The 6 Best Hiking Pants for Men, Tested & Approved

Over the years I have interviewed hundreds of PCT thru-hikers about their favorite gear and only one of them mentioned their pants. The NoBo (northbound) hiker had just covered 1,500 miles and his favorite piece of gear was a cheap pair of synthetic basketball shorts that he had purchased in a thrift store a few days into his hike. Adding to that, I hiked thousands of miles over the course of two decades before I invested in my first pair of purpose-built hiking pants.

That is all to say, any pant you hike in can be considered a hiking pant. And the best hiking pant may just be the best for that day, not every day. Or every trail. You can get by in gym tights, joggers, even beat-up Carhartts, but experienced hikers know that a dedicated hiking pant with a dialed-in balance of stretch, breathability, storage, and durability will elevate it far above your everyday trou.

The best hiking pants for men, and women, are made to move with you through long days on uneven terrain, dry quickly after creek crossings, and fend off sun, wind, and angry blackberry barbs (maybe even mosquitos, too). The right pants will offer you all of that utility and protection without turning your undercarriage into a swampy mess on a hot summer hike.

This is easier said than done. The best hiking pants walk a fine line. They need to be technical enough to handle serious mileage, but comfortable and stylish enough that you don’t feel like a full-blown mountaineer when you stop for gas or tacos. Features like articulated knees, a gusseted crotch, zippered pockets, and water-resistant finishes are common in this category, but materials, cut, and comfort vary wildly. I put a dozen pairs of these purpose-built pants through a slew of hiking specific tests to tease out the details that make them the best in their categories.

Read on for the full review and my top six picks.

How I Tested These Hiking Pants

To figure out which pants actually are the best, I rounded up a bunch of pairs from brands I trust and wore them on everything from mellow single track days to hands-in-the-dirt trail work and brushy bushwhacks. For two months I tested each pair of hiking pants on at least three hikes with double-digit mileage. I live in Southern Oregon with easy access to hundreds of miles of hiking trails that are all generally steep—roughly 600-feet of elevation gain per mile or two—but mellow in terms of trail quality. In other words, I am usually ambling on loamy pine needle beds rather than scrambling up steep rock surfaces.

Soft trails aside, after two decades of professional gear testing, I really hard on gear and expect it to have multiple uses unless it is made from titanium or lycra. As such, I also tested each pair of hiking pants in my everyday life during the two month review period, and even took each through a circuit workout in my garage gym to dial in how they move. Some leaned ultralight. Some looked like jeans. Some had zip-off legs that actually worked. All of them gave me a better sense of what makes a great hiking pant and which ones deserve a spot in your kit.

What I Look for in Hiking Pants

Mobility

Good hiking pants shouldn’t fight you when you’re power-climbing, scrambling, or high-stepping your way up a trail. I looked for gusseted crotches, articulated knees, and materials that deliver a little bit of stretch without moving like workout tights.

Breathability & Heat Management

A pant might be great in the morning chill but unbearable by noon. I favor fabrics that keep sweat moving and don't trap heat, especially during long climbs in exposed sun.

Durability

You should be able to sit on a rock, kneel in gravel, or crash through blackberries without immediately shredding your pants. On top of looking for high denier fabrics like nylon and treated cotton, reinforced high-wear zones and abrasion resistance seriously enhance a hiking pant’s durability.

Weight & Packability

While not a dealbreaker, lighter pants are more versatile and easier to stash in a pack. I noted grams-per-square-meter (gsm) where available. Weight and durability are often in conflict with each other but I believe that a lightweight pant.

Versatility & Style

The best hiking pants can pull trail duty and still pass as streetwear. If I could wear them to a brewery without drawing side-eyes, they scored higher.

Features

Do the pockets make sense? Is there a functional belt system? Do the cuffs cinch down or stay flappy? Little hike-helping details may not make a huge difference when walking around town but can add significant ease to a big day hike.

My Number Ratings, Explained

Trail Performance – How well they handle actual hiking. Factors included mobility, breathability, weather resistance, and overall comfort while moving.

