The Best Hiking Pants

Buying Guide

Whether you like casually hiking with your family at a local park or you prefer to go on adventurous excursions, wearing the right hiking clothes is essential for both your comfort and protection. As an alternative to shorts, hiking pants offer the best coverage to keep your legs safer from bugs, creatures and plants such as poison ivy. While they won’t keep you as cool as shorts, these pants are usually designed to be breathable and wick away moisture as you sweat.

You’ll find hiking pants in various styles and materials. The differences often lie in how flexible the pants are for outdoor activities as well as how much comfort they’ll offer.

Many versions of hiking pants can look similar to work pants or chinos. However, you’ll notice they come in a cargo style with many pockets. In addition, you’ll find notable features such as a waistband that may be partly or fully elastic and more flexibility in the fabric in the knee area. Also, some pants might roll up such as for times when you might through a creek.

Hiking pants can be made of a stiffer material such as a cotton and polyester blend. While such pants are still lightweight and comfortable, they might not be the best option if you need flexibility for climbing. On the other hand, hiking pants that have some stretch from spandex or nylon offer more versatility for movement. Some stretchy hiking pants look more like joggers or wind pants, while others have a more formal look.

The fabric used for hiking pants stands out for having features that make the pants more durable and suitable for rugged outdoor activities. You’ll want to think about the weather and environments you usually hike in to make sure the pants have what you need.

For example, it’s common for the pants to be resistant to snags and scratches that can occur if you brush up against something sharp in the woods. Hiking pants are usually also at least water-resistant and may use a quick-dry technology to get moisture away from your skin. You can also find windproof options as well as pants that offer some degree of sun protection.

Lastly, don’t forget to consider the number and types of pockets you prefer. Most hiking pants have several pockets in the usual locations as well as on the legs, so you should have enough room for the essentials. However, the pockets can close in different ways, so consider what’s convenient for you. For example, you might find undoing buttons a hassle versus Velcro pockets you can quickly open. You might also prefer the security that comes with zippered pockets.

• The typical characteristics you find with these pants make them a good choice for more than just your hiking journeys. Depending on your occupation, tactical-style hiking pants could double as work clothes. Stretchy hiking pants are a good choice for general walks and even activities like yoga. In addition, any hiking pants with many pockets come in handy for vacations and trips to theme parks when you might not want to bring a bag to hold your important items.
• If you’d like the option to choose between shorts and pants but only want to buy one piece of clothing, look for convertible hiking pants. These allow you to zip off the pants near the knees so you can have shorts whenever you want.
• Pay close attention to hiking pants sizing for both comfort and safety. Avoid getting pants that are too long and could cause you to trip, but also don’t go too short if you want the most protection. The manufacturer might offer numerical sizes or standardized ones like small or large. In any case, you’ll want to take your measurements and follow the manufacturer’s size chart.
• If you’re concerned about your hiking pants not having a snug enough waist, you can either buy a pair that comes with a hiking belt or buy your own. These belts are usually durable and come in various materials and looks.
• Typically, stretchy hiking pants come in a slimmer fit that can decrease the chances of snagging on something while you’re walking in the woods. On the other hand, non-stretchy hiking pants offer more room to allow you to still have some movement, and this can lead to more snags.