Best Hiking Pants for Men Of 2024

We’ve selected the finest men’s hiking pants for every excursion, with an emphasis on comfort, durability, and performance.

Legs are the major route of transportation for the body, and pants are their first line of protection. Finding the ideal hiking pants for your purpose may keep your legs comfortable, warm (or cool), and free of abrasions, allowing you to focus on the road ahead.

Having evaluated over 50 pairs, we have been purchasing the finest hiking pants for the last ten years. We compared the top 13 couples for this update by placing them side by side. In order to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each model, our specialists hit the trails. We take care of the legwork to determine which alternatives are the most comfortable, which breathe well to keep you dry, and which have the most practical features to let you enjoy nature trails all year round. We are aware that there are many options available.

We relied on the expertise of our field testers to concentrate on comfort, durability, construction, performance, and affordability. These people put their pants through rigorous testing in the Andean cloud forests, deep desert gorges, high mountain summits, long-distance hikes, and even daily usage. These pants are made of novel materials, including textiles that can shed water, block the sun, deflect sharp sticks and pebbles, and still operate after years of use.

While there is no one-size-fits-all pair of pants, we have evaluated a range of models and divided them into critical groups. If you need assistance deciding what you need in your hiking trousers, check out our buyer’s guide at the bottom of this page and FAQ.

The Best Hiking Pants of 2023

1. Best Overall Hiking Pants: Outdoor Research Men’s Ferrosi Pants
2. Best Budget Hiking Pants: Columbia Silver Ridge Cargo Pant
3. Runner-Up Best Hiking Pants: Fjallraven Abisko Midsummer Zip-Off Trousers
4. Best Hiking Pants for Scrambling: Black Diamond Alpine Light
5. Best Stylish Hiking Pants: KÜHL Radikl Pants
6. Best Lightweight Hiking Pants: Rab Incline Light Pants

Best Overall Hiking Pants: Outdoor Research Men’s Ferrosi Pants

They’re undoubtedly winners if you find yourself wearing the same pair of pants while trekking in the morning and doing errands downtown in the evening. It’s hard to find clothing that strikes a balance between being comfortable and technological, lightweight yet sturdy and weather-resistant but breathable, but the Ferrosi Pants ($99) do.

These scarcely register with you, yet they create confidence in the face of bad weather and rugged terrain. They weigh just 10.7 ounces and pack down to the size of a softball, yet they’ve lasted many miles and some off-trail severe bushwhacking.

When we say the Ferrosis are comfortable, we mean comfortable enough to wear over sweatpants while cuddling up for a movie. Their suppleness is actually unique, and they seem like extensions of your legs when you jump over dead trees or cross boulder-strewn river banks. The pant’s adaptability and comfort are enhanced with the flexible knees, brushed waistline, and drawcord cuff modifications.

We used these pants on a recent Grand Canyon hiking trip. We were blown away by their ability to shed light precipitation while retaining a high degree of breathability as we slogged our way out of the enormous ditch. Pants will often excel at one or the other but seldom both.

These are difficult to critique. If you want bombproof invincibility, go for something on the harder (but heavier) end of the scale. Despite its low weight, the 90-denier stretch-woven nylon fabric holds up well on strenuous expeditions.

The rear pockets were too tiny for us, and we couldn’t shut the zipper over anything like an iPhone (just one is zipped). The front pockets and single-zippered hip pockets, on the other hand, are generously sized and carefully positioned.

The Outdoor Research Ferrosis pants gained a position at the top of our list as some of the best-fitting pants we’ve had the pleasure of evaluating due to their premium comfort, outstanding durability, and overall excellent design. Ignore them if you’re searching for a lightweight, dependable alternative for long hiking trips.

Best Budget Hiking Pants: Columbia Silver Ridge Cargo Pant

Columbia’s Silver Ridge Cargo Pant ($60) is a simple cargo pant composed of lightweight nylon ripstop fabric that is not only water-resistant but also boasts UPF 50+ protection to keep those dangerous rays at bay.

