Maybe you want to treat yourself to a new pair of hiking pants. Or you are a fresh hiker and wish to buy your very first hiking pants. Irrespective of whether you are new to hiking or not, it is always difficult to make a choice. This is primarily because there are so many hiking pants available. Finding what you need and like when the offer is excessive can become exhausting. But look at the bright side- at least there is almost no chance you will not find the best hiking pants for you. So, evaluating all desirable qualities of hiking pants and with the aim to help narrow your search, we prepared a breakdown of the best hiking pants available in 2023.
QUICK PEEK
Before going to details, we give you a list of the best hiking pants in 2023.
- Best hiking pants overall – prAna Stretch Zion II
- Close second best – Outdoor Research Ferrosi
- Top pants for alpine use – Arc’teryx Gamma LT
- Favorite convertible pants – Kuhl Regenerate Convertible
- Top choice for summer use – Patagonia Quandary
- Best value for the money – Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible
- Best of the rest – REI Co-op Sahara Convertible
1. PRANA STRETCH ZION II - BEST HIKING PANTS OVERALL
Material: 97% nylon, 3% spandex
Pros: As comfortable as possible. Highly versatile. Built-in belt.
Cons: Breathability under hot weather is not the best ever.
Prana Stretch Zion II are one of the best hiking pants ever made. They are loved by both hikers and climbers because they offer an ideal balance of comfort and performance. These pants owe their great comfort and high performance to extremely soft and stretchy material and practical semi-slim cut. They offer useful zip cargo-style pockets and snaps for rolling the pants up. What also makes these pants favorite among users is their adjustable waist which has a nice, practical design. The fact is that they look good, which is not always the case with hiking pants. These pants also provide high UV protection (UPF 50+) which compensates for their only disadvantage- they tend to be warm under hot weather. Their DWR (nylon treatment that makes the fabric more durable) is outstanding, making them the most durable hiking pants on our list.
2. OUTDOOR RESEARCH FERROSI - CLOSE SECOND BEST HIKING PANTS
Material: 86% nylon, 14% spandex
Pros: High breathability
Cons: No built-in belt. Not as versatile as Prana Stretch Zion II.
Outdoor Research Ferrosi are a perfect pair of hiking pants for those who prefer lighter materials. These pants really look and feel light. A high percentage of spandex guarantees outstanding stretchability in all directions (articulated knees included). They function extremely well under all weather conditions. The combination of materials used and design provide probably the best temperature regulation among all hiking pants available on the market. These pants dry spectacularly quickly which makes them an excellent choice for hiking under heavy rain or hazy sunshine. The pockets are good. UV protection is high (UPF +50).
The only crucial drawback of these pants is the lack of a built-in belt. They are also less versatile and less durable than Prana Stretch Zion II. But these are minor disadvantages compared to how good these pants feel. So, if you want light and comfortable pants for hiking exclusively, Outdoor Research Ferrosi are the best hiking pants for you.
3. ARC’ TERYX GAMMA LT - BEST HIKING PANTS FOR ALPINE USE
Material: 88% nylon, 12% elastane
Pros: Superb toughness and stretchability, low weight
Cons: Price
Designers had outdoor activities generally in mind when they contemplated on how to make these pants. And contemplate they most certainly did. Arc’teryx Gamma LT are simply great. They are exquisite for hiking, backpacking, and climbing. What makes them so good is their stretchability on one hand and their absolute weather resistance on the other. These hiking pants proved to be excellent against wind rain and snow. They also have a soft shell to keep you warm which combined with all the above, makes Arc’teryx Gamma LT the best hiking pants for alpine use. What is great about these pants too is that somehow they also provide remarkable breathability. Pockets are there. The belt is built in. These hiking pants have everything you might possibly need during a several-day hike.
There is only one downside. Arc’teryx Gamma LT are pricy. They have everything you could wish for, but that comes with a price. You can spend significantly less money and still be more than satisfied with what you get. However, if you are one of those “if you do not know what is good, you know what is expensive” people, Arc’teryx Gamma LT will be the best hiking pants for you. Make no mistake, they will do the job.