Versatility – Can they cross over into casual wear, errands, travel, or other activities?

Features & Build – Pockets, waist system, durability, cuff design, zip-offs, etc. These are the in-the-weeds details that you don’t see in the shop but that separates good from great.

The 6 Best Hiking Pants, Tested:

Best Hiking Pants Overall: OR Timberline Chino Pants

Materials: 86% recycled nylon, 14% spandex plain weave with DWR finish
Weight: 11.1 oz | 315 g
Waist: Partially elasticized waistband, zipper fly, integrated low-profile adjustable tabs
Price: $129

Pros:
- Great for long, varied conditions
- Excellent waistband fit under a pack
- Lightweight and breathable, yet blocks wind

Cons:
- Tight fit in thighs for muscular builds
- Minimal pocket storage

The Timberline Chinos from Outdoor Research successfully bridges the gap between business casual and hiking pant—they look indistinguishable classic cotton-blend street pants while remaining secretly stretchy, moisture-wicking, and surprisingly trail-ready. I credit OR’s Bluesign certified nylon blend with the great looking matte finish as well as solid trail performance. I liked the looks of the Timberlines while I was researching pants but felt that the “chinos” portion of their name might be a red flag. I wore them on a hike-to-brewery day in Southern Oregon, where temps started in the 50s and climbed into the 70s, and they never felt swampy or restrictive. What stood out most was the clean, tailored silhouette with no cargo pockets, no zip-offs, just streamlined performance. The stretch felt natural, especially on big step-ups and scrambles, and the waist sat comfortably even with a pack on. I also appreciated the subtle details, like the reinforced gusseted crotch and hidden zip thigh pocket that kept my keys from jangling on the trail.

Downsides? The cuffs aren’t cinchable, so they did get a little flappy when I was bushwhacking through a blackberry bush. But for a pant that doesn’t scream “hiking,” these nailed the balance between function and aesthetics.

Trail Performance: 7.8 – Great mobility, comfy waistband, but open cuffs flapped in brush
Versatility: 9 – Looks like streetwear, wore them to brewery with zero regrets
Features & Build: 7 – Nice hidden pocket and gusseted crotch, but lacks cinch cuff or reinforced wear zones
Overall Rating: 8.3

Shop Now at Outdoor Research

Best Pants for Long Hikes: Patagonia Terravia Trail Pants

Materials: 86% recycled nylon, 14% spandex plain weave with DWR finish
Weight: 11.1 oz | 315 g
Waist: Partially elasticized waistband, zipper fly, integrated low-profile adjustable tabs
Price: $129

Pros:
- Great for long, varied conditions
- Excellent waistband fit under a pack
- Lightweight and breathable, yet blocks wind

Cons:
- Tight fit in thighs for muscular builds
- Minimal pocket storage

Patagonia’s Terravia Trail Pants were clearly built with technical hiking in mind. These are not joggers masquerading as trail pants. They’re the real deal with articulated knees, zippered thigh pocket, adjustable waist tabs, and a fabric blend that breathes well but still blocks enough wind to be useful above treeline. I wore them for a long ridge traverse through the Siskiyous Wilderness in California, and they handled everything from steep climbs to unexpected wind without flinching. If your hiking days are long, variable, and unpredictable, the Terravia Trail pants should be your first pick on this list. The standout feature is the waistband. It rides low in the front and high in the back and mitigated any gapping under a pack. (Read: it kept my butt crack hidden.) The fabric (mostly recycled nylon with spandex) stretched just enough without getting baggy or clammy. Plus, the DWR treatment shrugged off light mist and snowmelt which is particularly impressive at 315 grams. Often, pants that light trend more fitness or casual and rarely have the technical chops that the Terravia delivered.

The fit is decidedly “performance,” by which I mean that these pants felt tight around my thighs. If you are blessed with wide hams like me, you may want to try them on in person before buying, or just size up. That said, the slim silhouette is flattering enough that I didn’t feel ridiculous walking into town for tacos afterward.

