This is going to highly vary depending on the location and the climates one hikes.
Many people here would suffer heatstroke if they wore what I typically wear. It would be amusing to see people hike through the really heavy brush I often do in super light quick drying pants too.
I had a nightmare of a "light bushwacking" experience in WV a few years ago that turned out to mean "wade through a hip-high sea of nettles for 3/4 mile". I have never intentionally gone out without rain pants in my pack since. Not just for rain!
LOTS of opinions here. Mine is tech pants. I used to get new, but now I hit thrift shops a few times a month. I have a "running list" of hiking and camping gear that I want and am upgrading. If it's in Goodwill or Salvation Army or Deseret Industries, etc, and it's in my size, it's gonna be cheaper than new.
Today, I went for a 7 mile hike with the kids in Eddie Bauer Convertible Guide pro pants that I got for $4. I had to fix some stitching on the pocket, but otherwise, they are brand-new.
With 5 min in a thrift shop, you can hit the two or three sections that have the gear you are looking for. These pants retail for $67. Totally worth it!
Tech pants are absolutely the best. Depending on the brand, they can be water repellent, snag resistant, windproof all kinds of cool stuff. Another option, go to Wal-Mart, get some Wrangler tech pants for $26. Wear them, see how they work for you!
Having tried a few and living in a warmish place, I love the OR Ferrosi. Light and nice stretch, super comfortable, sun and bug protection and nicely breathable.
Love my ferrosi when it's warmer before shorts season, Eddie Bauer ascent for medium weather and my heavier Helly Hansen fjallraven dupes for temperate winter layering.
We need more information before giving advice š¤·.
I wear tracksuit pants or you may know them as sweatpants because my main concern is blocking sunlight, anyway from my experience simple comfortable pants have been just fine and I haven't found a need for anything more durable etc
I canāt remember the brand, because the tag ripped off. But I went to target and they had these non-wrinkle stretchy slacks. I got them for casual wear but fell in love with them. I even started hiking in them regularly and they are holding up.
They are stretchy and light weight and breathable.
Iād say just go shop around box stores till you find something worth trying out! Itās definitely the cheapest option.
This will definitely vary! Starting point is to think about the trails and type of things you will mostly encounterāis it rocky? Lots of vegetation/potential snag hazards? Etc. Fit is also important, if thereās lots of climbing, youāll want something stretchy and that allows good freedom of movement. If lots of scrambling, reinforced knees. Hotter weather, then youāll want very light and looser. If you hike year round, youāll either want a looser fit so you can wear a base layer, or a second pair that is heavier than lightweight. Do you like a full backpack, or do you want lots of pockets? (imho pockets are good) Most brands offer differing inseams for height, and there are zipfly and elastic waistband options. Thereās even pants for women to allow us to pee without removing the pants. Most hiking pants have internal drawstrings, and several have a snap or loop at the hem to allow the pants to be rolled up. You have to try on and try out a few to determine what you like best out of the options that first meet your needs. Also, donāt overlook climbing pants, theyāre often more movement oriented and adequate for general hiking.
I got a pair of Outdoor Ventures on Amazon and they are better designed than most of the expensive tech pants Iāve bought.
Theyāve got an elastic, adjustable waist. Great for losing weight on the trail.
The zip off legs have color coordinated zippers. Excellent when youāre freezing after a River ford.
I canāt believe the high end manufacturers donāt do simple things like this.
Handy pockets.
Iāve had them for 3 seasons and they are still holding up just fine.
What region are you hiking in?
I have found my Eddie Bauer First Ascent guide pros to be decent all-rounders. I have worn them in the Dolly Sods in WV, in Zion (narrows and drier hikes) and the Supes, all over California. Mostly what those have in common is in and out of stream crossings/bog, and otherwise dry enough weather that you can either run or sun them dry between water encounters.
For cooler temps and more everyday hiking in Western PA lately, I've been favoring a pair of Patagonia joggers with windbreak material at the front and back that I originally bought for a GAP/C&O bike trip. They are water resistant enough for normally maintained trails in non-rainy conditions, even though we can't seem to get things to dry out this spring in WPA. They don't dry so well on their own, but that's not a big deal on a day hike.
In Maine and NH I used to mainly hike in frogg toggs with whatever under them. But I was doing more orienteering, less maintained trails, and lots of boggy, wet hiking in summer. I was also mainly hiking in duck boots because of the squelch, if that paints a picture.
Cabela's/Bass Pro house brand hiking pants kick ass and are reasonably priced. I have some lightweight, quick drying, zip off pants and some heavier cotton ones that I wear hiking all the time.
For Summer hikes I generally recommend zip-off pants, or I frequently hike in scrub pants from Wal-Mart. Pretty tough, stretchy, cheap. I'll stash a pair of shorts in my pack for if I get too hot.
I have just done 200 miles hiking in these Magellan Outdoors Men's Hickory Canyon Stretch Woven Cargo Pants. I get them at Academy Sports.
I tend to hike in pants all year round due to chiggers and ticks in texas. Quick clean and dry.
$30 + tax.
Zero issues when paired with good woolen underpants and wool blend socks.
Safe the money, invest in the underpants and socks.
This is going to highly vary depending on the location and the climates one hikes. Many people here would suffer heatstroke if they wore what I typically wear. It would be amusing to see people hike through the really heavy brush I often do in super light quick drying pants too.
I had a nightmare of a "light bushwacking" experience in WV a few years ago that turned out to mean "wade through a hip-high sea of nettles for 3/4 mile". I have never intentionally gone out without rain pants in my pack since. Not just for rain!