4. KUHL REGENERATE CONVERTIBLE - FAVOURITE CONVERTIBLE PANTS
Material: 95% nylon, 5% spandex
Pros: Durable. Excellent convertible pants
Cons: Could be more breathable. Slightly baggy
This pair of hiking pants is a favorite among hikers. What wins a great fourth place on our list is the zip-off feature. Kuhl Regenerate Convertible are the best convertible hiking pants ever. The zip-off is totally smooth. Zippers are hidden, so the pants look great in both versions- as pants and as shorts. The second great thing about these pants is the material. The pants are very comfortable, stretchy, and highly durable. Owners often brag that the pants look unchanged after years of use. This is to say that toughness is extremely high. Another totally loved feature of these pants are the pockets. The pants provide ample storage. Cargo pockets on the sides contain inner pockets too, to keep your valuables. This characteristic makes Kuhl Regenerate Convertible excellent for travel too. UV protection is also guaranteed.
There are only two minor drawbacks. The pants could be more breathable (when used as pants) and the cut of the pants is slightly baggy. The latter is not even a drawback if you prefer a loose feel and a more relaxed design. If that is the case, you have just found the best hiking pants for you. Congratulations.
5. PATAGONIA QUANDARY - BEST HIKING PANTS FOR SUMMER
Material: 95% nylon, 5% spandex
Pros: Fit and comfort
Cons: Might be too light for bad weather
There are so many goods you can say about these pants. The first and most distinguishing thing is their weight. They weigh only 10 oz which makes them the most lightweight hiking pants on our list. These pants feel great to wear. The material is stretchy and the fit is great. The pants breathe excellently. It is important to underline that the light weight of these pants did not come at the cost of their performance. Patagonia Quandary have it all- articulated knees, DWR-coated fabric and UV protection. It is also worth noting that 65% of the nylon in these pants is recycled. This makes the pants somewhat environmentally friendly.
All these qualities make these hiking pants perfect for summer hikes. Despite all their qualities, people who hike during winter still prefer tougher pants. However, if you are a summer hiker who enjoys wearing comfortable lightweight clothes, Patagonia Quandary are most certainly one of the best hiking pants for you.
6. COLUMBIA SILVER RIDGE CONVERTIBLE - BEST VALUE FOR MONEY
Material: 100% nylon, polyester mesh panels
Pros: Price. Great pockets. And price once again.
Cons: Tend to look baggy. Durability might become an issue
Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible are very popular among hikers. They earned a place on our list because of their price which is more than reasonable for what they offer. These pants cost significantly less than their competition and yet manage to offer solid performance. The material is thin, quick-drying and breathable. Comfort is remarkably good. Pockets are exquisite- functional, safe, and plenty. What is also excellent about Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible is the variety of colors and sizes they come in. And of course, as the name suggests, the zip-off feature is included.
The material these pants are made of is very thin and light but this comes at a cost. Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible do not provide as much protection and durability as some more pricy pairs on our list. Also, they seem baggy and the zippers are not the smoothest on the planet meaning it takes some practice to make the shorts pants again. They can also feel tight on the quads when you climb. Still, these pants are, we believe, the best value for the money on the market. Their place on our best hiking pants list is everything but undeserved.
7. REI CO-OP SAHARA CONVERTIBLE - BEST OF THE REST
Material: 96% nylon, 4% spandex
Pros: Good water resistance and ventilation. Available in many sizes.
Cons: Impractical pockets, no integrated belt
Sahara is Co-op’s biggest seller. Despite newer models such as Activator 3.0, hikers obviously tend to appreciate traditional hiking pants more. These pants are reliable and durable. At the same time, they provide just enough comfort and breathability. Yet, what hikers love most are the vertical zippers stretching from the very bottom up to the knee. This means that you make these pants convertible without having to take your shoes off. Combined with their great water resistance and excellent ventilation, these pants make quite a solid and safe choice.
What are the downsides? To start with, previous versions were baggy and we loved them for it. These are more regular fit. Also, the pockets are not easy to use meaning it becomes difficult to get things out of them. Finally, there is no integrated belt. Yet, many people find these downsides entirely minor, making Sahara one of the most bought hiking pants ever.
