Best Hiking Pants of 2025
ByMultiple Authors
Updated:
Jul 24, 2025Table of contents
Patagonia Quandary ($99)
Arc'teryx Gamma ($200)
REI Co-op Trailmade ($70)
Outdoor Research Ferrosi ($99)
Kuhl Renegade Recon ($99)
Patagonia Quandary ($99)
Fjallraven Vidda Pro Ventilated ($180)
Outdoor Research Cirque Lite ($139)
REI Co-op Sahara Convertible ($90)
Patagonia’s all-rounder hiking pants, the Quandary are light and breathable enough for summer use, surprisingly durable for their weight, and have styling that crosses over to daily wear and travel. They come up short in stretchiness and mobility but are otherwise a quality choice.
Patagonia’s all-rounder hiking pants, the Quandary are light and breathable enough for summer use, surprisingly durable for their weight, and have styling that crosses over to daily wear and travel. They come up short in stretchiness and mobility but are otherwise a quality choice.
Comfort & Mobility
Durability
Breathability
Weather Resistance
Features
Sustainability
Category
Lightweight
Materials
96% nylon, 4% spandex
Weight
11.2 oz.
Waist
Button/fly & drawcord
Pros
Cons
For good reason, Patagonia’s Quandary has been a mainstay in the brand’s lineup. The pant is one of our favorites for on-trail use in warm temps: Its moderately thin build won’t weigh you down or cause you to overheat (provided you skip the darker color options), and the features are nicely sorted. A case in point: We typically are annoyed with an internal drawcord for adjusting the fit—it gets in the way, is hard to access when wearing a pack, and can cause uncomfortable bunching next to the skin—but Patagonia added a second set of holes on the outside of the waistband for the option to feed the drawcord on the outside, eliminating all our complaints. This simple problem-solving is evident elsewhere, with a minimalist button and fabric loop for rolling up the pant legs and a handy zippered thigh pocket for storing a phone or small items.
Like many hiking pant models, the Patagonia Quandary is offered in a healthy range of colors and two inseam lengths for both men and women (regular and short). That said, we’d like to see a “long” length offered, too, as the inseams max out at 30 inches for women and 32 inches for men. Another limitation in the design is its relatively stiff fabric, which is a world away in terms of stretchiness from popular alternatives like the Prana Stretch Zion, Outdoor Research Ferrosi, and Patagonia’s own Terravia Trail. We’ve found the fabric binds up and can feel restrictive while scrambling or high-stepping on the trail. Simply put, this is no climbing pant.
Provided you stick to average trails, the Quandary is more than capable. Its high-quality fabric is still in great shape on our pair after a summer’s worth of hiking and backpacking, and there are no signs of pilling or fraying at any of the seams. To cap it off, the Quandary’s simple styling and thoughtful pocket layout—which includes two front hand pockets, two back pockets, and a right-thigh pocket—make it equally effective as a travel pant or for casual daily wear. For $99, it adds up to an excellent all-around value. For more, read our in-depth review of the Patagonia Quandary.
Built for climbers and adopted by hikers and backpackers looking for a durable and protective pant for alpine environments, the Gamma is about as premium as it gets. The fit is exceptional, and all the details are thoughtfully sorted. Warmth and price should be your only hesitations.
Built for climbers and adopted by hikers and backpackers looking for a durable and protective pant for alpine environments, the Gamma is about as premium as it gets. The fit is exceptional, and all the details are thoughtfully sorted. Warmth and price should be your only hesitations.
Comfort & Mobility
Durability
Breathability
Weather Resistance
Features
Sustainability
Category
Midweight
Materials
88% nylon, 12% elastane
Weight
13.4 oz.
Waist
Snap/fly & built-in belt
Pros
Cons
Arc'teryx is known for making some of the highest-performance outdoor gear on the market, and the Gamma is no exception. These midweight softshell pants are built for alpine hiking and climbing but are so svelte and well-fitting (a far cry from the more frumpy or boxy designs typical of the market) that you’ll probably want to wear them for casual travel, too. After wearing them daily for a month-long trip to the Lofoten Islands, our tester confidently stated that they’re hands down the best pants he’s ever owned.
The Arc'teryx Gamma’s subtle stretch is one of its main highlights. The fabric feels substantial yet offers just the right amount of give: Wearing these pants, we can easily get into a deep squat, throw a super high heel hook, or go into a full pigeon pose at an impromptu yoga class. And it does it all while feeling quiet and smooth, with none of the swishy noises we associate with a nylon pant. The Gamma also effectively beads up moisture and dries quickly (something our tester was able to experience after soaking his pants in a two-hour downpour), and the pant has a decently wide temperature range (we’ve managed everything from 45˚ and raining to 70˚ and sunny). It is on the warm side compared to many popular models, making it best suited for cooler climates, shoulder seasons, or summers spent in the alpine.
You’ll pay a pretty penny for the Gamma, but it’s a pant that’s built to last. After weeks of use in rugged conditions, our pair shows no signs of wear in the usual high-stress areas like the knees or seat. And the level of function is a big step up from simple hiking pants: The cinchable cuffs are great for keeping the fabric out of the way of your feet (or pulling the pants up to your calves on a hot day), the sleek built-in waist cinch eliminates the need for a belt, and the three zippered pockets mean you won’t worry about dropping your phone when bending over (note: there aren’t back pockets, which does slightly diminish its travel and everyday appeal). All told, if you’re willing to fork over the $200, the Gamma won’t disappoint. For more, read our in-depth Arc'teryx Gamma Pant review.
The Trailmade’s low price isn’t its only strong suit—it’s also stylish, lightweight, and available in an impressive range of sizes. The result is one of our favorite pants for warm-weather hiking. However, the waistband is nothing to write home about, and the thin nylon doesn’t hold up to heavy use.
The Trailmade’s low price isn’t its only strong suit—it’s also stylish, lightweight, and available in an impressive range of sizes. The result is one of our favorite pants for warm-weather hiking. However, the waistband is nothing to write home about, and the thin nylon doesn’t hold up to heavy use.
Comfort & Mobility
Durability
Breathability
Weather Resistance
Features
Sustainability
Category
Lightweight
Materials
96% nylon, 4% spandex
Weight
11.6 oz.
Waist
Button/fly & drawcord
Pros
Cons
REI Co-op’s Trailmade collection is home to some of their lowest-cost products, including the Trailmade pant here. For just $70—considerably less than most hiking pants—the Trailmade surprised us with its great fit, functional features, and do-all personality. Members of our staff team wear it for everything from day hiking and backpacking to rock climbing. One of the pant’s highlights is its thigh pocket, which easily fits a phone and closes with a solid-feeling zipper—a surprising rarity among hiking pants. And the Trailmade features a nice amount of flair for its price point, including fun colorways, contrasting zippers, and a playful rainbow zipper pull and key hook.
The REI Trailmade is built with thin nylon, which makes it a fitting choice for summer hiking. In cooler temperatures, you can layer a pair of long johns underneath; otherwise, you might want to opt for a thicker pant that can provide more warmth. The thin fabric also contributes to some durability issues: We had to mend an eight-inch rip that formed along our pant’s rear seam after about a year of hard use.
The Trailmade’s waistband is about what you’d expect for a pant of this price—a simple button-and-fly closure with an internal drawstring—but it’s minimal enough that we haven’t found it to be an annoyance under a harness or hipbelt. Of course, an elastic waistband is much easier to pull on and off, and a built-in webbing belt is the more premium design (the Trailmade also comes in a “Pull-On” version for women and a “Jogger” version for men, both of which feature a stretchy elastic waistband). Finally, like most of REI’s products, the Trailmade comes in a massive range of sizes and three inseam lengths for both men and women, so most folks should be able to find a decent fit. All told, if you’re looking for an affordable, summer-weight hiking pant that scores points for both function and form, put the Trailmade at the top of your list. For more, read our in-depth review of the REI Co-op Trailmade.
The Ferrosi is a mainstay on the trail thanks to its comfortable, stretchy construction, do-all personality, and great temperature range. Just don’t expect a super premium build quality.
The Ferrosi is a mainstay on the trail thanks to its comfortable, stretchy construction, do-all personality, and great temperature range. Just don’t expect a super premium build quality.
Comfort & Mobility
Durability
Breathability
Weather Resistance
Features
Sustainability
Category
Light/midweight
Materials
86% nylon, 14% spandex
Weight
13.1 oz.
