Hit The Trail With The Best Hiking Pants Of 2022

The NORRONA falketind Pant came in as our best hiking pants due to their durability, versatility, and awesome features. These top hiking pants come in both men’s and women’s models, but I tested the women’s version for this review. I took these pants on several hikes, a scramble, and a couple of off-trail scouting adventures. I even spent several days bouldering and rope climbing in these pants. Throughout each day, I found these to be extremely durable. They tolerated abrasions from rocks, trees, and thorny plants quite well. I didn’t push the limits of their mobility much, but they are long pants with a thicker fabric that is extremely durable, so there is a slight trade-off mobility-wise, but it is minimal.

I found the slim fit to be quite comfortable and attractive. Pocket-wise, these feature a zippered thigh pocket and two hand pockets. Instead of an integrated belt, there is a custom-fit waist system that uses velcro for a secure fit. This hiking pant also features an eco-friendly construction that has Bluesign and Oeko-Tex certified fabric, a fabric made with recycled fibers, and a PFC-free DWR coating for water resistance. Lastly, there’s an adjustable lower leg with a zipper and gusset to let the pants breathe.

Our runner-up for the best hiking pants is from the outdoor and yoga brand, PrAna. The PrAna Halle has been a beloved pair of cool hiking pants for many years. When I started climbing, these were some of the most highly recommended and sought-after pants. I’ve owned at least four or five pairs of these pants and used them for hiking, climbing, and scrambling over the years. The only time I ripped a pair in one fell swoop was with a thirty-foot fall on slabby terrain while rock climbing. As far as durable everyday pants for any adventure go, this is a consistent top choice. While there is no men’s Halle pant, the PrAna Zion and Brion are two of the top-rated hiking pants for men from PrAna and are comparable to these.

Now let’s dive into the features. These durable convertible pants have two hand pockets, one zippered pocket, and two back pockets. When it’s warm out or you have an upcoming water crossing, you can roll up these pants and secure the legs with a button. I love the stretch fabric and these pants perform well in all kinds of temperatures and situations. These are also some of my favorite pants for job interviews in the outdoor world. They are nice enough to look professional but are great for hitting the crag next.

The Stoic Zip Off are versatile pants that are perfect for hiking or casual wear. I love the zip-off legs and how cute these pants are as shorts. As pants, the area on the leg with the zipper is quite pronounced and a bit jarring, taking away from their visual appeal, but that is my sole complaint about these. I do still think they are some of the best convertible pants available for hiking, and the color options are quite unique. I wore these camping, rock-hounding, as casual wear and while hiking and they held up well, were quite stain resistant, and always comfortable. To switch from long pants to shorts, there’s an obvious zipper above the knee and the pants zip off the bottom and you can store the bottom part of the legs in your pack quite easily.

In front, there are two open, yet large hand pockets and they are the only pockets. There is also an easy-to-use integrated belt to get a customized fit. The drawcord hem allows you to adjust the cuff to keep out debris. These pants are perfect for summer hiking or shoulder season adventures as long pants.

The 5.11 Meridian Pant is a slim-fit pair of full-length hiking pants that are excellent for big days outside whether you are climbing, scrambling or hiking. Our tester wore these pants for an alpine rock climb that required a brutal 4.5-hour hike on both ends. In total, our tester spent 30 hours in these pants that day in the Enchantments in Washington state and they stood up to the test and looked about the same as they did when the adventure began, aside from some dirt and debris. Our tester liked the slim fit and found that it thankfully wasn’t restrictive at all, and the high density of pockets. Our tester has a tendency to drop phones while out climbing so he loves the left thigh pocket for holding his phone.

The one downside our tester noted was that the fabric dye requires hand-washing which can be an annoyance to handwash before ever wearing and subsequent washes require these pants to be separated from the rest of your clothing. While the wear patterns are cool, our tester found the effort involved to be frustrating. All in all, this is a sturdy and durable pair of pants that survived a doozy of an outdoor adventure and lived to tell the tale. We still love the pockets, venting and small technical features that make these pants stand out.

