DESCRIPTION - The Whim Pants are a 4 oz ultra-lite wonder that offers wind and water protection plus great durability for the weight! Constructed of WispUltra, a 98% polyester/2% carbon fabric with a Super-DWR coating, these wind pants are highly breathable and pack small into the back pocket so there's never a reason to leave them behind.

Based on GoLite's description, both on their website and hangtag, I was under the impression that the Whim pants were being sold as emergency rain wear. As I have discovered since, the GoLite Whim pants are categorized as "Ultra-lite Wind Shells," for "insurance" against light rain, wind, and quick temperature drops. I will attempt to test the Whims under these conditions.

KEY FEATURES - WispUltra� 98% polyester/2% carbon fabric with Super-DWR finish   Ultra-lite, wind resistant, water repellent, breathable, packs small   Self-stowing   Flat braided drawcord at the waist.

COLORS - Night

AVAILABLE SIZES - (Unisex sizing) X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large, XX-Large

What my hiking partner noticed first was the large, white, GoLite logo on the front right. While I didn't mind it, his feeling was that it was like a billboard against the black material of the pants.

The outside appearance is a satin-black appearance, while the inside reminds me of shiny black-plastic bags.

As soon as the rain started I pulled my GoLite Whim pants out of my back pocket (they really do fit easily). Putting them on wasn't as easy as I had hoped, the opening in the pants leg wasn't large enough to fit over my hiking boots, requiring the removal of my boots. I must say, though, that they fit well over my hiking pants, not causing the legs to ride up, or making it feel as if I had two pairs of pants on.

Once I had the Whims on I was ready for the testing to begin. Sure enough, I had plenty of opportunity to see how well they would work as it rained the entire day. I was impressed at how dry I felt, with two layers of pants on I wasn't feeling a heat or moisture build up. By the end of the day my GORE-TEX rain jacket was letting a little moisture through, but my hiking pants were nicely dry.

Taking the Whim pants off was similar to getting them on: untying the drawcord was easy, but I had to remove my shoes in order to take the pants off. This is the most annoying feature, with the heavy rain my socks and shoes became wet during the changeover.

Additionally, having a pair of these in my pocket at a ballgame would be a fantastic way to be prepared for when a shower interrupts the viewing (but not the game). I have been caught in more than my fair share of baseball games when a storm comes along, and our stadium doesn't have many places where you can get out of the rain.

What I would be most concerned with, and would pay the most attention to, is:

• QUALITY: Tightness of the seams, without bunching. Water repellency at the seams -- do the seams need to be sealed?
• FIT: In addition to just plain fitting, how will they fit as an outer layer? I certainly don't want to get undressed just to change pants when a shower strikes. Also, will the legs go on over a pair of hiking boots, or will I need to remove the boots before I put on the GoLite Whims? Again, this is in the event of an emergency storm where every moment counts.
• COMFORT: When worn as regular hiking pants, on days when it is raining before I even start out, how does the nylon feel against the skin -- does it stick? When worn on the outside, over another pair of pants in an emergency situation, will they wind up being to hot? Too tight? Another thing that concerns me, with regards to comfort, is that they are only available in black -- will they be too hot in the summer, especially with the sun beating down?
• ENDURANCE: I know the GoLite Whims are made to be packed (even in a back pocket), but how well will they hold up to being crumpled and removed? Will it affect the water-resistance? Are they capable of holding up to jagged bushes, and still retain their water-shedding abilities? Will the drawcord at the waist begin to fray before the end of the test period? I've found that drawcords have the tendency to break, or to not hold their place during heavy exercise (such as climbing a steep trail).