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We put 13 pairs of hiking pants to the test from Arc'teryx, REI, Patagonia, Prana, Columbia, and more to find the best options for your outdoor excursions.
Credit: Zach Lovell
By Zach Lovell ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Updated April 28, 2026
Whether you're sauntering out on a day hike or putting in the miles on a backpacking trip, you want a pair of pants that can keep up. Hiking pants can make your trail journey more enjoyable, and a good pair enhances your mobility, offers ample breathability, and stands up to the elements so you can move freely.
We have tested the best hiking pants for a decade and counting, with 55 pairs purchased. For this update, we put the 13 most promising models side by side for comparative analysis. We took to the trails in wind, rain, and sun across the mountains and desert to find the most comfortable, breathable, and weather-resistant pairs.
The Mammut Runbold IV is our favorite pair due to its incredible comfort and useful features, which make it great for almost any hike in any season. For hikers shopping on a budget, we like the REI Co-op Trailmade, which scored well all-around and comes at a lower price point than our other award winners.
Editor's Note: Our hiking pants review was updated on April 21, 2026, to include several new models from Mammut, Black Diamond, and Columbia. We also retested some old award winners, and update our examination process.
The Mammut Runbold IV is one of our favorite do-anything hiking pants, boasting a great blend of versatility and comfort that met our needs for hiking, backpacking, or even rock climbing. “At a staggeringly low 9.8 ounces, this clothing didn't slow me down and offers lots of features, from zippered pockets to an adjustable waist, making them ideal for anything from travel-backpacking to thru-hiking,” our hiking pants lead shared. The thicker fabric makes them appropriate for 4-season use, though if you live/play in a hotter climate, we'd steer you towards something like the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants.
SPECIFICATIONS
Water Resistance
Not specified
Sun Protection
UPF 50+
Pants/Shorts Convertibility
No
Waist Adjustment and Fastener
2 velco adjuster straps
Weight
9.8 oz
It can be challenging to find the right balance between mobility and excess fabric bunching, but Mammut did a great job with the cut of the Runbold IV, utilizing a more tapered design without making these pants too slim to restrict range of motion. “I didn't have any issues hiking my feet up to get over boulders and blocks while traveling through scree fields,” noted our gear reviewer. While we loved the waist size customization, with one velcro adjuster on each side, they did occasionally snag on backpack hip belts and jackets. If you'd like some built-in waist adjustability that's more user-friendly, consider something like the Prana Stretch Zion, which has an adjustable webbing belt, but the Runbold IV is otherwise likely to serve many hikers' needs.
Whether needing a pair of pants for day hikes or lengthy backpacking adventures, the Runbold IV offers a great balance between features and mobility. Credit: Zach Lovell
If your hikes take you through low-elevation desert slot canyons or up steep inclines in the heat of summer, your pants need to be breathable. Look no further than the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants. This high-scoring model uses a thin woven blend of nylon and spandex to keep you moving, even when grinding uphill. “In addition to the materials used in the Ferrosi,” our hiking pants lead commented, “This option has a relatively looser fit, offering great mobility and improved airflow.” As is often the case with well-vented clothing, the Outdoor Research Ferrosi isn't our first recommendation for cooler temperatures, though it's baggy enough to accommodate long underwear for wintry hiking.
SPECIFICATIONS
Water Resistance
DWR finish
Sun Protection
UPF 50
Pants/Shorts Convertibility
No (but have ankle cinch cord and fully convertible version available)
Waist Adjustment and Fastener
Button and zip fly
Weight
12.2 oz
The looser fit of the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants is great for comfort, range of motion, and airflow, but some of our testers felt it was too baggy around the feet. This excess fabric never caused tripping, but a tapered leg design is preferable when walking through overgrown trails. The ankle cuffs of the Ferrosi do have drawcords to tighten them, but there was still some loose fabric. If you want a more precise fit, pants like the Mammut Runbold IV are worth looking into, and they're even lighter on the scale. Outside of a couple of relatively nit-picky qualms our team had with the Ferrosi, these are phenomenal pants when you want to hit the trail on hot days or are gearing up for lengthy hikes.