Waist
Button/fly & drawcord
Pros
Cons
We put some miles on Outdoor Research’s legendary Ferrosi during our testing: almost 3,000, to be exact. Our tester, Alex, wore these pants while backpacking the entirety of the Continental Divide Trail and praised them as a versatile pant for all sorts of conditions and activities. Their stretchy personality (thanks to 14% spandex) translates to a high freedom of movement for everything from climbing to hiking and camp chores. And while the middle-of-the-road fabric weight isn’t ideal for the hottest days (when Alex swapped out the pants for shorts), its emphasis on breathability offers a large range for most temperatures under about 70 degrees. Our tester did note that none of the pockets felt particularly useful—the hand pockets were high and tight, and the two zip pockets were on the small side for his phone.
In terms of durability, the Outdoor Research Ferrosi don’t quite hit a home run. Their soft fabric means they can snag more easily on thorns and branches; in general, they feel a lot less bombproof than pants that use a hardshell-like nylon like the Arc’teryx Gamma or Outdoor Research Cirque Lite. But the Ferrosi’s material has improved in recent years, and the current version no longer pills like we experienced in previous models. All that said, compared to the premium build quality of brands like Arc’teryx and Fjallraven, Outdoor Research’s products are a noticeable step down, with loose threads, cheap toggles and drawcords, and less refined silhouettes.
Size-wise, the Ferrosi pants run a bit large (our pair ran a little long), but given that they’re available in 11 sizes and 4 inseam lengths (3 lengths for women), most folks should find a good fit. Moreover, drawcord cuff adjustments at the hem allow you to cinch the pants up at the ankle if that’s the look you’re going for—we use this feature a lot while rock climbing to keep the extra fabric out of the way of our feet. We wish that OR had opted for a built-in belt, but at least the Ferrosi has a drawstring to cinch up the waist. All told, the Ferrosi is a highly mobile and breathable pant for a reasonable price, as long as you’re not looking for the height of trail fashion or top-of-the-line build quality. For more, read our Outdoor Research Ferrosi review.
The men’s Renegade sits at the top of Kuhl’s lineup as a technical, all-around hiking pant, great for warm-weather hiking. Like most of Kuhl’s products, it looks great around town, too. We do wish the Renegade had more zippered storage and an integrated belt at the waist.
The men’s Renegade sits at the top of Kuhl’s lineup as a technical, all-around hiking pant, great for warm-weather hiking. Like most of Kuhl’s products, it looks great around town, too. We do wish the Renegade had more zippered storage and an integrated belt at the waist.
Comfort & Mobility
Durability
Breathability
Weather Resistance
Features
Sustainability
Category
Light/midweight
Materials
95% nylon, 5% spandex
Weight
12 oz.
Waist
Button/fly
Pros
Cons
Kuhl has made a name for itself with its hiking pants: They’re decently high quality, come in a range of styles and sizes, and are attractive enough to play double duty both on the trail and in town. The Renegade Recon is Kuhl’s most technical hiking pant, built with a stretchy nylon material that’s lightweight, moisture-wicking, and durable.
Performance-wise, the Kuhl Renegade Recon falls in a camp similar to hiking pants like the Outdoor Research Ferrosi and Patagonia Quandary. But what sets the Renegade apart is its versatility for both frontcountry and backcountry use. Our tester, Mikhail, lives in New York City and noted that the pants can pair with a button-up shirt for a night on the town or get the job done on a multi-day backpacking trip—whatever your adventure needs dictate. And while the Renegade Recon has no shortage of pockets (including two front hand pockets, two back pockets, and two drop-in pockets that stealthily accommodate a cell phone), it’s light on zippered storage, which we find helpful for securing valuables. In addition, we wish the waist was more featured than its simple button-and-fly closure (if you want to customize the fit, you’ll need to add a belt).
The Renegade’s stretchiness is a big win, too. An elite boulderer, Mikhail loves to wear these pants while climbing—their flexibility allows him to throw his heel up close to his head without restriction. What’s more, the relatively thin material makes a great pairing for warm-weather hiking—the pants are airy, moisture-wicking, and quick to dry. The Renegade Recon here has a tapered leg (the standard Renegade has the more classic leg shape), but climbers might also want to consider the Renegade Rock, which offers a more tapered fit, climbing-specific pocket layout, and hem cinches to keep the pant legs out of the way of your climbing shoes. For more, read our review of the Kuhl Renegade Recon.
Part work pant, part hiking pant, the Vidda Pro Ventilated will appeal to trail-goers and campers who value generous storage, durable materials, and features on features. Thigh vents help balance out this heavyweight pant, but we still don’t recommend it for summer use or fast-and-light travel.
Part work pant, part hiking pant, the Vidda Pro Ventilated will appeal to trail-goers and campers who value generous storage, durable materials, and features on features. Thigh vents help balance out this heavyweight pant, but we still don’t recommend it for summer use or fast-and-light travel.
Comfort & Mobility
Durability
Breathability
Weather Resistance
Features
Sustainability
Category
Heavyweight
Materials
65% polyester, 35% cotton
Weight
1 lb. 3.4 oz.
Waist
Button/fly
Pros
Cons
Sweden-based Fjallraven is known for its durable, stylish apparel that toes the line between town and trail, and the Vidda Pro Ventilated is one of its fan-favorite hiking pant designs. The Vidda Pro Ventilated is a departure from a standard lightweight hiking pant in several ways: It’s built with Fjallraven’s flagship cotton/polyester blend (dubbed G-1000) impregnated with wax for water resistance, is fairly stiff and wildly durable, and features thigh vents, which we rarely see in hiking pants. It also has several features that put it more in the “work pant” than “hiking pant” category, including knee-pad slots, a knife holder, and an axe loop at the waist. Added up, it’s a functional pant for the backcountry—particularly for hunters, fishers, campers, and survivalists—just as long as you know what you’re getting.
Our tester, Jude, loved the functionality of the Vidda Pro Ventilated, noting the impressive assortment of pockets (“pockets in pockets; pockets on pockets”). As someone who runs hot, he also appreciated the side zips, which he used every time he wore the pants. And in terms of durability, the Vidda Pro is a slam dunk, with hardwearing materials, a reinforced seat and knees, and super high-quality construction. The pants run particularly hot (hot enough that you’ll need the thigh vents) and require rewaxing to keep the cotton/polyester blend water-resistant. For a lighter option for summer hiking, check out Fjallraven’s Vidda Pro Lite or Abisko series.
In terms of sizing, Fjallraven offers the men’s Vidda Pro Ventilated in 10 sizes and three inseam lengths (the women’s is available in eight sizes and three inseam lengths), and the pants feature a stretchy polyester crotch that keeps mobility high and allows the pants to accommodate a range of body types. You don’t get a built-in belt, so be prepared to BYOB. It’s worth mentioning that the pants’ sizing has changed in recent years—if you’ve owned a pair of Fjallraven pants before, you’ll probably want to size up for its “Improved fit.” For reference, our tester typically wears a size 36 or 38 in US sizing and was happy to have the Vidda Pro Ventilated in a size 40. For more, read our review of the Vidda Pro Ventilated.
Technically minded hikers will want to check out the Cirque Lite pants, which offer impressive durability and features for much less than the competition. The fit and finish aren’t as premium as what we see from Arc’teryx, and not everyone will want the scuff guards and lower leg zips.
Technically minded hikers will want to check out the Cirque Lite pants, which offer impressive durability and features for much less than the competition. The fit and finish aren’t as premium as what we see from Arc’teryx, and not everyone will want the scuff guards and lower leg zips.
Comfort & Mobility
Durability
Breathability
Weather Resistance
Features
Sustainability
Category
Midweight
Materials
88% nylon, 12% spandex
Weight
14.1 oz.
Waist
Button/fly & built-in belt
Pros
Cons
For hikers, climbers, and mountaineers looking for a reliable and high-performance pant, it’s worth putting the Outdoor Research Cirque Lite on your shortlist. These pants strike an impressive balance between durability, stretch, and weather resistance, making them an excellent option for varied, three-season conditions. In terms of features, the Cirque Lite’s scuff guards and lower leg zips stood out: Our tester used the leg zips to seal the cuffs over the top of his mountaineering boots (great for keeping out debris and snow), and the scuff guards provided a bumper against sharp crampon spikes. If it isn’t readily apparent, we’ll spell it out explicitly: The Cirque Lite is built for technical travel in mountain terrain.
