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Exploring the outdoors and getting on the trails is not only easier with the right gear, but it’s also much more comfortable. Not only are the right hiking boots or trail runners important, but so are the type of hiking pants you’ll wear. When it comes to the best hiking pants, there are many options on the market that suit various climates and conditions as well as different body types, comfort levels and personal preferences.
The best hiking pants combine stretch, durability and versatility to maximum your comfort on long ... [+] treks.
Each pair of hiking pants has its own strengths and weaknesses, but certain options tend to excel in key areas that matter to most people. Dual-layer softshell weaves deliver insulation and protection against the cold, while polyester blends offer superior breathability. Quick-drying fabrics, meanwhile, are designed to absorb and dispel moisture quickly whether you’re sweating on your way to the summit or hand-washing your clothes over and over again during an extended backpacking trip.
Built-in stretch allows for a snug fit so you can move with fluidity, meaning your pants will be less likely to snag on shrubbery or rocks, while convertible hiking pants (pants that convert to shorts) let you keep your pack light by allowing you to change up your bottoms based on weather conditions.
We’ve compiled our Vetted recommendations for the best hiking pants in a variety of categories, including options for both men and women. Use this list as your go-to guide for seasons to come, because there’s never been a better time to get out there and explore.
The Ferrosi pants are legendary in the hiking world. The term Ferrosi refers specifically to the fabric, a best-selling material that’s breathable, stretchy and weather-protective. The fabric is also resistant to rips and tears, which can come in handy if you’re out hiking among thick shrubbery and jagged rocks where hiking pants might snag. The Crux Pants are the latest version of these fan favorite bottoms, with reinforced knee panels that boost durability and a construction made from 46 percent recycled material that improves stretch and recovery. You can wear this pair year-round on snow, rocks, trails and wet adventures (just pair it with a warm base layer during cold weather), so you won’t need to invest in a million different pairs of pants for every season or scenario.
Designed for both serious and casual hikers alike, we’ve found the Kühl Freeflex hiking pants to be extremely versatile. They have just the right amount of stretch and rebound to fit a woman’s body without constricting movement or becoming baggy over time. The fabric is lightweight, moisture-resistant and quick-drying, and it also features built-in UPF 50+ sun protection. Pant legs can be rolled up and secured with a snap to regulate temperature, making these great for both hot and cold seasons, or even a single full-day hike when the temperature shifts dramatically throughout the day.
The tricky thing about hiking in cold weather is that you want to stay warm, but not too warm. Not only is overheating uncomfortable, but if you’re sweating up a storm on the trail, the moisture on your skin can actually pull heat away from your body and lead to hypothermia. That’s why Eddie Bauer’s Guide Pro hiking pants are lined with stretchy fleece to combat biting winds without trapping moisture or sweat inside. The exterior features a DWR coating to handle moisture as a result of snow, sleet and freezing rain, so condensation flows off the fabric instead of soaking into it. To sweeten the pot even more, the pants are made with lower-impact materials, making these bottoms better for the environment that you’ll be exploring them in. The women’s version is similarly well-received and, given the highly inclusive sizing (regular, petite, tall and plus sizes up to 24W), many different body sizes will find a comfortable fit.
While you can certainly wear hiking shorts in hot weather, there are times when you’d rather not expose your calfs and ankles to the blistering sun, biting bugs or abrasive rocks and branches you’re likely to encounter on the trail. But if you’d rather not do away with shorts entirely, consider convertible pants that keep your knees and legs protected during the hike but also zip off at the knee, converting them into comfy cargo shorts when it’s okay to get by with less protection. L.L. Bean’s lab-tested Cresta pants are made from a lightweight yet durable nylon fabric and feature UPF 50+ protection that will block at least 97 percent of the sun's UV rays. Start the day in pant mode when temperatures are still low, and convert them into shorts as you reach the sunny summit.