The REI Co-op Trailmade Hiking Pants is a thin, comfortable pair of hiking pants with excellent value. The fit is well-tailored and athletic, with no restrictions on the user's range of motion. Our tester said, “The material is soft and supple and feels great against the skin.” There are plenty of pockets for stashing gear, and the fabric repels water with a DWR finish for a while when the pants are new. The CQR Tactical Raider has even more pockets and a lower price point, but it can't match the Trailmade in breathability, and we didn't feel comfortable wearing them around town. However, we found the Trailmade pants can be used for a variety of activities beyond hiking, including climbing, biking, running, yoga, and more. For such a low price, you can't beat the value.
SPECIFICATIONS
Water Resistance
DWR finish
Sun Protection
UPF 50+
Pants/Shorts Convertibility
No
Waist Adjustment and Fastener
Button and zip fly with interior drawcord adjustment
Weight
9.3 oz
The primary downside to these pants is their sizing. Compared to other brands, we had to size up by one inch in the waist and two inches in the inseam. Also, the fabric is on the thin side and doesn't offer much protection in cold or windy weather. There aren't any ankle cinch mechanisms, so you can't roll up the pant legs for use in hot weather. Aside from those minor complaints, we couldn't find any major downsides to Trailmade. Since they are priced lower than most competitors and perform well, these pants represent an exceptional value. The Patagonia Quandary Pants are also a great bargain. They are more comfortable and easier to move in than the Trailmade pants, but they lack just a bit of breathability and are not quite as lightweight. They're also a little more expensive than the Trailmade.
If you want a pair of pants that are equally at home on the trail or at the restaurant, take a closer look at the Kuhl Renegade Recon. Kuhl designed these pants with an urban aesthetic but used synthetic fabrics to improve ventilation and provide some stretch for the wearer. “I was impressed with the durability of these pants,” a GearLab pants expert shared, “The fabric held up even after scrambling around in the abrasive rock of Joshua Tree.” Despite its clean look, the Renegade Recon packs in 7 pockets; we only wish more of them had zipper closures. If you want more zippers to keep your belongings secure, consider something like the Mammut Runbold IV, which has zippers for all of its pockets.
SPECIFICATIONS
Water Resistance
DURALUX™ fabric
Sun Protection
UPF 50+
Pants/Shorts Convertibility
No
Waist Adjustment and Fastener
Button and zip fly
Weight
12.9 oz
While the fabric of the Kuhl Renegade Recon does stretch, it isn't as mobile as some of its competition. When pairing this with the Renegade's slimmer fit, our team agreed this pair of pants isn't the best choice for shoppers prioritizing freedom of movement. “I was able to still do everything I needed to while wearing these pants, but there was more resistance with high steps than with other models,” our pants tester, Zach Lovell, shared. Take a look at the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants for better mobility, or consider the Arc'teryx Gamma Pants.
Zip-off pants have become a polarizing class of clothing: some love them, some hate them. However, models like the Prana Stretch Zion offer an alternative option for convertible pants, with roll-up snaps that turn them into a pair of longer shorts or capris. These have long been a staple for Prana, and our lead tester, Zach Lovell, has been wearing some version of the Stretch Zion since he was a teenager. “These timeless pants continue to be durable and capable of a wide variety of applications, from casual strolls on the trail to scrambling in the alpine,” Zach shared. After extensive research, we've found this classic version of the Stretch Zion to have minimal changes since it was first introduced over two decades ago. As has always been the case, this model leans more toward durability than breathability, with a thicker fabric construction that isn't quite as stretchy. Fortunately, Prana did put vents in the upper thigh area and, of course, rolling up the legs greatly improves ventilation.
SPECIFICATIONS
Water Resistance
PFC Free DWR
Sun Protection
UPF 50+
Pants/Shorts Convertibility
No, but lower legs can be rolled up and retained with button snaps
Waist Adjustment and Fastener
Integrated adjustable webbing waist band
Weight
12.7 oz
We love being able to roll up the lower legs of the Prana Stretch Zion, and the plastic snaps that retain the extra fabric worked quite well. However, if you'd rather have a pair of pants that can be zipped off into shorts, our primary recommendation is the Columbia Silver Ridge Utility Convertible, which is very affordable and offers excellent ventilation. Outside of a couple of considerations, the Prana Stretch Zion is a worthwhile choice, as one of our review team members concluded, “This is classic for a reason, it's versatile and can potentially last you years.”
