The Best Hiking Pants of 2024: Staff Picks

The Renegade Recon hiking pants from KUHL deliver on all our qualifications for high-performance hiking bottoms: They breath well, move with you and block the elements. Several REI customers say these are their favorite pants on or off the trail. The lightweight yet durable fabric (nylon with a hint of spandex) is rated UPF 50+ to block the sun; it’s also moisture-wicking, quick-drying and treated with nonfluorinated durable water repellent (DWR) to help keep you dry for miles. An articulated fit and gusseted crotch make it easier to navigate over fallen trees and up steep scrambles while lower knee darts mean bending and crouching are a breeze. Tapered bottom cuffs and inset pockets (with a concealed zippered security pocket) give the Renegade Recons a good-for-work-or-play versatility. The elasticized waistband adds comfort whether you’re headed to the next mile marker or to the breakroom for a coffee. Finally, two back pockets mean plenty of options to stash the big three—keys, phone, wallet—regardless of your activity. 

One Alaska reviewer reported that the Renegade Recons are the most comfortable pants they own. “These are the most comfortable all day through work and capable of lasting through a 12-hour rainy Alaskan Hike,” they wrote. Another in Montana said that while they hesitated at the price, they’re glad they tried them because they found them “indestructible” even after heavy wear. “I have alternated between two pairs, five days a week for about four months now with zero issues. I beat these pants and they take it which is surprising considering how ‘light' they are. They're still water repellent after 20+ washes too!” Buy here. 

Rugged off-trail climbs and slick-rock scrambles are no problem for these lightweight yet rugged women’s hiking pants from KUHL. They win their category because the stretchable fabric allows mobility without sagging over prolonged periods, and the versatile roll-up leg is wide enough to fit over boots or quickly convert to capri-length for jumping streams. The water-resistant, breathable fabric is also UPF 50+ rated against the sun’s rays. Rear and thigh snap-closure pockets keep items secure. In short, the Freeflex Roll-Up pants are the whole package.  

A customer-reviewer from Washington, D.C., wrote, “Love these pants! I wore them for fieldwork in Monteverde, Costa Rica, at the start of the wet season and they were super comfy, even without a belt.” (That’s thanks in part to the drawstring waistband, which allows you to adjust the fit without causing the pants to bind, constrict or slip.) “They leave ample room for your curves and aren’t baggy after a few hours of wear. They also dry quickly, and I get compliments on them every time I wear them.”  

“I bought one pair for hiking and it was so flattering and comfortable I bought a second in another color for hiking—and then I realized I like them better than my jeans and I started wearing them for every day,” wrote one customer-reviewer in New York City. “They are light enough to be comfortable even in the summer, they stretch in every direction, and they look great.” Buy here. 
 

Short hikes and asphalt adventures still demand technical performance, and the lightweight Halle Straight Pants II from prAna earn high marks for substance and style. The bluesign®-certified recycled nylon fabric resists abrasion and wrinkles, and a touch of elastane helps the pants move with you. The Halle Straight pants are rated UPF 50+ for prolonged fun in the sun and treated with a nonfluorinated durable water repellent (DWR) that helps you stay dry on drizzly hikes.  

“These pants are the BEST!” wrote a customer-reviewer in North Carolina who wore them continuously during a two-week trip in Europe. “These pants took a beating: hiking, bicycling, running to catch trains, dragging luggage around, soaking rainstorms, 13-hour flights—they still looked and felt amazing.” 

Our favorite feature? Drop-in pockets deep enough to hold a smartphone, plus snap-flap back pockets and a stealth, zippered on-seam pocket for extra security. A zipper fly is dressed up with two-button closure and drawstring for added adjustability, and the flattering mid-rise cut makes these perfect for days when you’re heading to the trailhead after work. Buy here. 
 

The Street Zion Slim pants from prAna are our pick for days when you plan to spend a little time on and off the trail. The bluesign®-certified, breathable and lightweight recycled nylon fabric battles sun, rain, sweat, stains and wrinkles, while elastane provides superior range of motion. “They look good and the quality is built to last,” said one customer-reviewer from Arizona. Another customer-reviewer from Tennessee said, “Pants are very comfortable, and the design can work for an active lifestyle as well as dressed up for the workplace.” 

When you’ve clocked out for the day and are headed out bouldering or scrambling, simply roll up the legs and secure them with the attached snaps. The Street Zions are outfitted with pockets galore, including a zippered dual-entry cargo pocket at the thigh, a concealed zippered coin pocket with an elastic key loop, and generous back patch pockets. Buy here.

“They are by far the most comfortable, durable and well-made pants I’ve worn for outdoor activities,” wrote a customer-reviewer of the Arc’teryx Gamma pants. I’ve fallen in water crossings, my leg has slipped into a rocky hole, gone [through] thick brush, slush and mud and these have held up. The quick drying ability and temperature regulation of the material is the best I’ve experienced.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves, which is why the Gamma is our pick for technical and/or multiday hikes.   

It all starts with the pants’ wind- and water-resistant soft-shell construction, which has a nonfluorinated durable water repellent finish (DWR) to deflect light precip. Importantly for navigating mountain terrain, the Gammas’ stretchy fabric, articulated patterning, and gusseted crotch help you move comfortably and confidently.   

