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The legs are the body\u2019s primary mode of transportation, and pants are their first line of defense.<\/strong> Finding the best hiking pants for your objective can keep your legs comfortable, warm (or cool), and abrasion-free, keeping your mind on the trail ahead.<\/p>\n We focused on comfort, durability, construction, performance, and price, relying on the experience of our field testers. These folks tested pants across the Andean cloud forests, deep desert canyons, high mountain peaks, on long-distance trails, and even in everyday use. These pants feature innovative materials, with fabrics that can shed water, block the sun, deflect sharp sticks and rocks, and still perform after years of wear and tear.<\/p>\n Our team collectively tested a plethora of these durable, lightweight pants for the creation of this guide, with current author Rob Simpson having put countless different models through demanding tests in the past year alone. Rob has post holed through waist-deep snow on high-altitude adventures, plodded in the blistering heat through the desert, and slogged along muddy paths in a legion of different hiking pants. He’s intimately familiar with what makes a worthy pair of trousers for any backcountry scenario and allows only the very best into this roundup.<\/p>\n While no single pair of pants works for everyone, we\u2019ve tested a variety of models and broken them down into relevant categories. If you want help determining what you need in your hiking pants, jump to our buyer\u2019s guide<\/strong><\/a> at the end of this article, or check out our comparison chart<\/strong><\/a> and FAQ<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Editor\u2019s Note: We refreshed this article on August 26, 2024, by adding four new products, including three award winners: our new budget pick, the REI Trailmade Pants<\/a>; our most durable choice, the Fjallraven Vidda Pro Ventilated<\/a>; and our favorite<\/em><\/span> convertible pants, the REI Sahara.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLightweight but durable<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBreathable<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIncredible, flexible fit<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSmall back pockets<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWon't last as long as heavier pants<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n If you find yourself wearing the same pair of pants while hiking in the morning and running errands downtown in the evening, they’re probably winners. It\u2019s rare to find clothes that hit the equilibrium of comfortable yet technical, lightweight but durable, and weather-resistant yet breathable, but the Ferrosi Pants<\/strong><\/a> ($99) nail it.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n These barely register on you, but instill confidence through inclement weather and rough terrain. They clock in at a scant 10.7 ounces and cram down to the size of a softball, but have held up over many miles, and some significant off-trail bushwhacking.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n When we say the Ferrosis are comfy, we mean we often choose these over sweatpants while curling up for a movie kind of comfy. Their movement-mirroring elasticity is truly a wonder, and they feel like extensions of your legs as you vault over downed trees or navigate boulder-strewn river beds. The articulated knees, brushed waistband, and drawcord cuff adjustments boost the pant\u2019s versatility and comfort.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n We wore these pants on a recent backpacking trip through the Grand Canyon and were greatly impressed by their ability to shed light precipitation while maintaining a high level of breathability as we slogged our way out of the great ditch. Often you\u2019ll find that pants will excel at one or the other \u2014 but rarely both.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n These are admittedly hard to criticize. If you\u2019re looking for bomb-proof invincibility, you\u2019d be better off with something on the tougher (but heavier) end of the spectrum. But at such a lightweight, the 90-denier stretch-woven nylon fabric holds its own on taxing adventures.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n We found the back pockets to be a little on the small side, and we couldn\u2019t close the zipper around something like an iPhone (only one is zippered). However, the front pockets and single-zippered hip pocket are plenty spacious and thoughtfully placed.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n As some of the best-fitting pants we\u2019ve had the pleasure of testing, the Outdoor Research Ferrosis<\/strong><\/a> secured a spot at the top of this list for their premium comfort, solid durability, and overall stellar design. If you\u2019re looking for an ultralight, reliable option for extended backpacking excursions, don\u2019t pass these by.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGreat color options and accent pockets<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFit\/style \u2013 internal drawstring adjust<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSmall front pockets<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The REI Trailmade Pants<\/a><\/strong> ($69) were one of the best-fitting pants in this review. We really like the slender (not slim) fit and how the pants look and feel. They are extremely comfortable, and we were equally cozy hiking all day in them or lounging around the house in a pair of slippers.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n One of the first things we noticed when these pants showed up in the mail was the sharp-looking accent pocket. The teal pocket zip on the darker blue pants gave the thigh a nice pop of color that looks great. The pocket is just the right size for a fat wallet, cell phone, or energy bar. We also appreciated the simplicity of the internal drawcord as an effective way to make micro-adjustments to the waist without having to add a belt. We hiked high peaks in Colorado, along the beach in Mexico, through flower-filled fields in the Tetons, and along the coast in Alaska to discover that pants don’t have to cost a ton to function well, look good, and provide protection from the wind, light rain, mosquitoes, and sun. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n Note that while these do have a DWR coating, if you live in a wet climate like the Pacific Northwest, where hiking in the rain is a regular part of most hikes, these might not be a great option. On a couple hikes in Alaska and the Tetons where it was pouring, these pants soaked through pretty quickly unlike a couple others on the list that are more waterproof. The Trailmades did, however, dry extremely quickly once the sun came out. So, if your main goal is to provide some sun protection along with an additional layer to protect your legs from the occasional bit of bushwhacking, then this is a solid choice.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n If you hike in warmer climates and want a lightweight, simple, but well-designed pair of pants without many extra features to complicate the design, then take a look at the REI Trailmade Pants<\/a><\/strong>. Plus, with a price tag of only $69, you’ll be able to spend more time outside and less time working! <\/p>\n<\/div>\nThe Best Hiking Pants of 2024<\/h2>\n
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\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\tBest Overall Hiking Pants for Men\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tOutdoor Research Men\u2019s Ferrosi Pants\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\t\tSpecs\t<\/h3>\n
\n\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t87% 90-denier stretch-woven ripstop nylon, 14% spandex<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStraight, true to size<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t10.7 oz.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWater resistant fabric<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t50+<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\t![\"Product](\"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/BestOf_2024.png\")
\n\t\t![\"The](\"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/outdoor-research-ferrosi-pants-mens.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t\tPros\t\t<\/h4>\n
\n\n
\n\n\t\t\tCons\t\t<\/h4>\n
\n\n
\n
\n\tChris Carter<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\tCHECK PRICE AT OUTDOOR RESEARCH<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\tBest Budget Hiking Pants for Men \t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tREI Trailmade Pants\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\t\tSpecs\t<\/h3>\n
\n\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t94% nylon, 6% spandex (bluesign\u2122 approved)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTrue to size \u2013 slim fit<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t9.8 oz.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYes<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t50+<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n![\"The](\"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Trailmade-Pants-.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t\tPros\t\t<\/h4>\n
\n\n
\n\n\t\t\tCons\t\t<\/h4>\n
\n\n
\n
\n\tChris Carter<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\t$70 at REI<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\tMost Durable Hiking Pants for Men \t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFjallraven Vidda Pro Ventilated\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\t\tSpecs\t<\/h3>\n
\n\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t65% polyester\/35% cotton (organic)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTrue to size \u2013 great fit<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t19.4 oz.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWater resistant G-1000<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNo<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
![\"The](\"http:\/\/setupjunkie.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/vidda-pro.jpg\")
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