What are the best hiking and backpacking pants?
What to look for
Quick-drying fabric helps when you sweat or cross streams. Stretch fabrics let you climb and step without restriction. Reinforced knees or seat panels help with rough rock and repeated kneeling on the trail.
Pocket placement and a comfortable waistband matter more on longer trips. A slim waistband that works with a pack hip belt stops the pants from bunching when you bend or step up. Zippered pockets keep small items secure.
- Quick-drying synthetic or nylon blend
- Stretch for climbing and stepping
- Reinforced knees for durability
- Waistband that works with a hip belt
Matching pants to conditions
In hot weather, lightweight zip-off or shorts-length options keep you cooler. In cold or windy weather, softshell or wool blends hold heat and block some wind. Pick a fit that lets you wear a base layer underneath without feeling tight. Try a few fits in a store if you can, and bend, squat, and step up to check for pinching.
Avoid cotton jeans on long hikes. Cotton stays wet and cold after rain or sweat and dries slowly, which can cause chafing and discomfort.
- Hot weather: lightweight and zip-off styles
- Cold weather: softshell or wool blends
- Leave room for a base layer
- Skip cotton jeans on trail
Common mistakes
- Choosing cotton pants for a trip where they could get wet.
- Buying pants too tight to layer underneath.
- Ignoring waistband fit when wearing a hip belt.
