Best Hiking Pants for Men of 2025

Since 2012, our team of wilderness experts has tested over 60 pairs of hiking pants on trails all over the world. We’ve carefully analyzed the comfort, mobility, breathability, durability, weather resistance, and features of the best pants from Arc’teryx, Outdoor Research, Columbia, KUHL, and other brands. Whether you’re looking for stylish bottoms that can transition from trail to town after a morning hike or planning a long-distance adventure, we have you covered.

And for more info, check out some of our other most popular gear guides:

Quick Picks for Men’s Hiking Pants

Check out this quick list of our favorites if you’re in a hurry, or continue scrolling to see our full list with in-depth reviews.

Best Hiking Pants Overall: Outdoor Research Ferrosi ($99)

Best Hiking Pants for Durability & Weight: Arc’teryx Gamma ($200)

Best Stretchy Lightweight Hiking Pants: Mammut Runbold IV ($119)

Best Pants for Mobility: Patagonia Terravia Alpine ($149)

High Performance Pants with Zippered Vents: Norrona Femund Flex1 ($189)

Best Affordable Lightweight Hiking Pants: REI Trailmade ($70)

Best Softshell Pants for Cool Weather Hikes: REI Activator 3.0 ($100)

Best Heavy-Duty Tactical Pants: Fjallraven Vidda Pro Ventilated Trousers ($170)

Stylish Hiking Pants for Town to Trail: KUHL Deceptr ($99)

Stretchy Pants That Work Well for Hiking & Climbing: prAna Stretch Zion Standard ($98)

Comfortable & Lightweight with a Simple Pocket Design: Patagonia Quandary ($99)

No-Frills Pants with a Casual Look: prAna Brion II ($85)

Durable Convertible Hiking Pants with Practical Shorts Mode: KUHL Renegade Convertible ($139)

Affordable & Breathable Convertible Pants: REI Sahara Convertible ($90)

Best Budget Convertible Pants: Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible ($65)

Why Trust CleverHiker

Our team at CleverHiker has collectively spent over 2,000 days hiking, trekking, and backpacking to find the best of the best when it comes to hiking pants. Gear Analyst Miles Knotek has adventured all over the world from Iceland to New Zealand, Costa Rica to the Rockies. Calling Alaska home, he regularly tests gear in the worst weather and most rugged terrain to find the right match for the conditions. With an eye for detail and a penchant for finding the limit of his gear, Miles takes an analytical approach to testing. Everything he uses he puts through rigorous testing to create the most comprehensive review possible.

Analysis & Results

VALUE

When it comes to value, two men’s hiking pants provide more performance than their price might indicate: the REI Trailmade and Outdoor Research Ferrosi pants.

The REI Trailmade combines the best elements of lightweight and versatility with a low price. These pants fall solidly in the lightweight category but still come loaded with thoughtful details like a drawstring adjustable waist and double-layered cuffs for added durability. The Trailmades come at a friendly price and punch far above their weight as a low-cost option.

The Outdoor Research Ferrosi stands out to us for its excellent value and performance. Coming in right at one hundred dollars MSRP, it certainly isn’t the lowest-priced pant on the market, but it offers higher performance. Exceptionally elastic, mobile, and breathable, the Ferrosi is the perfect one pant for everything to get the most bang for your buck.

COMFORT & MOBILITY

Comfort and mobility are paramount when out on a long adventure. As such, the Mammut Runbold IV deserves recognition. Its slim cut and highly elastic materials contribute to a pant that easily accommodates a wide range of motions. Those desiring a more athletic cut pant yet still rugged enough for the backcountry will feel right at home in the Runbolds.

With a slightly more slim cut than most other pants and one of the highest percentages of spandex in the material, the Patagonia Terravia Alpine Pants have excellent mobility. Made for climbing, this excellent mobility translates well to the trails, making climbing over boulders or making high steps easy and comfortable. The Femund Flex1 also impressed with its stretchy, softshell fabric.

The Outdoor Research Ferrosi stood out to us in a variety of activities due to its well-thought-out design that allows for comfort across multiple conditions. A brushed waistband creates on-the-skin comfort and an internal drawcord provides more waistband security. Articulated knees and some of the stretchiest material we tested mean otherwise cumbersome movements are a breeze.

