10 Best Hiking Pants for Men of 2024

The prAna Stretch Zion II Pants have been a favorite among climbers and backpackers for years due to their stretchy comfort and durability. These pants offer plenty of room in the leg as a result of their more relaxed fit, so your movements won’t be limited. In addition, the burly double-stitching on the pockets and waist combined with thick material makes them robust and sturdy.

We love the built-in belt and these pants come with a large cargo pocket on the thigh that has two separate zippers on the top and side for easy accessibility. One of our favorite elements of these pants is the soft liner inside the waist which minimizes chafing on long hikes.

These pants weigh in at just over 14 ounces, making them some of the heaviest and hottest-feeling pants in the lineup, so they are better for cooler weather. Though these pants have a looser fit than we like, they also come in a slim option.

That said, these are a super solid choice if you need a versatile pair of do-it-all pants and you like that classic look. For hikers, climbers, and backpackers who want heavier-duty pants with a burly build, the Zion II deserves a closer look.

The KÜHL Deceptr pants are minimalist, stylish, and built to transition from backcountry to brewery. They pull off a rare and impressive combination of functionality – thanks to plenty of storage and stretch – and a truly contemporary look with a tapered leg and slim fit. We love their sleek aesthetic so much, some members of the CleverHiker team use them for daily use in town as much as for day hikes and overnights in the backcountry.

The pocket design is useful without looking or feeling bulky. The Deceptrs have a low-profile “hidden” zipper pocket inside the back pocket to secure an ID, and we also appreciate the two unique drop-in pockets at the rear thigh, perfect for stashing chapstick or a snack.

At 11.9 ounces, these pants are right in the middle of the pack for weight, but they still manage to feel breezy, stretchy, and very comfortable. The gusseted crotch offers plenty of room, which allows for natural, unimpeded movement and adds to the agile feeling of these pants.

The stitching is noticeably raised on the inside of the pants, which can get uncomfortable as the miles stack up. And, we wish there was a built-in belt. With those things in mind, we don’t recommend them for week-long adventures.

Overall though, they perform very well and are more than versatile enough for traveling, hitting the trail after a day around town, or for short-to-medium backpacking trips.

The Patagonia Quandary pants are simple but functional and can handle mile after mile of hiking or comfy lounging on a patio on a summer evening. They offer a straightforward pocket design – including a roomy, single zippered thigh pocket – and low-profile double stitching.

The gently-curved waistband hugs hips well, making these pants feel super comfortable. The gusseted crotch allows for unrestricted movement on trail. And, we found the cut of these pants is useful beyond the backcountry, because they’re nice for a casual night out as well.

At just 10.9 ounces, the Quandary pants are some of the lightest we’ve tested. They come with an effective DWR (durable water repellent) treatment, but all DWR clothing has to be re-treated eventually so count on picking up a bottle of Nikwax if you want them to retain their weather-resistance in the long run. Thanks to the lightweight material, these pants breathe well and tend to dry quickly, so they’re a great option for most other summer hiking conditions. They also include a cinch cord at the waist for convenient tightening if you left your belt at home.

The Patagonia Quandary pants are an outstanding choice for day hikes and short backpacking trips that end at a brewery or burger joint – without needing an outfit change.

The prAna Brion II offer a casual aesthetic ideal for both trail adventures and nights out. With a slim fit and midweight material, you can wear these pants for long miles on the trail in cooler temperatures, or as a breathable option on warm days.

Our team at CleverHiker has used these pants for years, and they stand out for their simplicity, comfort, and durability. With a gusseted crotch, soft fabric, and the look of classic slacks, the Brion II is somewhere between activewear and stylish pants, so you can wear these almost anywhere. We appreciate the simplicity of this pair. They have zero extra pockets (beyond two front and two rear).

This model is decidedly not water-resistant. Though the slim fit might not be for everyone, the Brion II is a durable, reliable, and functional pair of pants and is a great choice for strolling downtown or a shoulder season hike under blue skies.