Straight lines along the inseam are complemented with gusseted construction in the crotch to reinforce and broaden the seams. The five compartments, including a lockable cargo pouch, are deep, allowing you to store a large amount of goods with minimum bounce.

They also come with an integrated belt and plenty of additional pockets for your phone and munchies. However, at this price, you must make certain sacrifices. The lightweight material lacks mechanical stretch and elastic fibres. Furthermore, it lacks a DWR coating, sacrificing durability, mobility, and weather protection.

While the Silver Ridge lacks the bells and whistles that make many of the pants on this list preferable for more adventurous travels, it is less than half the price and often goes on sale.

If you want a convertible version, check out Columbia’s Silver Ridge Convertible Pants ($70).

Runner-Up Best Hiking Pants: Fjallraven Abisko Midsummer Zip-Off Trousers

Last year, we named the Abisko Midsummer Trouser our best overall hiking pant. It checked all the boxes: strategically placed zipped pockets, breathability, durability where needed, and flexibility where desired. The pants represent Scandinavian design with meticulous attention to detail.

Fjallraven introduced a zip-off version of the Abisko Midsummer ($175) last year. The buttocks and legs, like the pant version, are strengthened with Fjallraven’s G-1000 fabric. These pants are lightweight and durable and are intended for hot summer days, as the name suggests.

The pant is not coated with a DWR to maintain breathability. Fjallraven supplies Greenland Wax, which you may use to improve weather endurance. The pants include a breathable, four-way mechanical stretch fabric on the rear of the legs, combining mobility with the G-1000’s durability.

Two mesh hand pockets zip up your necessities, and a pair of strategically placed leg pockets ride up front on top of the thighs. A flexible mesh sleeve just large enough for a phone sits inside the front right pocket.

The pockets are large and can hold a lot of items. Overloaded, we discovered that the contents would bounce on the legs, so pack carefully.

They lack back pockets, as do all of Fjall’s hiking trousers. This is how we like it. Loaded rear pockets might rub on a pack and make sitting around camp unpleasant. They are also the first component of a trouser to wear out.

The zip-off zippers add 2 ounces to the convertible pants above the straight pants but provide the additional ventilation of shorts on hot summer days. If you don’t want to reveal too many legs, pull the cuffs over your calves and tighten them with the drawstring.

The Midsummers are available in European sizes, and we found them to run big, so examine the size chart before purchasing. If you purchase them from a Fjallraven shop, the company will hem them for free, giving you a perfectly personalized fit.

While these pants are more durable than Jack Wolfskins, the oversized fit and pocket bulk work against the pants; hence, they are ranked lower.

The Abisko Midsummers are not the cheapest hiking pants on the market, but the quality and looks make them a good investment.

Best Hiking Pants for Scrambling: Black Diamond Alpine Light

Black Diamond’s origins lie in difficult climbing equipment. They’ve used what they’ve learned on the mountain to create some of the best outdoor clothing on the market. The Alpine Light ($125) reflects their expertise, and its overall virtues lie in its understated design.

The pants are fastened without a belt using a G-hook that sits off-centre and catches on ladder webbing sewed into the waist. Arc’teryx and Seadon also utilize a G-hook belt closure, but Black Diamond’s method is the most secure of the three.

The drawcord around the ankles gets caught in a slot and pinches the elastic cord. You can’t pull it with one hand like other pants with drawcords, but the idea is light and the most minimal arrangement we tried, drastically decreasing bulk around the ankles.

The material is a blend of nylon and elastane for elasticity and durability, and its attributes begin to shine once you wander off the path. Beyond the route, you’ll want pants that move with you and deflect stones and bushes. That’s the kind of terrain Black Diamond prefers, and it’s where the Alpine Light shines.

They feature a four-way stretch woven fabric that is weather-resistant, lightweight, and remarkably durable for the weight, and it still looks virtually new after months of testing.