COMPARISON TABLE
Price matters. For this reason, the comparison table below lists pants based on their price, starting from the lowest. The following columns show the material, our rating and the reason behind it.
| Name | Price | Material | Our rating | Reason |
| Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible | 75 $ | 100% nylon | 6 | Considerably lower durability than the competition. |
| REI Co-op Sahara Convertible | 80 $ | 96% nylon, 4% spandex | 7 | The new regular fit model removed the built-in belt. Belt loops to narrow. |
| Patagonia Quandary | 89 $ | 95% nylon,5% spandex | 5 | More toughness would be preferred. |
| prAna Stretch Zion II | 95 $ | 97% nylon, 3% spandex | 1 | The ideal mix of comfort, performance, price and looks. |
| Outdoor Research Ferrosi | 99 $ | 86% nylon, 14% spandex | 2 | As light and as durable as it gets. |
| Kuhl Regenerate Convertible | 109 $ | 95% nylon, 5% spandex | 4 | Slightly lack breathability. |
| Arc’teryx Gamma LT | 190 $ | 88% nylon, 12% elastane | 3 | Expensive but worth every dime. |
BUYER’S GUIDE - THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING HIKING PANTS
Some of the important features of hiking pants as a specific part of hiking equipment have been discussed in our FAQ article. If you are in for a quick review of what to look for in order to find the best hiking pants, go there. Here, however, we will go into more detail.
Material
If you have read the review above and the FAQ article for hiking pants, you already know that the best hiking pants are always made of synthetic materials. These mainly include nylon, spandex and elastane (spandex actually being the brand name of specific elastane material). This fact should not concern you. It should rejoice you. The reason is that the properties of cotton or any other natural material are not fit for the task best hiking pants are to perform. Natural materials are simply not durable enough, tough, or protective, nor do they act well when wet. Synthetic materials provide all these qualities at the cost of only one – breathability.
So what is the perfect blend of these best materials? It mainly depends on your personal preferences. But one thing is sure – a higher elastane or spandex percentage means more stretchability i.e. more comfort. This is to say that if your tour implies setting up a tent or free moving on a specific location (not necessarily hiking all the time), or you simply prefer the sensation of tight and elastic pants, Arc’teryx Gamma LT and Outdoor Research Ferrosi would be the most reasonable choice.
Breathability
This feature is the main concern of all hiking pants as almost none of them use natural materials. Nevertheless, this does not mean that hiking pants are not breathable. It just means that manufacturers had a more difficult job finding a way to secure the highest possible level of this quality.
Nylon, the most extensively used synthetic material in the production of hiking pants, is not as breathable as cotton but does allow sufficient air ventilation. It is secured by specific wave pattern, yarn type and finishing treatments. So-called ripstop nylon, for example, is famous for its use in the production of hiking garments. It has a crosshatch pattern which creates a grid-like structure that helps prevent small tears from spreading and also enables efficient air transit through the holes in the grid pattern.
To secure additional breathability manufacturers of best hiking pants also resort to other means such as mesh-lined pockets or ventilation panels or zippers in strategic areas of the pants, such as the thighs or behind the knees. Check for all of these when looking for your ideal hiking pants.
Weight
The weight of your hiking pants is not of paramount importance, as long as you are not backpacking i.e. carrying another pair on your back. If you are, each ounce matters. This being said, we have to underline that weight of the pants on our list ranges from 9.9 oz to 1 lb 10 oz, with Arc’teryx Gamma LT being the lightest and Kuhl Regenerate Convertible the heaviest.
However, when looking for the best hiking pants keep in mind that though lightness is preferred it does not necessarily prevail. More weight in hiking pants generally means more durability and more protection. In this context, prAna Stretch Zion II with their 13.5 oz could be an optimal choice for difficult hikes.
Comfort and fit
Comfort stands for how good wearing hiking pants feels in total. It includes factors like breathability, moisture-wicking, and freedom of movement. Fit, on the other hand, refers to how the pants conform to the body and provide support. This feature includes factors like waist size, inseam length, and leg width.
