OMM Halo - should I or shouldn't I

Heltrekker

Section Hiker
I've just got a sniff of some womens OMM Halo waterproof trousers for only 64€ (£55). At 80g in my size, I'm sorely tempted, but I'm worried they're a bit flimsy. Before I splash out, anybody tried the Halo pants, if so, what are your thoughts?
 

Robin

Moderator
Staff member
I have a men’s pair. I’ve not used them in anger. I don’t think they would stand up to much abuse but I bought them for occasional use. I have other overtrousers like Berghaus paclites which are a bit more robust (although I wouldn’t go scrambling in them!). The Halos pack down really small. I’ll use them mainly for day hikes.
 

WilliamC

Thru Hiker
I've just got a sniff of some womens OMM Halo waterproof trousers for only 64€ (£55). At 80g in my size, I'm sorely tempted, but I'm worried they're a bit flimsy. Before I splash out, anybody tried the Halo pants, if so, what are your thoughts?
I have a pair but I've only worn them once. They don't feel as unsubstantial as there weight might imply. That said, I'd regard them as best used when you expect them to spend most of the time in your pack rather than for long days brushing through thorny scrub.
 

Back in Pack

Section Hiker
I too have a halo jacket and trousers. I use them as my summer rain gear or wind protection as they are very light and can be in my pack just in case. They are not so flimsy but I would not want to be out in a serious storm or out for hours in heavy rain/cold. And definitely no bushwhacking.
 

Robin

Moderator
Staff member
Any views on breathability? I wanted to use them yesterday but there were only a few spots of rain and the sunshine!
 

WilliamC

Thru Hiker
Any views on breathability? I wanted to use them yesterday but there were only a few spots of rain and the sunshine!
Not from me. They were only worn for an hour or two. I didn't notice any problem but I don't bother with waterproof trousers unless it's pretty cold, when I wouldn't be perspiring much anyway.
 

Back in Pack

Section Hiker
Any views on breathability? I wanted to use them yesterday but there were only a few spots of rain and the sunshine!

They are ok. ?! Had no issues hiking. But then I have only used them in shorter summer rain storms. They are not as breathable as my Goretex paclite jacket/trousers but then again only 1/3 weight. I think in sustained rain and significant exertion they would struggle.

I have used them more as wind shirt/pants when it cools down on top of the mountains. They stop the wind well for their weight.
 

Back in Pack

Section Hiker
I've just got a sniff of some womens OMM Halo waterproof trousers for only 64€ (£55). At 80g in my size, I'm sorely tempted, but I'm worried they're a bit flimsy. Before I splash out, anybody tried the Halo pants, if so, what are your thoughts?

That is a good price. I think for the weight/cost they are a very good option to have in your pack just in case
 

Heltrekker

Section Hiker
Sounding very promising - I have Berghaus Goretex trousers for cold and prolonged nasty weather, I want these for multi day summer hikes in the mountains for sudden downpours, so seems like a good buy and will knock over 100g off the base weight :)
 

Heltrekker

Section Hiker
A skirt would be lighter still, and more comfy (IME)...
...but then, I hate OTs
Not a fan of skirts - tried it once in a heavy rain shower, kept my bum nice and dry, but soaked my socks in less than 5 minutes where it was dripping on them and kept doing a Marilyn Monroe, made for an uncomfortable and squelchy finish to my day.
 
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tom

Thru Hiker
I've got a pair of the previous OMM model - ultrapants they were called I think. Looks, feel and weight are very similar to Halo but were sold as 'wind pants' back then. I've used them extensively for years (5+ ???) and still do, mostly:
- in winter for deep snow hikes or snowshoe treks over merino longjohns and hiking shorts (kept we warm and dry for long days)
- as overpants for down trousers in damp camps and for damp cold starts in the morning,
- countless miles shorter trips cycling in the rain,
- winter paddling more recently,
My older model is not "waterproof" (and not sold as) but certainly snow proof and they stop rain from wetting out my pants underneath. The material looks flimsy but no holes or tears so far (touch wood).

For rain hiking, I use my mld rainskirt. Unlike other rain skirt designs, the mld design has worked well in all storm condition (no mailyn monroe effect :() and I expect shoes and socks to get wet in any case. Occasionally wind trousers (these OMMs or As Tucas) go under the rain skirt in more extreme cold storm conditions (alpine) and the combi is vastly superior to any heavy waterproofs I ever used IMO.
I bought the current omm halo model last year for when the old ones eventually give up (since they are a essential part of my winter layering kit) but not tried them.
 

TinTin

Thru Hiker
I've got a pair of the previous OMM model - ultrapants they were called I think. Looks, feel and weight are very similar to Halo but were sold as 'wind pants' back then. I've used them extensively for years (5+ ???) and still do, mostly:
- in winter for deep snow hikes or snowshoe treks over merino longjohns and hiking shorts (kept we warm and dry for long days)
- as overpants for down trousers in damp camps and for damp cold starts in the morning,
- countless miles shorter trips cycling in the rain,
- winter paddling more recently,
My older model is not "waterproof" (and not sold as) but certainly snow proof and they stop rain from wetting out my pants underneath. The material looks flimsy but no holes or tears so far (touch wood).

For rain hiking, I use my mld rainskirt. Unlike other rain skirt designs, the mld design has worked well in all storm condition (no mailyn monroe effect :() and I expect shoes and socks to get wet in any case. Occasionally wind trousers (these OMMs or As Tucas) go under the rain skirt in more extreme cold storm conditions (alpine) and the combi is vastly superior to any heavy waterproofs I ever used IMO.
I bought the current omm halo model last year for when the old ones eventually give up (since they are a essential part of my winter layering kit) but not tried them.
Just ordered a pair from Sportsshes to make a complete system with my MYOG rain skirt. £65 delivered, size XL (using Trek-Lite discount code). I'll let you know what weight this size is when the arrive but will be much lighter than my OMM Kamleika pants at 247g.

https://www.sportsshoes.com/product/omm240/omm-halo-waterproof-running-pants-~-ss21/
 

Tartanferret

Thru Hiker
This can happen - I use a cuben one as the stiffer material negates it.

The Marilyn Monroe effect makes me feel special.....

Years ago I went on a trip with @ADz sporting a rain kilt, when the sun came out he whipped it off and I had to explain why I was laughing.
I Think he’s younger than the Buck’s Fizz euro song.
@Lempo will no doubt suggest he’s still making his mind up about rain kilts
 

ADz

Thru Hiker
Years ago I went on a trip with @ADz sporting a rain kilt, when the sun came out he whipped it off and I had to explain why I was laughing.
I Think he’s younger than the Buck’s Fizz euro song.
@Lempo will no doubt suggest he’s still making his mind up about rain kilts

Still got that MLD prototype somewhere. Got a new 3F one now though so you can take the p1ss again on our next trip :D
 

Odd Man

Thru Hiker
Years ago I went on a trip with @ADz sporting a rain kilt, when the sun came out he whipped it off and I had to explain why I was laughing.
I Think he’s younger than the Buck’s Fizz euro song.
@Lempo will no doubt suggest he’s still making his mind up about rain kilts

You're clearly so invested in this that you're even Talking in your sleep about it...

:oops::hilarious:

IGMC
 

tom

Thru Hiker
Years ago I went on a trip with @ADz sporting a rain kilt, when the sun came out he whipped it off and I had to explain why I was laughing.
I Think he’s younger than the Buck’s Fizz euro song.
@Lempo will no doubt suggest he’s still making his mind up about rain kilts

No MM effect but mld rain skirts are quite transparent...:rolleyes: (some people wear them while laudering their shorts in camp...;))
 
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