Bottom Line
The Duluth Dry on the Fly pants have quickly become one of our favorite pairs of women’s hiking pants after thorough side-by-side and field testing. We constantly find ourselves choosing these pants to wear on hikes, backpacking trips, to the office, on dog walks, and for errands around town.
Our tester even wore them to sheep herding lessons with their dog. The main reasons they are our new go-to are: they have the most pockets of any pair of pants we tested, belt loops, and good durability. It is possible to fit a wallet, dog waste bags, phone, power bank, and dog leashes in just the hip pockets alone!
Not everything about the Dry on the Fly is perfect. The cargo style and thicker fabric mean these pants aren’t quite as lightweight and comfortable to wear as some of the joggers in our lineup. They will also need to be paired with rain pants for anything more than a drizzle.
When it comes to value, the Dry on the Fly pants feel reasonably priced. Because they performed so well in our tests and in the field, they offer good value for the price. We would certainly buy these pants again, and you can probably find us wearing them, whether out on the trail or around town.
How We Tested
The Dry on the Fly pants are so versatile that we wore them to our desk job, sheep herding lessons, the lake, around town, and, of course, out hiking. Trail testing involved wearing them on several fall backpacking trips in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, primarily on well-maintained trails and tundra.
Quick Specs
Duluth Dry on the Fly
Best Pockets
CleverHiker Rating: 4.7/5.0
Price: $90
Weight: 12 oz.
Inseam: 27.5
Fit: Bootcut
Fabric: 97% nylon, 3% spandex
Pros
- Numerous secure pockets
- Durable
- Versatile
- Belt loops
- Roll-up ankle hems with snaps
- Stretchy fabric is easy to move in
- Quick-drying
Cons
- Dries slowly
- Heavy
- Not fully waterproof
- More restrictive than joggers
Comfort & Mobility
The Duluth Dry on the Fly pants are comfortable to wear all day on the trail and in town, but they have a noticeable downside compared to joggers. These pants fit and feel like cargo pants because of their numerous pockets and thicker material.
During side-by-side testing, we found that these features resulted in less mobility. While wearing these pants, our tester lifted their leg until they felt resistance. We were then able to measure the distance from the ground to the top of the knee better to compare mobility to the other options we tested. The Dry on the Fly pants had some of the lowest heights measured for both legs.
That said, for everyday use, we prefer wearing the Duluth pants over slacks, jeans, or other less versatile options. We find them to be more comfortable than most everyday pants. While backpacking in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, we preferred other lightweight, minimalist pants compared to the dry-on-the-fly pants. However, we don’t think about it if we’re day-hiking in these pants. If we hadn’t been testing multiple pants, we likely would not have noticed.
At the end of the day, there are certainly more comfortable options. However, it would be inaccurate to call the Duluth pants uncomfortable, and we still think they make a great choice due to all the other features they bring to the table.
Durability
Thick nylon and well-constructed seams mean the Duluth Dry on the Fly is a solid choice for durability. We looked at durability by performing both quantitative and qualitative tests. Our quantitative tests involved rubbing the fabric from each pair of pants on rough bark and a sharp stick. We looked for pulled threads, loose seams, and signs that the fabric may be thinning. After putting the Dry on the Fly pants through this test, we could not find any noticeable signs of wear.
Qualitative testing involved wearing these pants on multiple hikes, on local walks, to work, at sheep herding lessons, and around the house. When changing between other pants in our lineup and the Duluth pants on a backpacking trip, it was obvious that the material is a bit heavy. The overall weight of the pants is 12 ounces, which is twice that of some of our other favs we tested.
Though this can contribute to a lower comfort & mobility score, it also means that they are more durable. After wearing them all over the front and backcountry, we couldn’t find any appreciable signs of wear. With that in mind, they make a great choice for hikers who need a sturdy pair of pants.
