Best value hiking pants: Outdoor Research Ferrosi, Prana Stretch Zion & Kuhl Deceptr Best budget hiking pants: REI Co-op Sahara Roll-up & Columbia Ridge Silver Ridge Convertible Best high-end hiking pants: Arc’teryx Lefroy & Kuhl Renegade Convertible The Arc’teryx Lefroy Pants are comfortable, stylish, and high quality
Full Answer
How do I choose the best hiking pants?
The best pants depend on how long you will be hiking, the terrain and what you think the weather will be like for the entire hike. Many times there can be quite a difference in the temperature range in just a few hours, so you need to find something that will work best for the entire hike.
What are the best pants to wear hiking?
What’s Most Important to You in a Pair of Hiking Pants?
- Best value hiking pants: Outdoor Research Ferrosi, Prana Stretch Zion & Kuhl Deceptr
- Best budget hiking pants: REI Co-op Sahara Roll-up & Columbia Ridge Silver Ridge Convertible
- Best high-end hiking pants: Arc’teryx Lefroy & Kuhl Renegade Convertible
What are the most durable hiking pants?
What’s Most Important to You in a Pair of Hiking Pants?
- Best value hiking pants: Outdoor Research Ferrosi, Prana Stretch Zion, and Kuhl Deceptr
- Best budget hiking pants: REI Co-op Sahara Roll-up and Columbia Ridge Silver Ridge Convertible
- Best high-end hiking pants: Arc’teryx Lefroy and Kuhl Renegade Convertible
Are these the best cold weather hiking pants?
Outdoor Research Cirque Pants (Top Pick) For our money, the best cold weather hiking pants out there are the Outdoor Research Cirques. These pants are lightweight, comfortable and extremely warm.
What pants are good for hiking?
The middle-tier pants like the REI Co-op Sahara are high on utility for hiking and outdoor work but have a limited fashion appeal. Conversely, there is the Kuhl Deceptr , which just looks better than it performs. Lower scorers include the Kuhl Radikl and the Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible, which are each more limited to standard hiking and walking, which don't require a wide range of movement or flexibility.
What are the best hiking pants for cold weather?
The pair that we strongly prefer for cold weather is the REI Activator 3.0. The thick fabric and formidable DWR coating are both valuable assets when hiking deep into the shoulder seasons. We also like the Arc'teryx Gamma LT which hold their own in wet weather and are relatively warm. The DWR coating on these models does a great job of shedding water even after a lot of wear, and there is minimal absorption. The Arc'teryx pants also dry out quickly since the water stays on the surface. The Gamma LT stands out as a step above, balancing water-resistance and comfort and mobility the best. A handful of pants in this review fall into the solid second tier, including the Patagonia Quandary, Royal Robbins Alpine Road, and Kuhl Deceptr. It is no surprise that pairs with the thinnest fabric like the Outdoor Research Ferrosi are also the fastest to dry.
What material is used to make pants comfortable?
The majority of pants in this review achieve their comfort by incorporating some stretchy material, such as spandex or elastane, in order to increase user mobility.
What are ripstop pants made of?
They are made of durable ripstop fabric and incorporate a higher-than-average 14% spandex, making them stretchy and unrestrictive. We found that they provide high mobility for hiking, running, yoga, and rock scrambles. They are also very light, thin, and highly breathable, making them an ideal choice for hot weather.
What are Prana stretch zion pants?
The Prana Stretch Zion pants are durable and versatile . We enjoy the small but practical integrated waist tightener, which means these pants can stay up without a belt. We also appreciate the cargo pocket with zippers on both sides, which means that we can quickly reach a phone or topo map while sitting at a belay. Combined with some of the softest and most comfortable fabric of any of the models in this review, it is no wonder that these pants are one of our favorites.
What are Arc'teryx pants?
The Arc'teryx Gamma LT pants are comfortable, lightweight, and great for a variety of activities. Their water and wind resistance make them an excellent choice for cool, wet-weather hikes. They also come equipped with a drawstring at the cuff, so if the sun comes out and the temperature rises, you can roll them up and keep your legs cool. We're also fans of the integrated belt on the Gamma LT. The features they include are thoughtful, and the fabric offers enough stretch not to be a distraction while scrambling.
What is the most important consideration when choosing outdoor clothing?
