The Best Hiking Pants

Hiking is a prevalent activity outdoors. The goal isn’t always to summit a mountain or even make it to the top of a hill, but rather take in nature from an elevated perspective. It allows you to look at your surroundings more intently, see things that would otherwise be missed, and experience nature first-hand. Sometimes all hiking is good for is allowing you some time away from modern society and some time to reflect on important matters without distractions or noise. To help you find the Best hiking pant, we have created this list of requirements and features that explain what makes a pair of pants great.

If you spend time outdoors with your spouse, read our best hiking pants for women to make the trip more pleasurable. They’ll keep you warm and dry on those long walks. The outdoor pair for men are those that fit well, provide comfort and breathability, and can withstand the rigors of the trail. They are typically worn during hikes because they offer protection against rocks or branches that may scrape or tear through the skin if they wear shorts instead.

It also allows hikers to remain warm during early morning trips because they keep the heat while holding it close to their skin. It would be difficult for hikers to complete any hike length without pants, but finding these can prove difficult if you aren’t sure what to look for or choose a suitable pair for you. Finding the best sweatpants for men is a more tough task we have already written about that helps to make your life easier.

If you like skiing, then you would want the best ski pants for yourself. We’ve also compiled our review on each team so that you can learn from others' experiences before making your purchase. Let’s go through some buying tips.

Our top picks

Quick Shopping Tips:

Comfort:  As mentioned before, your pants should allow you to be more comfortable while outdoors. Not only does this mean that they are of a durable fabric that can hold up against repetitive friction, but they are also made with seams in the right places so that it doesn’t rub or irritate your skin. It’s essential to try on any pair before you buy it, even if you’ve found one in your size, because some brands may vary when fitting.

Stretch: This feature is essential to consider when choosing your pants. You need to ensure that they allow you the freedom of movement required for activity and don’t restrict your leg muscles from doing what they need to do. It may be difficult to hike with tight clothing, so look for ones with some give.

Protection: One of the most noticeable features that people look for in outdoor pants is durability. You will want them to protect your legs against rocks or vegetation that could easily cut through soft skin if exposed. This means looking at the stitching on the outside of each leg and where patches or extra fabric layers have reinforced it.

Wild Weather: It needs to be versatile enough to adapt to multiple conditions while still breathable. If you’re going on a hike where it’s cold at the top but hot and humid on the way up, you’ll want a pair of outdoor pants that’ll work for both. Look for waterproof or water-resistant coatings as well as vents along the inner thighs to allow some airflow when you get too warm.

Pockets: It should have several bags that will give you enough room to carry all your essentials with ease. You will need space for your wallet or house keys, but also consider if they have an extra pocket near the front of each leg for carrying small items like lip balm, band, bug spray, etc.

Other Features: You will want to look for several features in your outdoor Pants beyond the basic ones, like comfort and stretch. Some suggestions include adjustable waist buckle, zipper fly, removable straps (knee/cargo), zippered ventilation, etc.

The Best Hiking Pants : First look

The Best Hiking Pants: In-depth Review

The Stretch Ozonic is an excellent pant that comes in various sizes and styles for men and women. This model does come in both short, regular, long leg lengths and the standard inside-leg sizing system, making it easy to choose the perfect size for you. The stretch fabric allows ample freedom of movement while remaining flexible enough for all-day wear without irritation.

Microscopic fibers are woven together to form a protective membrane that can completely block out water droplets if needed or let the sweat evaporate the same way it was introduced. It has several pockets for storage and a comfortable elastic waistband which allows the user to adjust the size for a customized fit. These are the Best Durable Hiking pants that won’t let you down, whether it’s launching through a rainstorm or outdoors up a mountain.

These come in sizes ranging from extra small to 3XL, so they’ll fit everyone comfortably. You won’t get the boxy look of other waterproof pants with a tailored design and an adjustable elastic waistband that works nicely. The fabric is Dry. Q technology, which helps you stay dry while also providing significant 4-way stretch for movement in wild, uneven terrain.

