Together with a good pair of hiking boots and a hiking backpack, hiking pants are an essential item on your hiking packing list. But how do you know what are the best pants for hiking that suit your needs best?
It’s important to realize that not every pair of pants is made for the same conditions. Weather, terrain and personal comfort levels are all variables. This means that there are specific pants for various types of hiking.
In summer, you will need a lighter pair of hiking pants, maybe even with a zip-off feature. In winter, on the other hand, there will be the obvious need for warmer and tougher fabrics. Seasonal differences are probably the most important thing to think about when looking for the best pants for hiking.
The Ultimate Guide to Find The Best Pants For Hiking
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 Things To Consider To Find The Best Pants For Hiking
There are a few other factors you should consider before handing over your money to an outdoor gear salesperson. You should think about hiking pants as an investment. A good pair will last for years, even under intense use.
1. Weight
While weight isn’t a major issue with regards to the best pants for hiking, it’s always good to try and cut weight. Nowadays, pretty much all modern hiking pants are lightweight. This often has the added benefit of more comfort and greater freedom of movement.
Try to find the lightest pants possible. But, make sure that less weight isn’t the result of lower-quality materials or lower water resistance. Those features are important too, if not more important than weight.
2. Material
This might be the main thing to consider to find the best pants for hiking. Ideally, hiking pants should be water resistant yet able to breathe, and quick-drying. This trio of characteristics is achieved with the use of a mix of different materials.
Many hiking pants are entirely made of nylon, which is one of the most durable materials. Polyester is used to make the pants more water resistant. Spandex is often used, as an addition to nylon, to increase stretch and comfort.
Look for a mix of two or more of these three materials if you can.
Tactel is a modern lab-created material that offers the best of all these other materials. Cotton is rarely used in hiking pants nowadays. Even though it does make pants much warmer, it is terrible in terms of water resistance.
3. Pockets
Depending on the purpose and length of your hiking trip, it can be useful to have plenty of pockets. Some people like having as few pockets as possible. Others find it useful to be able to keep things within easy reach.
All the best pants for hiking listed in this article have at least two hand pockets and one thigh pocket. Often, they come with back pockets as well.
Zippered pockets are better than standard pockets because they prevent things from falling out. This is a big plus when rock scrambling and mountaineering, or even when sitting down and resting.
4. Convertible vs. Standard
If you would like to use your hiking pants throughout the year, consider convertible pants. This means that they have zippers that allow you to make them into shorts. This feature enables you to wear them in hot as well as cold weather.
PANTS FOR HIKING REVIEWS
Top 10 Best Pants For Hiking Of The Year
EXOFFICIO KUKURA PANTS
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
BEST FOR: People looking for a versatile pair of outdoor pants
WOMEN’S VERSION: Women’s Kukura Pants
POCKETS: 5 pockets—2 hand pockets, 2 zippered back pockets, 1 zippered thigh pocket
CONVERT TO SHORTS: No
FEATURES: Internal elastic waistband, UPF 50+, four-way stretch nylon, DWR coating
PROS: Great for multi-use, stretch fabric, comfortable, water resistant
CONS: Noisy when walking
THE NORTH FACE PARAMOUNT II CONVERTIBLE PANTS
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
BEST FOR: Short summer hikes, hikers on a budget
WOMEN’S VERSION: Paramount II Women’s Convertible Pants
POCKETS: 6 pockets—2 hand pockets, 2 back pockets, 2 thigh pockets
CONVERT TO SHORTS: Yes
FEATURES: Zip-off legs, DWR finish, 90% bluesign (environment-friendly) fabric, elastic waistband at back and webbed belt closure in front
