10 Best Hiking Pants For Every Hiker
These fantastic pants are my pick for the best overall hiking pants of 2023. The Outdoor Research Ferrosi Convertible Pants feature excellent breathability and stretchy fabric that helps increase their range of motion. The pants are very comfortable to wear, versatile, and feature the highest level of sun protection available for fabrics, represented by a UPF score of 50.
Compared to others, the water resistance levels for the Ferrosi are a bit lower, which may leave you a bit damp on wetter hikes. The pants come with belt loops but don’t come with an integrated belt, so keep that in mind when buying.
Despite these minor drawbacks, the pants are practical and form-fitting and feature a gusseted crotch for extra room. The Ferrossi can easily become your new favorite hiking pants.
Thankfully, the days of hiking in jeans have come to a close. Say goodbye to excessive sweat, water-logged pants, and heavy non-breathable fabric. A good pair of hiking pants can be the difference between an epic adventure and a miserable outing.
Below, I’ll review the 10 best hiking pants for every hiker. Armed with one of these stellar solutions, you’ll be ready for your next outdoor adventure.
My Review Process
After trekking through the wild for the past few decades, I’ve accumulated a lot of useful knowledge about outdoor clothing and gear. I’m here to share that information with you.
There’s more to hiking than simply tying your shoes and taking a walk. You need navigation tools, you need the weather to cooperate, and you need the right clothing. The best hiking pants can make any adventure more enjoyable. And after spending years searching, I’ve put together a list of the best options out there today.
Make sure to check out my buying guide for a deeper dive into the attributes that make hiking pants worth purchasing.
Best Overall Hiking Pants
These fantastic pants are my pick for the best overall hiking pants of 2023. The Outdoor Research Ferrosi Convertible Pants feature excellent breathability and stretchy fabric that helps increase their range of motion. The pants are very comfortable to wear, versatile, and feature the highest level of sun protection available for fabrics, represented by a UPF score of 50.
Compared to others, the water resistance levels for the Ferrosi are a bit lower, which may leave you a bit damp on wetter hikes. The pants come with belt loops but don’t come with an integrated belt, so keep that in mind when buying.
Despite these minor drawbacks, the pants are practical and form-fitting and feature a gusseted crotch for extra room. The Ferrossi can easily become your new favorite hiking pants.
Best Winter Hiking Pants
For outdoor folks who want to venture into the great white yonder, I recommend taking the Vidda Pro Pants with you. This pair of hiking pants are tough, durable, and waterproof, which is ideal for the winter.
The Vidda Pros are a bit pricey and may be too heavy for casual summer useYou also need to reapply wax to the pants after washing to keep them waterproof. Fjallraven sells a Greenland Wax for this purpose.
However, for hardy winter adventurers, the reinforced knee fabric, waterproofing, and larger cargo pocket make this option very attractive. If you like the durability and storage capacity of the Vidda Pro, but want something a little lighter, check out the ventilated Vidda Pros.
Best Waterproof Hiking Pants
Waterproof hiking pants are an interesting category. On the one hand, you want to stay dry. On the other hand, waterproofing means less breathability, which leads to more sweating. The Marmot PreCip Eco pants are great because while they’re fully waterproof but easy to pull off or vent, thanks to long zippered side closures.
If you grab a pair of these, make sure to only use them for storms. They're too warm for continuous use. Additionally, the sizes run larger than advertised. Despite the downsides, these waterproof pants are dependable, machine washable, and made from recycled materials. When rain threatens your outdoor activities, the Marmot PreCip Ecos will keep you dry.
Best Hiking Pants for Hot Weather
If you want a lightweight, breathable pair of pants for hot-weather hiking trips, the Mammut Runbold has you covered. These versatile pants come with four zippered pockets (including a rear pocket), dry quickly, and feature a slimming fit.
Weather resistance for the Runbold is below average, and while they are roll-up pants, there’s no way to hold the rolls up. Inevitably they will come undone, which I find can get a little annoying. However, for dry summer days, the Mammut Runbold provides sun protection and keeps your legs comfortable. There’s not much more you need from a pair of hot-weather pants.
