Hiking pants are an important piece of hiking gear but one that men often take for granted. Hiking pants have to be highly breathable, durable, quick-drying, and easy to vent when you get too hot, but warm when the temperature drops. Fit, freedom of movement, and pockets are also key factors. What about hiking pants that are insect resistant or provide a high degree of sun protection? All of these are important variables when choosing the best hiking pants.
| Make / Model | Leg Style | Price |
|---|---|---|
| REI Sahara Convertible Hiking Pants | Convertible | $90 |
| KUHL Renegade Convertible Pants | Convertible | $149 |
| Patagonia Terravia Trail Pants | Full Length | $139 |
| Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants | Full Length | $110 |
| REI Trailmade Pants | Full Length | $80 |
| Columbia Silver Ridge Hiking Pants | Convertible | $70 |
| Arc'teryx Gamma Pants | Full Length | $200 |
| RailRiders Eco-Mesh Pants | Full Length | $120 |
| KUIU Tiburon Pants | Full Length | $149 |
| Duluth Dry On the Fly Cargo Pants | Convertible | $90 |
However, no one pant will suit everyone’s body type. Some hikers prefer a slimmer fit that reduces extra fabric while others feel more comfortable and airy with a looser fit. Particular features to look for include articulated knees and a gusseted crotch, lots of pockets, and venting options such as roll-up legs or convertible pants. With these variables in mind, here are the top 10 men’s hiking pants we recommend.
1. REI Sahara Convertible Hiking Pants
2. KUHL Renegade Convertible Pants
3. Patagonia Terravia Trail Pants
4. Outdoor Research Ferrossi Pants
5. REI Trailmade Pants
6. Columbia Silver Ridge Cargo Hiking Pants
7. Arc’teryx Gamma Pants
8. RailRiders Eco-Mesh Pants
9. KUIU Tiburon Pants
10. Duluth Trading Company Dry on the Fly Pants
Hiking Pants Selection Criteria
Consider these variables when buying hiking pants.
Weight & breathability
For summer hiking, you want a breathable, lightweight fabric that will help you stay cool. You may want three-season pants, or ones you can layer for winter, but if you plan on hiking at the height of summer, buy for that. Overheating will make you miserable, or worse. Most hiking pants are fully synthetic, which helps them dry out quickly when you sweat. Some also incorporate mesh panels and/or pockets to help airflow.
Long pants, convertible pants, or roll-ups
Your choice will depend on both your comfort preferences and the type of hiking you’ll be doing. If it’s going to be hot, and you are backpacking with just one pair of pants, convertible pants will give you the most options for day and night. But if you know you will not want shorts, because of sun exposure, bugs, or terrain that will beat up your legs, convertible pants are unnecessary and will add bulk. In other words, consider your terrain and habits when you choose. If you do choose convertible pants, test the zippers and look for ankle zips, too, which let you take the lower legs on and off without removing your shoes. An alternative to fully convertible pants, roll-up legs–typically held up with a snap or button–can provide extra ventilation on a hot day.
Pockets and Extra Features
Extra features can make a good pair of pants into a great pair of pants. Secure, well-designed pockets give you easy access to essentials like your phone or map without rummaging through your pack. Well-placed waistbands won’t chafe under your pack’s hip belt. Reinforced pant cuffs can help prevent fraying.
Stretch
You’ll also want to look for stretch, especially if you’ll be hiking in scrambly terrain. If you have to get your legs up and over obstacles, you’re going to want to give in the fabric. Most of the pants listed here blend nylon with spandex or elastane to provide that stretch, but the ratios differ. Typically, the higher the spandex or elastane content, the more flexible the fabric. A cotton blend can also offer good mobility, but we shy away from cotton pants because they take to long to dry unless you’re hiking in very dry and hot conditions.
Durability
Aside from the durability of the fabric itself–which you learn through gear reviews along with trial and error–features that increase durability include reinforced seams as well as reinforced knee and rear panels. Heavier fabrics, or those with a tighter weave, may be more durable, but that also needs to be balanced against breathability in the summer months.
