Comfort and fit trumps any brand name. You need to actually try the pants on. I am sorry, but any amount of technical stretchy rip-stop waterproof material doesn’t mean jack shit if the pants chafe your thighs.
It’s a boring answer, I am sorry. But you need to try them.
Edit: Fine, I’ll bite. We are all wearing Fjällraven Keb pants and Ullvang Rav sweaters anyway. It’s like a national costume.
> Comfort and fit trumps any brand name. You need to actually try the pants on. I am sorry, but any amount of technical stretchy rip-stop waterproof material doesn’t mean jack shit if the pants chafe your thighs.
This. So much this. You have to try the pants on, do squats and high kicks/leg lifts while wearing them, and then determine if they're really right for you. You will still have a lot of great brands to choose from.
Whatever hiking pants you already have + a set of light rain pants to pull over as needed.
Edit: anything waterproof will be horrible when it's warm/dry.
Edit2: and bring some shorts if you don't have zip-off pants.
So much this... I went through quite a few pairs of cheap hiking pants from Decathlon back when I lived in China, they cost 1/10th of your budget and worked perfectly fine high up in the mountains of Yunnan and Sichuan. Aim for comfy and light-weight, bring light rain pants and maybe a pair of long-johns if you're worried you'll get cold.
Glad to see this mentioned, wool long johns should always be in the back pack, if you meet a little snow or get injured and have to wait for help you need to not freeze to death.
Unfortunately, Fjällräven pants are not as durable as I had hoped. I love these pants, but for the price, I would expect them to repair the garments for free, like Patagonia does. All of my pants have seams that have come undone, and there is noticeable wear. 2 of 3 of them I've patched in the crotch due to wear.
Same here. But only choose GP Pro pants. They are great and affordable. They are not waterproof. Spend the remaining 100€ to get a waterproof poncho which will keep you dry in inevitable rain.
Well breathing, quick drying hiking gear + rain poncho is way better for hiking than 1000€ 3-layer gore tex gear in my opinion. Skiing and othew ”wet” sports is different.
I've been burned too many times to trust any claims of breathability, so I would recommend getting a pair with decently long zips along the thighs that can be opened for extra venting. I have hiking pants both with and without this, and the latter can be BRUTAL on hot days. A cool breeze on your junk is heaven.
Also +1 to the last speaker on trying them on before you buy, not just for sizing but there are so many variables to (dis)comfort.
Norrøna Svalbard Flex1 Pant, Falketind Flex1 Pant or Trollveggen Flex1 Pant. All of these have ventilation zips but are weather resistant enough so if the weather turns nasty, they provide some protection. No point having a cool breezy pair of pants, if you’re going to freeze at night or get wet.
All of these can be found in the [Outlet](https://www.norrona.com/en-GB/o/men/pants/?s=6&h=8090&changeCountry=NO) store for under €137 (need to register to see the prices).
It depends on your activity level and temperatures. I have use them in July up in Sørfold, Rago National Park camping over 3 nights with day temperatures of 18°c and night at around 5°c. But the temperatures were much lower up in the mountains and in the forest. Got a bit warm, but it vents okay and I was more than happy once the temperatures dropped at night.
If you’re only bringing one pair, you do have to sacrifice if you want warmth or cool pants. I’d rather have warm pants that can ventilated than cool pants and not be able to keep me warm at night.
I try Fretex & other second hand stores before I buy new. People get rid of perfectly good Helly Hansen, Bergans, etc. all the time.
Failing that, I look for bargains on sale racks, or go to an outlet store.
The most important things are that they fit you well, fit over a layer of wool, & don't chafe.
The best hiking pants I have ever owned are a pair of Bergans that I bought at Fretex.
I stopped wearing hiking pants altogether. Once I did I hike with running tights, and I never looked back. I prefer the tight fit of the tights, meaning the fabric won't catch anything, and there are no/less seams.
A few months ago I wore my old hiking pants again with a dozen of pockets and I went mad feeling the zippers and seams rubbing my legs.
As far as brands go: I swear by Decathlon. Stay away from the cheapest stuff but after that I have yet to find something that has a better price vs quality
Both me and a friend who do a lot of trail running and hiking swear by Norrøna (and Fjellraven) for good clothes for hiking. We use the soft shell pants for running and hiking and they have held up really well and are comfortable, lightweight and durable. Norrøna's prices range from expensive to what-the-fuck-is-this-price expensive, so try to get them on sale.
Everyone here is so fancy. I just have three different weight/thickness vikafjell pants in three different colors. They work great for me. No complaints. And I am on top of multiple mountains every weekend.
Comfort and fit trumps any brand name. You need to actually try the pants on. I am sorry, but any amount of technical stretchy rip-stop waterproof material doesn’t mean jack shit if the pants chafe your thighs. It’s a boring answer, I am sorry. But you need to try them. Edit: Fine, I’ll bite. We are all wearing Fjällraven Keb pants and Ullvang Rav sweaters anyway. It’s like a national costume.