These pants offer a unique conversion design with roll-up legs. They offer some stretch but the Zion stands out the most for features and durability. Credit: Chris Robertson
It's hard to beat the accessible price of the Columbia Silver Ridge Utility Convertible. This zip-off model even includes its own removable belt that many of our testers left on the Silver Ridge throughout testing, and has fabric thin and breathable enough that it often stayed in pants mode. “While I appreciated the breathability, this pair of pants isn't the most durable, so it's best to keep this away from sharp branches or rocks,” one of our category experts commented. If you're looking at alternatives to zip-offs, we strongly suggest looking into the Prana Stretch Zion, which can be converted to long shorts by rolling up the lower legs.
SPECIFICATIONS
Water Resistance
No DWR treatment listed
Sun Protection
UPF 50
Pants/Shorts Convertibility
Yes
Waist Adjustment and Fastener
Includes a removeable belt
Weight
11.4 oz
Some zip-off pants can be tricky to re-attach, but we were pleasantly surprised by the Columbia Silver Ridge Utility Convertible. These use a colored zipper to keep the right and left pant legs identified, and it was easy to match up the zipper teeth when turning them back into pants. While the Silver Ridge in shorts mode offers a more precise fit, the lower legs were very loose, as one of our testers commented, “These have a bunch of excess fabric around the ankles and feet, which wasn't as ideal for scrambling or hiking on bushy trails.” If you'd like a more tapered fit, consider something like the Mammut Runbold IV. Alternatively, if you are a loyal Columbia fan, check out their relatively durable Columbia Men's Rapid Rivers.
The Arc'teryx Gamma Pants felt comfortable and were great for a variety of activities in our testing. Their water and wind resistance make them an excellent choice for cool, wet-weather hikes. They also come equipped with a drawstring at the cuff, so if the sun comes out and the temperature rises, you can pull them up and secure them in place to keep your legs cool. We're also fans of the integrated belt on the Gamma. They include thoughtfully designed features, and the fabric offers enough stretch not to be a distraction while scrambling. “I found these functional, high-quality pants best serve those who hike in bad weather,” our lead tester said.
SPECIFICATIONS
Water Resistance
DWR finish
Sun Protection
not specified
Pants/Shorts Convertibility
No (but have ankle cinch cord)
Waist Adjustment and Fastener
Snap and zip fly, Integrated belt with metal hook closure
Weight
12.3 oz
The biggest downside of this model is the high price point. You could certainly save some bucks on another pair, like the Outdoor Research Ferrosi, and get less weather resistance, but they offer more breathability and are just as comfortable as the Gamma Pant. We also find it's an unusual choice not to include any rear pockets on the Gamma. Despite these potential issues, our testers love this model and will put on a pair during future adventures, especially when inclement weather is in the forecast. There aren't a ton of other options in the same category that match their combination of weight and weather resistance. But, if you plan on hiking in inclement weather, the Fjallraven Vidda Pro is a sturdy pant that allows you to beef up its waterproofing with extra applications of Greenland wax (sold separately). That said, you won't find the same level of comfort in the Vidda Pro as you will in the Gamma Pant.
The Arc'teryx Gamma Pant is one of our favorites for cooler temperatures and has a good balance of weather protection and comfort. Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
The Fjallraven Vidda Pro is a rugged, heavily featured pair of trousers for adventures that demand more than a simple hiking trip. With seven pockets, including three cargo pockets and a hatchet sleeve, these pants are built for outdoor work like hunting, construction, and rigging. The fabric is thick and doesn't snag easily, so these behave more like canvas work pants than athletic hiking pants. The seat and knees are reinforced, adding even more durability. “I reach for these pants whenever I'm in for some dirty work or rugged hiking,” our lead reviewer said. If you're looking for a durable model that has a more simple design, consider something like the Black Diamond Dirtbag.