Among the more well-designed pants we tested, the Arc’teryx Gammas rank highly for their comfort and mobility. With a slightly thicker material than most other pants tested, we were at first apprehensive about how it would perform, but we were pleasantly surprised with how mobile and comfortable they are. The well-designed crotch and high degree of mobility make the slightly heavier pants perform with the best of them.

BREATHABILITY

There’s nothing worse than clammy and sweaty pants on a hike. Thankfully, you will never have to worry about that in the Norrona Femund flex1 Pants. Among the most breathable of any pants we tested, the Femun Flex1s are perfect for high-output activities or hikes in warmer weather. We particularly love the zippered vents, perfect for cooling down quickly and getting a breeze on your legs.

The other new pants on our list, the Patagonia Terravia Alpine Pants, also impressed in terms of their breathability. If you’re looking to keep cool, also keep the convertible hiking pants in mind. The REI Sahara and KUHL Renegade Convertibles both allow you to remove the lower leg quickly and easily to ventilate your lower body on the trail.

WEATHER RESISTANCE

With their thick, almost canvas-like material, the Fjallraven Vidda Pros have excellent weather resistance. We wore these on wet shoulder season days and even on winter hikes, and they kept us protected much longer than other hiking pants. If you’re looking to add more weather resistance, they can be treated with Fjallraven’s Greenland Wax.

After taking all these pants through heavy precipitation, the Arc’teryx Gamma stands out due to its excellent weather resistance. In misty and light rain conditions, the fabric repels moisture at a much higher level than most others tested. We were impressed with these pants in cool, damp, and windy conditions and will continue to use them on days when the forecast is uncertain.

We also found the REI Activator pants surprisingly weather-resistant for the price. Our test pair withstood drizzle, sleet, and even post-holing through deep snow before eventually soaking through.

DURABILITY

With their reinforced knees and thick material throughout, it’s hard to beat the Fjallraven Vidda Pros for durability. These quickly became our go-to for hikes that involve heavy bushwhacking, as these pants can take a beating and don’t show a scratch. These have even become our pants of choice for yard work, removing downed trees from trails, and other outdoor chores that require extremely durable pants.

The most premium pants in our guide – the Arc’teryx Gammas and Norrona Femund Flex1 – both can take a beating. The Gamma’s slightly thicker material of these pants creates a durable and long-lasting product. Made from a double-weave blend of recycled nylon and elastane, the Femund Flex1 felt tough for such stretchy pants. They resisted abrasions and brush without showing wear when we tested them on the granite peaks of the Sierra Nevada and Alaska’s windy alpine ridges. With higher prices than most other pants on the market, you can be sure that these investments will stand the test of time and whatever you can throw at it on the trail.

FEATURES

The Fjallraven Vidda Pro pants are a feature-rich option that’s loaded with pockets to match almost any function you can imagine. When it comes to pockets and the versatility of features, the KUHL Renegade Convertible also boasts a whopping 8 pockets. These pants are sure to carry whatever you need for a day on the trail.

Pants with built-in adjustability also earn high marks for features in our lineup. As such, we score the Mammut Runbold IV and the Arc’teryx Gamma highly. The Runbold IV comes equipped with elastic tabs on the waist that allow hikers to dial in their fit without the need for a cumbersome belt. The low-profile tabs easily fit under a backpack waistbelt. The Arc’teryx Gamma comes with an integrated belt that keeps the pants snug and secure. We are big fans of the durable webbing and solid metal hook of the belt.

How to Choose Hiking Pants

FABRIC

The best hiking pants are made with durable synthetic textiles that repel moisture and get just a bit of extra stretchiness from materials and fibers like spandex and elastane that allow for better mobility.

Nylon

Nylon tends to be a bit more expensive due to how its manufactured, but it feels exceptionally soft on the skin versus other synthetic materials. It’s used heavily in hiking pants because it’s durable and dries quickly.

Polyester

Polyester is durable and hydrophobic – although just a bit less than nylon. It also naturally absorbs less water and wicks moisture to the surface to dry faster than nylon. The downside of polyester is that it tends to pill, which doesn’t affect performance, but doesn’t look as clean or pleasing over time.

