The 5 Best Hiking Pants – Men’s and Women’s
Do not underestimate the value of a good pair of hiking pants. You do not need to spend $200 for a pair but taking time to research before making a purchase can prevent discomfort on future hikes.
Based on my research, I have compiled a list of what I consider to be the best hiking pants available for men and women:
Best men’s hiking pants
| Brand & Model | Material | Price | |
| 1. prAna Stretch Zion Pants | 97% nylon / 3% spandex | $89.00 | |
| 2. KUHL Silencr Pants | Rip-stop polyester | $85.00 | |
| 3. Arc’teryx Lefroy Pants | 86% nylon / 14% elastane | $119.00 | |
| 4. Columbia Silver Ridge Pants | Rip-stop nylon | $55.00 – $60.00 | |
| 5. REI Co-op Activator 3.0 Pants | 63% nylon / 26% polyester / 11% spandex | $99.95 |
Best women’s hiking pants
| Brand & Model | Material | Price |
| 1. KUHL Freeflex Roll-up Pants | 50% polyester / 50% new polyester | $89.00 |
| 2. prAna Halle Pants | 97% nylon / 3% spandex | $85.00 |
| 3. KUHL Trekr Pants | 57% polyester / 43% nylon | $89.00 |
| 4. Columbia Saturday Trail Pants | 96% nylon / 4% elastane | $60.00 |
| 5. REI Co-op Activator 3.0 Pants | 63% nylon / 26% polyester / 11% spandex | $99.95 |
Later, we will get into the details of these hiking pants, but first …
What makes a good pair of hiking pants?
The best hiking pants are made from non-cotton, moisture-wicking materials that are lightweight, breathable, and have some flexibility for easier maneuvering around obstacles. For these reasons, jeans and windbreaker pants are terrible choices for hiking anything beyond a leisurely stroll.
Other factors to consider when choosing hiking pants are the color, pockets, belt, zip-off legs, price, and the overall fit and feel of the pants. So, let’s highlight each of these and elaborate on your options and what to look for.
Material
As with any article of clothing you wear when hiking, stay away from cotton when it comes to pants. Cotton absorbs moisture, so as you sweat or hike through the rain or cross streams, all that water gets absorbed by cotton pants.
As far as jeans; denim is cotton, so jeans are a no-go when it comes to hiking. When you swap a wet pair of jeans from the washer into the dryer, you feel how heavy they get when wet. You do not want to hike it this! Plus, a lot of jeans don’t have the flexibility required for moderate to strenuous hiking.
A combination of nylon and spandex seems to be the most popular fabric for the best hiking pants because they are moisture wicking and tend to dry quick while offering the flexibility needed as hikers. You can find other material options like polyester and wool, which are also moisture wicking fabrics, but may be a little heavier.
And one last tidbit when it comes to hiking pants material: Don’t hike in rain pants unless you need them at the time! Rain pants can keep you dry in the rain or can even serve as a windbreaker, but to wear them all day during a hike can lead to excessive sweating. There is little breathability is these types of pants, so save them for the rainy and windy days. For more help preparing for a rainy hike, check out Hiking in the Rain: A Guide to Staying Dry.
Color
The color of your hiking pants may seem like just your personal preference and overall, they are but here are some things to consider about the color of your pants.
Some hikers prefer darker colored pants because the dirt and mud aren’t as easily seen, but why I choose to go with lighter color pants is because it is easier to see ticks on you against the lighter colors. I’d much rather see a tick crawling up my leg and see dirt than not see dirt and not see the tick. However, given the time of year and location, this may not be something for you to worry about.
Lighter colors may be cooler, though this can largely depend on your pants’ breathability, but they reflect heat better while darker colors absorb more heat. How much does this affect how hot we get? Well, science says nil, so I wouldn’t let the idea that lighter pants are cooler or darker pants are hotter be my ultimate decision-making factor.
Pockets
Another thing to consider when choosing hiking pants are the pockets a pair may or may not offer. Some hikers prefer a lot of pockets for carrying additional miscellaneous items, while others think having extra pockets leads you to carrying additional items you don’t need. Keep in mind though, that the more you carry in your pocket, the more potential you have for discomfort around those hotspots.
However many pockets you want your pants to have, you may also want to take into consideration whether these pockets are open or can be closed with a zipper or Velcro.
Belt
Some hiking pants come with integrated belts while others only have belt loops. This may not seem like a big deal, but I prefer pants with an integrated belt because of the comfort and adjustment range. Normal belts can only be adjusted at intervals while most belts built-in to hiking pants are just pulled tighter as you need it. This can be especially useful if hiking long distances when weight is often lost.
As far as comfort, I’ve experienced that a regular belt tends to dig in to my hips more while the integrated belts don’t. I believe this has to do with the material the belts are made from. Nylon belts have an ability to flex with your movements while leather belts are sturdier and don’t want to give.
Zip-off Legs (Convertible)
A neat feature that some hiking pants offer is the ability to convert to shorts. This versatility is great when you get too hot and need to cool off. Just unzip the lower legs and voila, you have shorts.
Fit and Feel
Try pants on before you decide to buy, or at least make sure returning them won’t be a hassle. You want to make sure the pants feel good to move around in and that the fit is comfortable. Fit varies from company to company, and some brands don’t offer normal inseam sizing, instead opting for small, medium, and large sizes.