- Comfort is provided by carefully selecting materials that allow unrestricted movement and temperature and moisture regulations. However, our buying advice for you is to also pay attention to additional features such as gusseted crotches, articulated knees, and elastic waistbands. These can help improve overall comfort by reducing chafing, increasing the range of motion, and providing a secure fit.
- Fit is achieved through careful attention to sizing and construction. When researching or trying on, pay attention that hiking pants should fit snugly but not too tight. They should have enough room to allow for a full range of motion without feeling constricting. Also, keep in mind that adjustable waistbands, belt loops, and zippered cuffs can help customize the fit for different body types and preferences. Luckily enough, a good fit has become easier to find as prominent manufacturers, such as Outdoor Research, prAna, and Arc’teryx, decided to become the leaders of progress in this aspect.
Waterproofness
Waterproofness is an important factor in choosing the best hiking pants but more so if you often hike in cold, rainy or snowy weather. If not, you simply do not have to pay too much attention to this feature. Let’s explain.
Most hiking pants do quite well in handling water. This is because they are mostly made of synthetic materials coated with DWR (Durable Water Repellent). The technology implies that water will bead up and roll off the surface of the fabric, rather than soaking in. Despite the fact that DWR cannot cope with prolonged exposure to heavy rain, it still represents an optimal solution for most hiking days as it guarantees a sufficient level of both, water protection and breathability.
Completely waterproof hiking pants imply the use of specialized waterproof materials and technologies, such as Gore-Tex, eVent, or Dry.Q. In these cases, the waterproof membrane is sandwiched between layers of other materials to provide durability and abrasion assistance. However, these pants can become discomforting in warm weather as they lack breathability. They also tend to be heavier and less packable than their DWR competition.
To sum up, opt for DWR when looking for the best hiking pants. Unless you really prefer singing in the rain.
Waist and knees
As we already explained, the best hiking pants should have a proper fit and enable the best possible comfort and functionality. Three particular items help in this – belt, pockets and articulated knees.
- The best hiking pants have a built-in highly adjustable belt. It enables proper fit and comfort. As far as this aspect is concerned we recommend prAna Stretch Zion II with their small waist adjustor or Patagonia Quandary for a more slim and subtle solution inside the whole belt.
- Hiking pants can have back, front and side pockets. Yet, the most frequently used ones are side pockets, as they are the safest and most easily accessed. So, when checking the features of the best hiking pants, look for pockets with a safe closure and sufficient depth to store let’s say your mobile phone. This test will do the trick.
- Articulated knees have become a must-have function for many modern hiking pants brands such as Patagonia and Arc’teryx. They are very popular as they allow better mobility and range of motion. Articulated knees are actually special fabric panels put at the knee section of the pants, that are very stretchy and designed to fit the shape of the knee joint. This feature becomes highly useful for all hikers who prefer uneven terrains and climbing over obstacles.
Arc’teryx Gamma LT, Patagonia Quandary, Outdoor Research Ferrosi, prAna Stretch Zion II and Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible are all remarkable in this aspect.
Length
In the context of hiking pants, length either refers to the choice between hiking pants and hiking shorts or to the ability of particular hiking pants to convert to shorts.
Both options have their benefits and downsides. Long hiking pants provide more safety from sun, rocks and bugs, while hiking shorts provide more breathability and comfort of movement. Longer pants also tend to be heavier and more difficult to pack
Luckily enough, some hiking pants such as REI Co-op Sahara Convertible can become shorts in a second. This is one of the reasons these pants found a place on our list. However, here, you have to distinguish two categories- convertibles and roll-ups.
- Convertibles are hiking pants that become shorts by unzipping or unbuttoning the part of the pants below the knees. They are a 2 in 1 solution – long when you start your hike in the early morning and short when the sun gets high and temperatures increase.
- Roll-up pants, on the other hand, have a tab and button system that allows the pant legs to be rolled up and secured at the calf. This style provides a quick and easy way to cool down without having to remove the pants entirely. Roll-up pants are also versatile in that they can be worn as capris, ¾ length pants, or full-length pants, depending on the weather and personal preference.
Both features are very useful and depend entirely on your needs. However, we must warn you that the upper part of your convertible hiking pants will become lighter in color due to long sun exposure. This does not happen so drastically with convertibles.