Durability is a mixed bag with the OR Cirque Lite. The 90-denier fabric was impressively tear-resistant, holding up through miles of dense bushwhacking with only a small rip that didn’t expand further. However, the face fabric developed noticeable pilling over time; while not affecting performance, this does take away from the pant’s aesthetic appeal. We can’t say we’re surprised—while Outdoor Research’s offerings are generally high value, premium build quality and durability aren’t always their strong suits.
In addition to the features at the lower legs, the Cirque Lite has zippered front and thigh pockets for secure storage and a built-in belt. However, these features aren’t perfect: The thigh pocket is a bit too high for our liking; the belt has limited adjustability and its plastic buckle can be uncomfortable under a harness if not positioned correctly. All told, despite minor durability concerns and a few small gripes about the feature set, the Cirque Lite still offers great value for those headed to the high country. For more, read our Cirque Lite review.
If you’re looking for function and versatility, the Sahara Convertible delivers in spades with a design that easily converts from pants to shorts (no need to remove your boots!). Not everyone will like the extra bulk and faff, though, and we wish the side pockets were larger.
If you’re looking for function and versatility, the Sahara Convertible delivers in spades with a design that easily converts from pants to shorts (no need to remove your boots!). Not everyone will like the extra bulk and faff, though, and we wish the side pockets were larger.
Comfort & Mobility
Durability
Breathability
Weather Resistance
Features
Sustainability
Category
Light/midweight
Materials
96% nylon, 4% spandex
Weight
13.4 oz.
Waist
Button/fly & drawcord
Pros
Cons
Word on the street is that convertible pants are making a comeback, which is great news for the REI Co-op Sahara Convertible. This function-first hiking pant was convertible before convertible was cool again, featuring zip-off legs and vertical zippers that extend from the cuff past the knee. The result is pure convenience: Wear the whole pant in the chill of the morning, ventilate via the vertical zips once on the trail, and unzip the entire lower leg when the midday heat strikes. Thanks to the vertical zippers, you don’t even have to remove your boots to transition from pants to shorts (or back again).
We were impressed with the quality of the REI Sahara Convertible in our testing—all of the zippers operated smoothly, the fabric felt substantial and durable (a step up in thickness from the REI Trailmade), and the reinforced seams at the hem make us optimistic about the pant’s longevity. A gathered elastic waistband at the back helped the pants stay secure over the hips, but the Sahara’s fabric did grow baggy just a day into a four-day hike, which we’ve come to expect in budget pants. And while you do get six pockets (two at the front, two at the back, one on each side), only one has a zipper, and it was barely large enough for our iPhone 15 (we can only speak for the women’s pant, but the men’s cargo pocket is likely larger).
But we’ve gotta be honest here: Our tester Jenny wore the Sahara Convertible for two multi-day outings and then handed the pants off to her 75-year-old mother—the Sahara’s convertible components were just too bulky and onerous for her liking (she prefers to wear lightweight shorts while hiking in the heat). But her mother, on the other hand, has adopted the Sahara as her new favorite hiking pant (noticeably replacing the Prana Halle), taking it on summer day hikes in the North Cascades and a month-long trekking trip in Patagonia. She loves the ease of the zip-off legs and the one-pant-for-all-conditions versatility. For more details, see our REI Co-op Sahara Convertible review.
The lightest pant in the Gamma series, the SL blends the stretchy, weather-resistant performance of a softshell with a streamlined build tuned for mild mountain conditions. It’s an excellent choice for high-alpine travel in summer, but can feel overkill for warm, below-treeline outings.
The lightest pant in the Gamma series, the SL blends the stretchy, weather-resistant performance of a softshell with a streamlined build tuned for mild mountain conditions. It’s an excellent choice for high-alpine travel in summer, but can feel overkill for warm, below-treeline outings.
Comfort & Mobility
Durability
Breathability
Weather Resistance
Features
Sustainability
Category
Light/midweight
Materials
86% nylon, 14% elastane
Weight
9.3 oz.
Waist
Snap/fly & built-in belt
Pros
Cons
If you associate “softshell” with thick, winter-weight fabric, the Gamma SL will shift your expectations. By pairing a lightweight knit liner with a thin, weather-resistant face fabric, it delivers all the key benefits of a softshell—stretch, durability, next-to-skin comfort, wind and water resistance—in a summer-weight build. We’ve relied on these pants for nearly a decade of fair-weather alpine objectives, especially rock climbing, and continue to be impressed by their thoughtful design and performance.
One standout is the streamlined yet highly functional feature set: a low-profile built-in belt and three zippered pockets that strike a perfect balance between utility and minimalism. We’ve also found that the Arc'teryx Gamma SL outlasts most competitors—while other softshells tend to pill, sag, or lose their DWR over time, the Gamma holds its shape and structure impressively well.
That said, if you’re shopping for a featherweight hiking pant, the Gamma SL may not be your best bet. It’s lighter than most softshells, but warmer than true summer pants like the REI Co-op Trailmade or Black Diamond Alpine Light. On alpine approaches, we often hike in shorts and change into the Gamma SL at the base—testament to both its performance on rock and its limits in the heat. And if you want a little more pant, check out the standard Gamma. But for the conditions most hikers encounter in the high country—cool mornings, strong alpine sun, the odd sprinkle or afternoon winds—the Gamma SL is an ideal companion. For more, read our review of the Gamma SL.
Prana’s Stretch Zion is beloved for its stretchy, durable material, great fit, and complete feature set (although the women’s Halle is more disappointing feature-wise). It’s a great do-all pant for everything from hiking and climbing to everyday use but is a bit too thick to wear in warmer conditions.
Prana’s Stretch Zion is beloved for its stretchy, durable material, great fit, and complete feature set (although the women’s Halle is more disappointing feature-wise). It’s a great do-all pant for everything from hiking and climbing to everyday use but is a bit too thick to wear in warmer conditions.
Comfort & Mobility
Durability
Breathability
Weather Resistance
Features
Sustainability
Category
Midweight
Materials
97% nylon, 3% elastane
Waist
Button/fly & built-in belt
Pros
Cons
Prana’s Stretch Zion has been around the block and lived to tell the tale. The OG Stretch Zion material is again featured in this pant—Prana experimented with a different fabric blend (calling it the Stretch Zion II), but the tried-and-true favorite is back to stay. What folks love so much about this slightly stretchy material is its great fit (and ability to hold this fit throughout days of use between washings), soft feel, high-end freedom of movement, and durability. The Stretch Zion also offers a fair amount of assurance in bad weather: It packs in extra warmth compared to most midweight hiking pants (too much warmth, in fact, for warm-weather hiking) and doles out impressive water resistance.
The Prana Stretch Zion pants (and women’s Halle) are also easy to love, given their wide range of fit and style options. The standard men’s pant comes in 11 sizes and five inseam lengths, and the Stretch Zion franchise includes a convertible style, a straight-legged design, a more low-profile version popular among climbers (the Top-Out), joggers, shorts, carpenter pants, and more. If you were so inclined, you could build a whole wardrobe around the Stretch Zion material. Regarding sizing, our tester found that the Stretch Zion runs a little on the small side (note: he expressed he has larger thighs and calves), so you may want to size up if you’re on the fence and prefer a relaxed fit.
The Stretch Zion pant has more features than other options at its price point. The built-in webbing belt feels more high-end than pants with drawcord waist cinches, and you get a wide assortment of pockets. Our tester especially loved the dual zippers on the cargo pocket, which allowed easy access to the pocket’s contents, whether sitting or standing. And with snaps hidden in each leg, you can secure the rolled-up pant legs when the mercury rises. We will, however, use this as a soapbox to complain about the features of the women’s Halle, which features a cheaper drawstring cinch at the waist and doesn’t have a pocket large enough to accommodate a phone. In our opinion, these major oversights make the women’s model a lot less attractive than the men’s. For more, read our in-depth review of the Prana Stretch Zion.
Kuhl got a little wild with the Free Radikl, mixing panels of stretchy fabric along the outer and inner leg of an otherwise traditional outdoor pant. The panels boost breathability and the pant gets top marks in comfort, but the cotton-heavy build soaks up moisture and limits its technical appeal.
Kuhl got a little wild with the Free Radikl, mixing panels of stretchy fabric along the outer and inner leg of an otherwise traditional outdoor pant. The panels boost breathability and the pant gets top marks in comfort, but the cotton-heavy build soaks up moisture and limits its technical appeal.
Comfort & Mobility
Durability
Breathability
Weather Resistance
Features
Sustainability
Category
Light/midweight
Materials
Cotton, nylon, spandex
Weight
13 oz.
