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Soft Shell Pants

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The best soft shell pants, reviewed and curated by the Trailspace community. The latest review was added on January 21, 2024. Stores' prices and availability are updated daily.

user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Outdoor Research Cirque Lite Pants
$40 - $139
user rating: 5 of 5 (7)
Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants
$17 - $174
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1)
Outdoor Research Ferrosi Joggers
$86 - $95
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1)
Sitka Ascent Pant Hiking Pant / Soft Shell
$130
user rating: 5 of 5 (2)
Outdoor Research Cirque Pants
$150
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (9)
Arc'teryx Gamma LT Pant
$127 - $189
user rating: 4 of 5 (10)
Marmot Scree Pant
$35 - $219
user rating: 5 of 5 (3)
Arc'teryx Gamma MX Pant
$300
user rating: 4 of 5 (4)
Patagonia Alpine Guide Pants
$249
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Mountain Hardwear Yumalino Pant
$43 - $89
user rating: 4 of 5 (1)
Arc'teryx Gamma AR Pant
$161
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Outdoor Research Supercharger Pant
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Stone Glacier De Havilland Pant
$189 MSRP
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Patagonia Knifeblade Pants
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1)
Bergans Tufto Pants
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1)
La Sportiva Halo Pant
$249 MSRP
user rating: 5 of 5 (4)
Mammut Castor Pants
$299 MSRP
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Arc'teryx Gamma Rock Pant
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Craghoppers Kiwi Pro Stretch Pants
user rating: 5 of 5 (2)
Marmot Rockstar Pant
$90 MSRP
user rating: 4 of 5 (1)
Helly Hansen Odin Huginn Pant
$180 MSRP
user rating: 4 of 5 (1)
Bergans Moa Pirate Pant
$79 MSRP
user rating: 5 of 5 (2)
Mountain Hardwear Sarpa Pant
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Mountain Hardwear Winter Wander Pant
$100 MSRP
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1)
Trangoworld Prote FI
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1)
Columbia Headwall II Pant
$80 MSRP
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1)
Salomon Momentum II Soft Shell Pant
user rating: 4 of 5 (3)
The North Face Eidolon Pant
$100 MSRP
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Stoic Overhang Pant
user rating: 4 of 5 (1)
Hilltrek Clova SV Breeches
$169 MSRP
user rating: 4 of 5 (2)
Patagonia MixMaster Pants
$270 MSRP
user rating: 3 of 5 (2)
Eddie Bauer First Ascent Mountain Guide Lite Pants
$179 MSRP
user rating: 3 of 5 (1)
Bergans Okla Lady Pant
$159 MSRP
Mountain Equipment Ibex Pant
user rating: 2 of 5 (1)
Beyond Clothing M5 Glacier Pant
 
user rating: 2 of 5 (1)
Beyond Clothing Cold Play Mojave Pant
user rating: 1 of 5 (2)
Thunderbolt Sportswear Mark II Original Jean
$200 MSRP
user rating: 5 of 5 (3)
Patagonia Super Guide Pant
discontinued
user rating: 5 of 5 (4)
Patagonia Guide Pants
$179 MSRP
discontinued
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Mammut Courmayeur Pants
discontinued
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Rab Exodus Pant
discontinued
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (4)
Outdoor Research Exos Pants
discontinued
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1)
Lowe Alpine Paradigm Pant
discontinued
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Ibex Vim Hybrid Pant
$165 MSRP
discontinued
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Cloudveil Black Ice Bib
discontinued
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
The North Face Apex Randonee Pant
discontinued
user rating: 3.5 of 5 (3)
Patagonia Simple Guide Pants
discontinued
user rating: 4 of 5 (2)
Cloudveil Switchback Pant
discontinued