The pants include five pockets:

• Two hand pockets
• Two back drop-in pockets
• A fifth pocket on the bottom right thigh

The front pockets are shallow, and the thigh pocket is close to the knee. This is done on purpose to avoid a climbing harness.

If you want to keep a lot of things in your trouser pockets, especially a phone in the thigh pocket, this might be a deal breaker. We would have chosen the Alpine Light as the finest hiking pants overall if the thigh pocket was better placed.

The Alpine Light comes in standard sizes (S, M, L, and XL), with inseams ranging from 31.5 to 33.5 inches. Because waist sizing runs small, we suggest sizing up if you’re in between sizes.

Best Stylish Hiking Pants: KÜHL Radikl Pants

We were fortunate to be able to test a broad range of hiking pants from KÜHL, and when we say it was challenging to choose a top option, we mean it. Each pair we tried on pleased us on various levels, but we settled on the elegant and efficient Radikl ($109) as the model for our hiking guide. These are some of our favourite crossover, do-it-all pants that keep worming their way into our packs, duffels, and carry-ons for all manner of travels, with a classic, fashionable style for trotting about town and enough grit for trekking severe activities.

Wear them to work or down a backcountry scree slope – the Radikl has a refined style but is packed with subtle, outdoor-ready features that make them powerhouses when the mountains beckon. Slim stretch knit fabric sections below the knee, waist, back yoke, and gusset not only increase flexibility but also provide appropriate ventilation as you speed up the pace. You’d never know these vents were there until you put the Radikl on since they’re the same colour and feel as the rest of the pant’s Enduro performance fabric.

This robust, abrasion-resistant fabric combines cotton, nylon, and spandex for a wonderfully durable — but visibly hefty — force to be reckoned with. These immediately became our go-to pants for bouldering and bushwhacking. However, such thick, dependable fabric comes at a premium, and they don’t have the finest next-to-skin comfort when compared to other pants on our list. They are also among the heaviest pants we evaluated, and we don’t wear them on rapid and light missions when weight is critical.

These trousers, on the other hand, are hard to top for front and backcountry style. Subtle side pockets for phones or an EDC knife run down the thighs, and the top of a narrow coin pocket is adorned with a subdued brass “KÜHL” emblem. When coupled with a beautiful shirt tucked into a belt, these pants look really sleek. Their “Free Ryde” waist moves with you when you jump over blowdowns or cross rock-strewn riverbeds, following the natural rise of your hips.

The Radikls have an athletic fit in the thigh but flare out a little too much in the lower leg. This is acceptable while wearing them on casual occasions, but they tend to flap back and forth a little when hiking, and we would like a thinner cut (note: we tried the “Klassik Fit”. You may select a “Tapered Fit” option if purchasing off of KÜHL’s site).

In summary, they are among our favourite pants in our wardrobe, and we wear them for purposes other than hiking. While they aren’t as light or as performance-oriented as some of the other items on our list, they provide a rough, fashionable appearance to your outdoor outfit that only KÜHL can provide.

Best Lightweight Hiking Pants: Rab Incline Light Pants

The slim-fitting, mega-stretchy Rab Incline Light Pants ($95) cram down to approximately the size of a softball and should take up some space in whatever bag you pick up for an excursion. Why wouldn’t you carry them with you if they’re just 7.9 ounces and cost less than $100? But their attraction extends beyond weight and price. These pantsare ready for any number of crazy adventures thanks to their exceptional mobility, fantastic next-to-skin comfort, and clever design.

The long-length gusseted crotch allows for greater flexibility than other pants we tried, and it has a distinctive design that extends down to just above the knee. These trousers’ mobility is enhanced with articulated knees, and we had no trouble conquering challenging terrain on extended walks or mild bushwhacks. We appreciate a thin fit in our hiking trousers, but these are just a touch too small in a few places, particularly around the thighs and hips. Sizing up is recommended for those with longer legs.