Waist
Button/fly
Pros
Cons
Kuhl’s Free Radikl men’s pants take a novel approach to balancing mobility, breathability, and trail toughness. The design utilizes two unique fabric types: The core material is a mix of cotton, nylon, and spandex, while thin and highly stretchy panels run along the outer and inner leg, below the knees, and just under the rear of the waistband. Without a doubt, the styling will be polarizing for some—the strips of stretchy material are a slightly darker shade than the rest of the pant and give off a modern techy vibe. But we quickly got over the aesthetic once we experienced the Free Radikl’s comfort. From the soft-touch and stretchy waistband to the trim fit that moves with you, it’s among the comfiest hiking pants we’ve tested. To top it off, the thin stretch panels give it better-than-expected breathability—we could actually feel air moving through the material, even without wind.
With cotton in the fabric blend, it’s readily apparent the Kuhl Free Radikl isn’t built for foul weather or big backcountry adventures. Its dry time can’t match that of a thin nylon pant, and we have concerns about the long-term durability of the stretchy panels (the material is thin enough to get holes while bushwacking or rubbing against rock). Where we think the Free Radikl excels is as an everyday outdoor pant—camping, day hiking, and basecamp-style adventures where you explore during the day and return to a frontcountry site. Unlike many of Kuhl’s designs, it’s a little polarizing for around-town use, but the quality is there, as is the fit: The Free Radikl’s athletic cut (Kuhl describes it accurately as “slim but not skinny leg”) works great with the stretchy and soft fabrics. For more, read our review of the Kuhl Free Radikl.
Fjall’s do-all pant for mild-weather hiking, the Keb Agile offers a nice mix of style, durability, and mobility. It’s too much pant for hot weather, but thigh vents help increase the temperature range. If you can stomach the price tag, these pants are built to last.
Fjall’s do-all pant for mild-weather hiking, the Keb Agile offers a nice mix of style, durability, and mobility. It’s too much pant for hot weather, but thigh vents help increase the temperature range. If you can stomach the price tag, these pants are built to last.
Comfort & Mobility
Durability
Breathability
Weather Resistance
Features
Sustainability
Category
Midweight
Materials
89% polyamide, 11% elastane
Weight
14.6 oz.
Waist
Button/fly
Pros
Cons
While Fjallraven’s Vidda Pro emphasizes durability and appeals to the hunting or bushcraft crowd, the Keb Agile is the brand’s more pointed hiking design. The pant is built with a lightweight stretch-woven material with cotton/polyester G-1000 Lite Stretch reinforcements, has two open hand pockets and two zippered thigh pockets, and features gusseted cuffs that zip open to fit over bulky hiking boots. It also incorporates inconspicuous zipper vents on the outer thigh to dump heat. All told, it has more features than you get with a simple hiking pant from Patagonia or Arc’teryx, but still manages to feel sleek and unhampered for fast movement on the trail.
Our tester loved the mobility of the Fjallraven Keb Agile, noting that its lightweight stretch fabric offered freedom of movement for everything from hiking to running, photography, and mountain biking. He cited minimal swampiness even in temperatures as high as the mid-70s. If bushwacking or sun exposure forces you to wear pants rather than shorts in these conditions, the vents are extra helpful in dumping heat. That said, with bulky features like scuff guards, cuff gussets, and G-1000 reinforcements, these aren’t our favorite pants for hot-weather hiking (if you’re looking for Fjall’s lightest-weight hiker, check out the Abisko series). That being said, not only will the Keb protect your legs, but it’ll live to tell the tale: Our tester is often enticed off-trail by wild salmonberry bushes, and his pants have garnered no snags or tears in the pursuit.
The elephant in the room is the Keb Agile’s style, which does an excellent job bucking the trend of the standard frumpy beige hiking pant. Our tester described them as “techy and cool,” and you can further hone your vibe with various colorways. The fit is trim and tapered, but our tester did note that the bulky cuffs with no elastic cinch limited the pants’ versatility for wear without shoes. And lastly, the other elephant is price, which is undeniably high. But for a beautifully built, functional hiking pant that offers style alongside performance and a long-lasting build, the Keb Agile could be well worth it for many. Fjallraven also makes the softshell Keb Agile Winter Trousers, or you can opt for the standard Keb Trousers for more durability and weather resistance. For more, read our Keb Agile review.
Though a climbing pant by design, the Chockstone Alpine Light is a wildly functional hiking pant for cooler weather. The above-average price is well-spent for the built-in belt and zippered pockets.
Though a climbing pant by design, the Chockstone Alpine Light is a wildly functional hiking pant for cooler weather. The above-average price is well-spent for the built-in belt and zippered pockets.
Comfort & Mobility
Durability
Breathability
Weather Resistance
Features
Sustainability
Category
Midweight
Materials
88% nylon, 12% elastane
Weight
1 lb. 1.1 oz.
Waist
Snap/fly & built-in belt
Pros
Cons
The Mountain Hardwear Chockstone Alpine Light was built with climbing in mind, but we’ve adopted it as one of our favorite hiking pants. With a midweight stretch-woven nylon and sleek design that includes three zippered pockets, a built-in belt, and cinches at the hems, it’s a step up in durability and features from most standard models. Our tester praised the Alpine Light’s mobility: Not only did he hike and climb in the pants, but he also wore them for a professional mountain biking photoshoot, which included squatting, sitting, running, biking, and kneeling on rocks. The pants never hindered his movement.
One cool (although potentially climbing-specific) feature on the Chockstone Alpine Light is the tether inside the zippered thigh pocket, which allows you to secure a phone bungee (or other gear) to mitigate drops while snapping a photo or consulting your map. Mountain Hardwear also added simple yet well-executed cuff cinches to help keep the pant leg out of the way of your feet (a great feature when you’re wearing flip-flops at après, too). Finally, the built-in belt is a big step up from a drawcord waistband or a simple button-and-fly closure.
In terms of fabric weight, the Chockstone Alpine Light is a double-weave softshell, which translates to more warmth and wind resistance than your average lightweight hiking pant. We wouldn’t want to press them in temperatures much warmer than about 60 degrees, but their extra thickness is a boon around camp at night. Our tester found the fit to be more regular than trim, which he welcomed in comparison to the slimmer Fjallraven Keb Agile Trousers. For more, read our Chockstone Alpine Light review.
Disregard the name—Eddie Bauer’s Guide Pro is for everyone, professionals and amateurs alike. It’s a functional, no-frills pant for an affordable price. However, the Guide Pro isn’t as stretchy as competitors, runs warm, and has no way to cinch up the waist.
Disregard the name—Eddie Bauer’s Guide Pro is for everyone, professionals and amateurs alike. It’s a functional, no-frills pant for an affordable price. However, the Guide Pro isn’t as stretchy as competitors, runs warm, and has no way to cinch up the waist.
Comfort & Mobility
Durability
Breathability
Weather Resistance
Features
Sustainability
Category
Midweight
Materials
Nylon, spandex
Waist
Button/fly
Pros
Cons
Don’t let the name dissuade you—you don’t have to be a guide to wear these pants. Whether you’re a casual day hiker or a dedicated backpacker, the Guide Pro is a durable yet well-priced pant that’s high on function. Its design follows the formula of many climbing or alpine-oriented models, with a robust two-way stretch fabric with DWR, athletic fit, and a simple pocket layout that includes two open hand pockets and two zippered pockets—one on each thigh.
Despite the added stretch, our tester found the material to be on the stiff side, which created some extra tightness and restriction around her hips while scrambling. The fabric’s bulk also adds some warmth and detracts from breathability, making us hesitate to recommend the Guide Pro for temperatures over about 60 degrees. But the benefit of this substantial material is durability—our tester’s pant has held up well to sharp rocks and scratchy foliage throughout several multi-day trips. Tack on reinforced stitching on the pockets, and the pants offer great value with impressive longevity for the price.
It’s important to consider what vibe you’re going for before you spring for the Guide Pro. For those looking for a technical hiking pant with shades of “climber,” it’s a wonderful option that won’t cost you much more than a standard hiking pant. On the other hand, you could go for the more casual, café-to-trail vibe with a pant like the Prana Stretch Zion or Kuhl Free Radikl, which are more laid-back thanks to softer, less “swishy” fabrics and gentler colorways. Just keep in mind that you don’t get quite the same no-frills performance with the latter category; by contrast, the Guide Pro keeps a low weight, is more wind- and water-resistant, and is quick to dry. For more, read the Guide Pro review.
