Topic: The Best Hiking Pants of 2022 (Read 38 times)
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The REI Savanna is a great pair of hiking pants at a reasonable price, even if they aren’t as flattering as the others in our test.
I’ve worn the REI Savanna Trails everywhere from southwestern canyons to shoulder-season slogs in the Cascade Range and these pants function as well, if not better, than other, more expensive picks. The high nylon content means they are quite durable—after several seasons of use, mine are none the worse for wear—while the stretchy fit of the spandex makes it easy to layer underneath when the weather turns chilly. These pants also repelled water better than much of the co*petition, making them a top pick for sunrise hikes with brushy sections.
Unlike the other picks for best hiking pants we’ve tested, the Savannas co*e in both petite sizes and plus sizes, making it more likely that you’ll find something that works for you. The biggest ding is that the cut is quite baggy, and these pants run large co*pared to other picks on this list (size down if you’re between sizes). They are also more apt to hold onto wrinkles, which might be an annoyance if you are traveling off-grid for an extended period of time.
The lightweight cut of the Halle Pant II was a great choice for warm days when I wanted a bit more leg protection than running shorts.
I wore the prAna Halle Pant II on multiple hikes this spring and found them to be the most co*fortable in our best hiking pants lineup. This was thanks to a soft knit and a loose cut that was also flattering. These pants also incorporated a roll-up cuff—which I prefer to the men’s style of convertible pants—which worked great when I had worked up a sweat and needed a bit more airflow.
In the water repellency test, these pants absorbed water more readily than the others we tested. These are not the pants we’d pick for a hike through morning dew–soaked brush. That said, their airy fit means that they are unlikely to hold sweat on hot days.
The size and shape of the Halle Pant II’s right side-seam pocket perfectly fit my 5.7 inch x 2.7 inch smartphone—although it may be too small or a tight fit for larger models. The side zip entry helped keep the phone from jostling around while I hiked, but I had to stop to access the phone to prevent it from accidentally falling on the ground.
Like the Savannas, these also co*e in plus sizes. The equivalent men’s pant is the Stretch Zion Pant II.
These proved to be bombproof through thick brush, rough terrain and extended hunts.
Our tester, an Alaskan bush guide, wore the Kuiu Attack pants over 300 miles through gnarly terrain of thick alders, willows, wet boggy tundra, heavy snow, driving rain, and scree slopes. They went through the wash more than 20 times, and after all the abuse and miles of trailless terrain, these pants still look like the first day he received them. He praised the feel and co*fort and that fact that they moved with him with the ideal amount of stretch, especially around the knees and crotch. The six pockets were more than enough to carry keys, a phone, and a wallet with the two back and two thigh pockets still zipping closed. All the zippers have long pulls, allowing you to easily open and close with gloves. When the weather turned to rain and snow, the pants had a long-lasting DWR coating that really pushed the moisture away and dried very quickly. When temps got a bit warmer, our tester loved the 10-inch hip side vent lined with mesh underneath, which was a perfect defense against swarming monster mosquitoes. Both oversized front pockets (not zippered) were also vented for optional air flow. If you are looking for a pant that is best for rough and tough terrain, these were made for those conditions. —Justin La Vigne
From the beginner to seasoned hiker, these affordable pants don’t perform like a budget buy.
Our Montana-based tester said the Trail Sender Pants are the lightest at 6.3 ounces and the most breathable model he has ever hiked in. The material has the feel of a high-thread count linen even though it is 100 percent polyester. The tapered cut through the thigh to calf was form-fitting, but not restrictive. The style was fitting for post-hike outings in civilization. Although without a zippered cuff, you cannot take these pants off without first removing your boots. The waist band has a drawstring for ultimate co*fort and adjustment on the go, so there wasn’t really a need for an added belt. There are four pockets: two deep open ones on the front hips, one thigh, and a zippered one on the backside that fits a phone. These pants proved to be very stain resistant as our tester coated them in DEET multiple times, but they didn’t stain or wear down at all. Being so ultralight and breathable with UPF protection, they worked well for warmer weather, but also could be paired with a thermal bottom for cooler days. With a $79 regular price tag, these are a great option. And when they go on sale at $39, you definitely can’t go wrong! —Justin La Vigne
The Ferrosi Cargo Pants were a great mix of co*fort and utility, functioning just as well at the base of the climb as they did at the top.
I sent the Ferrosi hiking pants out with a tester on a six-mile out-and-back with 2,400 feet of elevation gain in eastern Washington State. They reported back that, like the other Ferrosi pants, the fabric of these pants felt light, but durable and true to size. Not only did these pants breathe well enough to prevent overheating on the hike up, but the tester reported that “the situation at the top of Umtanum Ridge was quite windy and these pants blocked the wind as effectively as a pair of rain pants.”
Rather than a belt, the Ferrosi has a drawstring at the waist to help users dial in that perfect fit. The one drawback to these pants is that the pockets are more forward-facing than usual, which got in the way on long uphill climbs. Those side pockets also incorporated snap buttons (rather than the zipper found at the back pocket), which felt less secure.
Easy-to-use zippers made it a snap to switch between shorts and longer pants on spring days with variable weather patterns.
The tester for the Renegades was a convertible pants skeptic, at least until he took these out for a few spring day hikes. He reported back that during a hike up Tiger Mountain in Washington State’s Issaquah Alps they were easier to use than expected, mimicking the feel of non-convertible hiking pants when the lower section was attached and zipping off easily when he was ready to convert them. Whereas other convertible pants have a fit that is a hair too relaxed, the Renegades “felt surprisingly lightweight,” and were form-fitting without ever riding up on steep climbs.
While the pocket placement on these has a traditional cargo style, they were slanted more toward the back of the leg, which kept them out of the way. One thing to note about these pants is that they don’t co*e with a built-in belt or a drawstring cord—something to keep in mind if you plan to size up to acco*modate a base layer. The tester also noted that these ran small, so if you are in-between sizes or looking for a more relaxed fit, consider sizing up.
These budget-friendly pants are work just as well for outdoor adventures as they do for grabbing a post-hike beverage at a brewery.
These pants can be found on sale for cheaper than the MSRP, making them very affordable. However, the