Bottom Line
The Patagonia Terravia Trail is built for anyone who spends long days on the move. We tested our pair on spring hikes in Alaska and wore them for travel across the Western US. It took everything in stride.
With its highly mobile and quick-drying fabric, this pant strikes a strong balance between comfort and performance. Our tester appreciated the Terravia Trail’s partially elasticized waistband. Thoughtful features like all zippered pockets, zippered cuffs, and a thigh pocket boost functionality and make these a well-rounded pair of pants.
The downside of this pant’s thin material is durability. The material stains easily, and we could feel sticks and branches sharply when passing through the brush. So far, the construction has held up to consistent use, but these are not the top choice on our men’s hiking pants list for more heavy-duty adventures. But, if breathability, mobility, and comfort are your top priorities, it’s hard to beat the Patagonia Terravia Trail.
How We Tested
We tested the Patagonia Terravia Trail pants over the course of three months. We wore these for everyday use, springtime hikes in fickle Alaskan weather, and travel. Our testing spanned a range of temperatures, conditions, and settings to best evaluate performance across our testing metrics.
Quick Specs
Men’s Patagonia Terravia Trail Pants
Hiking Pants with a Comfortable Waist
CleverHiker Rating: 4.5/5.0
Price: $139
Weight: 12 oz.
Fit: Slim
Fabric: 86% recycled polyester, 14% recycled spandex
Pros
- Lightweight
- Comfortable elastic waist
- Quick drying
- Versatile
Cons
- Low weather resistance
- Stains easily
Comfort & Mobility
The Patagonia Terravia Trail earns high marks for comfort and mobility. We wore the Terravia Trail for multiple, twelve-hour travel days. Their comfort for long days on planes, trains, and everywhere in between makes them a great crossover pair of pants – whether on the trail or in transit.
Made completely with recycled materials, the 86% polyester and 14% spandex blend offers excellent four-way stretch. This makes them a match for climbing or scrambling, where long steps and awkward movement require unrestricted pants.
The elasticized waist panels on either side are an excellent design choice that boosts comfort and may eliminate the need for a belt. We love this unique design feature, and consider the Terravia Trail one of the most comfortable pants in our lineup – whether on the trail or in transit.
Breathability
If breathability is your number one priority, the Terravia Trail is a great choice.
Tested in conditions ranging from 40 degrees and spitting rain to 80 degrees and sunny, the thin material wicked moisture extremely quickly. When soaked with sweat, it evaporated away without leaving us feeling clammy and wet.
The Terravia Trail is a favorite for fast-paced hiking where high breathability is needed. It’s also a great option for warm, mid summer hikes.
Weather Resistance
The Patagonia Terravia Trail’s thin build sacrifices weather resistance. These pants’ PFAS-free DWR coating can only repel the lightest of rains and doesn’t hold up in anything more than a sprinkle. When we got caught in a spring squall of heavy rain, the pants quickly soaked through and clung to our legs.
These are not our top choice for taking out in wet weather. However, they do dry extremely quickly when exposed to the sun and wind.
Durability
Our Terravia Trail pants have held up to consistent use without showing any signs of wear. However, they may not be the best choice for heavy use or frequent contact with brush and rocks. When bushwhacking in the Patagonia Terravia Trail pants, we felt sticks and thorns through the materials. Without reinforced knees, kneeling in gravel was uncomfortable, too.
Features
The Terravia Trail has simple yet effective features that boost functionality without being overly technical. The pants have five zippered pockets (including a thigh pocket) that can stow small items securely but aren’t large enough for heavier items. Zippered cuffs with internal gussets expand the leg to fit over boots or larger calves.
Should You Buy the Patagonia Terravia Trail Pants?
From long plane rides to the trail, the Patagonia Terravia Trail pants blend performance and comfort. They may lack durability and weather resistance, but their mobility and breathability are among the best in our line up. If these two metrics are your top consideration, the Terravia Trail is an excellent choice.
What Other Hiking Pants Should You Consider?
Check out our full gear guide to see all of our favorites.
Patagonia Terravia Alpine Review: With reinforced knees and a slightly more robust build, the Terravia Alpine is the slightly beefier cousin to the Terravia Trail.
Outdoor Research Ferrosi Review: Similarly breathable, the Ferrosi is an excellent choice for warm days on the trail.
Fjallraven Keb Agile Review: If the durability of the Terravia Trail left you wanting more, the Keb Agiles are among the best for heavy use.