The Race GP Pro hybrid pants are made from two different fabrics- stretchy nylon and synthetic elastane blend on the inner panels for comfort and mobility. In contrast, the outer is made of a cotton and polyester mix that’s both waterproof and breathable. Combined with this hybrid design is an adjustable waistband with loops for an extra belt that you can shove into any of the pockets in these pants. This Best Hiking pant comes in many colors to choose from, like Black/Red, Grey/Orange, Hunter, Autumn, etc., so you will be able to find your perfect shade.

You don’t have to worry about sizing as they are available in XXS-XXL sizes, so you can easily find the right fit for you. They’re also lightweight, with a stashable waistband that’s perfect when you’re in an area where they require equipment to move between places of worship or sports events. It also has a drawcord ankle hem that’ll keep out debris with ease. It is the Best Budget Hiking Pant for mild weather, but they’re also versatile enough to be used for camping and other outdoor activities, regardless of whether it’s raining or not.

They have an adjustable waistband so you can buy them according to your size needs, with a variety of colors to suit everyone’s taste. Other features include waterproof zippers at the cuffs, which prevent water from coming in when you step through wet grass or snow, all-day comfort thanks to seamless inner leg seams that prevent chafing, and reinforced knees that give more protection when you’re in wild terrain full of rocks.

Looking for a versatile pair of pants that can keep up with your active lifestyle? Look no further than Outdoor Research’s Men’s Ferrosi Pants. Made of 86% nylon and 14% spandex, these pants are stretchy and breathable, making them perfect for everything from hiking to biking. They are also winding and water-resistant, so you can stay comfortable even when the weather takes a turn for the worse. And thanks to their low-profile waistband, they’ll fit comfortably under your harness or pack belt. So whether you’re hitting the trail or just running errands around town, make sure you have the Ferrosi Pants in your wardrobe.

A comfortable elastic waistband allows the user to adjust the size for a customized fit while also providing significant 4-way stretch for movement in wild, uneven terrain. They are lightweight, durable, and offer excellent protection against the elements. The knees are reinforced to top it all off, allowing you to go harder without worrying about them ripping apart when you find yourself in unforgiving terrain.

All these features combine to make the Best Overall Hiking Pant, and they’re available for both men and women, making everyone happy too. They’re suitable for outdoor on trails and backpacking and camping trips, regardless of whether or not there’s a break in the weather. You can even use them for weekend getaways or if you work outdoors as they’re wrinkle-resistant as well as quick-drying, meaning comfort throughout regardless of whether it’s raining or not.

The Fjällräven brand has been established for 50 years, meaning they’re well placed to create excellent outdoor wear suitable for outdoor trails all year round. The fabric of these pants is made from G-1000 Eco, which gives them remarkable durability, even despite its lightweight. They’re also made from 65% recycled polyester and 35% organic cotton, making them durable for outdoor trails.

They are available in different colors; camo camp or laurel green (for men) and navy & light olive (ladies). The fabric gives you total freedom of movement as it has a 4-way stretch, so there’s no concern with mobility whatsoever. This Best Convertible Hiking pant will keep your legs protected at all times with reinforced panels around the knees that hold up to abrasions caused by rough terrains like stones and rocks.

The waistband is elasticated for comfort along with adjustable side straps, while the cargo pocket is large enough to store whatever you need on your hikes, such as a compass, knife, mobile phone, and snacks. What’s more is that they also have back pockets to store your essentials, such as your wallet, map, or sunglasses, so you needn’t worry about where to keep them.

The Montane Prism pants are coated with lightweight insulation to keep you warm while you’re out in the cold. They have an elasticated waistband and belt loops, ensuring that you get a comfortable fit no matter how long your hike is. The large cargo pocket has an internal mesh wall, allowing you to store essentials such as your mobile phone against your hips where it can be easily accessed while still on the move.