The Incline Lights are very portable. They fold up to a teeny-tiny size and have quickly become some of our favorite “just in case” pants to pack for each vacation. This isn’t to suggest they can’t be used as solo hiking pants in the bush, but their small weight deducts some durability points. They won’t withstand as much abuse as beefier softshell versions like the Helly Hansen Blaze described below.

Two zipped side pockets, one zippered back pocket, and a single zippered thigh pocket round out its straightforward feature set, which is just about right for us. We love having zippers on each pocket since it ensures that any trinkets we carry with us remain protected while we’re out and about. We wish the drawcord cuffs could be adjusted, but Rab has to save weight somewhere.

The Incline Lights, being some of the lightest pants on our list, can withstand miles of wear and tear without weighing you down. They’ll fit in your baggage as a backup pair of pants for lengthier travels or as a stand-alone workhorse for ultralight hiking adventures. You won’t be disappointed, we promise.

Best of the Rest: Patagonia Quandary Pants

These popular, low-cost workhorses have been popular in the hiking and travel communities for a long time and aren’t going away anytime soon. During testing, we discovered the Patagonia Quandary Pants ($89) to be excellent Backcountry and front-country crossover items. Don’t be fooled by the cheap price and flimsy fabric – these pants can throw down and withstand some real suffering on lengthy walks.

With articulated knees, a gusseted crotch, breathable fabric, and a DWR coating with a 40+ UPF rating, this model has some of our favourite characteristics for hiking trousers. These pants are suited for scorching, long-distanc e days in the sun. We enjoy the flexibility they provide. However, the fit felt snug around the waist and thighs. If you’ve been working on your leg day at the gym, check if you can try them on before reaching for your wallet.

Though the Quandary pants don’t have many venting options, the light, thin fabric felt more breathable than many of the pants we tested, and there’s a moisture-absorbing mesh layer at the waistline to help keep sweat at bay. A zippered pocket on the back and a tiny zipped thigh pocket keep things secure, which is enough storage for what we used the pants for.

The Quandary Pants are an excellent adaptable alternative for a range of travel requirements, whether hiking comfortably in the mountains or casual style in town.

Arc’teryx Gamma

We’ve been rock climbing, mountaineering, bushwhacking, spring crud skiing, and cross-country running in an original version of this pant for over 20 years. The pocket zipper has come undone, and the DWR has worn away, but the plant material is still almost as good as new in almost every aspect. They’re almost bombproof.

The Gamma ($180), formerly known as the Gamma LT, has only become better in the years since its introduction. Arc’teryx has added a cord inside the pant hem, revised the belt, and sewed a thigh map pocket into the pants. It has just received a material update, yet it still provides four-way stretch and snag-proof protection. They have a more pleasant skin-facing side now.

Unfortunately, it costs about twice as much as the other pants on the list. The cloth is loud and has poor breathability. However, there are reasonable trade-offs for more vertical undertakings, such as hiking and climbing in damp circumstances.

prAna Stretch Zion Pants II

The renowned Stretch Zion Pants II ($95) has a strong cult following in the climbing world and also thrives on the trail. One of the guide’s writers has owned a pair of Stretch Zions since his sophomore year of college and can’t begin to count the hundreds of miles or pitches he’s logged in them. They still serve him well despite a minor hole in the knee.

With such a devoted fan base, the newly updated Zion II has large shoes to fill — and has received mixed reviews. Some love the new airy ReZion fabric, but others despise its thin, glossy look and tendency to pile. The plastic button reduced the weight of the original metal button. However, several users have reported that it cracked after just a few uses. We haven’t had ours long enough to confirm or reject this, but the metal is missing.

The new fabric is more flexible, lighter, and gentle to the touch. But, most crucially, it is constructed of bluesign-approved recycled nylon. We haven’t seen any discernible decline in durability, but we don’t need more time to test them.

The left thigh zipper pocket is an excellent detail, with two entrance points that make it easy to reach contents when trekking or sitting. Ventilated inseam gussets promote breathability and comfort when trekking or climbing, and a snap roll-up hem adds adaptability. However, we thought the fit to be less flattering than in earlier editions, and the bottom legs flare out noticeably.