Trail Performance: 9 – Built for real hiking, breathable, durable, solid waistband, weather-resistant
Versatility: 6.5 – Performance fit looks a little try-hard in town, especially for thicker builds
Features & Build: 8.5 – Smart waistband, zip thigh pocket, DWR, good materials
Overall Rating: 8.0

Shop Now at Patagonia

Best Zip-Off Hiking Pants: Royal Robbins Wilder Pant Zip-Off

Materials: 100% recycled nylon
Weight: 11.3 oz | 320 g
Waist: Zipper fly with snap closure, built-in adjustable webbing belt
Price: $140

Pros:
- Modern silhouette despite zip-off design
- Soft, dry hand feel that never got clammy
- Functional, fast-converting zip-off legs

Cons:
- Limited stretch
- Not ideal for dynamic movements like squatting

I have long believed that convertible pants are not well-built enough to make up for how dorky they look. Over the years, I've tested many out of professional obligation, and have usually found them to be too noisy when walking and too fiddly to actually convert into shorts. You just couldn't justify them.

The Royal Robbins Wilder Zip-Off Pants changed my mind. I actually requested the non-zipoff version of the Wilders and was offered the zip-off version as well and after months of testing I am happy I accepted the offer. They look and feel like modern hiking pants, not safari cosplay, and the zip-off function actually worked without snagging or ballooning. I wore them on a long mixed-weather hike near Oregon’s Mt. Ashland and unzipped them during a sunny lunch stop. The transition was smooth enough that I drew no attention to myself amongst my fellow hikers. The recycled nylon fabric has a dry, soft hand feel that never turned plasticky, even when I started sweating in them pre-zip off. I liked the straight-leg cut, which allowed for airflow without looking baggy. The integrated belt was handy, and the rear pockets sat flat under my pack. When zipped off, the shorts hit a reasonable mid-thigh (not cargo-short long or Euro short-short), which made me actually want to wear them.

If I had one complaint, it’s that they aren’t the stretchiest pants, which I noticed while squatting in my garage gym. To be fair, though, these aren’t squatting pants, they are hiking pants. For long mellow days or travel scenarios where you want one pant to do it all, the Wilder Zip-Offs are the most versatile option here.

Trail Performance: 7 – Comfortable, decent airflow, zip-offs work, but less stretch for dynamic moves
Versatility: 8.5 – Looks like a normal pant, zip-offs didn’t ruin the vibe, good for travel
Features & Build: 8 – Excellent zip-off implementation, good belt, nice rear pockets
Overall Rating: 7.9

Shop Now at Royal Robbins

Best Lightweight Hiking Pants: ON Trek Pants

Materials: 89% recycled polyamide, 11% elastane (255 gsm, PFC-free DWR)
Weight: 9.3 oz | 264 g (size M)
Waist: Elastic waistband with internal drawcord, zip fly
Price: $180

Pros:
- Premium water-resistant fabric
- Technical enough for wet, variable hikes
- Clean aesthetic—doubles as city wear

Cons:
- Expensive
- Runs short for taller hikers

My pick for the best lightweight hiking pants was the On Trek Pants, a sleek, tapered style that’s still remarkably feature-rich. The pant is made from a water-resistant, quick-drying four-way stretch fabric that sheds drizzle with ease. Even when I caught some unexpected splash when rock jumping up a creek with my kiddo, they dried out in record time. I originally put them more on the style side of the hiking pant spectrum, then they thrived during a damp, 8-mile day in the Cascades and I put a little more respect On the name.

The articulated knees and gusseted crotch let me scramble and lunge without tugging or bunching even though these pants were made from the heaviest material of the test at 255-gsm. The pocket setup is efficient, if minimalist. Two deep hand pockets, a zip thigh pocket, and one rear zip pocket offered plenty for a day hike but didn’t deliver enough storage to help lighten my snack load on a backpacking trip. I especially liked the elastic cuffs, which hugged my ankles snugly without feeling tight or dorky. I even wore them to dinner after the hike, and nobody blinked, unlike with some other shell-style hiking pants that scream “techwear.” The fit is slim, almost jogger-like, which is great for mobility but might not work if you prefer more relaxed trail pants. They also run a bit short, so taller hikers might want to try before buying.