Sun protection
All clothing will provide some protection from direct sun, but some fabrics provide more than others. Many manufacturers have started listing UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) ratings on their clothes. This tells you how much of the sun’s ultraviolet rays penetrate the material. For example, if a garment’s UPF rating is 50, that means 1/50, or 2 percent, of the sun’s UV rays, reach your skin through the cloth. UPF 20 means that 1/20, or 5 percent, of the sun’s rays, get through. The higher the rating, the better the protection. Fabric type, weave, dyes and added chemical treatments can all affect UPF.
Insect protection
Fabric treated with insect repellents such as Permethrin can help keep the biting critters away. This can be especially helpful in high tick season. Few of the pants on our list this year are treated with repellent, but it is not a hard process to do on your own. (Permethrin is known to be dangerous to cats, so if you treat clothing at home, be careful with the chemical. Once you have finished treatment, however, the clothes are safe.) See here and here for info on treating clothes yourself.
Water protection
Durable water repellent (DWR) coating is common in hiking pants, as you’ll notice in our top ten list. It won’t make the pants waterproof, but it will help them shed water, and delay, if not prevent a soaking. That said, the coating wears off with wear, tear, and washing, so you’ll eventually need to refresh or re-apply it, which you can do safely at home with the right products.
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I liked the last generation OR Ferrosis better because they didn’t have the shock cord cuffs or the zippered right hip pockets. I’m also finding the current Ferrosis are about an inch plus longer. I simply cut off the shock cords, folded the hems over once and sewed to shorten. The lower pant legs are also slimmer than the earlier models
However that being said, there is still no other pant I’d consider.
They ventilate very well when it gets very hot.
Your comments on the KUHL Renegade Convertible Pants refer to the previous style. The ankle zips have been removed rendering what WAS one of the best convertible hiking pants literally useless. Please explain to Kuhl what a huge mistake the made with this redesign.
Recent reviews at REI and Kuhl:
> DEALBREAKER no leg zippers
> For some reason they decided to remove the side leg zipper (so now you can’t take them off with boots on)
> I have to take off my boots before I can get the legs off. This is a terrible change.
> would never buy convertible pants that do not have side zippers in the lower legs to allow conversion to shorts without removing boots.
Good catch. That is an idiot move on a convertible pant, but apparently one that many other major brands have dropped including Arcteryx, Prana, Patagnia, and LL Bean. I’ve updated the listing to reflect this.
By now, my RailRiders Eco-Mesh pants are about 60% original and 40% patch, however I keep wearing them ‘cuz I love them. The zippered ventilation works very well. I used convertible pants prior to these, however no one wants to gaze upon my gams, and now the pants get all the scratches instead of my legs.
I just packed a pristine pair for a trip. They’re the only remotely dressy pants I own!
Mine aren’t the least bit dressy any more, unless it’s for the Hobo Bash at the Shelter event!
Amazed that I own and use two from the list… I heartily second the ecomesh pants from railriders after using them on a trip to visit family that live in Jamaica.. also love my Duluth dry-on-the-fly pants for overall sturdiness and utility
I’m partial to DTC Dry on the Fly, but I like the non convertie, non cargo (they still have a cell phone pocket). I have three pairs.
Updating my own comment on Duluth Trading Company DotF pants. They change the style each year. I was there the other day (spring 2026) and fount the current version is not acceptable for me. They keep adding features i don’t want and removing feature i do want. Time to shop around.
I have the REI Activator pants and also the trailmade pants. I wear the Activator pants just about every day walking the dog and also when backpacking. The trailmade pants I ordered online and going to return as they don’t compare.
The Activators are just too heavy to wear when its warm. I put them away when temps hit 40F.
I’ve been a big fan of the BlackDiamond Alpine line but could really use a decent pair of convertibles. Surprised there’s so few good options these days. Guess I’ll be going with the REI Sahara. Thanks for the reviews.
It’s curious. Covertibles are slowly disappearing. Columbia Silver Ridge is another options, but heavier than the saharas.