The 5.11 Shella Pant is probably most closely related to the PrAna Halle on this list. It offers a similar form-flattering cut and is a functionally minimalist hiking pants for those seeking quality materials and build with only essential features. I found these pants to be one of the most comfortable I tested. I could move easily and never felt like the pants were in my way. Most hiking pants tend to restrict me at the hip, as I have greater than average hip mobility, but not these! Whether hiking, climbing, or coaching, these pants were soft, comfortable, and functional.

Some of my favorite features are the simple and unobtrusive pockets. There are two hand pockets, two zippered back pockets, and two cargo pockets on the thigh. The fabric is a mostly polyester mix with elastane and a DWR finish for water resistance. These pants will be fine in light rain, but I don’t recommend them in a downpour. The belt loops are also reinforced, so you can hang small items off them using a carabiner if needed.

I think at this point, the debate over whether leggings are pants is over, and the answer is clear. Leggings are pants. Leggings can also be great for hiking as they are stretchy pants with lots of room to move. While there is a lack of pockets, that’s what packs are for. The IceBreaker Fastray Tights are an excellent hiking pant that offers some insulation and excellent mobility. I love these for shoulder season days and hikes where I’m unlikely to be scrambling or rubbing my leggings against rough rocks. While these tights are quite durable, I prefer to use other hiking pants since I have them for days when I’ll be scrambling a lot.

I love the high waist on these lightweight pants, and it gives them even more of a form-hugging and flattering fit. There’s also a gusseted crotch for mobility and airflow. While most leggings don’t have pockets, these ones do in fact feature a thigh stash pocket large enough for a phone. These leggings are 97% merino wool, meaning they are super soft but also incredibly warm. You can wear them on their own or pair them with another pair of hiking pants on this list for particularly cold days.

The Buck Mason Trail Roam Pants come from the new Buck Mason Trail Roam Collection. These pants feature a cotton nylon blend with a DWR coating that our tester mentioned was perfect for the outdoors. The back pockets are closed with buttons and there are also two hand pockets on the front. The waist is elastic with drawcord tightening.

Our tester wasn’t thrilled with the overall fit of the pants, as the hips are quite baggy. Now, the loose fit is great for ventilation and comfort, however, it could be an issue outside of low exertion hiking. On the plus side, these walking pants come with a durable water repellent finish (note: this doesn’t make the pants completely waterproof but it does offer decent protection from the elements). And thanks to their cotton blended nylon construction, they’re some of the lightest hiking pants around.

The Mack Weldon Atlas Jogger is a warm, soft, and cozy pair of hiking joggers, perfect for shoulder seasons and winter. Our tester was blown away by the softness of the interior fabric and intends to wear them daily (well, hopefully with some washing in between) in the fall and winter as temperatures drop. Most joggers and sweatpants have loose pockets that run the risk of things falling out. However, you’ll be pleased to find out that these are hiking pants with awesome pockets, zippered pockets to be exact. Our tester was quite happy with this security measure and we’re sure you will be too.

Premium stitching, soft lining, and all-around great casual hiking pant from a high-quality brand. Given the longevity of other Mack Weldon products that our tester has owned, they expect this pair to last for years.

The fact is that hiking is not the most glamorous of activities out there, but there is certainly no need to go out looking drab. Here is a stylish pair of pants that are also some of the best budget hiking pants. The all-around design here features an adjustable waistband fitted with a built-in belt. There is also the addition of patchwork knees which come hand-in-hand with the steric knee darts. To crown it all up, there’s an array of one-of-a-kind zippered cargo pockets located in the thigh area. These pockets will undoubtedly come in handy while on a hike.

Another selling point of these BenBoy Women’s Outdoor Fleece Slim Cargo Hiking Pants is their ability to brave it through all sorts of weather conditions, be it mild or harsh. First and foremost, it comes in a waterproof design which will come in handy on rainy or snowy days. They also are lined with fleece, so expect to be warm and toasty throughout your hike. This lining also makes them excellent for snowy hikes and mountaineering. These trekking pants are quite breathable, as the aim is to keep you warm and not to slow-cook you in your own moisture. Versatility is a very strong point here, and this is something that should not be taken lightly.