Comfort and Mobility. One of the most critical considerations for outdoor clothing is its comfort. In the context of hiking pants, comfort means that they feel good: not pinching, rubbing, riding up, or distracting from the activity. The product should enhance your outdoor experience, not detract from it.
What are the best hiking pants for alpine conditions?
In addition to nylon hiking pants, there are a few softshell pants on this list such as the Arc’teryx Gamma LT, REI Co-op Activator, and Outdoor Research Cirque II. These essentially are tougher and more weather-resistant pants that are ideal for alpine conditions, cooler weather, precipitation, and bushwhacking.
What is the stretchiest hiking pants?
The Outdoor Research Ferrosi and Arc’teryx Lefroy are two of the stretchiest hiking pants available (86 percent nylon and 14 percent spandex), while the Fjallraven Vidda Pro Ventilated are all polyester and cotton and have no give.
What are hiking pants made of?
Hiking pants typically are made of a nylon blend , and most of the options here have at least a small amount of built-in stretch via elastane (spandex). A higher percentage of elastane will result in a stretchier feel, which can be especially nice for those who tend to size their pants on the tight side. The added give in the material also can be a real boon on the trail, and even more so when it comes to setting up a tent and moving around camp. The Outdoor Research Ferrosi and Arc’teryx Lefroy are two of the stretchiest hiking pants available (86 percent nylon and 14 percent spandex), while the Fjallraven Vidda Pro Ventilated are all polyester and cotton and have no give.
What are articulated knees on hiking pants?
Articulated knees mimic a person’s walking motion by creating a natural bend in the knee area of the pants. In contrast to a traditional, straight-legged pant, the improved range of motion is immediately apparent. A gusset is a patch of diamond shaped fabric that runs along the inner thigh of the pants, replacing a standard seam. As with an articulated knee design, the extra fabric improves range of motion and general fit and comfort.#N#We love articulated knees on our hiking pants
How much does a Cirque hiking pant weigh?
And at over 1 pound 5 ounces, it weighs roughly double most lightweight hiking pants on this list. But for fall, winter, and spring hiking in nasty or off-trail conditions, the Cirque can be your bomber hiking pant. It doubles well for snowshoeing and spring skiing.
What is a quandary pant?
Billed as a lightweight hiking and travel pant, the Patagonia Quandary balances performance and casual needs. And we’ve found it checks all the important boxes: clean styling, articulated knees, gusseted crotch, and a tough but light fabric with a DWR coating and 50+ UPF rating for sun protection. Further, Patagonia leads the charge in sustainable measures, and the Quandary’s nylon is 65 percent recycled and the fabric is bluesign-approved, which means the pants are sourced from and made with sustainable materials.
What are convertible pants?
With the ability to zip off and convert into shorts, convertible pants are a popular choice for year-round hikers and outdoor adventurers. The benefits are readily apparent: a 2-in-1 style means you don’t have to pack extra clothing, and it's a quick process to increase leg ventilation.
What are the elements of a hiking pant?
The elements of the perfect hiking pant aren’t complicated — fit, breathability, good pockets, smart materials, and durability. Putting these components together with intelligent design is where many hiking pants fall short.
What are the features of a good pair of pants?
The little extras can really make or break a good pair of pants. Well-positioned cargo pockets, zippered pockets, belt loops, and built-in belts are some of the features available. Whether you want these or not depends on your personal hiking plans and style.
What is a Columbia cargo pant?
Columbia’s Silver Ridge Cargo Pant ($55) is a straightforward cargo pant, made of lightweight nylon and a reasonable option for general day hikes. It blocks UV rays, includes a webbing belt, and has ample room to store your essentials.
What is convertible pant?
The convertible pant is a tough style to pull off without looking like an NPR journalist on a book safari. Fortunately, OR released a convertible pant that pulls double duty, winning both functionality and looks.
How much are Mammut hiking pants?
At 7.5 ounces , Mammut’s Hiking Pants ($120) are the lightest pants on the list. A lot of that weight can be chalked up to less material. While the waist feels true to size (even slightly large), the Alpine Lightweight Hikers taper through the legs.
Do shop pants shed water?
Treated with a DWR coating, the Shop Pants shed water, stains, and mud well. But these pants are fairly warm, so look elsewhere for hiking in very hot weather.
Is the Calient a good pant?
Bottom line: Plucky and undramatic, like a Defender 90 on the trail, the Calient is a fantastic option for a reliable warm-weather pant.