Recent Soft Shell Pant Reviews

rated 4.5 of 5 stars
Outdoor Research Ferrosi Joggers

The Ferrosi Joggers are a light pair of synthetic pants that are great for hiking. I like the tactile, quick-drying, breathable yet durable fabric, and they’re well-designed unless you favor a fly with a zipper. The jogger style (elastic cuffs) work better with low hikers, but they make regular Ferrosi hiking pants. One of the best hiking pants I have worn.  BASIC INFORMATION Outdoor Research offers Ferrosi hiking pants for men and women (in regular and convertible styles, if you like pants that… Full review

rated 4 of 5 stars
Marmot Scree Pant

Used to be the best pants ever. I bought my first pair of these a decade ago it seems.  They turned out to be the most amazing comfortable pants I had ever worn.  They seemed indestructible and to give you and idea of what I mean, I still have be original pair but they look ratty these days.  I have hiked with them through rocks and poking things like brambles and branches.  The most amazing feature of these pants is temperature regulation.  Or at least it was.  The first designs of these… Full review

rated 4 of 5 stars
Arc'teryx Gamma AR Pant

So close, SO CLOSE; these pants are amazing. The fit, the mobility, the stretch, the sizing, but why couldn't you just put the littlest back pocket on there for before and after the wilds? -when I need to stick a license, credit card, and twenty bucks somewhere accessible?! The pants in the field: Whether hiking, backpacking, nordic skiing, snowshoeing, or even wearing these pants under my ski pants on a quick, lunch-break-tour of my favorite alpine trails around our resort, these pants rate an… Full review

rated 5 of 5 stars
Outdoor Research Cirque Lite Pants

The Cirque Lite Pants are another hit from Outdoor Research. These alpine climbing pants are hiking, scrambling, and three-season mountaineering friendly.   Hiking out from Peggy's Pond in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness (Washington) Outdoor Research's Cirque Lite Pants Ever do something dumb outdoors and turn a pleasant hike/climb into an epic suffer-fest? Yeah, me neither. Outdoor Research, the “working man’s” gear company, has made a pair of pants that can take you from casual hikes with… Full review

rated 4 of 5 stars
Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants

A very solid pair of hiking pants suitable for a variety of conditions across four seasons. These best sellers have been re-designed to meet Bluesign environmental standards, and to provide additional comfort. These trousers come in a huge variety of sizes so that you can find the perfect fit.     In most conditions, I prefer to hike in shorts or 3/4 length pants. I tend to hike pretty warm, and sometimes full length pants are too warm. But there are times, especially in the winter and shoulder… Full review

rated 5 of 5 stars
Outdoor Research Cirque Pants

All of the durability and stretch I need for any winter activity! I love and own many Outdoor Research products, and the Cirque does not disappoint. My favorite for all of my winter activities (snowshoeing, ice climbing, winter backpacking, ice fishing, Search And Rescue, and anything else outdoors!). Love the stretch, articulated knee, and gusseted crotch for comfort. A little on the warm side, but better than being cold! I tried the Cirque II, but they seem to be thinner, and don‘t fit the same. Full review

rated 5 of 5 stars
Stone Glacier De Havilland Pant

A robust yet comfortable pair of pants that are truly at home in the outdoors. With tons of sizing options and an innovative Contour Waist System, it’s easy for these to become the best fitting pants in your closet. While Stone Glacier is primarily known for its ultralight hunting gear, the brand makes gear appropriate for all sorts of outdoor activities, like hiking, camping, general outdoors shenanigans, and more. Testing Conditions I’ve tested the De Havilland pants for three months during… Full review

rated 4.5 of 5 stars
Sitka Ascent Pant

The Sitka Ascent Pants are a compellingly solid pair of lightweight hiking and hunting pants, built for warm-weather conditions. Although they are made by a hunting-focused company, these are every bit as good for non-hunters as they are for the hunters—and near perfect for people like me who do both. The breathable, stretch material (Stretch CORDURA Nylon Woven Blend) keeps things cool downstairs when the temps are hot, but unlike many summer hiking pants on the market, these are actually durable… Full review

rated 5 of 5 stars
Mountain Hardwear Yumalino Pant

These are a lightweight winter pant that move with you and keep the chill away. These pants are my go-to for 95 percent of my winter activities. I’ve worn them for winter trail runs, skiing (Alpine and Nordic), snowshoeing, skating, snowball fights, and casual walks. They simply deliver. This will be my third winter with them and their durability continues to impress me. The only tear in one of them was from a dog bite—considering I’ve worn them in brush, on chairlifts with sharp edges, wearing… Full review

Other Types of Pants

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Waterproof Pants

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