SPECIFICATIONS
Water Resistance
Greenland wax treatment
Sun Protection
"almost 100% protection from UVA and UVB"
Pants/Shorts Convertibility
No (but snap tight at cuff)
Waist Adjustment and Fastener
Button and zip fly
Weight
20.8 oz
Many users will complain that these pants are too heavy, not stretchy, and not breathable. Indeed, we don't like to use these pants for average day hikes or any time acrobatic movements are expected. These pants are more suited to trudging through the forest while hunting than ultralight backpacking. If you need more flexibility from your trousers, we'd recommend the OR Ferrosi or the Prana Stretch ZionII. With lots of cotton in the fabric, the Vidda Pros don't dry out quickly, and most users just won't take the time to apply wax to make their pants waterproof. For quicker dry time and better weatherproof ability, you'd be better off with the Arc'teryx Gamma. Furthermore, the price tag of the Vidda Pro will deter many potential users. That said, if you are looking for a rugged pair of pants for whatever the great outdoors can throw at you, these are a durable and versatile option. If the price tag throws you off, the REI Co-op Trailmade may not have the durability and feature set of the Vidda Pro, but they are a comfortable and far more breathable option.
The Fjallraven Vidda Pro is a durable companion for rugged outdoor work and spending all day on your feet in cool weather. Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Product Comparison Table
A good pair of hiking pants is essential for cooler fall days. Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
How We Tested
We purchase the top hiking pants at full retail cost and perform our testing on hikes and camping adventures in the rain, sun, and wind, and in controlled environments. Our testing grounds span a variety of locations, including the Oregon Cascades, the southern Utah desert, the Colorado Rockies, and New Hampshire's White Mountains. We analyze each pair's comfort and mobility, how well they protect us from the elements, if they allow us to stay cool in the damp heat of summer, and if we feel good wearing them out of the house for casual non-hiking use. For more info on our testing, see our full How We Test article.
Our lineup of hiking pants is scored across five performance metrics:
Comfort and Mobility (35% of overall score weighting)
Venting and Breathability (20% weighting)
Versatility (20% weighting)
Features (15% weighting)
Durability (10% of weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
Our lead testers include IFMGA Mountain GuideJeff Dobronyi and Zach Lovell. Jeff leads climbing, skiing, and trekking trips around the world, from his home near Ouray, Colorado, to the Alps, Andes, and beyond. He wears out gear faster than anyone we know and puts equipment through the wringer in his day-to-day mountain adventures.
Zach is also an IFMGA Mountain Guide who uses hiking pants on a daily basis, whether trekking in the Himalayas, soaking up a summer backpacking trip in the Sierra Nevada, or just hanging around town, hiking pants are his attire of choice. His keen eye for detail has been ever-sharpening over the past decade as a gear tester and reviewer.
We test our hiking pants in both real-world and controlled environments.
Analysis and Test Results
We assess and score each model across the five most significant contributors to the performance of any pair of hiking pants: comfort and mobility, breathability, versatility, additional features, and durability. We use these scores to inform our overall ranking, but if a particular metric is much more important to you than the others, be sure to check out the specifics of how different models perform in that category (rather than just looking at their overall score). And also, check our hand-curated list of the best products across all of our hiking gear reviews.
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
Though the adage “you get what you pay for” often rings true, our years of testing experience have taught us that there's usually a golden nugget “value product” in there.
A fall hike in the comfortable REI Trailmade. Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
The undisputed best value on the market is the REI Trailmade. This pair performs almost as well as the best pants on the market for a fraction of the price. The Outdoor Research Ferrosi and Patagonia Quandary are two models that offer great value because of what they bring to the table. They can step up to nearly any hiking challenge, yet still cost far less than the highest-priced options.
Comfort can be achieved through a combination of stretchy fabric, adjustability, and quality fit. The Patagonia Quandary offers plenty of all those attributes. Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Comfort and Mobility
One of the most critical considerations for any piece of outdoor clothing is its comfort. In the context of hiking pants, comfort simply means that they feel good on the skin; no chafing or riding up that would distract from the activity. The product should enhance your outdoor experience, not take away from it. If it isn't comfortable, you won't wear it, and the rest of the metrics don't even matter.