PROS: Affordable, converts to shorts, includes a belt, plenty of pockets, water resistant
CONS: Lower-quality fabric, baggy
FJALLRAVEN VIDDA PRO PANTS
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
BEST FOR: Wilderness adventures, hunting and fishing
WOMEN’S VERSION: Vidda Pro Women’s Pants
POCKETS: 7 pockets—2 hand pockets, 1 map pocket, 1 knife pocket, 1 axe pocket, 1 inner pocket, 1 knee pad pocket
CONVERT TO SHORTS: No
FEATURES: Double fabric on back and knees, elastic adjustable placket ankles, repellent wax, G-1000 fabric
PROS: Exceptionally durable and tough, lots of different pockets
CONS: Heavy, not water resistant, rather pricey
COLUMBIA SILVER RIDGE CONVERTIBLE PANTS
BEST FOR: Casual hiking in pleasant weather
WOMEN’S VERSION: Aruba Convertible Pant
POCKETS: 6 pockets—2 hand pockets, 2 back pockets, 1 zippered and 1 regular thigh pocket
CONVERT TO SHORTS: Yes
FEATURES: Zip-off legs, Omni-Wick evaporation technology, Omni-Shade UPF 50 sun protection
PROS: Plenty of pockets, affordable, lightweight, quick-drying breathable fabric, value for money
CONS: Less durable, lower-quality zippers, thin fabric
OUTDOOR RESEARCH FERROSI PANTS
BEST FOR: Year-round hiking
WOMEN’S VERSION: Women’s Ferrosi Pants
POCKETS: 5 pockets—2 hand pockets, 2 zippered back pockets, 1 zippered thigh pocket
CONVERT TO SHORTS: No
FEATURES: Low-profile waistband, wind-resistant stretch-woven ripstop, button and zipper fly
PROS: Wind resistant, breathable, durable
CONS: Not for daily wear, small hand pockets
PRANA STRECH ZION CONVERTIBLE
BEST FOR: Long hikes in warmer weather
WOMEN’S VERSION: Monarch Convertible
POCKETS: 6 pockets—2 hand pockets, 2 back pockets, 2 thigh pockets
CONVERT TO SHORTS: Yes
FEATURES: Quick-dry stretch performance fabric, cinch belt system, ventilated free-range gusset, mesh pocketing, zip-off legs, all-weather finish
PROS: Converts to shorts, lots of pocket space, comfortable, abrasion resistant
CONS: Unsuitable for winter hiking
OUTDOOR RESEARCH CIRQUE PANTS
BEST FOR: Mountaineering, ice climbing and snowshoeing
WOMENS VERSION: Women’s Cirque Pants
POCKETS: 4 pockets—2 zippered hand pockets, 1 zippered back pocket, 1 zippered thigh pocket
CONVERT TO SHORTS: No
FEATURES: Button and zipper fly, zippered pockets, double-weave stretch fabric, brushed nylon face with polyester backing
PROS: Extremely tough and durable, water resistant and breathable, great for winter sports
CONS: Heavy, expensive, not ideal for summer adventures
ARC’TERYX GAMMA LT PANTS
BEST FOR: Hiking in wet and cold climates
WOMEN’S VERSION: Women’s Gamma LT Pants
POCKETS: 3 pockets—2 hand pockets, 1 zippered thigh pocket
CONVERT TO SHORTS: No
FEATURES: Brushed polyester waistband, zippered fly with snap, adjustable wedding belt,
PROS: Water resistant, very durable, good range of motion
CONS: Very expensive, less versatile
PRANA STRETCH ZION
BEST FOR: Multi-use
WOMEN’S VERSION: Prana Halle Pant
POCKETS: 5 pockets—2 hand pockets, 2 back pockets, 1 thigh pocket
CONVERT TO SHORTS: No
FEATURES: Roll-up leg snaps, stretch fabric, ventilated free-range gusset, cinch belt system
PROS: Plenty of pockets, very comfortable and fitting, durable
CONS: Legs are short, a bit heavy
MONTANE TERRA PACK PANTS
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
BEST FOR: Everything from mountaineering trips to afternoon yard work
WOMEN’S VERSION: Women’s Montane Terra Pack Pants
POCKETS: 4 pockets—2 zippered hand pockets, 1 zippered back pocket, 1 zippered thigh pocket
CONVERT TO SHORTS: No
FEATURES: Wind and water resistance, twin needle seams, Tactel fabric, tailored waist, lightweight belt, stuff sack
PROS: Zippered pockets, comfort, lightweight
CONS: Expensive compared to other options
Now We’d Love To Hear From You. Which Pants Do You Use For Hiking? Do You Know Other Pants For Hiking That Belong In This List?
Disclosure: The Adventure Junkies is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost for you. We also use other programs like REI, LeisurePro and others to keep our site independent. You can read more about how do we review here.
The post Top 10 Best Pants For Hiking – The Ultimate Guide appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.
from The Adventure Junkies http://ift.tt/2dZQDy1
No comments:
Post a Comment