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The Best Hiking Pants, According to Outdoor Adventurers

Whether you're looking for convertible pants, leggings, or comfy joggers.
Hiking
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When you’re slogging through big mile days on a steep, rocky trail (or simply want to be comfortable on your regular evening stroll), it’s important to have the right shoessocks, and hiking pants. Today’s outdoor brands offer a whole host of impressive features and proprietary, earth-conscious fabrics that give hikers coverage where they want it most–whether that’s protection from skin-damaging UV rays, four-way stretch for pushing through your climbing project, or thoughtful pockets to stash your phone and valuables.

We asked several of our favorite trail-obsessed hikers and outdoor experts for their top picks and scoured the web for form-fitting leggings, zip-off hiking pants, and cozy trail-tested joggers to round out this list of the best hiking pants. Whether you’re gearing up for a huge national parks road trip or just want to update your closet with cute dog walking apparel, there is something for every kind of hiker below.

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Best all-around hiking pant

Women’s sizes

Prana Halle Pant II

A time-honored favorite in the hiking community, Prana’s Halle style is durable, quick-drying, and stylish enough to double as a town pant for road-tripping adventurers looking to pack light. Made with ReZion fabric, a recycled nylon blend exclusive to the brand, and constructed in Fair Trade Certified factories, these trousers help protect you from sun and abrasions while protecting the environment. Heather Balogh Rochfort, adventure journalist and author of Women Who Hike, loves their versatility above all else. “They're flattering on pretty much any body type and rugged enough to handle a variety of terrain,” she says.

More great picks:

Columbia Leslie Falls Pants

Any seasoned outdoors person knows that Columbia is an excellent, trail-tested choice for wallet-friendly hiking apparel, and the brand’s Leslie Falls pant is a go-to pick for Kathy Belge, host of the Solo Women RV podcast. “They’re loose enough for mobility while hiking, but not too baggy,” she says of the stretch fabric, modern silhouette, and comfortable waistband. Plus, the fabric is water-repellent, “which is important when hiking in Oregon.”

Nørrona Falketind Flex pant

Designed for lightweight hiking and mountaineering, Nørrona’s best-selling Falketind Flex softshell pant repels light rainfall while staying perfectly stretchy and ventilated on long days in the mountains. “They come in the most fun colors, are super light, dry really quickly, and last forever,” adventure photographer Paulina Dao says.

Men’s sizes

Arc'teryx Gamma LT pant

Both highly breathable and abrasion-resistant, the Gamma LT pant by Arc'teryx has been beloved by hikers, rock climbers, and hardcore mountaineers alike for years. The lightweight design (12.5 ounces per pair); secure, zippered pockets; and comfortable, harness-compatible waistband combine to make an all-around gem that’s got outdoor recreation in its DNA.

More great picks:

REI Co-op Activator 3.0 Pants

“As a traveler, I love having a go-to pair of pants, and these are it,” says Keith Langston of REI’s bluesign-approved Activator trousers. As a professional travel writer, Langston often spends long days in a mix of climates, and the zippered pockets, medium-weight fabric, and durable water repellent (DWR) treatment on this pair make them the first thing in his suitcase when he’s packing for an adventurous trip abroad. “During the winter, simply add a base layer underneath,” he says. “They’re the perfect pant for almost any season.”

Prana Stretch Zion Pant II

Much like its fan-favorite Halle staple, Prana’s Stretch Zion Pant II is at the top of many adventurer’s lists, due to its earth-friendly abrasion- and water-resistant fabric, mesh-lined pockets, and stylish design. Plus, on hot summer days, hikers can roll up and cuff each pant leg with Prana’s snap roll-up feature for maximum ventilation. Brand-wide attributes like Bluesign approved materials and Fair Trade Certified manufacturing are just icing on the cake.