Because some hikes might take you scrambling over a rock field or have you high-stepping over a fallen tree, comfort goes hand-in-hand with mobility. The more a model facilitates free movement, the better. The majority of pants in this review achieve comfort by incorporating stretchy materials, such as spandex or elastane, to increase user mobility, along with a slightly looser cut.
Some models have a gusset (strip of fabric across the crotch of the top pair), while others do not. Gussets tend to extend mobility. Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
The Outdoor Research Ferrosi, Patagonia Quandary, and Arc'teryx Gamma achieve a comfortable fit with a balance of a higher-than-average elastane content and a slim yet loose enough cut to maximize wearer mobility. The Ferrosi is stretchier than either of the other two, but all three are flexible.
It's hard to beat the mobility of the stretchy Outdoor Research Ferrosi, which also has a slightly more relaxed fit. Credit: Zach Lovell
Models such as the REI Sahara Convertible and Fjallraven Vidda Pro offer minimal fabric stretch and promote mobility with a looser, more relaxed cut. The REI Trailmade offers a comfortable, athletic fit for a low price. All of the top scorers in this metric have a gusseted crotch (an additional diamond or strip of fabric) that increases the roominess of the area to allow for large strides.
The Arc'teryx Gamma is super comfortable, with a high-end fit and stretchy fabric. Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Sometimes a simpler design can still boast great mobility with a baggier fit, such as the Black Diamond Dirtbag. These pants still have some decent stretch, but most of their mobility comes from the relaxed cut and stretchy waist.
The loose fit and stretchy build made the Dirtbag a comfortable and mobile option. Credit: Zach Lovell
Venting and Breathability
Venting and breathability are crucial for staying cooler in the sunshine and summer heat. Venting refers to specific features included in a pair of pants that facilitate the release of heat and moisture away from your body. Things like zippered vents, mesh-lined pockets, and rollable cuffs are types of vents. Breathability is similar but refers to the fabric's quality (as opposed to features built into it), including its thickness and weave density.
Not surprisingly, the pants made of the lightest, thinnest fabric tend to be the most breathable, and pants with the most mesh and zippered vents kept us from getting too sweaty in the first place. The OR Ferrosi is lightweight and breathable, making it a solid choice for hot climates. The fabric is thin, and air passes through with relative ease. REI's Sahara Convertible and Trailmade are also made from thin and lightweight nylon. Most notably, the Sahara has the advantage of completely removable legs to facilitate a quick cooldown.
The REI Sahara Convertible has verticle zippers that make it extremely easy to remove the lower legs over shoes. Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
Features
While pants aren't the most technical gear category, there are several design aspects that can make a model stand out more or less than others in terms of features. The Fjallraven Vidda Pro is among the most heavily featured hiking pants we tested. It boasts seven pockets, including two front pockets, two rear pockets, and three cargo pockets.
Models like the Prana Stretch Zion and the Mammut Runbold IV are also worth looking into, with lots of features and better all-around performance than the Fjallraven Vidda Pro. The standout offerings of the Stretch Zion include retainers to roll up the legs, vents in the upper thigh area, and an integrated webbing/buckle system for waist adjustability.
The plastic snaps on the Prana Stretch Zion were effective and easy to use for retaining the lower leg fabric. Credit: Chris Robertson
The Mammut Runbold IV has two velcro waist adjusters, adjustability at the ankle cuff, and all pockets are zippered, making it just as ideal for travel as for backpacking.
From the zippered pockets to the waist adjustability, the Runbold IV is quite the versatile pant. Credit: Jessica Shellock
The CQR Tactical Raider comes with no fewer than eight pockets — two front, two rear, two cargo, and a smaller one above each quad for a knife or compass. It also has D-rings for carabiners and keys, an elastic waist to accommodate a range of sizes, and a French fly for added durability.