Best Zip-Off Hiking Pants
The KUHL Renegade Cargo Convertible pants share a lot of similarities with Patagonia’s Quandary pants but with more features. This stellar option comes with lots of pockets, fantastic storage capacity, and a relaxed fit that accommodates a wide swathe of body types.
Unfortunately, the relaxed fit can feel a bit baggy and doesn’t come with an integrated belt. But the durable build, simple conversion to shorts, and quick-drying abilities are all brilliant features. If you want convertible cargo hiking pants, consider KUHL.
Best Lightweight Hiking Pants
The Patagonia Quandary Convertible Pants are a pair of lightweight hiking pants that are perfect for summer alpine trips. These convertible pants are weather resistant and provide a great range of motion. Plus, they're very easy to zip off into shorts if it gets too hot.
The few downsides are that the pants are fairly basic in design, with smaller pockets and no insulation. The slim fit, while great for some, doesn’t always accommodate larger body sizes either. However, if you don’t need a lot of storage, the lightweight fabric, versatility, and simple design make them my top choice for lightweight hiking pants.
Most Comfortable Hiking Pants
I love the PrAna Stretch Zion's; they're an incredibly comfortable pair of hiking pants. The Stretch Zion also has a great range of motion that won’t limit you during off-trail hikes, stream crossings, or rock scrambles. Additionally, the pants come with a built-in-belt , so you can easily adjust them.
The comfort and stretchiness does come at the expense of ventilation. On very hot summer days, lightweight options may be better. However, the prAna Zion IIs are easily the most comfortable hiking pants out there and come with an easy roll-up inclusion. PrAna has also developed a women’s specific companion to the Zion, the Halle hiking pants.
Best Quick Dry Hiking Pants
Arc’Teryx Gamma LTs are a solid choice and my pick for the best quick dry hiking pants. These pants stand out for their fast drying abilities, quality water resistance, durability, and stylish looks.
Typical of Arc’Teryx products, the quality is superb, and the price reflects this. These expensive pants may be a bit above what you're willing to spend. However, the included waist adjuster and superb drying ability help these versatile pants stand apart from other options.
Best Budget Hiking Pants
If you’re watching your wallet, I recommend the Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible. The price is agreeable, the pants are breathable, and they dry quickly. On top of that, this pair of pants comes with a belt for key adjustments.
Be aware that these pants do not have much water resistance. The range of motion is fine for casual hiking but noticeably limited for tougher adventures. However, with a great price point, lightweight design, and zip-off features, this is an excellent choice for budget shoppers.
Best 3 Season Hiking Pants
The Black Diamond Alpine Light pants are a fantastic solution for rock climbing and scrambling adventures. They're also great pants for hiking and backpacking trips because of their high level of comfort, four-way stretch, and breathable fabric.
These pants aren’t waterproof and provide almost no insulation, unlike the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants. They’re also full-length pants with no convertible qualities or roll-up features. However, these are some of the lightest hiking pants out there and are worth considering for longer adventures where every extra ounce matters.
Hiking Pants Buying Guide
Not all hiking pants are created equally. For example, lightweight quick-drying options work well in arid environments but won’t keep you warm when colder weather strikes. Some pants have tons of useful storage but may not stretch well, which could create rips in the fabric over time.
Since hiking pants can be used for anything from casual strolls to multi-day intensive adventures, consider the points below before picking one out. They’ll help you narrow your search and find the right pair for your needs.
Price
Hiking pants are usually between $50-200. Expensive pants generally have more durability, but even a budget choice can last a long time with proper management.
Material/Style
There are quite a few styles of hiking pants out there. A lot of what you end up buying will depend on personal preference, but there are some easy decisions you can make to narrow the choices down.
Convertible pants are pants that can either roll up or zip off to become hiking shorts. The versatility is fantastic, but the zippers can break or tear with repeated use. Roll-up versions, which essentially turn your pants into capris, avoid the zippers. Just make sure there's a clasp or button to hold the rolls up.