Trail Performance: 9 – Water-resistant, breathable, great for creek crossings and technical trails
Versatility: 8 – Slim and stylish enough for post-hike dinner, but slightly techy
Features & Build: 7 – Solid pocket setup, but minimal; might lack storage for longer days
Overall Rating: 8.0

Shop Now at On

Best Hiking Pants With City Crossover Appeal: Reigning Champ Solotex Twill Crossover Standard Pant

Materials: 100% Solotex stretch twill (synthetic polyester-based)
Weight: Not listed; feels midweight
Waist: Elastic waistband with drawcord, zipper fly
Price: $230

Pros:
- Sleek, tailored look with trail-worthy performance
- Deep hand pockets + zippered rear pockets
- Softshell-like stretch and abrasion resistance

Cons:
- No trail-specific features like cinch cuffs or DWR
- Pricey for non-technical pant

I am trying to be a better steward of my esteemed role as gear expert at Field Mag and widen my scope beyond my core mountain town brands. With a respectful nod to the New Yorkers editing this article, I brought these fantastic urban-leaning pants into the testing mix. Reigning Champ isn’t an outdoor brand per se, but the Solotex Twill Crossover Pant absolutely held their own on trail. I tested them on a quick out-and-back hike near Lithia Park and was immediately struck by how dialed the fit was: tailored, with a tapered leg that still gave me room to move. The Solotex twill fabric feels like luxury loungewear but moves like a softshell. I found them to be nearly as stretchy, quiet, and breathable, as the more technical pants in this test with just enough weight to make them feel substantial.

These pants clearly prioritize aesthetic as much as function. There are no thigh zips or cinch cords here, but the articulated knees and subtle gusseting made them plenty trail worthy. The hand pockets are deep and plenty large enough for a few hundred calories worth of gorp, the back pockets are zippered, and the fabric resisted abrasion even when I scooted down a rocky patch on my butt. Post-hike, I wore them straight to a work meeting and nobody knew I’d just clocked 1,650 vertical feet. If you or you want one pair of pants that can do trail, dinner, and airport travel this is a fantastic pick. Just don’t expect a technical hard shell. This is a refined piece with trail credibility, not an alpine workhorse.

Trail Performance: 7 – Surprisingly good for a fashion brand, solid stretch and abrasion resistance
Versatility: 9.5 – These were made to crossover, perfect for city/trail blends
Features & Build: 6.5 – Minimalist, no trail-specific extras, but quality construction
Overall Rating: 7.7

Shop Now at Reigning Champ

Most Durable Pants for Hiking, Travel, Everyday Wear: Ten Thousand Tactical 5-Pocket Pant

Materials: 92% nylon, 8% spandex
Weight: Not listed; feels heavy-duty
Waist: Zipper fly, button closure, belt loops
Price: $128

Pros:
- Workwear toughness with decent mobility
- Tons of pockets + hidden zip stash
- Cleans up well post-hike

Cons:
- Heaviest pant in test
- No ventilation or trail-specific articulation

Ten Thousand’s Tactical 5-Pocket Pant is the heavy hitter in this bunch. They are built like work pants, cut like jeans, and quietly super trail-ready. I wore these while clearing brush, hauling gear, and hiking on rougher terrain, and they never snagged, sagged, or overheated. The nylon-spandex blend is thick but stretchy, and reinforced in high-wear areas, making them ideal for anyone whose hiking doubles as manual labor. The fit is straight but not boxy, with plenty of room in the seat and thigh. I appreciated the five-pocket layout (a nod to classic denim) and the hidden zippered side pocket, which kept my multitool secure. These pants don’t pretend to be featherweight. They're built to last and protect, not necessarily to disappear on your legs. But they’re surprisingly breathable for their durability. The Tactical 5-Pocket doesn’t have articulated knees or trail-specific tweaks like a cinch cuff, but what it does have is burly versatility. I wouldn’t choose them for long alpine days, but for bushwhacking, trail work, or any hike where you might be wielding a Pulaski instead of trekking poles, they’re perfect. Bonus: they clean up well enough to wear to the bar afterward.

