I originally started with a rain skirt/kilt and rain gaiters. They breath really well and kept me dry is some pretty hard rain on the Appalachian Trail.
It rains a lot on the AT. I paired them with waterproof hiking shoes/trail runners. I find my feet adjust to them, but your experience may be different.
I also tried Frogg Toggs rain pants I got from a hiker box. They tend to rip out. I’ve had DWR treated pants but never put them to the test.
Eventually I switched to full zip Eastern Mountain Sports rain pants. I wore them with my Packa. Thunderhead pants. I could unzip them from the top or the bottom and they are tough enough to handle rough trail.
Fully waterproof. Surprisingly they weighed less than the gaiter/rain skirt combination.
The bottom cuff worked just like a rain gaiter when I let it splay out and I was pleased with them.
On the PCT I switched to Versalite rain pants. They are lighter and work well as wind pants too (many people on the PCT use wind pants as rain gear too. I use my rain pants for wind gear).
They worked well for the conditions I dealt with on the 1600 miles we did though they trade off toughness for being half the weight or less.
For the AT the EMS pants were close to perfect, though I met a lot of people who used a rain coat and nothing or just a rain skirt or nothing and dealt with wet legs and feet.
That wasn’t my preference.
For the Pacific Crest Trail there is a lot less rain and a lot more wind. I’ve found that I’m pleased with the switch, though I’ve kept the EMS pants for when I revisit those conditions.
Bottom line:
- Some people are happy with just a rain jacket and deal with wet legs and feet.
- Some use DWR treated pants. I’m not sure about that—REI can’t make up their minds whether or not hiking pants should be DWR.
- Some wear rain kilts or skirts. Those are light and ventilate well. Can be worn with or without rain gaiters.
- Some wear the cheapest rain pants out there until they fall apart. Rinse and repeat.
- Others use real waterproof rain pants. Full zip (can be unzipped top or bottom) work the best.
- Finally, some use lighter rain/wind pants. Versalite, Visp and other brands.
All have trade-offs and your final choice is a matter of your own taste and metrics.
Next. Probably gloves.
Or shorts.
There are a lot of gloves and mittens out there.