How do commuter pants handle rain compared to dedicated rain pants?

Commuter pants with DWR coating shed light rain and road spray for 15-30 minutes before wetting through. They're fine for drizzle and brief showers. For sustained rain, you need dedicated waterproof rain pants worn over your commuter pants. Rain pants have sealed seams, waterproof membranes, and full coverage that commuter pants can't match. The best approach for wet-climate commuters is to own both and add rain pants when the forecast demands it.