I prefer my hiking pants to not be too long or too baggy, and as long as they have flexibility they won’t restrict your movements. Looser pants have a greater chance to snag on rocks or briars in passing, but overall fit and feel should be based on your preferences.
Price
The price on some hiking pants can be unreal, though that isn’t to say they aren’t worth it. However, everyone’s budget is not the same and you can get quality hiking pants under $50 easily. Find a pair of pants that has the fit and features you want and still falls into your budget.
The Best Hiking Pants for Men and Women
Now that we have covered what you may want to look for in a pair of hiking pants, here are what I believe to be the best current options.
Best Men’s Hiking Pants
The Stretch Zion Pants from prAna are 97% nylon/3% spandex and offer plenty of stretch for your tougher climbs and scrambling. The legs can be rolled up and secured with a snap button, which is handy when fording creeks. The material is quick drying, has a DWR coating, and offers UPF 50+ sun protection. To top it off, the Stretch Zion Pants has an integrated belt for quick and easy adjustment.
If you are interested in convertible pants, prAna offers the Stretch Zion Convertible Pants.
The KUHL Silencr Pants are made from flexible rip-stop soft shell polyester that fends off light rain and still offers UPF 50 sun protection. The waistband is lined with microchamois for extra comfort around your hips. And if you want pockets, the Silencer Pants offers 7 of them, including two cell phone pockets.
I’ve written a full review on these pants, so be sure to check it out.
The Arc’teryx Lefroy Pants is made from a breathable, stretching fabric that is 86% nylon, 14% elastane. They are a slim fit for a more athletic feel and are moisture wicking and quick drying. These pants offer 5 pockets and an integrated belt.
4. Columbia Silver Ridge Pants
Made from 100% rip-stop nylon, the Columbia Silver Ridge Pants are versatile and durable. They offer UPF 50 sun protection and are moisture wicking. An integrated belt is included, plus the waistband has partial elasticity. The Silver Ridge Pants also has a convertible option.
5. REI Co-op Activator 3.0 Pants
The REI Activator 3.0 Pants is made from nylon, polyester, and spandex and repels light rain and winds up to 35 mph. They have drawcords at the cuff that allow you to cinch them around your boots for preventing debris from getting inside or allow you to roll the legs up.
Best Women’s Hiking Pants
1. KUHL Freeflex Roll-up Pants – $89
The KUHL Freeflex is made from lightweight polyester with plenty of stretch. It is moisture wicking, dries quickly, and has UPF 50 protection. They can be rolled up to capri length and secured with a snap button. The Freeflex Roll-up Pants also has an internal drawcord for assisting in dialing in the perfect fit.
2. prAna Halle Pants – $85
Made from the same fabric as the Men’s Stretch Zion Pants, the Halle Pants from prAna is much the same; plenty of stretch, UPF 50+ sun protection, quick drying, DWR finish. There is even a drawcord which allows for a better fit around the waist. Plus, like many other women’s hiking pants, the Halle pant legs can be roll-up and secured with a snap button.
Like the KUHL Freeflex hiking pants, the Trekr Pants offer UPF 50 sun protection and can roll-up to capri length. Unlike the Freeflex, these pants are made from a polyester/nylon blend. While they have plenty of stretch, it probably isn’t as much as the Freeflex.
4. Columbia Saturday Trail Pants
The Columbia Saturday Trail Pants provide UPF 50+ sun protection, plus it resists stains and water. Made with 96% nylon/4% elastane, these hiking pants for women gives enough stretch to tackle rugged terrain. The legs can also be rolled up to capri length to help keep them dry when fording streams, or for helping you stay cooler. The Saturday Trail Pants also has a convertible version!
5. REI Co-op Activator 3.0 Pants
The women’s REI Activator 3.0 Pants are essentially the same as the men’s, just a different fit. Material is a nylon/polyester/spandex blend that allows for flexibility and provides UPF 50 sun protection. The cinchs at the cuff lets you secure them over your boots or holds the legs in place when rolled up. Unlike the men’s version, the women’s Activator 3.0 Pants does not have an integrated belt.
What pants you SHOULD NOT wear for hiking
As mentioned earlier, you don’t want to wear jeans hiking, nor anything else made from cotton. Cotton absorbs moisture rather than wicking it away. While these pants may be more durable, they are also heavier and can slow you down and limit your range of motion.
Don’t wear any hiking pants that are too tight or too loose. Being tight can cause discomfort and being loose can cause aggravation. Make sure whatever hiking pants you go with fit well and are comfortable to you.
As far as leggings or yoga pants, I’m not an expert, but again avoid anything cotton. However, wearing something that is form-fitting can cause issues with hygiene and may even cause chaffing, so if you are going on an extended hike, I would recommend leaving the yoga pants at home and find a good pair of hiking pants or shorts, but it is up to you.
What about shorts?
Speaking of shorts, are they a good idea in place of hiking pants? Well, they are lighter and cooler and offer some other benefits, but I still prefer hiking pants because they can protect your legs from the environment amongst other things. But again, this depends on what you are more comfortable with.
I’ve written another post diving deeper into this discussion, so check out “Are Hiking Pants Better Than Shorts?” If you do decide to go with shorts, make sure they fit well and are of an appropriate material.
Conclusion
In the end, choosing the best pair of hiking pants doesn’t have to be a tough decision. You know what to look for, so the biggest determining factors should be what fits you best and the price. Hopefully, this article has given you all the information you need to know to find the right hiking pants for your next hiking adventure.