The Mammut Runbold has somewhat unique velcro tabs that allow for easy waist adjustment on the move. Credit: Ben Applebaum-Bauch
The REI Sahara Convertible has six pockets for more-than-ample storage and removable legs that turn it into shorts. Our only knock against the Sahara's feature set is the button closure, which could pop off with heavy use.
We compared all the features of every pair of pants. Some of our favorites include large pockets with secure seals and integrated belts.
Having the option to roll up the legs and cinch them down around your calf or above the knee when the weather gets warmer is useful. The Outdoor Research Ferrosi and Arc'teryx Gamma benefit from this add-on. The Fjallraven Vidda has snaps at its cuffs that help it to function similarly, if less elegantly.
The cuffs on the Fjallraven Vidda Pro can be tightened by a button strap with three tightness settings. Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Versatility
The best hiking pants offer performance beyond just hiking on the trail. Some have enough style to cross over into town or office use, while others are suitable for other activities like climbing, scrambling, yoga, mountain biking, running, camping, and everything else.
At the front of the pack is the stylish Kuhl Renegade Recon, which looks clean enough for social events but still has a technical pant construction for big days on the trail.
Whether hitting the town or the trial, the Renegade is likely to keep up. Credit: Sydney Knadler
We were also big fans of the Mammut Runbold IV, which shines for its versatility thanks to its “loose slim” fit, low weight, and features, making it at home in a variety of outdoor settings, whether winter hiking or trekking in the Himalayas.
We were impressed with Mammut for keeping the weight down on the Runbold IV while still offering several features. Credit: Zach Lovell
Holding down one of the top spots in the metric is the Arc'teryx Gamma, which brings not only a high level of functionality for hiking but an equally strong performance as a comfortable pair of everyday town and work pants. They are also useful for climbing, scrambling, long travel days, and yoga.
We love climbing in the Arc'tery Gamma pant, in addition to hiking and backpacking. Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
The Prana Stretch Zion is one of the few pants we've tested with built-in buttons to retain the lower legs when rolled up. This makes for a model that can be worn for a wider variety of conditions, from warmer days in summer to cooler adventures in spring or fall. The REI Trailmade also offers high versatility. It performs well as an all-around hiking pant, and can also be used for nearly every other adventure you can imagine. Though not specialized in any way, we took this pair on mountain bike rides, mountain runs, and climbing trips, and it performed well every time.
The REI Trailmade is at home on the trails on foot or on a bike. Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Durability
Durability demands vary greatly depending on the wearer. For hikers or hunters who go off-trail, bushwack, and scramble over abrasive rock, robust models like the Fjallraven Vidda Pro should be strongly considered. As is often the case with durability, models like the Vidda Pro are much heavier than others, but some shoppers might find them to be worth the weight. If you're looking for a more versatile model than the Vidda, the Prana Stretch Zion has decent all-arounder scores while still offering notable durability.
Several of our testers noted that the Kuhl Renegade Recon boasted decent durability, with an abrasion-resistant nylon-and-spandex construction. These have a more urban look, making our team even more surprised when the face fabric and stitching held up so well throughout testing.
The stylish Renegade Recon was as durable as it was aesthetic. Credit: Sydney Knadler
If you need weather resistance, the Arc'Teryx Gamma is a worthwhile choice that also boasts excellent durability scores. We suggest taking it easy on the Columbia Silver Ridge Utility Convertible, which offers great ventilation and breathability, but the thinner fabric and less robust stitching didn't hold up as well as others during our testing.
The Columbia Silver Ridge Utility Convertible is a decent model, but it isn't as durable in abrasive environments. Credit: Kory Markel
If you're a fan of Columbia, you might be interested in the well-priced Rapid Rivers, which aren't the most breathable, but they have a thicker cotton construction that handles scrambling quite well.
The Rapid Rivers pants don't have much technology or features, but their thick cotton build handled abrasion quite well. Credit: Jessica Shellock
Conclusion
Hiking pants can either lean into a more outdoors-specific, technical design or act as versatile, stylish trousers that happen to be built from performance fabric; they look like everyday pants around town, but the moment you trade dress shoes for hiking boots, that same clean, minimalist silhouette reveals its trail-ready side with stretch, breathability, and quick-drying durability doing the work in the background.