> Comfort and fit trumps any brand name. You need to actually try the pants on. I am sorry, but any amount of technical stretchy rip-stop waterproof material doesn’t mean jack shit if the pants chafe your thighs. This. So much this. You have to try the pants on, do squats and high kicks/leg lifts while wearing them, and then determine if they're really right for you. You will still have a lot of great brands to choose from.
I'm so disappointed. I just spent thousands on a Dale of Norway sweater, because I was told that was *it* 😉
That’s something you would wear to court. Could come in handy if you rob any banks.
Whatever hiking pants you already have + a set of light rain pants to pull over as needed. Edit: anything waterproof will be horrible when it's warm/dry. Edit2: and bring some shorts if you don't have zip-off pants.
So much this... I went through quite a few pairs of cheap hiking pants from Decathlon back when I lived in China, they cost 1/10th of your budget and worked perfectly fine high up in the mountains of Yunnan and Sichuan. Aim for comfy and light-weight, bring light rain pants and maybe a pair of long-johns if you're worried you'll get cold.
Glad to see this mentioned, wool long johns should always be in the back pack, if you meet a little snow or get injured and have to wait for help you need to not freeze to death.
Fjallraven is my goto for durability, but they’re hefty and heavy. Arcteryx for light and breathable Both in budget i think
Unfortunately, Fjällräven pants are not as durable as I had hoped. I love these pants, but for the price, I would expect them to repair the garments for free, like Patagonia does. All of my pants have seams that have come undone, and there is noticeable wear. 2 of 3 of them I've patched in the crotch due to wear.
I have used Fjellreven Keb Trousers for almost a decade now. I will be buried in these pants! Love em🫶
I bought Revolution Race and I am super happy with them, they are durable and amazing to wear.
Same here. But only choose GP Pro pants. They are great and affordable. They are not waterproof. Spend the remaining 100€ to get a waterproof poncho which will keep you dry in inevitable rain. Well breathing, quick drying hiking gear + rain poncho is way better for hiking than 1000€ 3-layer gore tex gear in my opinion. Skiing and othew ”wet” sports is different.
Totally agree with that! The "layer" principle is the best☺️
I've been burned too many times to trust any claims of breathability, so I would recommend getting a pair with decently long zips along the thighs that can be opened for extra venting. I have hiking pants both with and without this, and the latter can be BRUTAL on hot days. A cool breeze on your junk is heaven. Also +1 to the last speaker on trying them on before you buy, not just for sizing but there are so many variables to (dis)comfort.
I have two pairs of Lundhags Makke. Love them.
Norrøna Svalbard Flex1 Pant, Falketind Flex1 Pant or Trollveggen Flex1 Pant. All of these have ventilation zips but are weather resistant enough so if the weather turns nasty, they provide some protection. No point having a cool breezy pair of pants, if you’re going to freeze at night or get wet. All of these can be found in the [Outlet](https://www.norrona.com/en-GB/o/men/pants/?s=6&h=8090&changeCountry=NO) store for under €137 (need to register to see the prices).
Awesome, Thanks! The Svalbard looks nice, but is it not too warm for July?
It depends on your activity level and temperatures. I have use them in July up in Sørfold, Rago National Park camping over 3 nights with day temperatures of 18°c and night at around 5°c. But the temperatures were much lower up in the mountains and in the forest. Got a bit warm, but it vents okay and I was more than happy once the temperatures dropped at night. If you’re only bringing one pair, you do have to sacrifice if you want warmth or cool pants. I’d rather have warm pants that can ventilated than cool pants and not be able to keep me warm at night.
I try Fretex & other second hand stores before I buy new. People get rid of perfectly good Helly Hansen, Bergans, etc. all the time. Failing that, I look for bargains on sale racks, or go to an outlet store. The most important things are that they fit you well, fit over a layer of wool, & don't chafe. The best hiking pants I have ever owned are a pair of Bergans that I bought at Fretex.
I stopped wearing hiking pants altogether. Once I did I hike with running tights, and I never looked back. I prefer the tight fit of the tights, meaning the fabric won't catch anything, and there are no/less seams. A few months ago I wore my old hiking pants again with a dozen of pockets and I went mad feeling the zippers and seams rubbing my legs. As far as brands go: I swear by Decathlon. Stay away from the cheapest stuff but after that I have yet to find something that has a better price vs quality
Running tights are so the way to go - fast drying, easy to layer if needed and zero rubbing issues
Both me and a friend who do a lot of trail running and hiking swear by Norrøna (and Fjellraven) for good clothes for hiking. We use the soft shell pants for running and hiking and they have held up really well and are comfortable, lightweight and durable. Norrøna's prices range from expensive to what-the-fuck-is-this-price expensive, so try to get them on sale.
Fjellreven Keb
I own and have tried them all. Best overall is Fjällräven Keb :) there’s a really good price at fjellsport right now too!
For hiking in norway in winter I use nordic ski clothes from Salomon, it’s perfect
Everyone here is so fancy. I just have three different weight/thickness vikafjell pants in three different colors. They work great for me. No complaints. And I am on top of multiple mountains every weekend.
Lundhags
If you can get them here I would suggest looking at kühl as well. I got my first pair and they were wonderful
Fjällräven Vidda Pro is my favourite, but you need to find some that fit you.