They are also ideal for when you are in base camp or out on the trail. They are specifically designed for high-energy activities by holding their own even in wet conditions, while the arc-shaped reversed knee panels provide unimpeded movement when scaling rocky terrain. The knees also have thicker outer layers to withstand abrasion against rock surfaces without compromising mobility or comfort.

This Best Hiking pant has an anatomic patterning that allows your maximum legs flexibility during use, and the cuffs have a drawcord adjustment for tightening up around your ankles to prevent draughts from getting into where they shouldn’t be. Finally, the PrimaLoft Silver Eco insulation means the perfect Best Winter Hiking Pants. It effectively keeps warmth inside your body and blocks any cold wind outside.

The OR Helium pants are constructed from a 2.5 layer, tear-resistant ripstop fabric with Bluesign approved Pertex Shield Diamond Fuse. They are fully seam-taped, which makes them waterproof and windproof when you’re on the move, while their HH (hydrostatic head) rating of 3,000mm means they will keep you dry even under challenging conditions.

The Anatomic patterning in this Best Waterproof Hiking Pant allows your legs to be as flexible as possible when wearing them, while the drawcord cuff tightening around your ankles prevents draughts from entering where they don’t belong. Finally, it has PrimaLoft Silver Eco insulation, which effectively keeps warmth inside your body and blocks out any cold wind outside.

It has a high waist and internal mesh lining that increases air circulation to keep you cool, as well as underarm zips for added ventilation. It also comes with two large cargo pockets for storage, including a mesh pocket inside one of the cargo pockets, perfect for your map or other essentials such as your phone. They come in four different leg lengths, so you can choose the pair that’s ideal for every outing.

The Royal Robbins Active Traveler Pants are a lightweight pair of pants that consist of a close-fitting design with cargo pockets for carrying all your essentials. They come in a range of different sizes to fit men and women, plus they are made from a 100% nylon mesh which is very comfortable while also being lightweight and robust.

The fabric in this Best Breathable Hiking Pant has been treated with Teflon, so it is both water and dirt-resistant; plus, its self-draining pockets allow you to take your belongings along the trails without them getting wet or dirty. The waistband comes with an elasticized drawstring closure that can be adjusted for comfort and ease of movement. The articulated knees ensure that these pants remain breathable and allow you maximum freedom when outdoors or trekking.

It has a zipper fly, plus it has a quick-zip ankle opening which can be opened up quickly by simply pulling the bottom of the pant leg inside out. It also has a gusseted crotch to move with ease, plus it has mesh lining, which is excellent for keeping your feet cool.

Hit the trails in style with these Columbia Women’s Saturday Trail Pants. Made from 96% nylon and 4% elastane, these pants are comfortable, durable, and designed to move with you. They feature two side pockets, two back pockets, an adjustable waist, and roll-up legs that convert to capris. The classic fit and articulated knees make these pants perfect for any activity.

This Best Hiking pant is designed for hikers who like to adapt their clothing according to the conditions they face on any given hike or trail. They weigh next to nothing and stuff down small into their pocket, making them perfect for excursions where every gram counts. The ankle zips allow you to take them off in a flash. These Best Lightweight Hiking Pants are very flexible and comfortable.

It has a high waist and internal mesh lining that increases air circulation to keep you cool, as well as underarm zips for added ventilation. They come in four different leg lengths, so you can choose the pair that’s ideal for every outing. It also has a water repellent finish and is treated with Columbia’s signature Omni-Shield technology to keep you dry and comfortable in any weather.

Final Words

You only get the best when you put in that extra effort to find it. It is an essential part of your gear, and you need to ask yourself what you want from them and how much money you can spend on them. By doing this, you will be able to make a better decision and make sure that whether it is day or night, summer or winter, whether you’re climbing mountains or simply strolling through the woods, your Best Hiking Pant will always come through for you.

You must select which are suitable for different types of weather and activity levels. You should also take into consideration your style preference, as well as how much money you are willing to spend on them.

Frequently Asked Questions