The Gamma’s low-profile, adjustable waistband sits nicely under a hipbelt and the women’s version features drawstrings at the cuffs to seal out debris and keep feet visible during climbs. A zippered thigh pocket offers convenient storage just below a climbing harness. (No back pockets mean a better fit for a harness as well.) Hikers and climbers alike rave about them: “The best! Absolute perfect fit. I have trouble with hiking pants falling down when I have a pack on, these stay in place,” wrote one customer-reviewer. “Just hiked Moab in them, great for a scramble, light bouldering and just easy hiking. They are not too heavy and not too light, they can take a beating. Treat yourself you are worth it and they will last forever.” Buy women’s. Buy men’s.  

Trekking is hard work, so having a rugged pant that can keep up is a must. For those moving fast or in hot weather, a sleek legging may be preferable. Those may sound like two different pairs of pants, but in a pair of Abisko Trekking Tights HD from Fjallraven, you don't have to sacrifice comfort for durability. These light but hard-wearing tights have reinforcements where you need them most: the bum and the knees. "I love the reinforced coverage on the seat—I feel like I can plop down anywhere without worrying about the fabric thinning or staining," says one reviewer after nearly a year of use.

The durable, double-knitted recycled-polyester stretch fabric wicks away moisture, and a nonfluorinated durable water-resistant (DWR) finish keeps you dry rain or shine. A comfortable waistband with an inside drawcord offers comfort, adjustability and easy movement. Two generous leg pockets—one zippered and one with an envelope closure—keep items accessible and secure whether you're scrambling over rocks or sitting by the campfire at the end of the day. Buy here.

Wallet-friendly and high-quality: That's what you get with a pair of lightweight, breathable Trailmade pants from REI Co-op. They're made from a durable, nylon-spandex blend that holds up even if you get snagged by a branch or stumble on rocky terrain. The nonfluorinated durable water repellent (DWR)–treated fabric also offers UPF 50+ protection. The articulated knees and gusseted crotch make movement easy and double-layer kickplates (reinforcement sewn in at the hems) at the ankles add durability. And they were designed to fit every body: Like the rest of the Trailmade collection, these hiking pants were made in collaboration with a diverse range of testers and partners to create a line that fits from XS to 3XL.

"As a petite girl, it's difficult to find pants in general that fit in length without tailoring. These do," says Christina Miller, a marketing program strategist for REI Co-op. "They also fit looser in the thigh, which is a struggle to find in outdoor gear for women to begin with. But these fit a thicker thigh and small waist without a gap."

In addition to easy-reach trouser-style hand pockets and drop-in back pockets, a zippered thigh pocket is plenty deep to secure items like your phone, headlamp or other trail essentials you want handy. An internal drawstring lets you tailor your fit, and leg bungees can be adjusted to accommodate your favorite hiking footwear. Clip your keys or sunglasses to the cord loop at the waistband. No wonder one reviewer from Massachusetts (who owns a pair in four different colors) calls them "the best pants ever!" Buy women's. Buy men's.

When you're looking for versatility and comfort on warm-weather hikes, zip-off convertible pants are hard to beat. Because they transition from pants to shorts easily, they're great for days that start cool and warm up with the sun; for hikes that vary in intensity level; and for water crossings. The Sahara Convertible Pants from REI Co-op are at the pinnacle of pants-to-shorts innovation thanks to vertical zip-up, vent-able legs that meet easy-use zippers above the knees. The pants have color-coded zippers to guide you in reattaching the right and left legs, and the women's Sahara Guide pant legs feature a zip-together feature that allows you to attach and store the two bottom pieces in your backpack.

A superlight nylon and spandex fabric is extremely breathable in hot temps and has a DWR coating for water-resistance. (The pants dry quickly if they get drenched). To keep the sun's harmful UV rays at bay, the material features a UPF 50+ rating. The men's Sahara Convertible Pants feature front hand pockets, back pockets and two cargo pockets, one of which is zippered. The women's Sahara Guide Convertible Pants have spacious, patch hand pockets, back pockets and a zippered right-side thigh pocket for extra storage without the bulkiness of cargo. (This pocket is only useful when they are worn as full-length pants.) The trousers are lightweight but durable and pack down to a stuffable size, making them ideal for traveling as well as for shoulder-season hiking. Buy women's. Buy men's.

Anyone who's been caught outdoors in a complete downpour knows the benefit of fully waterproof hiking pants. Enter the Flash Stretch rain pants from REI Co-op, which feature a 2.5-layer bluesign®-approved waterproof/breathable nonfluorinated durable water repellent (DWR)  laminate construction, providing ample protection from wet and gusty weather. Customer-reviewers can confirm: “In a hard rain, they kept me completely dry,” wrote one California-based shopper.  

The fully elastic waistband comes with a drawcord for adjustability, and the gusseted crotch and articulated knees don’t bind or constrict. Users love that you can unzip the Flash pants at the ankle to vent quickly or to easily pull them on or off under layers. Several customer-reviewers reported using them “simply for warmth” even on dry days. Two zippered hand pockets are generously sized without being bulky, and you can stuff the pants into their own left pocket, which means you’ll never be caught unprepared in bad weather. Buy women’s. Buy men’s.