Cotton

Cotton might be the standard for everyday clothes, but it can be downright dangerous on cold and wet hikes. Although cotton feels amazing on the skin, it soaks up more water than other materials on this list, dries slowly, and can cause meaningful chafing when it sticks to the skin. That’s why we don’t recommend cotton-based garments for much beyond a day hike in dry weather.

Spandex/elastane

The most popular hiking pants have spandex or elastane woven into their fabric to increase stretchiness and enable range of motion. The majority of hiking pants on this list feature a two-way stretch with their material, so they’ll stretch one way – usually crosswise. That means when you’re navigating trails that require scrambling or climbing over fallen trees, the hiking pants are built to stretch across your thighs and knees. Other pants have four-way stretch that allows the pants to move both crosswise and lengthwise, so they’ll feel the most comfortable and freeing for large movements.

FIT / STYLE

Relaxed fit

Opt for hiking pants with a relaxed fit for all-day comfort. Their spacious design through the legs means they won’t inhibit mobility. They have a bit more breathing space, so you can keep the temperature down. That said, these are rarely the most stylish pants, and those who don’t like a baggier look will want to steer clear of relaxed-fit pants.

Slim fit / straight leg

Slim fit and straight-leg hiking pants have a lightweight design, which makes them perfect for different environments. Our team prefers a slimmer fit for a seamless transition from  hiking to errands in the city since they resemble jeans and “regular” pants instead of technical hiking attire. But, you’ll want to make sure there’s plenty of stretch in this material for easy movement in all of your outdoor adventures.

Articulated knees & gussets

We recommend pants with special seams and fabrics that make for easy movement. A gusseted crotch adds a bit of extra fabric in the crotch to account for fit, anatomy, and mobility. And, articulated knees with stretchy seams will move with your natural gait, not against it. Pants without these features tend to pull on your knees and thighs when making big moves, like climbing or lifting your legs high. 

Integrated belts

Integrated belts and internal drawcords are our favorite, since you’re able to get a dialed in fit from the minute you put them on. This is especially helpful when you’re between sizes, or if your weight is fluctuating over time.

CONVERTIBLES VS. ROLL-UPS

Convertibles

What’s not to like? You get two garments for the price of one, allowing you to save precious weight and space in your backpack. However, most convertible pants are baggy through the legs for our taste. And, the material tends to fade unevenly and awkwardly if you wear the shorts more than the pants – meaning the bottom of your pants will be darker than the tops over time.

Roll-ups

Overall, we favor roll-up pants over convertible pants for their more modern and slimmer fit, so you won’t feel like you have to change as soon as you’re back in town. Since they have an adjustable length, you don’t have to think about color fading unevenly. The downside is that the thick fabric of the rolled up fabric can feel uncomfortable and tight when rolled.

POCKETS

We rarely use all the pocket space available in hiking pants. When pockets are overloaded, they can feel bulky, cumbersome, and limit movement. In general, we prefer pants with fewer pockets for their aesthetic and comfort.

Back pockets

Back pockets can be tough to use with a backpack on, and things stored in them tend to get in the way when we sit down. Consequently, these are the pockets we tend to use the least. 

Front pockets

Front pockets are great around camp and town for keeping small things on hand like chapstick, a lighter, or an ID, but it’s a different story on trail. Front pockets are tough to reach with a hipbelt on, and lifting your legs in a big motion to step over rocks or move up steep trails can feel uncomfortable and limiting.

Side pockets

This is our favorite pocket on hiking pants when it comes to easy access. Positioned on the thigh, and usually large enough to fit a smart phone or map, this is the most practical pocket on most pairs of hiking pants. However, we also usually leave even the side pockets empty for freedom of movement and use our hip belt pockets instead.

FABRIC CARE

Some technical clothing comes pretreated with water or bug repellent. These pretreatments aren’t permanent and they cost extra money. You can easily maintain a pretreatment or add your own water or bug repellent to your pants with these products:

Water

To maintain or add water resistance to hiking pants we recommend using Nikwax TX.Direct Wash-In Water Repellent Treatment. This treatment will maintain breathability while effectively causing water to bead and roll off the fabric. Keep in mind that this won’t make your pants completely waterproof, as most pants don’t have sealed seams and are constructed with fabrics that will absorb a small amount of water.

Bugs

To maintain or add bug repellant to your clothing we recommend Sawyer Permethrin Pump Spray. This treatment will repel and kill ticks, mosquitoes, mites, and chiggers. It lasts about 6 weeks or 6 washings before you need to reapply it.