The Silver Ridge is the cheapest pant on our list and cannot hide its budget look, feel, and build quality. On a positive note, it does great in the heat and is a classic choice for travel, but we’d steer clear of the pant for anything but limited, casual outdoor use.
The Silver Ridge is the cheapest pant on our list and cannot hide its budget look, feel, and build quality. On a positive note, it does great in the heat and is a classic choice for travel, but we’d steer clear of the pant for anything but limited, casual outdoor use.
Comfort & Mobility
Durability
Breathability
Weather Resistance
Features
Sustainability
Category
Lightweight
Materials
Polyester
Weight
9 oz.
Waist
Button/fly & included belt
Pros
Cons
The Silver Ridge pant has been around for seemingly forever, with a few updates over the years. Gone are the days of the baggy fit—the Silver Ridge is now more of a loose/regular cut—but otherwise, it’s the same formula of lightweight fabrics, generous storage, and a low price. On the topic of price, the Silver Ridge’s $60 MSRP is the lowest on our list ($10 less than the REI Trailmade), and without fail, they can be found even further discounted all year round. All told, this hiking pant offers undeniable value at roughly half the price of most other models on the market.
Within the context of its affordable price tag, there are some things to like about the Silver Ridge. Its thin polyester fabric breathes and dries exceptionally well—there’s even mesh in the hand pockets to help keep you cool—while offering good sun protection with a UPF 50 rating. For storage, there are six pockets, including a pocket on each thigh, making it easy to distribute small items you may want close at hand. As an adventure travel pant for warm environments, the Silver Ridge is a classic choice.
Not to bury the lede, but it’s time to address why the Silver Ridge is our lowest-scoring pant by a pretty good margin. The core of the problem is the general cheapness of the build: The pant’s polyester fabric doesn’t have any stretch, nor does it hold up to rough use on the trail. In addition, the fit is very generic and lacks any shape, and the waistband is thin and a little abrasive. Don’t get us wrong—the Silver Ridge is a fine option for travel and summertime hiking for folks looking to save, but its low performance across most metrics—outside of breathability—drops it to the bottom of our pants guide.
The Alpine Light offers a Goldilocks combination of fabric weight and stretch for fair-weather hikers. However, the pant lacks a refined finish, and the material is not particularly durable. For the price, it’s not a long-lasting option.
The Alpine Light offers a Goldilocks combination of fabric weight and stretch for fair-weather hikers. However, the pant lacks a refined finish, and the material is not particularly durable. For the price, it’s not a long-lasting option.
Comfort & Mobility
Durability
Breathability
Weather Resistance
Features
Sustainability
Category
Light/midweight
Materials
85% nylon, 15% elastane
Weight
10.2 oz.
Waist
Snap/fly & built-in belt
Pros
Cons
If you’re looking for a stretchy, comfortable, and lightweight alpine pant, the Black Diamond Alpine Light delivers. We took the Alpine Light on an expedition in the Waddington Range of British Columbia, where it proved to be a functional—albeit not so durable—companion. The four-way stretch fabric provided exceptional mobility across a range of activities, and the DWR was initially very effective at beading up moisture during summer snow travel and unexpected alpine rain (although after a good bit of use, fabric abrasion, and laundering, it’s lost its effectiveness). As a welcome addition, the fabric was tightly woven enough to resist mosquito bites.
Black Diamond products have typically underwhelmed us in terms of durability and build quality, and the Alpine Light was no exception. Although we love the integrated belt, it has a frustrating tendency to develop a half twist, requiring occasional adjustments. It’s also bulkier than Arc’teryx’s built-in belt on the Gamma pants, resulting in a greater chance of pinching under a hipbelt or harness. The pockets are also fairly disappointing—the two hand pockets and rear pocket don’t include zippers, which renders them all but useless for storage. Finally, by day three of the expedition, our tester’s pair of Alpine Light pants had developed a small hole, which expanded to an eight-inch tear a week into the trip.
We’ve also worn the women’s Alpine Light pant, which charts a different course with a yoga-style elastic waistband and markedly tapered legs. Our tester liked the comfort and ease of the simple waistband, but the elastic did not hold up well, developing holes in the stitching on each hip. We wish Black Diamond would put a little more effort into their construction because, in general, their designs really suit our liking. As it is, the Alpine Light is a fun pant but offers disappointing quality for the price; there are much better made, longer lasting, and more affordable options to consider. For more, read our Alpine Light review.
The Incline is a function-first mountain pant for a very reasonable price. Its four zip pockets are a highlight, but unfortunately, the Rab’s waistband lacks a belt and is finicky to secure.
The Incline is a function-first mountain pant for a very reasonable price. Its four zip pockets are a highlight, but unfortunately, the Rab’s waistband lacks a belt and is finicky to secure.
Comfort & Mobility
Durability
Breathability
Weather Resistance
Features
Sustainability
Category
Light/midweight
Materials
88% polyamide, 12% elastane
Weight
12 oz.
Waist
Snap/fly
Pros
Cons
Hiking pants don’t need to be complicated, and the Rab Incline is a case in point. These lightweight alpine pants are intended to offer no-holds-barred function for everything from hiking in mountainous environments to alpine and rock climbing. They don’t have any exciting features or come in particularly fun colorways, but they’re relatively affordable, fit well, and offer high performance for trying conditions.
We took the Rab Incline on an early summer backpacking trip to Washington State’s Enchantments, where we were battered by snow, wind, and rain (and some sun) for four days straight. The Incline was the perfect companion: The stretchy material offered restriction-free movement while high-stepping up boulders and setting up camp; it cut the wind, beaded up moisture, and was quick to dry; and accommodated a range of conditions that included 70 degrees and sunny and 30 degrees and snowing (our tester had room to fit her long johns underneath, too).
Unfortunately, the Incline lacks a built-in belt or drawcord at the waist, which means you’ll need to fashion your own belt—an unfortunate omission for such a functional pant. To make matters worse, the two snaps at the waist require some effort to secure. Our tester appreciated the tethered drawcord at the ankle—this allows you to seal the pants around the top of a boot or keep them off your feet when wearing sandals—and praised the four zippered pockets for their function. This was a welcome treat compared to many pants, which just have one zippered pocket. All told, Rab’s products often hit a high mark for value given their reasonable price points and impressive performance and build quality, and the Incline is no exception. For more, read our review of the Rab Incline.
Patagonia’s all-rounder hiking pants, the Quandary are light and breathable enough for summer use, surprisingly durable for their weight, and have styling that crosses over to daily wear and travel. They come up short in stretchiness and mobility but are otherwise a quality choice.
Comfort & Mobility
Durability
Breathability
Weather Resistance
Features
Sustainability
Built for climbers and adopted by hikers and backpackers looking for a durable and protective pant for alpine environments, the Gamma is about as premium as it gets. The fit is exceptional, and all the details are thoughtfully sorted. Warmth and price should be your only hesitations.
Comfort & Mobility
Durability
Breathability
Weather Resistance
Features
Sustainability
The Trailmade’s low price isn’t its only strong suit—it’s also stylish, lightweight, and available in an impressive range of sizes. The result is one of our favorite pants for warm-weather hiking. However, the waistband is nothing to write home about, and the thin nylon doesn’t hold up to heavy use.
Comfort & Mobility
Durability
Breathability
Weather Resistance
Features
Sustainability
Patagonia Terravia Trail ($129): A Step Up from the Quandary
Only available in a men’s version, the Terravia Trail is a step up from Patagonia’s Quandary. The Terravia Trail has a significantly stretchier build and much more functional storage, which includes five zippered pockets. The pant also has a partially elastic waistband and cuffs that expand over a bulky boot via sleek zippers. All told, it’s the more functional pant for performance-minded hikers, particularly those who plan to pair their hiking pants with a bulky hiking or mountaineering boot.
Patagonia Terrebonne Joggers ($99): An Easy Breezy Favorite
If you’re pretty casual about your hiking or want a particularly lightweight pant, check out Patagonia’s Terrebonne Joggers. The material is the true highlight of these pants: They’re incredibly lightweight (just 6 oz.), breathable, and stretchy. You don’t get much in the way of pockets (two hand pockets plus a zip pocket), and a simple elastic and drawstring waistband and cuffs round out the feature set. For warm-weather hiking, traveling, and even running, the Terrebonne Joggers are well worth a closer look. Just be aware that their durability falls short of a more traditional hiking design.
