Men’s Hiking Pants

Best Hiking Pants for Men of 2022

If you are looking for the best hiking pants on the market then you have come to the right place. For many years, our team of forest experts has tested more than 30 hiking paints on trails around the world.

Checking hiking gear is our full time job and we take these guides very seriously, constantly looking at the market for new inventions and updating this list regularly. Our hiking paint recommendations are completely free and our primary goal is to help our readers find the products they would like for years of backcountry use.

We understand how difficult it is to find reliable gear advice and this is one of the main reasons why we created HikerTime. We live for outdoor adventure and we really hope you find our honest tips useful.

prAna Stretch Zion ($89)

We’ve experimented with a wide range of hiking pants over the years, and you’ll be having a hard time finding a better combination of comfort and performance than the old Stretch Zion. Doubling up as a great climbing paint, you get a good range of motion thanks to the stretched fabric, and we really like the semi-thin cut that goes with you. In terms of features, the Stretch Zion has a zipped cargo pocket, helpful for storage, a snap to wrap the legs, and a low-profile waistband adjuster to the right of the top button. All told, the Stretch Zion is just about the whole package in hiking paint and looks good around town (much better than other hiking models).

Our only real grip with the PrAna Stretch Zion comes when we wear them in hot weather. The nylon construction has a DWR treatment and is slightly higher than the other pants on this list, which is almost identical to a lightweight soft shell. This extra thickness makes them a little warmer during summer hiking and backpacking. Shell fabric, on the other hand, is durable and can handle a range of weather conditions – we’ve got them snowshoeing. For paints that feel thinner and more breathable, despite the less useful appeal, check out the Outdoor Research Feroze below. It is worth noting that prAna has recently released Stretch Zion II, which includes a number of changes – including their recycled ReZion fabric – and we will report here after testing the latest version.

Outdoor Research Ferrosi ($80)

Seattle-based outdoor research knows a thing or two about harsh conditions, so it’s no surprise that the Ferose is one of our hiking pants. Despite the light weight feel, the Ferose nylon / spandex shell and semi-trim fit make it comfortable and flexible. Also, the fabric is perfect for temperature regulation: it’s hard to cut through the wind and light rain, but when the thermometer starts to rise, it dries quickly and breathes. It is worth noting that the Faroese have recently received a slight update, including a horizontal zipper on the thigh pocket (it used to be vertical) and no zipper on the back pockets, but the winning formula has largely changed over the years.

From our experience, the outdoor exploration above is just two of the hiking pants for the Feroze and Old Stretch Zion 3 season conditions. If you plan to use these pants exclusively on the trail, we allow OR and better breathing. If you want versatile pants that can do anything including wearing around the city and the old is a better, more comfortable option for travel. Furthermore, the Faroese are a bit simpler in that we want to look at the included belt or waist adjuster like the Stretch Zion (there are drawings along the inside of the OR waistband but they are less user friendly), and the OR pockets are smaller. But to hit the back country, Ferose is one of our favorite designs of all time.

Arc’teryx Gamma LT Pant

Arc’teryx Gamma LT pants are comfortable, light weight and perfect for a variety of activities. Their water and wind resistance make them the perfect choice for growing in cold, wet weather. They also come with drawstring on the cuffs, so if the sun rises and the temperature rises, you can wrap them up and keep your legs cool. We are also fans of integrated belts on Gamma LT. They include thoughtfully designed features, and the fabric offers considerable stretch so that there is no disruption during rotation.

The main drawback is that these pants are expensive. You can definitely spend less on a different model and not make too much difference. We also think that not including any back pocket is an unusual choice. Even with these things in mind, our testers love this model and will develop a pair during future adventures, especially when bad weather is being predicted.

Prana Stretch Zion

Old stretch jeans are durable and versatile. We enjoy the small but practical integrated waist tightener, which means these pants can stay on top without the belt. We also appreciate the cargo pocket with zippers on both sides, which means we can quickly reach the phone or topo map sitting on the ballet. Combined with the softest and most comfortable fabric of any model in this review, it is not surprising that these pants are one of our favorites.

Although they shine to climb, they are not without their flaws. The fabric is slightly heavier and thicker for hiking in hot weather. They are more efficient when the temperature is cold. They are not as water resistant as most, so if you have wet weather in the future, look elsewhere. However, if comfort is your number one priority, we strongly recommend testing this pair of pants.

Royal Robbins Alpine Road

The Royal Robbins Alpine Road is for casual business professionals who walk straight from the office. The pair combines a more formal ‘office style’ with the functionality of back country hiking pants. They come in flexible ankle straps at the ankles, and the thigh pocket is relatively sensible, meaning it won’t look too much out. The felt inner waist liner also adds to their comfort.

There are some trades with these pants. They have more elastic than average polyester and less elastic than a normal pair, which means the fabric doesn’t have as much stretch. Due to their aesthetic design, only one of the pockets has a zipper, which makes us want a little more protection for our house keys when we go out for high speed. Even so, owning one is still beyond the reach of the average person.