looser. This version has a slightly lower volume fit and is lighter, more compact, and less expensive.

Performance Comparison


These are solid waterproof pants for anyone on a budget, especially for those for whom weight and bulk are a big concern. Durability and breathability suffer when directly compared to the more expensive products, but for short exposures to wet weather, these things matter a lot less.

marmot precip eco pant rain pants review - the tried-and-true precip keeps seeing subtle improvements, and it...
The tried-and-true PreCip keeps seeing subtle improvements, and it remains tough to beat for its balance of performance for the price.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

Water Resistance


The PreCip Eco Pants use a 2.5L construction with Marmot's NanoPro Eco waterproof membrane. We found this proprietary membrane to last longer than most other models in its price range. It's recycled nylon face fabric boasted some of the best DWR in the test fleet, lasting longer and beading up water better than most other sub-$100 pants.

marmot precip eco pant rain pants review - with marmot's proprietary nanopro 2.5 layer fabric, this model...
With Marmot's proprietary NanoPro 2.5 layer fabric, this model offers above-average weather protection in the price range. All of our testers were impressed by the longevity of its DWR and ability to bead water.
Credit: Jediah Porter

The PreCip Eco provides overall solid weather protection, especially considering the price. Its lack of a front fly actually helps keep the moisture out, though if we forgot to zip the mesh-lined pockets, we got some water leakage. After extensive side-by-side testing when backpacking, our review team was impressed with the weather protection provided by these pants and found them to provide some of the best weather protection for the price.

marmot precip eco pant rain pants review - this model didn't offer anything special when it comes to mobility...
This model didn't offer anything special when it comes to mobility, but it offered enough freedom of movement to keep most backcountry users happy. Here it keeps Jed Porter dry with driving rain in South America.
Credit: Jediah Porter

Comfort and Mobility


The PreCip Eco is pretty average regarding mobility and freedom of movement. It offers enough to keep most outdoor enthusiasts happy, but if more mobility-based pursuits are your jam, you might be better off with a different model. The PreCip Eco doesn't offer any special articulation features, but its looser cut helps keep these pants from feeling restrictive.

marmot precip eco pant rain pants review - the precip allows for an average and acceptable range of mobility...
The PreCip allows for an average and acceptable range of mobility that works well for general activities like hiking and backpacking.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

Folks comparing these to the full-zip version should note two things. The first is this version (the non-full zip) runs slightly slimmer than the full-zip pant. And second, our testers preferred the waistband of this model because it lacks the velcro waist tabs of the full-zip pair, making it more comfortable, especially when wearing a pack.

marmot precip eco pant rain pants review - this pant is a bit slimmer fitting than its full-zip counterpart...
This pant is a bit slimmer fitting than its full-zip counterpart. All of our testers preferred the cut of this model over the full-zip.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

Lastly, this model's fabric is a little more clingy and clammy feeling than most, which can feel bad, especially when it's colder out and the material clings to bare legs. This is a non-factor if you're wearing long pants or pants beneath.

marmot precip eco pant rain pants review - showing this model's 1/4 length zipper fully open.
Showing this model's 1/4 length zipper fully open.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

Breathability and Venting


The NanoPro membrane was slightly more breathable than other pants in this price range, but notably less breathable than higher-end models. We found them fine for wearing for a few hours at a time here or there while hiking or backpacking, but if you want something you could potentially wear during aerobic activities, we might go with something else.

The PreCip Eco did fine for day hikes and mellow backpacking trips...
The PreCip Eco did fine for day hikes and mellow backpacking trips but isn't our first choice for truly aerobic activities.
While these pants only offered 1/4 length zippers, we could still...
While these pants only offered 1/4 length zippers, we could still pull them over most mid-volume footwear without having to take off our shoes.
It's possible to put these on without removing your shoes, which is a huge plus in an impromptu rainstorm.

If you are shopping for a rain pant as more of a just-in-case layer, this is plenty breathable to get you through that afternoon thunderstorm, as you'll likely be taking them off before you've managed to sweat them out.

Weight


Between 8 and 9 ounces, the PreCip pants are light enough to keep even the most diligent gram-counting thru-hiker happy. These pants are some of the lightest weight we've tested. For folks comparing both models of PreCip pants, we think most people should likely go with these because they are a little lighter and can still be pulled over most footwear compared with the full-zip version of the PreCip Eco.

Packed Size


These pants are compact enough to bring on pretty much any outdoor mission — even ones where weight and packed volume are of the utmost importance. They take up about as much space as a Nalgene.

marmot precip eco pant rain pants review - this model compresses down smaller than average, nearly disappearing...
This model compresses down smaller than average, nearly disappearing in your pack. It doesn't offer a stow pocket, but its tiny packed volume can be appreciated by anyone. It is shown here next to a 1-liter Nalgene bottle for size reference.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

Features


Given how light the PreCip pants are, they have an excellent set of pockets. There are a total of three mesh-lined pockets — two in the front and one in the rear. The 1/4 length lower leg zip allows the user to slip all but the bulkiest of mountaineering boots through, letting us put this pant on quickly without having to remove our shoes.

marmot precip eco pant rain pants review - the precip eco features 3 zippered pockets, a rear pocket (shown...
The PreCip Eco features 3 zippered pockets, a rear pocket (shown here), and two handwarmer pockets.
Credit: Jediah Porter

Durability


Tougher than our review team first gave them credit for, the PreCip Pants proved to be slightly above average for their abrasion and tear resistance. While it would be hard for us to call them "tough", they are plenty durable enough for most backpacking, hiking, or similar applications where you don't anticipate having to rub up against sharp objects very often. Even while hiking on two different week-long trips we hardly felt like we needed to treat them with any kind of special care compared to other models. We were also very pleased with the durability of the DWR coating, which held up quite well compared to similarly priced options.

marmot precip eco pant rain pants review - one of the undisputed best values in rain protection, the precip eco...
One of the undisputed best values in rain protection, the PreCip Eco offers great weather protection, minuscule weight, and a tiny packed volume for a great price. We think the level of performance provided is enough to keep the majority of folks happy.
Credit: Ian Nicholson

Should You Buy the Marmot PreCip Eco?


If you're looking for a just-in-case piece of weather protection, it's hard to go wrong with the Marmot PreCip Eco, especially for the price. Few (if any) models can match it for its low weight and packed size and affordable price tag. There are pants that will last longer and breathe better, but you'll pay more for them. These are a great balance of cost and performance for folks who may only need to use a rain pant once in a blue moon.

What Other Rain Pants Should You Consider?


Looking for a full-zip pant? Marmot offers a full zip version of the PreCip Eco for a few extra bucks. If you want the ultimate in lightweight, the Outdoor Research Helium Pant is that pant. They weigh even less than the PreCip and pack down smaller. And, if the Marmot PreCip is still outside your budget, check out the Columbia Rebel Roamer, an ultra-affordable pant with all-around decent performance.

Ian Nicholson
 
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