Love them or loathe them, prAna’s Stretch Zions is back with a new, more sustainable design. While we are currently assessing the durability and utility of the latest generation, if prior Zions are any indicator of these trousers’ worth, they should be included in any hiking pants compilation.

REI charges $95, while Backcountry charges $52.

Mammut Hiking Pants

Mammut’s Hiking pants ($119) are the lightest hiking pant son the list, at just 7.5 ounces. A large portion of the weight may be attributed to less material. The Alpine Lightweight Hikers taper across the legs, but the waist feels true to size (although somewhat oversized).

Despite the fact that spandex is sewn into the fabric, they provide less movement than the other pants on the list. They tend to constrict the legs while high-stepping across boulder fields, for example.

The light yarn breathes nicely and is ideal for hot-weather excursions. They function well as vents since the pockets are entirely made of mesh. Unfortunately, there is no drawcord to keep the ankles fastened over the calves. Thus, you will have to roll them up instead.

Water and spray roll off the cloth since it is treated with a strong DWR. And even if they do get wet, they dry rapidly.

When sitting in the automobile, the hand pockets are shallow and tend to drop their contents. Thankfully, all three pockets are zippered.

While the pants feature belt hooks, they do not have a belt and are broader in the waist. This becomes more important when you lose weight on lengthy excursions or while carrying a pack.

Helly Hansen Blaze Softshell Pants

The brawny Blaze Softshell Pants ($160), which land solidly on the other end of the weight and durability spectrum from Mammut’s lightweight pants above, are for severe technical goals, where a perfect combination of all-day comfort and bombproof performance is crucial. While they make excellent hiking pantsin moderate situations, they excel in cold temperatures, stormy weather, and rough terrain.

These industrious pants include a four-way solid stretch, articulated cuts, lots of adjustability, and reinforced panels over high-wear areas. To compensate for these indulgences, we have been given the most fantastic scale reading on this list. Despite their weight, they pack down extremely little, and the amount of movement they provide makes them seem much lighter than they are. As a result, they are ideal choices for winter trips or mild mountaineering goals where lighter, flimsier pant swould wear out quickly.

Elasticated velcro adjustments at the hips and a zippered adjustment in the lower leg let you fine-tune the fit or add insulating layers underneath. If a snug, athletic fit is your thing (and it is ours), the bottom leg zips tight, but it can also splay open to allow hefty climbing boots or heavy layers if necessary.

We were amazed at how nicely its four-way stretch and gusseted crotch moved with us for such a thick fabric, and we had no issue contorting our bodies while crossing dense blowdowns or bouncing from boulder to boulder. The abrasion-resistant fabric is more resistant to rips and tears than others, giving us confidence amid prickly bushwhacks. Furthermore, high-impact locations (such as the instep of the trousers) are strengthened with heavier fabrics.

Despite its size, the Blaze features just three pockets (two sides and one zippered thigh). We wish there were back pockets, and the zipped thigh pocket is on the front of the leg, which feels awkward when filled up compared to pockets on the side of the thigh.

Despite our minor quibbles, they are among the best softshell hybrid hiking/mountaineering pants on the market. When it comes to technical adventure gear, Helly Hansen knows what they’re doing, and that deliberate attention to detail is evident in these trekking trousers.

Patagonia Terravia Trail Pants

The sleek Patagonia Terravia Trail pants ($129) known initially as the Altvia, are highly comfortable, protective trekking pants for challenging excursions in the mountains, similar to our top selection, Outdoor Research’s Ferrosi Pants. Their polyester and spandex structure makes them some of the cosiest pants to wear, and despite their heavier fabric, they provide a surprising level of flexibility.