Best hiking legging

Women’s sizes

Athleta Headlands Hybrid Cargo II Tights

I first saw Athleta’s burly, six-pocket cargo tights on a svelte European guide in Svalbard, the far-flung arctic archipelago that’s closer to the North Pole than it is to Norway. Instantly, I fell in love. Not only are these babies made from eco-friendly, abrasion-resistant recycled nylon and spandex (a must on rugged trails and climbing expeditions), they’re also rated at 50+ UPF to help protect your skin against harmful UV rays.

More great picks:

Stio Glide High Rise Tech Tight

If you’ve been on the lookout for a comfortable, durable trekking legging with thoughtful pockets for stashing your phone, keys, and snacks, your search ends here. Stio’s Glide High Rise Tech Tight is as at home on a multi-day backpacking trip as it is on a mellow day hike near the city. Stio Home Team athlete and Native American advocate Geneva Mayall says that the leggings held up on a long excursion full of warm sunshine and the occasional snow flurry. “Not only did they pass the variable conditions test, but best of all, they stayed put the entire 13 miles, and I wasn't doing the shimmy dance to keep pulling them back up,” she says.

Vuori Daily Legging

With a high waist, no-slip fit, and a drawstring tie up top for maximum security, Vuori has created a fabulous tight for running and hiking that’s so comfy, you might just want to wear them lounging around the house, too. “They're stretchy, breathable, butter-soft, and moisture wicking,” says Noël Russell, chief marketing officer at Whimstay, “and frankly, they make me feel cute, which matters to me even when I'm in the backcountry without a soul in sight.”

Men’s sizes

Patagonia Endless Run Tights

These ultralight, moisture-wicking running and hiking tights are sleek, stretchy, and made with HeiQ Fresh odor control to keep you feeling fresh on intrepid adventures. Plus, with Fair Trade Certified sewing and Patagonia’s signature recycled nylon and polyester in the mix, you can feel good about your purchase when you’re out in the wild.

Another great pick:

Stio Glide Tech Tight

As with the women’s version, our gear testers loved this exceptionally stretchy and comfortable men’s legging and its next-to-skin fit. A zippered, seven-inch stash pocket for keys and a smart phone makes securing valuables a cinch, while brush-resistant nylon fabric ensures longevity for even the most fervent outdoorsman.

Best for warm trail days

Women’s sizes

Outdoor Research Ferrosi Convertible Pants

Prep for up-and-down weather days by stuffing these zip-off hiking pants into your suitcase on your next outdoor adventure. Made with Outdoor Research’s award-winning Ferrosi fabric—a lightweight, weather-repelling, durable, and breathable blend of nylon and spandex—these convertible trekking pants transform into chafe-free shorts on toasty trail days.

Another great pick:

Patagonia Quandary Convertible Pants

Patagonia’s Quandary Convertible Pants can be changed into three unique styles—shorts, cuffed capris, and boot-cut trousers. They’re perfect for mountain lovers in locales with chilly mornings and scorching afternoons and provide 50+ UPF sun protection so you can enjoy bluebird days without worrying about your skin.

Men’s sizes

Kühl Renegade Convertible Pants

With the rugged aesthetic of a workman’s cargo pant and a convenient zip-off design, these pants are built for the on-the-go outdoorsman looking for phenomenal durability and flexibility in performance. A combo of 95 percent nylon and five percent spandex for easy movement while hiking or climbing, Kühl’s Duralux fabric features a two-way stretch and is wonderfully quick-drying, in case you decide to hop into an alpine lake.

Another great pick:

prAna Stretch Zion E-Waist Pant II

Not only does prAna’s epic Zion pant come in enough fun earth tones to match anyone’s mood, but the brand just launched an elastic waist version of the bestseller, making them far more forgiving for those of us who tend to lose and gain a few pounds here and there. Itai Grunfeld, a writer and avid hiker, is a big fan of the earth-friendly ReZion fabric found in this trouser, too, which is made in Fair Trade Certified factories. “The stretchy fabric and copious number of pockets make even the gnarliest treks a cinch,” Grunfeld says. 