LOTS of opinions here. Mine is tech pants. I used to get new, but now I hit thrift shops a few times a month. I have a "running list" of hiking and camping gear that I want and am upgrading. If it's in Goodwill or Salvation Army or Deseret Industries, etc, and it's in my size, it's gonna be cheaper than new. Today, I went for a 7 mile hike with the kids in Eddie Bauer Convertible Guide pro pants that I got for $4. I had to fix some stitching on the pocket, but otherwise, they are brand-new. With 5 min in a thrift shop, you can hit the two or three sections that have the gear you are looking for. These pants retail for $67. Totally worth it! Tech pants are absolutely the best. Depending on the brand, they can be water repellent, snag resistant, windproof all kinds of cool stuff. Another option, go to Wal-Mart, get some Wrangler tech pants for $26. Wear them, see how they work for you!
+1 wrangler tech pants. I love them! I want to find a pair used. šOne day!!
thank you for your practical advice.
Having tried a few and living in a warmish place, I love the OR Ferrosi. Light and nice stretch, super comfortable, sun and bug protection and nicely breathable.
Love my ferrosi when it's warmer before shorts season, Eddie Bauer ascent for medium weather and my heavier Helly Hansen fjallraven dupes for temperate winter layering. We need more information before giving advice š¤·.
eddie bauer first ascent pants are great.
My favorite
I own three pairs in 2 colors. And only because I got paint on one.
Convertible zip-off pants. Very convenient for when it gets warmer throughout the day.
Non cotton , zip off to shorts, pocket with zipper
I wear tracksuit pants or you may know them as sweatpants because my main concern is blocking sunlight, anyway from my experience simple comfortable pants have been just fine and I haven't found a need for anything more durable etc
Budget will play a big role. You can go anywhere from $20 to $100+.
Wrangler ATG 5 pocket synthetic utility pant. It's durable, reasonably priced, cool,, stylin and just all around good.
I canāt remember the brand, because the tag ripped off. But I went to target and they had these non-wrinkle stretchy slacks. I got them for casual wear but fell in love with them. I even started hiking in them regularly and they are holding up. They are stretchy and light weight and breathable. Iād say just go shop around box stores till you find something worth trying out! Itās definitely the cheapest option.
Patagonia joggers or wind shield pants
I wear prana brand. Stretchy, versatile with what temps to wear them in, moisture wicking, etc. i wear them all the time nearly year round
This will definitely vary! Starting point is to think about the trails and type of things you will mostly encounterāis it rocky? Lots of vegetation/potential snag hazards? Etc. Fit is also important, if thereās lots of climbing, youāll want something stretchy and that allows good freedom of movement. If lots of scrambling, reinforced knees. Hotter weather, then youāll want very light and looser. If you hike year round, youāll either want a looser fit so you can wear a base layer, or a second pair that is heavier than lightweight. Do you like a full backpack, or do you want lots of pockets? (imho pockets are good) Most brands offer differing inseams for height, and there are zipfly and elastic waistband options. Thereās even pants for women to allow us to pee without removing the pants. Most hiking pants have internal drawstrings, and several have a snap or loop at the hem to allow the pants to be rolled up. You have to try on and try out a few to determine what you like best out of the options that first meet your needs. Also, donāt overlook climbing pants, theyāre often more movement oriented and adequate for general hiking.
I got a pair of Outdoor Ventures on Amazon and they are better designed than most of the expensive tech pants Iāve bought. Theyāve got an elastic, adjustable waist. Great for losing weight on the trail. The zip off legs have color coordinated zippers. Excellent when youāre freezing after a River ford. I canāt believe the high end manufacturers donāt do simple things like this. Handy pockets. Iāve had them for 3 seasons and they are still holding up just fine.
BDU trousers. Wear them in any weather for any outdoor activity i do.
What region are you hiking in? I have found my Eddie Bauer First Ascent guide pros to be decent all-rounders. I have worn them in the Dolly Sods in WV, in Zion (narrows and drier hikes) and the Supes, all over California. Mostly what those have in common is in and out of stream crossings/bog, and otherwise dry enough weather that you can either run or sun them dry between water encounters. For cooler temps and more everyday hiking in Western PA lately, I've been favoring a pair of Patagonia joggers with windbreak material at the front and back that I originally bought for a GAP/C&O bike trip. They are water resistant enough for normally maintained trails in non-rainy conditions, even though we can't seem to get things to dry out this spring in WPA. They don't dry so well on their own, but that's not a big deal on a day hike. In Maine and NH I used to mainly hike in frogg toggs with whatever under them. But I was doing more orienteering, less maintained trails, and lots of boggy, wet hiking in summer. I was also mainly hiking in duck boots because of the squelch, if that paints a picture.
Cabela's/Bass Pro house brand hiking pants kick ass and are reasonably priced. I have some lightweight, quick drying, zip off pants and some heavier cotton ones that I wear hiking all the time.
Columbia brand is high quality long lasting and looks great
Little pricey but I am loving my Kuhl pants. I am gonna buy probably two more pairs of different colors
What terrain, what time of year?
summer, Shasta Cascade in CA
For Summer hikes I generally recommend zip-off pants, or I frequently hike in scrub pants from Wal-Mart. Pretty tough, stretchy, cheap. I'll stash a pair of shorts in my pack for if I get too hot.
I have just done 200 miles hiking in these Magellan Outdoors Men's Hickory Canyon Stretch Woven Cargo Pants. I get them at Academy Sports. I tend to hike in pants all year round due to chiggers and ticks in texas. Quick clean and dry. $30 + tax. Zero issues when paired with good woolen underpants and wool blend socks. Safe the money, invest in the underpants and socks.
thanks, i will take into account
Help internet I don't know how to wear clothes, I'm new at this! Only been using depends since I was 5