Breathability
The thicker fabric of the Duluth Dry on the Fly pants results in a longer drying time, but the rollup hems and mesh pockets improve breathability. During side-by-side testing, we dipped approximately two inches of the lower leg into water, then set it out to dry with the other pants in our lineup. This allowed us to compare drying times in the same conditions. When we performed this test, the Duluth pants had a very similar drying time to other heavier material, traditional-style pants. The thicker material takes longer to wick away moisture, and the 97% nylon soaks up more moisture than some of the other pants we tested. This resulted in more water needing to evaporate off the pants, which adds to the dry time.
Out in the field, the drying time did not feel so long. When the pants got wet crossing a creek, they were mostly dry by the time we got back to town after a 30-minute drive. The rollup feature helps to prevent the hems from getting wet as well as provide more airflow. Combined with the mesh-lined hip pockets, we didn’t find these pants to feel overly hot when sitting in full sun at high altitude or when walking uphill. Overall, they performed better than expected, though there are some better choices available for hiking in hot climates.
Features
When it comes to features, the Duluth Dry on the Fly pants set a very high bar indeed. We counted eight pockets on the Duluth pants, seven of which are large enough to fit a phone. This is more than any other pair of pants we tested in our lineup, making these pants extremely versatile. The small pocket has a zipper, which makes it a great place to store keys or other valuables when out hiking. Envelope-style pockets on the lower legs and rear are easy to access, but secure. There is even a bonus built in pocket just the perfect size for a smartphone on the right leg.
Our favorite feature of these pants has to be the hip pockets. They are some of the largest on any pants we have tested. We were able to fit phones, keys, poop bags, wallets, and dog leashes in them all at the same time! They feel very secure, and we never had an issue with phones falling out, even when there wasn’t much in them.
Aside from pockets, we like having belt loops on these pants because it makes them very secure. No need to worry about them falling down when the pockets are full. It is one extra thing to buy and put on, but to us, it is worth it to have a better fit. The roll-up and snap ankles are nice for capri-mode. Overall, we feel Duluth has hit the mark on features, and these pants make a fantastic choice for those who value the versatility these features provide.
Weather Resistance
The Duluth Dry on the Fly pants are better able to resist moisture due to the thicker fabric, but are certainly not waterproof. We used a squirt bottle to spray each pair of pants on the thigh, then counted how many squirts it took to cause them to wet out. The Duluth pants resisted wetting out for about four squirts, which landed it slightly above average. They did not immediately feel wet the way some of the thinner fabric pants did. However, four squirts are not that many in the grand scheme of things.
In the real world, this translates to being enough to resist moisture when brushing up against a wet branch or two. This also happened to be our experience when wearing the pants on a backpacking trip the day after a rainstorm. That said, we would recommend pairing the Duluth pants with rain pants if planning to use them in extremely wet conditions.
Should You Buy the Duluth Trading Co. Dry on the Fly Pants?
The Duluth Dry on the Fly pants make a great all-around option for hikers seeking a versatile pair of pants that can be used out on the trail and around town. They have more of the traditional look and feel, but look nice enough to wear at more casual jobs.
We loved all the pockets, both when backpacking and when out with our dogs to carry all their things. That said, those looking for the most comfortable option would be better off with a jogger.
What Other Hiking Pants Should You Consider?
If the Duluth Dry on the Fly isn’t quite what you are looking for, be sure to check out some of the other hiking pants in our best hiking pants guide.
Kuhl Freeflex Rollup Review: The Freeflex pants are another one of our favorites for features, thanks to 6 functional pockets, rollup hems, and belt loops. Unlike the Duluth pants, the Freeflex pants also include a waist tie. We found them to be easier to move in, but not as weather-resistant.
prAna Halle Straight II Review: The Halle pants have a similar cut, fabric, and feel to the Duluth pants, which makes them a great alternative. Unlike the Duluth pants, the Halle pants are slightly more water-resistant and easier to move in. However, the Dry on the Fly pants are the better choice for pockets and durability.
Outdoor Research Ferrosi Review: The Ferrosi offers a great option for those who want something more water-resistant and comfortable. Like the Duluth pants, we enjoyed wearing these pants to the office and out on the trail, and found ourselves repeatedly choosing these pants for how comfortable they are. That said, they are not as durable and pill easily.
