And of course, the waterproof membrane won’t breathe nearly as well either. Finally, the cut is baggy for our taste, and for long days on the trail we prefer a more tapered design. A gusset is a patch of diamond shaped fabric that runs along the inner thigh of the pants, replacing a standard seam. Depending on the model, they can actually be pretty decent performers. I have a lightweight Patagonia grey fleece and use this all the time as a mid-layer. I wear a size medium. January 10, 2021. 1 oz.​Belt included: NoWhat we like: A versatile pant with ample storage.What we don’t: Slightly baggy fit and a bit heavy. I wear a size medium. The big benefit is you don’t have to fuss with zippers, all that’s required is a low-profile button and some tabs to secure the pant legs, and you get many of the ventilating benefits of a zip-off in a ¾ length.Â. Cotton holds onto moisture, so it keeps you feeling sweaty in hot temperatures and cold and wet if the weather cools down. The extra zippers can be a pain to use, and no matter the design, they add weight and bulk. That said, due to this category’s noteworthy variation in styles, we’ve also created a unique round-up of the best women’s hiking pants. The biggest concern with a softshell pant like the REI Activator is that it will run warm. Additionally, the Ferrosi is a bit more simplistic—we’d like to see an included belt or waist adjuster like the Stretch Zion, and the OR’s pockets are on the small side. These rain pants are okay. This may be overkill for those prefer to hike without being weighed down, but we appreciate the unobtrusive design nonetheless.See the Men's Kuhl Renegade Convertible. Prana Sky Canyon Jogger - These hiking pants are durable, quick-drying, with UPF 50+. 5.8 oz.​Belt included: NoWhat we like: Super tough and water-resistant. What we don’t: Heavy and overkill for most conditions. From the models we've worn, we think prAna's Stretch Zion are the best. Despite being reasonably well-built for the price, the materials feel relatively thin and don’t provide as much weather protection as some of the pricier options on this list. The retail chain rebranded to Sierra in 2018. The downside of an integrated belt, particularly one that wraps all the way around your waist, is the extra bulk, which can potentially interfere with a backpack’s hipbelt. Keep in mind that the Cirque II is a specialty pant. The Outdoor Research Ferrosi and Arc’teryx Lefroy are two of the stretchiest hiking pants available (86 percent nylon and 14 percent spandex), while the Fjallraven Vidda Pro Ventilated are all polyester and cotton and have no give.Â. Most hikers head straight for a lightweight nylon pant, which is the makeup of many of our choices above, but we can tell you firsthand that a burlier softshell is underrated. The benefits are readily apparent: a 2-in-1 style means you don’t have to pack extra clothing, and it's a quick process to increase leg ventilation. We tested the full array of hiking socks from the heat of Utah’s... A key piece of any gear closet is a go-to daypack. It’s no wonder many pants that made our “best of” list have a convertible model. Celebrating 30 Years Of Exploring. In practice, we’ve taken it on hikes up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit and have not experienced any overheating, which is a pleasant surprise. They make tank tops and shirts out of the same material. On the flipside, the thickness of the G-1000 fabric allows you to move through brush and slide over rocks without worrying about tears. For example, if there are lots of ticks, mosquitoes, and/or flies, then you might want to consider long sleeves, long pants, and clothes with built-in insect repellent or bug-net clothing. In contrast to a traditional, straight-legged pant, the improved range of motion is immediately apparent. A lot of hikers choose to wear pants to better protect their legs from not only branches and boulders, but also ticks and other bugs. Other favorites include the aforementioned Ferrosi and Kuhl's durable men's Renegade and women's Kliffside shorts. For something a little different, the sleek Silencr hits the sweet spot between performance and casual wear. Taken together, the Sahara certainly aren’t the worst hiking pants out there, but we prefer the convertible options from Columbia and Kuhl above. See the Men's REI Sahara Convertible  See the Women's REI Sahara Convertible. That’s what you want! The Rapid Waterproof Boots are the ideal footwear for your next hiking adventure. All in all, we can’t help but love the versatility and performance boost of the Activator, which has made it one of our go-to trekking pants.See the Men's REI Co-op Activator 3.0  See the Women's REI Activator 3.0. A higher percentage of elastane will result in a stretchier feel, which can be especially nice for those who tend to size their pants on the tight side. I really love the Patagonia Nine Trails shorts for hiking. In this article, you’ll find many of the same models here (names and colorways often differ) in addition to a variety of women’s-specific hiking pants and trail-worthy leggings.Back to Our Top Hiking Pant Picks  Back to Our Hiking Pant Comparison Table. Most hiking pants shed light rain pretty well, thanks to a durable water repellent coating (you’ll often see if listed as DWR), which makes the droplets bead up and roll off. It doubles well for snowshoeing and spring skiing.See the Men's Outdoor Research Cirque II  See the Women's Outdoor Research Cirque II. Materials: 100% nylon, polyester mesh panelsWeight: 12.6 oz.