Tears/ holes

To patch holes and tears, we recommend using the Noso Patchdazzle Gear Repair Kit. These patches don’t require any sewing or ironing, can withstand repeated machine washes, and are UV protective and waterproof.

GENERAL CARE

Technical fabrics do require some special care to keep them performing their best for years. You should always follow the washing directions on the tags carefully, but here are some general tips to follow:

Use a front loading washer

The agitator in a top loading washer can be hard on seams and can snag zippers or drawstrings. Make sure you zip all the zippers and tie the drawstrings before washing to prevent wear and tear.

Use a technical fabric wash

We recommend Nikwax Tech Wash for washing any technical fabrics.

Only wash when you really need to

A lot of technical fabrics are designed to be antimicrobial and shouldn’t hold odors. Hiking clothing doesn’t necessarily need to be washed after every trip.

Don’t use fabric softener or dryer sheets

Fabric softener and dryer sheets can deposit residue on the fabric and affect the overall performance.

Hang dry when possible

Heat and agitation in the dryer can damage technical fabrics.

Men’s Leggings for Hiking

Pants have a lot of advantages, but we’d be remiss not to share one of our favorite alternative hiking options for men: leggings.

Gear Analyst, Ian Krammer, prefers leggings over pants for most of his longest hikes and biggest alpine goals. He’s climbed all of Colorado’s high points in leggings, including 58 peaks over 14,000’ and more than 600 peaks over 13,000’. He prefers leggings for their versatility since they’re an effective base layer during cool weather days. They can also help with compression and endurance – and all but eliminate chafing, sun exposure, or the need for a belt.

In general, leggings offer more freedom of movement than pants. Practical and comfortable features like a gusseted crotch and plenty of stretch in the hips and knees allow unrestricted freedom of movement. From tackling thousands of feet of descent and ascent to long-mileage days, and groomed trails to scrambly technical routes, leggings let you move with agility and control.

Though the skin-tight look of leggings is certainly not for everybody, you can always throw on a pair of breathable shorts on top. Modern leggings are made of lightweight and ultra-breathable materials, so they wick moisture efficiently, dry incredibly fast, and weigh very little. Plus, men’s hiking leggings provide many of the same benefits as the top-tier pants on the market: plenty of pockets and storage, excellent comfort, and long-term durability. If you’ve never considered leggings for hiking, check out our favorites:

Fjallraven Abisko Hiking Tights ($175) – These are our go-to technical leggings for men. We’ve hiked thousands of miles and climbed hundreds of thousands of feet in the Abiskos. With dialed-in, durable features like heavily reinforced knees and rear to handle the abuse of the trail, zippered pockets to secure small items, and a super responsive but durable material that lasts season after season, these are the hiking tights we recommend most. We have almost no complaints about the Abiskos besides their steep price tag – but they are worth every penny, and will be the only pair of leggings you’ll need for years to come.

Janji Trail Tights ($98) – Janji is a running company with the softest, most functional running tights we’ve tried. Featuring a whopping seven pockets to carry almost anything you could want on a hike or a run, these leggings are as close to an all-in-one solution as it gets. With an internal key clip, snug waist, and a tunnel pocket at the rear for holding a jacket or shirt, the Trail Tights are truly built for the backcountry. We’re also big fans of the very breathable and sweat-wicking material that offers just enough compression through the legs to keep our muscles feeling fresh and charged. 

Matador Meggings ($92) – We love these leggings not only for their marketing – dudes, they are made specifically for you – but because their high-performance fabric is stretchy, responsive, and breathable. We’re also big fans of the molded crotch cup in these leggings (which is way more comfy than it sounds) and keeps your most important “gear” secure while running and jumping. Plus, in a world where men’s products always come in black, grey, brown and blue, these leggings are a far cry from the same old, same old with dozens of bright patterns and colors.

CONCLUSION

With a dizzying array of options out there, choosing the right hiking pants can feel like a chore. We take the headache out of the process by testing a variety of models and only accepting the highest performers. We wear and use everything we test, and our word stands behind every product.  So whether you’re heading out on an afternoon picnic, or a multi-day epic, there’s sure to be a pair of pants here for you.