Hiking Pants

Featured review by Mackaym

Super comfortable and stylish pants. Recommended for pretty much everyone!

After multiple attempts at finding a great-fitting pair of hiking pants, I finally came across some reviews on the Prana Stretch Zion Convertible pants that helped me make up my mind that these were the pants I wanted.  However, I wasn't able to find a pair in any of my local stores, and the $85-90 pricetag gave me pause on purchasing them without trying them on.  But, after a few months of checking on some of the stores online, I finally came across a prior year closeout deal for only $45 for a pair of ginger-colored pants (think golden yellow), and I decided to give them a shot.

Read more: prAna Stretch Zion Convertible reviews (3)

Reviewed by Burke MacLeay

The Patagonia Iron Forge Hemp Canvas Double Knee Pant is a heavy, well-constructed work pant with numerous features specifically for working outside with tools. The durable material (a mix of industrial hemp, recycled polyester, and organic cotton) is on the heavy side, but the cut of the pant redeems the bulkiness so your movements aren't restricted. Plus, the pants include recycled and organic materials and are covered by Patagonia's Worn Wear guarantee for many years of use. If you're looking for a strong work pant for trail building or other outdoor work, and you don't plan to hike too much in them, these are a strong, sturdy option. Just consider whether you want to size down.

  Smashing rocks in summer (2020) in the Iron Forge Hemp Canvas pants (photo: Daryn Slover) Using the same pants four years later in 2024   Use I wore the Patagonia Iron Forge Hemp Canvas Double Knee Pants while working building mountain bike trails in Maine this past summer. I've also used them throughout the fall doing personal trail builds and recently this winter started wearing them for a blacksmithing class. Their versatility in what weather they can be used in makes them great for fall days when it can fluctuate between low high 30s and low 70s over the course of a day.

Read more: Patagonia Iron Forge Hemp Canvas Double Knee Pants review (1)

Featured review by Sean Van Cleve

Fjällräven’s Vidda Pro Trousers are a functional and durable pair of pants that hit the mark in virtually every category. Robust yet svelte, these trousers are best for the outdoors-person that needs heavy duty performance, year after year. Don’t fear cotton with these 65/35 polyester/cotton pants, hiking all day in wet snowy weather doesn’t phase the "Arctic Fox"...Fjällräven!

Fjällräven has been making durable outdoors products since 1960, and quality truly shines with their Vidda Pro Trouser. Every detail was thoughtfully designed when making these pants, from the articulated knees, down to pockets that keep one’s contents put, and comfortable. Specifications Material: 65% polyester, 35% cotton (Fjällräven’s proprietary G-1000 fabric) Double Layered Knees, Rear Pockets: 6 (No Rear) Weight: 20.75oz/590g Design, Fit, and Comfort The Vidda Pro Trousers are designed to be a heavy-duty mountain utility pant, and comfort is in no way compromised.

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Reviewed by PhilNC

A sustainable and durable pair of functional work pants for outdoor jobs. Well constructed and thought out with well placed, deep pockets. They are comfortable for work pants, although a bit heavy like many others—the tradeoff for protection and durability. These are not hiking trousers, and are not designed to be, so fit the bill as work pants excellently.

  The Iron Forge 5-pocket hemp canvas pants, with Light Farrier's Shirt I wore the Patagonia Iron Forge Hemp Canvas 5-pocket pants for work in the outdoors from October 2023 through March 2024. These pants are designed for work (based on the marketing and the 30+ ounce weight), and value sturdiness and protection, as well as function, over style. I think they fit the bill nicely. They are comfortable right off the bat without break-in washing or wear, unlike traditional canvas work pants which can take a while to soften to comfort levels.

Read more: Patagonia Iron Forge 5-Pocket Work Pants review (1)

Featured review by Nick Mesarhakis

My go-to summer pants.

It's primary usage is light hiking and when hitting the gym but when in summer pretty much all the time! The color is zinc/voltage. The fit is normal and the sizing is true. I bought 32/32 even thought it's feels more relaxed after a while probably because the fabric gives that impression due to it's lightness.It comes with it's own belt. It features a front zipper and a partially elasticated waist on the sides. It has two front pockets big enough to fit your 5-6 inch smartphone. Also a zippered pocket on the left side, a velcro on the right and two more vecro ones on the back.The side pockets have ample room.

Read more: Columbia Silver Ridge Cargo Pant reviews (3)

Reviewed by Shane

These First Light 308 pants are some of the best I've ever worn. They are super comfortable and look fine wearing around town. At the same time, they're tough, somewhat stretchy, and made with the outdoorsman in mind. I love the pockets and features of these pants.

  First Lite Men's 308 Pants—Walnut Color  As an avid backpacker and hiker, I've tried quite a few hiking pants in my life. I've really come to enjoy a good pair of hiking pants! Although I only recently heard about First Lite, I wish I had heard about them before. These 308 pants that I got from First Lite are legit!   First of all, they fit me like a glove. I usually wear a 32x34—that size in these 308s is perfect for me. (Side note: I'm 6' tall and 185 lbs) They are extremely comfortable to wear.

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Featured review by Chris Johnson

These pants are are very lightweight and durable. They are also very comfortable.

These pants are great. I bought them for camping and hiking, but find myself wearing them on the regular. They are very lightweight and great for mildly warm conditions, but the material is also somewhat wind resistant and so that makes them OK for cooler situations as well.   They are also super durable. On a hike recently, I was getting caught in all kinds of thorns and I just plowed through and the pants don't show any signs. No snags or runs in the material or anything. The zip-offs are super easy to take off, and aren't too bad to get back together.

Read more: Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible Pant reviews (2)

Reviewed by David Link

If I only had one pair pants for everything, this would be them.

A few years back I bought a pair of these on sale. I wore them for all kinds of things... for hiking and for every day. When I lost forty pounds and lost two inches from my waist, they didn't fit anymore, so eBay helped me move them along. I've been wanting another pair of them, but at a hundred and ten bucks, I was waiting for a good sale. It has happened, and I have a new pair in the right size! Though marketed as a hiking and trekking pant, they are so much more. I can wear them in the mountains.

Read more: Arc'teryx Rampart Pant review (1)

Reviewed by Whitney Klenzendorf

Every time I see a woman browsing hiking pants in an outdoor store, I want to run up to her and tell her about these pants. (But that would be weird so I'll just write this review.) The cut is flattering, the fabric has stretch but is also sturdy, and after three years and many miles they still look brand new. Perfect for hiking, camping, backpacking, fishing, and around town.

Prana's Halle Pants are my favorite piece of outdoor gear I own. Why do I love them? The cut is the BEST — seriously flattering on any body type and so feminine. The material is amazing. It's stretchy enough to be comfortable but sturdy enough to give you shape and not just conform to every single unsightly curve of your body. (And I need help in that department.) The olive color is so fresh and cute. They hold up extremely well. I've had mine for about three years now and have worn them on big backpacking trips and they look good as new.

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Reviewed by Charles Polidano

Extremely rugged trousers that are intended for military or paramilitary use, but are excellent for hiking, although a little on the heavy side.

On the Cumbria Way in my Stryke trousers I recently hiked the Cumbria Way, a 73-mile trail in England's Lake District, wearing a pair of Stryke trousers by US brand 5.11 Tactical. As its name indicates, 5.11 makes gear primarily for the military, but I thought that the Strykes would make good hiking trousers and I was not disappointed. I wore the Strykes throughout my journey, which lasted five days, and I even slept in them on the three nights that I camped. I found them comfortable, durable, and practical.

Read more: 5.11 Tactical Stryke Pants review (1)