​Belt included: YesWhat we like: A great value and pockets galore.What we don’t: Cut is a bit baggy and the materials won't last forever. To help highlight differences in weight, we've included the numbers in both our product specs and comparison table. (For reference, I’m wearing a size 6. Find vast selection, epic brands and teeny tiny prices on everything you need for running, hiking, yoga, biking, camping and more. Many of the pants on this list are hiking-centric and look more at home on-trail than off. This isn’t a deal-breaker for us, however, and the Silencr still has a lot going for it in terms of versatility. That said, we do appreciate a hiking pant that can double down for everyday use or be worn for travel. A synthetic-fill jacket, like the one I mention below, will still insulate even if it happens to get wet. See reviews, photos, directions, phone numbers and more for Tj Maxx locations in Macomb Township, MI. In terms of features, the Stretch Zion has a zippered cargo pocket, which is helpful for storage, snaps for rolling up the legs, and a low-profile waistband adjuster to the right of the top button. In addition to your rain jacket being waterproof, you also want to make sure that it’s breathable so that it doesn’t trap in moisture as you move and sweat. Keep in mind, throwing on a pair of baselayers underneath can make many 3-season pants very agreeable in the wintertime as well. And if you’re like us, you bring a single pair of pants and clean it along the way. Free Shipping on $89+ orders. You do lose some ankle support when carrying... Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX Hiking Boot Review, See the Men's Fjallraven Vidda Pro Ventilated, The North Face Paramount Trail Convertible ($69), See the Women's Outdoor Research Cirque II. Made In South Africa 14k Gold Paperclip Chain Necklace $249.99 – $299.99 Compare At $360 – $435 & Up Curbside Pickup Available NOW! The Outfit: Hat – Patagonia Sunglasses- Tj Maxx Top – Columbia Watch- Apple Leggings- AYBL Shoes – Nike. It’s important to be prepared for changing weather conditions on a hike. If you plan on using these pants exclusively on the trail, we give the nod to the OR and the improved breathability. All told, the Stretch Zion is just about the whole package in a hiking pant and look good around town too (much better than most other hiking-ready models).Â, Our only real gripe with the prAna Stretch Zion comes when wearing them in hot weather. Something like this Patagonia Capilene Thermal Weight Crew long-sleeve shirt would be a good base layer hiking shirt for colder days in the early Spring and Fall. However, these pants are considerably more expensive than other lightweight options like the OR Ferrosi and budget Columbia Silver Ridge above. If you’re the type that likes to carry a number of gadgets in your pockets or will be using the pants for travel, the Renegade offers a ton of storage options. The added give in the material also can be a real boon on the trail, and even more so when it comes to setting up a tent and moving around camp. Layering is key. Nowadays, there are a number of pants that hit that sweet spot for us, with an athletic fit that isn’t overly tight. The momentum in hiking footwear is moving away from bulky boots toward lightweight shoes and even trail runners that are faster and more comfortable. A base layer is the clothing that’s in direct contact with your skin. Instead, clothes made out of polyester, nylon, and merino wool are all great options for hiking clothes. For colder hikes, you might need to consider a warmer base layer. We put the boot to the test while backpacking the rugged Huemul Circuit in Patagonia and found it to be the perfect... You just can’t overvalue a great pair of hiking socks: they keep your feet comfortable and dry while helping to prevent blisters and hotspots. I even have fleece-lined yoga pants which I love to wear on colder hikes. It just makes for a more comfortable wear. (I wear a size small tall.). Check out this hiking shoes guide for all the details on different hiking shoes and what might be best for your hike! Billed as a lightweight hiking and travel pant, the Patagonia Quandary balances performance and casual needs. It’s worth noting that the Ferrosi got a light update fairly recently, including a horizontal zipper on the thigh pocket (it used to be vertical) and no zippers on the rear pockets, but the winning formula has gone largely unchanged for years. What to wear on a hike goes way beyond shirts and pants. For a more relaxed fit, the Kuhl Renegade strike us as a good balance of a bit of extra space without swishing around like a pair of old windbreakers. This multi-use trail can be used both directions and has a … You can also access it behind TJ Maxx although that entrance has gotten difficult over the last few years.