They move with you effortlessly and protect you from thorns and underbrush, whether you’re vaulting over blowdowns or parkouring through boulder-strewn stream beds. A straight-panel gusset and articulated legs improve movement, and the waistline on these pants is also flexible. As a result, they have a jogger-like feel to them. The fabric is tough, which is a plus for weather protection but a disadvantage in humid, muggy conditions. It doesn’t have little in the way of breathability or ventilation.

We took these pants on some severe bushwhacks while looking for new climbing crags and off-trail side quests on backpacking trips, and although they held up nicely, we were astonished at the number of picks and loose strands that appeared after just a few excursions. Given their reputation for above-average resilience, we can’t really blame them for being subjected to greater torment than others.

A total of five zipped compartments keep everything safe and secure when bouncing about on the trail, and we enjoy the sense of security they instil. However, the many zippers add weight, pushing these pants towards the heavier end of the scale.

The trousers’ regular, straight cut fitted our legs pleasantly without being constrictive, but the 31-inch inseam seemed weird. We would want to have 30 or 32-inch alternatives rather than the Altvias’ 29 or 31-inch possibilities. The 30-inch length is appropriate for our tester, while the 31-inch length is just a little bit long. The inside gussets and zippered fit of the cuff, on the other hand, make it easy to slip them over different sizes of heavy boots.

Those reservations aside, we believe these new Patagonia pants provide cutting-edge comfort in a practical, adventure-ready style. While they aren’t ideal for hot summer excursions, they are ideal for chilly travels or hikes in rugged, wooded terrain.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Hiking Pants

Hiking pants are crucial investments for all-day comfort on the route and should be carefully selected before embarking on your expedition. The sort of terrain you expect to encounter on your journey, the temps you’ll be hiking in, and your amount of sun exposure all influence which model is ideal for you. Continue reading for tips on narrowing down your search for the ideal pair.

Read more : Best hiking pants for Women, Best Hiking Boots for Men

Versatility and Pant Length

Hiking pants are available in three styles: full-length, convertible, and roll-up. Even in the summer, full-length pants are an excellent choice for comprehensive leg protection. Most pants contain mesh pockets or ventilation vents to prevent overheating.

Convertible pants are the perfect multi-purpose item. The legs zip off to reveal shorts or pants. They’re a terrific alternative for varied weather and multiday walks when you want more options and less gear to bring, but finding a pair that doesn’t look reasonable is rugged. It’s also convenient to be able to remove the legs without having to remove your hiking boots, which is something that not all convertible pants provide.

Roll-up pants that fall in between full-length and convertible lie. When rolled up, they feature a tab, button, or drawcord that secures the cuff.

The Arc’teryx Gamma is a heavier, more robust style that we’d be hesitant to wear on the warmest summer days. Still, it also has beneficial drawcords on the cuffs, making it simple to pull them up and get some ventilation on the calves.

Drawcords across the ankles help keep the cuffs tight around the legs. Pants without them must be rolled up.

Mobility

The ability to move freely in hiking pants is critical. You don’t want your pants to impede your mobility, whether you’re jogging down the path or climbing up a steep incline.

This is when design elements like a gusseted crotch, articulated knees, and elastic fabrics come in handy. Because everyone is different in form, it might be beneficial to try on a few pairs before purchasing to guarantee a tight (but comfortable) fit.

Some trousers, such as Mammut’s Lightweight Hikers, run thin and impede mobility. In contrast, we discovered that Black Diamond’s Alpine Light achieves an ideal blend of lightweight durability and mobility.

Consider how comfy your clothes will be while carrying a fully laden hiking rucksack. Make sure they fit correctly so you don’t have to use a belt to hold them up, which might irritate your pack while you trek.

Weather Defense

Just because you’re dressed in pants doesn’t mean you’re immune to the sun’s harmful rays. If you’re going trekking on a hot day, opt for pants with a UPF rating of 40 or 50.

A DWR coating will not make your pants entirely waterproof, but it will keep you dry when trekking through dewy bush or in light rains. DWR retains water droplets on the surface, enabling them to roll off easily.