Nylon and taffeta are not a mix you come across very often, but best believe that in this case it is the perfect marriage. Together these two ensure that the wearer has maximum mobility and comfort while carrying out all sorts of activities. Besides the design, there is a lot that is quite commendable about the Columbia Rebel Roamer pant. For one, it is one of the best when it comes to braving the elements. One of the features that contributes to this is their Omni-Tech technology which really puts them light years ahead of the game. This comes in the form of a unique seam-sealed waterproof makeup that is coupled with unparalleled breathability, which makes for a level of versatility that most options out there lack.

Altogether, this pair of pants keep the moisture out, be it a heavy downpour or a splash of mud. They equally ensure that the airflow is at an optimum level which further gives way for added comfort. Making this already great product better is the addition of a total of two zippered security pockets right at the sides. There are also two rear pockets that can be used to secure all sorts of small items while you go about your business. And because of the unique design, these pants are completely true to size, so there’s no need to go up or down a size, as these babies are guaranteed to fit perfectly.

You will probably be surprised at how many articles of clothing simply hang there like a second skin without bringing anything tangible to the table. That is where the Columbia Men’s Rapid River pant stands out. Using what they call Omni-shade technology, the material used here guards the wearer against harmful UVA and UVB rays. What exactly does this do? It goes a long way to prevent sunburn or any sun-related skin damage. This is all thanks to the tight weave construction coupled with UV absorbent yarns used to build up the material.

In terms of design, this is also a great product, as there are a bunch of seemingly insignificant features here that work together to create a bombshell effect. One such is the installation of two handy side pockets on the pants, which go a long way to help with the storage of hiking gear. Additionally, there is a semi-elastic waist and gusset attachment that takes the comfort level up several notches. On a more general note, these pants come in an active fit, so the stretchiness is sure to add to the comfort altogether.

We appreciate the care Columbia brings to their line of hiking pants; nowhere is this care and attention to detail more evident than in their Men’s Silver Ridge convertible pants. These are, in our opinion, some of the best-looking outdoor pants the company makes, and they’re every bit as comfortable as they are attractive.

Men’s Silver Ridge convertible pants are lightweight wonders that keep you warm, dry, and comfortable regardless of conditions. They’re cut to accommodate hiking boots, so you can pick up a pair for your next mountaineering adventure. But they also convert easily to shorts with zip-off legs so that when the sun comes out and things warm up, you’re ready to adjust. We love the integrated belt to keep these in place and the breathability that a gusseted crotch offers. These convertible hiking pants are surprisingly effective against the wind and offer lots of pockets with both flaps and zippers to hold your emergency kit, including a cargo pocket for your phone.

They call them “tactical pants,” but we’ll call them what they are: hiking pants. Their 65% polyester rip-stop Duratec fabric takes whatever the trail can dish out and emerges unscathed. Outdoor adventurers who are hard on gear will love the durable construction. The elasticized waistband minimizes the need to carry a belt, and in a move after our hearts, they’ve included eight cargo pockets for carrying various survival kits, camp gear, maps, and more. This makes these pants a great pair for day hikes or longer excursions.

The CQR Men’s Hiking Pants are lightweight and breathable, easy to clean, double stitched all around, and stain-resistant. They dry quickly when they get wet, provide a full range of motion, have reinforced seat and knees, won’t bind when you sit and can be worn over polypro long underwear or under wind pants when the old north wind begins to blow. Whether you’re heading for the summit or to the campsite for the weekend, these are the kind of all-purpose outdoor hiking pants you’ll want to be wearing. 

The Outdoor Research Men’s Ferrosi Pant is a versatile hiking pant loaded with features for a variety of activities. The Ferrosi is a pair of soft-shell pants ideal for rock climbing and hiking. They offer a relaxed fit, a ripstop construction as well as wind and water resistance. These men’s hiking pants are also available in a women’s version and come in many different colorways and sizes so that there is a fit and style for everyone.

Some features we love on these pants are the zippered thigh pocket that remains accessible even in a harness, the articulated knees and stretchy fabric for movement and durability, and the adjustable cuff to keep out grass, dirt or any other debris as needed. In total, you’ll find five pockets throughout these outdoor research hiking pants and a durable polyester ripstop construction that is quite abrasion-resistant.