Non-convertible pants typically have good UV protection and can handle a wide degree of variable weather. They are the superior option for the winter, early spring, and later autumn timeframes when big temperature swings are normal.
A lot of hiking pants also emphasize lightweight fabrics, which is great for breathability. However, light hiking pants aren't the most durable or feature the best wind resistance. Intensive outdoor activities like scrambling, rock climbing, and mountaineering trips are better with sturdier pants.
Stretch
Stretchy materials accommodate a wider range of motion. This is really important for tougher adventures in rugged terrain, off-trail navigation, and rock scrambles. Stiff pant legs are more susceptible to rips and tears. Stretchy fabrics tend to include mixes of nylon, spandex blends, and elastane.
Stretch is also important to consider depending on trail conditions. If there's been a lot of wet weather, you'll want more freedom of movement to step over large puddles and obstacles without ripping your pants.
Keep in mind that spandex blends aren’t very weather resistant, so if you opt for an option with spandex in it, make sure it’s quick drying. Hiking in saturated pants is not only uncomfortable, it can give you a cold.
Pockets
Look for hiking pants with deep pockets, zip pockets, rear pockets, and increased storage capacity. Bigger pockets, like cargo pockets, will hold more items, while zippered pockets keep things from falling out while you hike. The design and placement of the pockets matter as well.
A simple pocket design that includes well-positioned cargo pockets, mesh pockets, or a zippered security pocket really helps elevate certain options. A versatile pair of hiking pants with a lot of pockets means easy access to things you may need when hiking, like a phone, compass, pocket knife, or multi-tool.
Water And Weather Protection
Water and weather protection come in a few forms. Waterproofing is the most comprehensive. However, a waterproof pair of pants doesn't breathe, which means if you sweat, it gets trapped between the pants and your legs. For wet weather, though, it's the best option.
Water resistance means a pair of pants can handle short bouts of wetness, like dew in the morning or a creek crossing, but won’t stay dry in a heavy downpour. A great combination for the summer is weather resistance and quick drying abilities. For cold weather, insulated pants with waterproofing are the best.
Hiking pants need to provide adequate sun protection as well. Look for a UPF rating, which indicates how successful a type of fabric is at blocking the sun. A UPF rating of 50 means the hiking pants block ~98% of all UV light, which is the highest rating available.
Finally, some hiking trips are windier than others. The wind can easily penetrate lightweight clothing. Look for mentions of wind resistance or insulation if you know it'll be a factor in future adventures.
Durability
While many hiking pants emphasize their lightweight fabrics, if they aren’t durable, you’ll be replacing them often. The best options strike a balance between stretch, breathability, and durability. The lightest hiking pants are not always the most durable.
Design Features
In addition to storage, and overall durability, some hiking pants come with unique features. Things like articulated knees, gusseted crotches, and built-in belts help keep hiking pants more comfortable for longer.
Care/Maintenance
Proper care can extend the life of your hiking pants. Make sure to check the label before machine washing anything.
In some cases, like with the Vidda Pro Pants, you can apply external wax and other treatment solutions to prolong waterproofing. Instructions detailing how should be included with the pants or on the manufacturers' website.
Summary
My number one pick of the best hiking pants is the Outdoor Research Ferrossi. For colder weather adventures, the Vidda Pro Pants are a solid choice.
If you don’t mind spending a bit more, the Arc’Teryx Gamma LTs are the quickest-drying hiking pants out there. Of course, not everyone can shell out $200 on pants. For the budget shoppers out there, the Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible gets the job done without destroying your wallet.
Common questions
I’m happiest on long backpacking trips into little-known pockets of wilderness, skiing down backcountry mountains, and on all-fours, scrambling the rocky spines of alpine ridges. When I'm not adventuring in the outdoors, I'm most likely writing about them.
*The information on this site is based on research and first-hand experience but should not be treated as medical advice. Before beginning any new activity, we recommend consulting with a physician, nutritionist or other relevant professional healthcare provider.