Patagonia Strider Pro 5’’

Sometimes, on really hot days, the best hiking pant isn’t a pant—it’s a short. Tyler “Mac” Fox, thru-hiker and founder of Halfway Anywhere, is currently obsessing over the four stretchy side pouches and rear zippered pocket on the Patagonia Strider Pro 5’’, which he’s trekked in for thousands of miles. “They don't have a waistband that digs into me when I have a pack on,” he says.

Best hiking jogger

Women’s sizes

Patagonia Happy Hike Studio Pant

The Happy Hike Studio Pant is as comfortable on the trail as it is grabbing microbrews in town with your friends afterwards. A wide waistband makes sure that you won’t suffer from the dreaded backpack chafe, and super soft four-way-stretch fabric (made from recycled polyester and spandex with a durable water-repellent finish) gives hikers freedom to roam and scramble at will on even the toughest treks.

Men’s sizes

Patagonia Terrebonne Joggers

Drawstring up top and breathable, quick-dry fabric down below—that’s the beauty of Patagonia’s Terrebonne Joggers. They’re lightweight for warm days slogging up ridgelines and the stretch-fit waistband and leg cuffs make them perfect for bouldering and yoga, too. Deep front pockets mean your smartphone won’t slip out unexpectedly, while a reflective side logo helps provide visibility on low-light city strolls.

Another great pick:

Outdoor Research Zendo Jogger Pants

The ethos behind Outdoor Research’s Zendo Jogger is simple: pair cotton-like comfort with the durable, fast-drying UPF sun protection you’d expect from a nylon hiking pant. Plus, understated, well-placed pockets help ensure your phone, wallet, and even a protein bar or two stay safe while you’re crushing big miles.

Best size-inclusive options

Women’s sizes

prAna Halle Plus II

It’s no secret that prAna makes some of the best trekking trousers on the market, and the Halle Plus II takes the top features from the bestselling Halle series and ups the ante with inclusive sizes. Made with the brand’s proprietary ReZion recycled nylon blend performance stretch fabric, this pant is cut in a street-friendly style with trail-friendly specs like hem roll-up snaps for hot days, a UPF 50+ rating, and a secure zippered pocket on the right hand side. Travel writer and Emmy-nominated makeup artist Karim Orange is adamant that extra pockets like these are a must when working or out on the trail.

Another great pick:

Outdoor Research Ferrosi Plus Size Pants

Outdoor Research’s award-winning soft shell Ferrosi fabric has reached legend status in some outdoorsy circles. That’s because the lightweight breathability is magically paired with anti-abrasion tech and weather resistance, making the hiking pants perfect for multi-sport practitioners. Stretchy enough for climbing up sandstone slabs and sturdy enough for weeks of wilderness backpacking, the Ferrosi is a three-season pant that won’t quit before you do.

Men's sizes

Kühl Renegade Convertible Pants

For maximum comfort on long, sunny trail days, we turn to Kühl and its custom-made Duralux fabric, which is designed to feel like cotton while delivering the sweat-wicking, quick drying, and stretch capabilities you’d expect from a big brand hiking pant. The Renegade Convertible style also boasts maximum versatility, with zip-off legs that quickly convert to shorts for stream crossings and sweltering afternoons on dusty singletrack.

Another great pick:

prAna Stretch Zion E-Waist Pant II

Not only does prAna’s epic Zion pant come in enough fun earth tones to match anyone’s mood, but the brand just launched an elastic waist version of the bestseller, making them far more comfortable and adaptable for weight fluctuations. Itai Grunfeld, a writer and avid hiker, is a big fan of the earth-friendly ReZion fabric found in this trouser, too, which is made in Fair Trade Certified factories. “The stretchy fabric and copious number of pockets make even the gnarliest treks a cinch,” Grunfeld says.