Fjallraven Abisko Trail Stretch ($175): Fjall’s Lightweight Hiking Pant
Fjall’s Vidda and Keb series offer high performance for serious trail goers and are an impressive showcase for the brand’s trademark G-1000 fabric. But if you’re looking for Fjall’s simplest synthetic hiking pant, it’s the Abisko Trail. The Abisko Trail features the same high-end build quality as Fjall’s other hiking pants but tones down the Scandinavian style and drops the burly G-1000 material. The result is a stretch-woven pant similar to the likes of the Outdoor Research Ferrosi but with more attention to detail. The “lightweight trekking” Abisko pant series also includes the Lite Trekking, Hike, and Midsummer variations.
Our overall rating takes the product’s full picture into account: price, build quality, performance (based on intended use), durability, sustainability, and more. On the high end of the rating scale are standout hiking pants that put it all together better than most, whether they’re the crème de la crème (like the Arc'teryx Gamma) or budget designs that offer a savvy combination of price and performance (the REI Co-op Trailmade, for example). If you ask us, most hikers should be aiming to purchase a pant with an above-average overall rating (4 or higher)—there’s simply little reason not to. That said, hiking pants with lower overall ratings are still notable enough to have made our list; for various reasons, these might be of interest to hikers with specific design preferences or those who get out only a few times a year.
A hiking pant’s comfort is a function of how its materials feel next to the skin and how easily they move with your body. Much of this comes down to how much stretch the material contains, although its quality, thickness, and durability also come into play, in addition to the pant’s fit. We generally don’t recommend pants that score low in comfort and mobility, although the silver lining (and why many might still opt in this direction) is impressive weather resistance and durability. Pants with average comfort and mobility ratings often offer a nice balance between wearability and durability/weather protection. And for no-holds-barred freedom of movement, opt for a pant at the high end of our comfort scale; just keep in mind it might not be the most long-lasting or protective option.
The pant is soft, stretchy, and well-articulated, with a well-refined fit. You should be able to perform a whole yoga session in these pants with full freedom of movement.
Average mobility and softness next to the skin. The pant is fine for standard on-trail use but more limited for scrambling and climbing.
The pant features minimal stretch and hard-face fabrics; a poor fit might cause restriction.
A few factors contribute to the longevity of a hiking pant, including the thickness of the material, the quality of the material, and the quality of the pant’s craftsmanship. We always encourage readers to purchase the most durable products—the longer you can use a piece of gear or apparel, the longer it will stay out of the landfill—but there are some reasons why you might choose items lower on our durability scale. To be specific, you might be after a thin, summer-weight pant like the Columbia Silver Ridge Utility, or perhaps a low price is high on your priority list (the Trailmade applies here, too). If you plan to subject your pant to a lot of hard use (cross-country hikers and climbers, listen up!), we recommend a pant that scores above average for durability.
Highly durable fabrics featuring thick woven constructions that are suitable for alpine use and bushwacking.
Average durability suitable for standard hiking and backpacking. Fabrics are on the lightweight end and don’t feature a hard face.
Below-average durability due to thin fabrics with no hard face and/or low-quality craftsmanship.
Our breathability rating is closely connected to the thickness of a hiking pant. In most cases, a thin, single-layer pant will do a better job keeping you cool than a thicker design. It’s worth paying close attention to this rating if you plan to hike and backpack in warm conditions, as a too-hot pant can make those trail miles crawl by. On the other hand, breathability may be a lower consideration if you’re heading into the alpine or a chillier environment. We provide estimates for the comfort range in our ratings below, but keep in mind that your miles may vary depending on how you run (hot or cold), how fast you’re moving, and how much you’re carrying on your back.
A summer-weight design that’s thin and breathes very well, even in temperatures of 70 degrees and up.
Light and midweight pant that’ll likely run hot in direct sun and if temperatures exceed 60 to 70 degrees.
Built for cold weather. Too thick and lacks breathability for exerting in even mild temperatures.
Hiking pants range from simple designs (like the Patagonia Terrebonne Joggers) to technical models that pack all the features you need for serious alpine jaunts (the Outdoor Research Cirque Lite, for example). Casual hikers and those looking for a pant that can play double duty around town can get by with a minimal feature set. Often, this includes just a button-and-fly waist and a few pockets without zipper closures. Those who require a bit more from their pant—whether it be a cuff cinch for securing around your boots, a built-in belt, scuff guards, leg gussets, or even vents—will want to aim high on the features rating scale. And because we’ve found that we always want a secure place to store our phones, we call out this omission whenever applicable.
A complete feature set, including three or more pockets (with multiple zippered options), a built-in belt, cuff cinches or roll-up keepers, and more.
A standard hiking pant feature set, which includes at least three pockets (one that can accommodate a phone) and some functionality at the cuff, whether it’s a cuff cinch or a roll-up keeper.
Minimal feature set, including a simple waist and few pockets (without zipper closures).
We’re guessing that very few hikers associate hiking pants with weather protection, but the reality is that many designs offer a lot of performance in this regard. If you exclusively head out in calm, bluebird conditions, this rating will matter very little to you, although it is worth considering the UPF rating of a pant for protection from the sun’s rays. On the other hand, if your version of hiking includes variable mountain conditions—including heavy wind and intermittent showers—a hiking pant can go a long way to keep you comfortable. Thicker materials will often boost wind protection, as will a woven softshell construction (as seen on the Outdoor Research Ferrosi). It’s also smart to look for pants with DWR finishes, which bead up light moisture. Of course, no hiking pant is a substitute for a full-on rain or hardshell pant, but many softshell varieties offer a surprisingly good barrier between you and the elements.
Top-notch wind and water protection for a hiking pant. These are softshell pants with hard faces, reliable DWR finishes, and relatively thick builds.
Average weather protection commonly found on lightweight nylon pants. These designs have a DWR coating and offer good sun protection but limited wind resistance.
Minimal weather protection due to thin fabrics and no hard face or DWR coating.
Our sustainability rating for hiking pants takes into account nine different criteria. On the product level, we’re looking for recycled or Bluesign-approved materials and PFAS/PFC-free durable water-repellent finishes. On the brand level, our criteria include whether the company offers repair services, has a dedicated resale or recycling program, uses recycled or reduced packaging, uses responsible manufacturing practices, monitors greenhouse gas emissions, and publishes an annual impact report. Hiking pants with a high sustainability rating meet a number of these criteria, while those with a lower sustainability rating might meet none or just a few. We also consider the degree to which our criteria are met; for example, 10% recycled materials is not the same as 100% recycled materials. Note that not every sustainability effort by a brand or product fits neatly into our categories. In these circumstances, we may increase or decrease a rating based on these factors. You can find details on these factors in the sustainability drop-down under each product above.
These hiking pants are among the most sustainable on the market and earn our Better Trail Certified distinction. They often meet most of our sustainability criteria for this category.
These hiking pants are a good, middle-of-the-pack option for sustainability. They often meet about half or more of our criteria for this category.
These hiking pants are the least sustainable and have significant room for improvement. They usually only meet about a quarter or less of our criteria.
The majority of hiking pants are built with a combination of nylon and spandex, a cocktail that offers freedom of movement, breathes well, and dries quickly. The more spandex content (represented in a percentage), the stretchier the pant, which can be a really nice pairing for life on the trail. Some popular examples of pants with high spandex content include the Outdoor Research Ferrosi and Patagonia Terravia Trail (86% nylon, 14% spandex). On the other hand, a pant like the Patagonia Quandary (96% nylon, 4% spandex) will have noticeably less stretch.
Most light and midweight hiking pants use a simple, one-layer woven fabric that offers the same hand feel on both the front and back side. Others feature a softshell design, which combines a hardwearing face fabric (generally a nylon-spandex blend) with a soft polyester backer. This construction gets you a durable, weather-protective exterior and a soft, insulating (to varying degrees) interior, which can be a best-of-both-worlds combination if you don’t mind the added weight and warmth. From our list above, these include the Arc’teryx Gamma and Outdoor Research Cirque Lite.