DWRs will gradually be washed out. It would help if you treated severely worn hiking pants on occasion for maximum performance. Nikwax Softshell Proof Wash-In is a simple solution to keep your pants water-repellent year after year.

If you want something other than DWR pants, the Fjallraven Abisko Midsummer is an excellent choice. Fjallraven avoids DWR and instead supplies an aftermarket wax that may be applied to increase water resistance.

These modifications begin to raise the price of trousers. Columbia’s Silver Ridge Cargo Pant does not have a DWR, but it does offer UV protection and is an excellent bargain.

Furthermore, weather protection might make pants heavier and less agile – things to consider while planning your hike. We don’t prioritize DWR treatment while searching for hiking pants since we usually put on a specialized pair of rain pants if the skies actually open up. However, some hikers like them in mild rain and mist.

Hiking Pants with Additional Features

The little details may make or ruin a nice pair of trousers. Some of the features include well-placed cargo pockets, zipped pockets, belt loops, and built-in belts. Whether or not you want them depends on your hiking goals and preferences.

In general, you want an excellent feature-to-weight ratio in your hiking trousers. Lightweight breathability is critical in most hiking circumstances, and many features are just gimmicks that offer little use to your journey. Additional zipped and cargo pockets may be your cup of tea if you prefer carrying tons of additional items in your pockets as you slog along. If you want to carry most of your belongings in your backpack or hipbelt pockets, cut weight by purchasing a slimmed-down pair of pants that include the basics.

It’s also a good idea to try on your hiking pants with whatever backpack you want to use for your walk to ensure that the waist feels comfortable underweight and won’t cause chafing in the long run. Integrated belt loops may be helpful in certain situations, but they seldom feel comfortable with a 30-pound load crushing down on them.

FAQ

What kind of hiking pants are best?

It all depends on where you’re going (desert, humid forest, bushwhacking), how long you’ll be there (hours, days, weeks, months), the weather, and your preferences. We provided several alternatives above that address these issues.

For long-term usage, seek durable pants that resist water or dry rapidly and include the features you desire (pockets, belts, leg zip-offs). It’s best to think about these possibilities first, even if it means spending more money. The finest hiking pants are those that are tailored to your specific requirements.

Should I wear pants on my hike?

Again, this is a matter of personal choice. One of our writers trekked the Appalachian Trail with a man who exclusively wore shorts the whole 2,000 miles, regardless of the weather. In contrast, he mostly wore pants to shield himself from bugs, the sun, and abrasions. He converted his zip-offs when it was pretty hot.

Cut-offs may be your best choice if you’re in the Sonoran desert when temperatures are blistering, and you want the flexibility to change to shorts. If you’re blazing through dense bush in the Alaskan wilderness, the Fjallraven Abisko Midsummer Zip-Off pants will save your legs from being sliced up.

Do hiking clothes make a difference?

Do your car’s tires matter? Hike in your work trousers, jeans, or sweats, then switch to a technical pair from the list above – that should answer your question. If you’re beginning to start, start with a pair of less-priced trousers, such as the Columbia Silver Ridge Cargo Pant, and work your way up as you figure out the characteristics you want.

Is it OK to hike in jeans?

Jeans are not the ideal choice since they are comprised of cotton, which does not wick moisture away. They’re also unbreathable, lack stretch, and are rather hefty. In general, avoid wearing garments composed of cotton, linen, denim, or anything stiff.

What should I wear for a hike in the summer?

When hiking, it is always recommended to wear and bring layers. Consider your body to be an onion that can be layered down. Loose clothes with breathability are essential for staying calm and wicking away sweat. Sunburn may be avoided by wearing garments with a UPF of 40-50 in the fabric mix.

If you’re in a bug-infested location, wearing or spraying your clothes with an insect repellent will help keep those bothersome mosquitos, ticks, and sandflies at bay. Finally, colour is essential. Wear lighter-coloured attire, particularly slacks, such as pale beige, grey, or cream. Darker hues absorb heat, whereas brighter colours reflect it.