The KÜHL Renegade Convertible Pants are durable and roomy zip offs with tons of functional features. Our favorite thing about the Renegades is the thoughtful pocket design, including two cargo pockets with dividers to organize small items like snack bars or matches without having them flopping around, and a Velcro-closure on the back pockets.

This model features snaps at the ankle to adjust the width of the cuff and keep debris and water out when you need it. The ankle snap can also stay closed while unzipping the sides, which allows for tons of lower leg ventilation without stopping to convert them to shorts. When we were ready to switch, the low-profile, simple zippers were smooth and fast.

The Renegade pants also look good and feel comfortable in shorts mode – avoiding the common pitfall of having an uncomfortable seam at the zipper. These actually look and feel like normal shorts when converted.

They weigh 15.9 ounces so they’re one of the heaviest pairs on this list. We also found this fabric makes the Renegade pants less breathable than other zip offs like the REI Sahara and the Columbia Silver Ridge, which are better for summer weather. However, it’s an outstanding pair for the shoulder seasons. On spring and fall days that start in the 30s or 40s and swing up to the 60s and 70s, they are excellent, keeping you warm in the morning and cool when the sun is out in full force.

The Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible pants are breathable zip offs made for hiking on mild days. At a hair under 12 ounces, this pair lands in the middle of this list for weight, but we think the Silver Ridge Convertible feels lighter and airier than that ranking suggests.

Thanks to a loose fit and a lightweight nylon blend, the Silver Ridge Convertible is awesomely breathable during summer hikes where dispersing heat and sweat are paramount. When you get too warm, you can simply zip off the legs. When the wind picks up, the temps drop, or the bugs are swarming, simply reattach them.

The removable belt helps to dial in the fit at the waist, and we like that the legs feel loose but not baggy. Similar to most cargo-style pants, the pockets are large and spacious, so there’s plenty of storage for anything you might want to carry. 

There isn’t much stretch to the fabric and the zippers are not color-coded, so it’s not immediately clear which pant leg belongs to each side. You also need to take off your shoes to remove or reattach the lower portion of these pants. That said, none of these are deal breakers for us because their comfort outweighs these drawbacks.

The Silver Ridge Convertibles aren’t the most stylish pants out there, but they are more affordable and super functional for hiking in mild weather conditions. Plus, for only $65, you’re technically getting two pairs of clothing – shorts and pants – making these a smart move for the budget-conscious hiker.

If you’re seeking bombproof hiking pants for off-trail adventures and hiking in cool temperatures, the Fjallraven Vidda Pro Ventilated Trousers are your golden ticket. These are handsome, durable, and burly technical pants that work perfectly for short day hikes, fishing, bushcraft, and more.

The Vidda Pro pants are seriously burly. At 1 pound, 4.8 ounces, they are the heaviest pair on this list and they immediately feel warm, thick, and sturdy. And Fjallraven doesn’t cut any corners when it comes to quality construction: the knees are reinforced with double layers of fabric and “pre-shaped” with a bit of extra fabric for flexibility through the leg. All seams are double stitched and the material is waxed for a bit of extra water resistance, so this model can handle the worst off-trail hiking terrain.

These pants don’t skimp on features, either. Our favorite is the generous leg vents on the outside of the knees. If you get too warm, simply unzip these to release heat as you’re hiking. They feature a gear loop and six pockets for easy access to a phone, map, chapstick, or a pocket knife. We also like the boot hooks to keep the pants enclosed around footwear during muddy and snowy treks.

The Vidda Pros have a notable proportion of cotton (35%), however, these are wax treated, so they are capable of handling the elements, and the polyester makes these pants highly functional, comfortable, and versatile.

The Vidda Pro Ventilated Trousers are one of the most expensive pants on this list. However, we think the industry-leading build quality, unique design, and heft make them an outstanding value. If your top priorities are warmth, tons of storage, and durability these will be your new favorite pants.