It’s also worth mentioning Fjallraven’s G-1000 here, a woven fabric consisting of 65% polyester and 35% cotton. Cotton is an outlier in outdoor apparel given its moisture-absorbing properties, but Fjall pairs its G-1000 with a wax application that causes water to bead up and roll off the fabric. We’ve worn various forms of G-1000 over the years and have come away big fans for certain uses. The material feels more substantial than the thin nylon found in most hiking pants, and the wax application does a surprisingly good job at resisting moisture. As a result, we turn to our G-1000-heavy Fjall pants (like the Vidda Pro Ventilated) for winter and shoulder-season conditions. On the other hand, they’re not a great pairing for warm conditions or long trail days: G-1000 is thick, doesn't breathe particularly well, and doesn't offer the same freedom of movement as thinner and lighter nylon-spandex blends.
Along with the type of material used, pockets are one of our primary considerations when it comes to choosing a hiking pant. At the low end, most pants have two hand pockets and at least one zip pocket, which is ideally large enough to secure a phone. The Patagonia Terrebonne Jogger, for example, has two hand pockets and a zip pocket on the rear (the women’s zip pocket is instead hidden in one of the hand pockets). At the more featured end of the spectrum are pants like the six-pocket Fjallraven Vidda Pro, which includes two hand pockets, a map pocket, a multitool pocket, and a phone pocket.
It’s also important to consider if you want your pant’s pockets to offer secure storage. The Outdoor Research Ferrosi, for example, has open hand pockets, while the Arc’teryx Gamma’s two hand pockets both seal closed with zippers. For most use cases, we feel like we can get away with a pant like the Ferrosi, but if you’re headed out on more of a mission, you might appreciate the extra secure storage for items like lip balm, sunscreen, trash, or a map.
Hiking pants feature a number of different waist designs, from elastic, yoga-style waistbands (seen on the women’s Black Diamond Alpine Light) to built-in webbing belts or drawcords. The most basic and affordable design is the button-and-fly (or snap-and-fly) closure, but this setup requires you to BYOB (bring your own belt). Even if you get a perfect fit, there’s a good chance it’ll loosen over a day(s) on the trail, causing the pant to sag and requiring readjusting. Adding a belt can be problematic underneath a backpack hipbelt; if you find yourself in this situation, we recommend picking up a very simple webbing belt like the Patagonia Tech Web Belt (or you could go even more low profile and grab a piece of 6mm rope and remove the core).
A step up from the no-belt waistband is a button-and-fly closure with an integrated drawstring, which is seen on pants like the REI Co-op Trailmade and Outdoor Research Ferrosi. This design serves its purpose of keeping the waist over the hips but can also result in extra bulk underneath the hipbelt and a very localized pressure point where the drawstring digs into the skin. It also requires a number of steps to secure and undo and is thus far from the sleekest waist design.
A big step up from the drawstring is a button-and-fly waist with an integrated webbing belt. Integrated belts are showcased in premium hiking pants, including the Mountain Hardwear Chockstone Alpine Light and Arc’teryx Gamma. On the latter pant, the cinch for the waistband is thoughtfully placed to the side, where it is less likely to get in the way of a harness or hipbelt. This is by far the best waistbelt we’ve used.
Finally, it’s worth considering if you might prefer an elastic waistband. This is a popular design for women; after all, the button-and-fly waistband is completely unnecessary for female bodies. Some of our favorite pants with elastic waistbands are the Patagonia Terrebonne Jogger and women’s Black Diamond Alpine Light. These pants are super quick to get on and off, look great, and their low-bulk design rides nicely underneath a hipbelt or harness.
If you’re looking for the height of mobility, make sure you pick up a hiking pant with a gusseted crotch and articulated knees. In the context of a pant, a gusset is a piece of diamond-shaped fabric added where the two legs intersect. This patterning gives the pant much more range to stretch with your body as you high-step between boulders, bend over in camp, and run down sections of trail. Articulated knees are a similar concept: The fabric is gathered to provide ample room for the pant to bend with your knee. The good news is that even pants like the budget REI Co-op Trailmade have articulated knees, although you’ll need to spend up a bit for a pant with a gusseted crotch.
Cuff Cinches
Some of our favorite hiking pants feature elastic cinches at the cuff, which can effectively turn the standard leg into a jogger-style pant. We love cinching our cuffs when we’re going sans shoes or while rock climbing, as it helps to keep the pant leg out of the way of our feet. On hot days, we’ll pull the elasticized cuffs up over our calves to air out our lower legs. Cuff cinches run the gamut from cheap designs that require you to tie a knot in the elastic to sleek and premium setups that secure with one pull and a cord lock.
Cuff Zips, Snaps, or Velcro
Some pants have cuffs that expand past the normal diameter, which is helpful if you’re wearing bulky hiking boots or mountaineering boots. Generally, this design consists of a gusset (an extra piece of fabric in the cuff) and a zipper, snap, or piece of velcro that allows you to hide the gusset or expand it to sit over your boots. Most standard hiking pants don’t have this feature, but we see it in souped-up models built for use with bulky boots, including the Outdoor Research Cirque Lite and Fjallraven Vidda Pro Ventilated.
Cuff Grommets
Hiking pants intended for mountain travel (like the Arc’teryx Gamma) feature a pair of metal grommets at each cuff. The idea is that you can extend a piece of cord between these two grommets and hook the cord under your boot, thereby securing the pant cuff around your boot like a pseudo-gaiter. This is a feature we’ll often use when hiking in snow, and it can go a long way to keep snow and other debris from entering the top of the boot.
In the same vein, some pant cuffs feature a boot hook, which can be used to secure the hem of the pant to the top laces of the boot. The Patagonia Terravia Peak Pant has this feature. However, the boot hook adds bulk, can catch on things, and offers a less secure attachment between the boot and the pant than the aforementioned cord (it can come undone when traveling in deep snow).
Scuff Guards
Scuff guards are a feature we’re accustomed to seeing on ski pants, but they’ve worked their way into some hiking pants, including the Fjallraven Keb Agile and Outdoor Research Cirque Lite. These patches of hardwearing fabric add durability to a high-use area and are especially helpful if you plan to wear crampons. On the flip side, they add weight and bulk and can annoyingly rub against each other as you hike.
Vents are another feature that we more commonly see on ski pants, but they’re present on a couple of the hiking pants featured in this article (including Fjallraven’s Vidda Pro Ventilated and Keb Agile). If you’re opting for a light or midweight hiking pant, you likely won’t find yourself wanting vents, but they’re a nice pairing for heavier-weight hiking pants that are more heat-trapping. Hiking pant vents are generally placed on the outside of the thigh and are on the small side compared to ski pant vents. Our Vidda Pro Ventilated tester was an immediate convert, citing, “I am happy to sacrifice breathability for overall durability as long as I have ventilations on the pants.”
A number of pants have snaps or hooks at the mid-calf that allow you to roll up the cuff and secure it with a built-in strap. We used to see and use this feature a lot more, but cuff cinches have recently become more popular. The roll-up keeper certainly adds a good bit of bulk when not in use—especially the strap that hangs from the pant-leg interior—but can be a nice way to air out your legs on a hot day. If you don’t think you’ll use the feature, you can always cut out the strap and remove the button on the outside of the leg (however, snap designs like that of the Prana Stretch Zion and Halle are more difficult to remove).
There are cuff cinches, there are roll-up pants, and then—there are convertible pants. Convertible pants have been the butt of a running joke amongst the Better Trail team for all too many years, but word on the street is they’re coming back into vogue. And regardless of whether or not you think they’re fashionable, the reality is that they’re functional. Designs like the REI Co-op Sahara Convertible get you two pieces of clothing in one—shorts and pants—and it couldn’t be easier to swap between the two. The Sahara’s legs fully unzip both at the circumference above the knee and all the way down the side, meaning you don’t have to remove your hiking boots to get the pant legs on and off (for more, read our Sahara Convertible review). However, it’s hard to get around the fact that the extra zippers add a ton of bulk, so if you think convertible pants are the best way to go fast and light (given their 2-in-1 style), you’ll want to factor that in.
Hiking pants aren’t exactly a fashion statement (a friend calls them the lampshades of the outdoor apparel world), but getting the right fit can make a big difference in both comfort and functionality. The goal is minimal restriction without being baggy—too loose, and the pants can feel cumbersome, snag on brush, or catch the wind; too snug, and they may restrict movement or trap excess heat. Some hiking pants, like the Patagonia Quandary, have a slimmer fit that feels modern and streamlined, while others, like the Columbia Silver Ridge, take a more relaxed approach that prioritizes breathability and airflow.