L.L. Bean’s Vista Camp hiking pants offer flexibility that’s perfect for the trail. The classic design keeps your skin protected and covered, but the ability to cinch the legs and adjust the hem offers an opportunity to cool down when the going gets hot. They’re also made with an abrasion-resistant ripstop fabric that wicks moisture and dries quickly, and provides a dose of stretch so you can bend and move with ease. Built-in UPF protection also provides more than 10 times the protection of traditional cotton. Note that while you’re able to cinch the legs to adjust the hem, the cropped style means your ankles are always exposed, so be sure to wear long socks and/or use mosquito and tick repellent if you’re hiking in especially buggy areas.
At high altitudes, the weather can change quickly, which is why it’s key to have a good pair of waterproof hiking pants in your arsenal. The obvious downside is that some waterproof materials can leave your skin feeling clammy and sticky, but REI Co-op’s Rainier pants are cut from moisture-wicking, recycled ripstop nylon that shields rain and winds up to 60 mph while still maintaining solid breathability. The seams are sealed to defend against unwanted moisture, and full-length outseam zippers allow you to adjust ventilation levels to your liking.
The North Face’s proprietary FlashDry fabric is engineered to repel moisture and speed up drying times so you can hike through wet conditions without having to turn back early or huff it as your skin turns wet and clammy. The Aphrodite 2.0 pant’s four-way stretch makes it easy and comfortable to move around while the drawcords at the leg openings allow for extra cinching that keeps water and moisture at bay. A zippered pocket also stores essentials like your phone and wallet.
Convertible hiking pants save space in your pack and eliminate the hassle of changing behind a bush on the trail when the conditions shift from cold to hot. Mountain Hardwear’s pants are a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts because the design is so incredibly seamless: just zip off the legs to convert these into shorts and stow the extra material in the snap front pockets. The material is 100% recycled and contains a DWR finish to repel moisture.
Columbia’s stretchy, convertible pants strike that important balance between being comfortable and looking attractive as both pants and shorts. The 2-way stretch style is fairly fitted in these pants but the fabric also allows some give so they stay comfortable and flowy while you move. The pants are water- and stain-repellant and have a mid-rise and straight-leg fit with reinforced knees that can be zipped off to convert the pants into shorts with a 10-inch inseam. There’s also UPF 50+ sun protection and leg hem cinches so you can customize the fit on the go.
While we tend to associate tights with yoga, climbing and indoor gym workouts, they also make for an excellent hiking option because they’re light, durable, comfortable and breathable. The Black Diamond Rise tights are designed specifically for climbing, which might come in handy if you need to scramble up a rock face, but even for nontechnical trails, you’ll appreciate the four-way stretch fabric that balances moisture-wicking performance with durability. The high waist and no-slip coverage means the top of the pants will stay secure about your waist so you can focus on the obstacles ahead, instead of constantly readjusting. Unlike most hiking pants, the added benefit of tights is that they have more applications than just hiking, so they’re perfect for trips that embrace morning runs and afternoons at the local brewery. Whether you also intend to practice yoga, want a comfy pair of leggings to sleep in, or require a simple pair of black pants to pair with a cute top while exploring a dreamy mountain town, these will have your back.
While it’s great that we’re seeing more and more outdoor brands offer women’s hiking pants up to size 14 or 16, that simply doesn’t accommodate the growing number of plus-size women hitting the trails on a regular basis. Not only does Alpine Parrot offer plus-size hiking pants, they actually specialize in plus-size bottoms built for the outdoors. This small, women-owned company understands the unique needs of plus-size hikers and, in addition to offering rugged pants up to size 24, they also offer two different fit sizes. The “mountain” fit is for curvy women with slimmer waists and fuller hips, while the “river” fit is for women that have a wider waist and narrower hips. In addition to outfitting the pants with hiking-friendly features such as zippered thigh pockets, carabiner loops and convertible-to-capris cuffs, these easy-care pants use made-in-the-USA fabric that’s breathable, dries quickly and is rated up to UPF 40.