The best hiking pants should perform well in the outdoors while being comfortable to wear. It’s as simple as that for this item of essential clothing that is as important as what goes on the top half of your body – anyone who’s hiked in wet jeans will regretfully tell you that. These are pants made for striding through varied, demanding environments and challenging weather conditions rather than just sitting around indoors.
Many hiking pants are made from durable nylon for protection from rain and wind while remaining breathable and with a good range of movement. Depending on which seasons you want to wear them in, warmth and moisture-wicking are important features to consider. Pockets should be designed to keep smaller items safe and accessible. Look out too for articulated knees to give extra movement, built-in belts to adjust the fit, and zip-off lower legs so you can convert them to shorts if the sun comes out. Here are the men’s hiking pants we’d recommend:
Columbia Men's Silver Ridge Convertible Pants
Breathable and UV-blocking
These straight pants have zip-off legs to convert to shorts and that’s only the start of their features. Made from nylon and Columbia’s signature ripstop fabric, they have Omni-Wick advanced evaporation technology and Omni-Shade UPF 50 sun protection to keep you comfortable whatever the conditions. They come complete with side cargo pockets, a belted waist, and rear flap pockets.
CQR Men's Tactical Pants
Durable, multi-purpose pants
Constructed with a hint of military design, these pants are made from a mix of polyester and cotton rip-stop materials with Duartex fabric to repel liquid and dirt. They are high-strength with a metal alloy button and zipper and multi-purpose cargo pockets for various tools and equipment. An exclusive tactical belt is sold separately.
Men's Outdoor Hiking Pants
Different designs for hot and cold
There are two options here for hotter and colder seasons: the 105 pants are thinner with a water-resistant, quick-drying, breathable fabric for warmer weather, and the 108 pants which are thicker soft-shell pants with wind resistance and waterproof enough for skiing. Both have six pockets: two zipped, two front and two back.
Jessie Kidden Men's Waterproof Hiking Pants
Fleece-lined and water-repellent
Made from 94% nylon and 6% spandex with a polyester lining, Jessie Kidden’s pants are waterproof and warm with a durable rain and snow repelling surface and a warm, moisture-wicking fleece lining. They feature a side elastic waist and mid-high rise for a comfortable fit plus six pockets including two buttoned back pockets.
Bottom line
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If you’re going hiking or for any kind of long walk, hiking trousers are an essential purchase. Denim does not cut it in the wilderness as once wet, it stays that way. Pull on pair of good hiking pants and you’ll be comfortable and protected from the elements instead. The pair of pants we would recommend to most people are the Columbia Men's Silver Ridge Convertible Pants. They do everything you want hiking pants to do, protecting you from rain, wind, and sun while remaining durable and breathable. Being able to convert them to shorts means one less thing to pack and carry.
For cold-weather legwear, we like Jessie Kidden Waterproof Hiking Pants. Once you’ve experienced the warmth and comfort of fleece-lined pants in the cold, it’s hard to go back.