Trail Performance: 6.5 – Breathable for how burly they are, but heavy and not built for alpine moves
Versatility: 8 – Look like tough jeans, work well for brush-clearing, errands, bar
Features & Build: 8.5 – Hidden zip pocket, reinforced zones, best pocket layout in test
Overall Rating: 7.7

Shop Now at Ten Thousand

Bonus: Best Heavy Duty Trekking Pant: Fjallraven Keb

Materials: G-1000 made of 65% recycled polyester, 35% organic cotton. Stretch material made of 65% recycled polyamide, 24% polyester, 11% elastane
Weight: 24.5 oz | 697 g
Waist: Zipper fly, button closure, belt loops
Price: $240

Pros:
- Features legendary G-1000 fabric in high abrasion areas for protection & durability
- Large, ergonomic pockets can hold a lot without banging against your body while moving
- PFAS-free
- Ventilation zippers

Cons:
- Slim fit that may not accommodate larger body types
- No rear pockets
- Heavy & expensive

Addition by Field Mag Founder Graham Hiemstra: A staple of outdoor and everyday culture in Scandinavia, these heavy weight, durable, weather-resistant hiking pants are about as iconic as a pair of pants can be. The longstanding Keb has been in the Fjallraven lineup since 2010 and more recently redesigned to pair some stretch with the legendary waxed cotton G-1000 fabric. I was initially drawn to the pants for their utilitarian aesthetic, knowing the Swedish outfitter makes quality product. After getting my first pair around a decade ago, I quickly learned the pants look great but function even better. And surprisingly, the slim fit is actually very comfortable for long treks, off trail bushwacking, and even car camping in general. It’s a joy to move however you need to in nature, kneeling in dirt or dead campfire coals, squeezing between granite boulders, always wiping your hands on your pants, while knowing no harm will be done and that the pair will only look better with age.

Over the past handful of years I’ve backpacked and hiked hundreds of miles in the Fjallraven Keb trouser, car camped and road tripped, and even done a little wet wade fly fishing. (And Field Mag contributor Karthika Guptajust declared the Keb her favorite hiking pant, too.) Through it all, I’ve been impressed by how the many cargo pockets hold a lot without feeling bulky or preventing full range of movement. I love the look of the pant, and though I typically prefer a much looser fit, the way the Keb hugs your body feels secure and purposeful. Like a military uniform. Generous ventilation zippers are a plus for warmer days, and openings for kneepads (an accessory) may never get used, but it’s nice to know they’re there. The fact they are available in three lengths— short, regular and long—is also a plus.

Trail Performance: 8 – Best for rugged terrain and long days in cooler climates
Versatility: 7 – The serious, distinct look is most at home in the alpine, though could also be styled for city wear
Features & Build: 9 – Tons of pockets and features, reinforced zones, hardwearing
Overall Rating: 8

Shop Now at Backcountry

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of pants are best for hiking?

Even within the category of hiking pants, there's a lot of variability. Choosing from all of the available options comes down to the same factors as choosing many other types of outdoor gear: where you're going, for how long, what time of year, and the weather forecast. Lighter hiking pants that aren't waterproof but do offer sun protection might be perfect for the desert, but you might want something warmer and more rugged if you're bushwhacking in Alaska. One of the options above should work for most scenarios.

How are hiking pants different from regular pants?

Hiking pants are made of performance-focused fabrics that are more durable, waterproof, and often stretchier than your standard pair of blue jeans. Depending on the pair of pants, hiking bottoms might feature DWR finishes, sweat wicking properties, UPF sun protection, added Spandex, and other fabric features. Hiking pants also often come with more tangible features like an integrated belt, zippered pockets, roll-up or zip-off legs, articulated knees, and gusseted crotches.

Should you always hike in long pants?

Nope! Hiking shorts are also a great option for taking to the trails. That said, you might consider wearing hiking pants for more than just warmth—hiking pants can provide protection from the sun, from ticks, mosquitoes, and other insects, and from light scrapes and scratches.