This fine line of fit is made easier to walk considering that most hiking pants contain a healthy amount of stretch, in addition to articulated knees and a gusseted crotch (seen on most high-end models like the Arc’teryx Gamma). Another plus is the increasingly diverse size range offered by many brands: Most hiking pants are available in at least two inseam lengths—if not three—in addition to a full range of waist sizes. For example, the men’s REI Co-op Trailmade pant comes in three inseam lengths (30, 32, and 34 in.) and over a dozen waist sizes ranging from 28 to 50 inches.
A hiking pant’s waist design is also vital to its fit. Unless you want to bring your own belt (a true hassle, in our opinion, and far too much added bulk under a backpack), it’s a good idea to look for a hiking pant that features a built-in belt, or—at minimum—an integrated drawcord. It’s hard to believe that some brands still sell hiking pants without these features. If you have a fairly standard body shape and don’t struggle with slipping waistbands, beltless options from Fjallraven and Kuhl could be worth considering, and the good news is that Fjallraven in particular is known for its precise tailoring. But if your pants tend to slide down throughout the day, a built-in adjustment system is a game-changer. Elastic waistbands are another option, especially in jogger-style hiking pants, though they sometimes sacrifice a truly dialed-in fit for comfort.
At the end of the day, sizing hiking pants comes down to personal comfort, intended use, and the conditions you’ll be facing. A good rule of thumb is to try on multiple sizes and move around—do some squats, high steps, and lunges to see if anything feels restrictive. And while hiking pants might never be the most flattering piece of clothing in your outdoor wardrobe, getting the right fit can make them significantly more functional—and maybe even a little stylish.
We won’t beat around the bush: Our favorite warm-weather hiking pants are the REI Co-op Trailmade. No, we’re not receiving any special payment for advertising these to you, and yes, they are the most affordable pant on our list. It’s an odd magnetism for us (we generally prefer more premium apparel), but we’ve just really come to love the Trailmade for its lightweight build and just-enough feature set. It’s the ideal pant to wear when you’re on the verge between pants and shorts (or want to be wearing shorts but need the extra protection from the sun, bugs, or bushes), featuring as little fabric as possible that’s also breathable and quick-drying (for a deeper dive, read our Trailmade Pant review). There is a surprising lack of summer-weight options (most pants on our list above are a step up in thickness), so the Trailmade is a true standout. Another option to consider is the Patagonia Quandary, which comes close in breathability while offering a step up in durability and all-around build quality.
The hiking pants on our list above are largely intended for three-season use; that is, for conditions above freezing. If you want to take them out in colder temperatures, you can always add a pair of long johns for more warmth—layering is the name of the game in the winter. But if you want a purpose-built pant for the cold, look for a mid-to-heavyweight softshell pant with good weather resistance. The Arc’teryx Gamma is a versatile option (it’s lightweight enough that it can extend to shoulder-season use; see our Gamma Pant review), but Arc’teryx also makes the thicker Gamma MX, which features a plain weave nylon face and a soft polyester backer. Other examples of softshell pants that could be used as souped-up winter hiking pants include the Outdoor Research Cirque III and Patagonia Terravia Peak. Keep in mind that many of these pants are intended for ice climbing and ski touring, so expect a technically minded feature set that includes scuff guards, ankle gussets, and boot lace hooks.
The most durable hiking pants combine two important factors: fabric thickness (and quality) and build quality. We’ve had thin hiking pants literally wear away (our REI Trailmade pants are one such example, which we bore holes into during a rock climbing season), and other pants bust open at seams due to low-quality and unreinforced stitching. With this in mind, if you’re looking for the most long-lasting hiking pant (an important factor when it comes to making sustainable purchasing decisions), we recommend a lightweight softshell with a durable nylon face from a premium brand like Arc’teryx—the Arc’teryx Gamma and Gamma SL are excellent examples. Fjallraven’s Vidda Pro and Keb pants are also incredibly durable offerings, featuring the brand’s trademark cotton-polyester G-1000 fabric.
The hiking pants on our list range from $70 (for the REI Co-op Trailmade) to $200 (for the Arc’teryx Gamma). A number of pants settle around the $90 to $100 range, which we think is a great place for most hikers to land. These pants—which include popular models like the Outdoor Research Ferrosi, Patagonia Quandary, and Prana Stretch Zion—are some of the most well-rounded and versatile pants on the market. Their light-to-midweight builds are great for three-season use, they include an assortment of pockets (at least one with a secure zipper), and they’re non-technical enough to look just as good around town as they do on the trail. At this price point, you miss out on top-of-the-line construction (something we see in Arc’teryx’s and Fjallraven’s pricier pants) and features like ankle gussets, more zippered pockets, and high-quality integrated belts.
We’re big fans of hiking in shorts, but there are a number of reasons you’ll want to opt for hiking pants, even in warm weather. First off, hiking pants provide protection from the sun, which is especially important if you’re traveling above treeline or in the snow. UPF protection is generally guaranteed in nylon or polyester pants, but it’s worth inspecting the manufacturer's specs to see if your pant receives a UPF rating. Second, hiking pants offer a great guard against pokey trailside bushes and grasses. This isn’t something you have to worry about too much on established trails, but if you like to explore more remote areas, it’s certainly worth considering. Finally, many—but not all—hiking pants are tightly woven enough to protect against pesky bugs. Softshell pants with durable face fabrics are especially good for this, whereas thinner pants or leggings won't be as effective.
Some folks might choose to hike in leggings (also referred to as tights), and the good news is that there are a number of compelling (and durable!) options to choose from. We’re not fans of hiking leggings for hot weather (preferring free-flowing fabrics instead), but they can provide a nice dose of extra warmth in the cold. The snugger fit has many benefits: The pants will get in the way less if you’re moving at a fast clip, phone storage in the thigh pocket is easy and less floppy than with a pant, and you can more easily layer a waterproof pant overtop. Some of our favorite hiking leggings include the Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights (offered in men’s and women’s sizing) and the women’s Patagonia Pack Out Hike Tights, both of which include fabric reinforcements on the knees and seat.
Hiking and climbing pants are often used interchangeably—in fact, many of the models on our list (including the Arc’teryx Gamma, Outdoor Research Cirque Lite, and Black Diamond Alpine Light) are designed for technical climbing in mountain environments. The same weather-resistant nylon, functional pocket layouts, and mobility-enhancing features that make them ideal for multi-pitch climbing, mixed rock-and-snow routes, and high-stepping also make them excellent choices for hiking. However, for casual hikes—like meandering through Canyonlands or short jaunts below treeline—these pants can feel like overkill. In these settings, you don’t need the reinforced scuff guards, highly technical fabrics, or multiple zippered pockets that are more useful in rugged, alpine terrain.
On the flip side, it’s common to see hiking pants at the crag, including popular models like the Prana Stretch Zion and Kuhl Renegade. These pants are durable and mobile enough for climbing, but they come with some drawbacks. In our opinion, a secure zippered thigh pocket is essential for storing your phone while climbing, and features like roll-up keepers and belt loops can get in the way. We’re also not fans of integrated drawcords for climbing, as they can bunch up and create pressure points under a harness. For women, drawcord waists can also make bathroom breaks more of a hassle than they need to be.
Finally, there’s an entire category of climbing-specific pants that we don’t recommend for hiking—namely, cotton-based styles like the Patagonia Caliza, Black Diamond Notion, and Prana Durado. While stretch-cotton can be great for short bouldering sessions or short stints of try-hard at the crag, we’ve found these pants to be too restrictive, too hot, and too slow to dry for extended hiking. If you plan to spend equal time on the trail and the rock, synthetic or softshell climbing pants are the better crossover option.
That’s a great question! In our gear guide above, you can use the “Sort By: Sustainability” toggle to reorder all the hiking pants based on eco-friendliness—but here’s a quick summary. Arc’teryx leads the pack with their Gamma, which meets 8 out of our 9 criteria and earns a near-perfect 4.7/5 sustainability score. The Gamma uses recycled and Bluesign-approved materials, features PFAS-free DWR, and is backed by resale services and responsible manufacturing. The only miss? Arc’teryx hasn’t adopted recycled or reduced packaging initiatives yet. For more, check out the Arc'teryx Gamma's sustainability report.
Other strong contenders include the Patagonia Quandary and REI Co-op Sahara Convertible. The Quandary stands out by meeting all 9 sustainability criteria—but it loses points in our overall ratings due to average durability. Its lightweight nylon fabric is comfortable but may not hold up as well under years of hard use. And since long-lasting gear is one of the most sustainable choices you can make, longevity matters. To discover more about sustainability and sustainable gear, check out our Sustainability Hub.
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