Cover Your Butt - The Best Hiking Pants for Backpackers 

Nice video. Please allow me to play devil's advocate for a moment though: for those who want a great performance pant that runs 50 bucks cheaper than the high end manufacturers, Wrangler Outdoor Stretch zip cargo pants are a nylon/spandex blend, have seven pockets, are durable, are priced at $22.98 and are easily found at godawful Walmart and Amazon. You won't get invited to anyone's cotillion or the country club if you are caught wearing them, but you will certainly get a great pair of affordable pants that destroys anyone's excuse for wearing denim on the trail. Thanks again for a great video, Eric.

Thanks for this review! I ordered the Coalatree pants after your review, using your link. Can't wait to try them!

cotton backpacking seems like a basic no go for anything you have to wear in the backcountry. ESPECIALLY if you need to stay warm. If these get wet, its kind of sol.

I'm in 🇨🇦 and I've been trying out the British company mountain Warehouse that opened here a few yrs ago and I realy like their cargo style pants for trekking ,decent quality and and you can get them at a great price as the have great sale discounts .being cold weather here I love the winter pants w fleece lining . Just a tip for frugal ppl like me 😁. cheers mate !

Just in time for spring trails!

Love the vid! I have also been using the trailhead pant by coalatree, I have snagged these on giant thistle bushes and jagged rocks while climbing and still haven’t gotten one tear! Very happy with there durability! Also, I never knew it before but they can fold up into the front pocket for space saving 🤙🏼

So I must say while I have all kinds of name brand gear, surprisingly my favorite hiking pants are Amazon specials... Postropaky. They are like 35 bucks I think. Super stretchy, comfy, well thought out, durable, water resistant.... They are awesome. My name brand pants tend to stay in the drawer....

My go to pants are the Arc'teryx Gamma AR for most of the year and Sigma SL for the summer. Both are so comfortable and look great.

I love my Trailhead pants for every reason you mention. Plus, the ties on the bottom also assist when hiking in tick-infested areas. Only downside is that the lower part of the legs are somewhat tapered - they fit me perfectly except on my calves where they're just a bit snug. Otherwise, especially for the price, 9½ out of 10

Hello 👋 Eric, thank you for sharing this great review. I'm in the market for new trousers for the backcountry. All the best to you. Stay safe out there. 🤗

I've been testing out LL Beans Cresta Hiking Pant for the last three months. I bought them on sale $54.99. Stretchy, comfortable, light weight, water resistant, and blocks the wind. Of course, when it's cold, so are the pants. Solution - my fleece pants underneath (you can buy them fleece lined also). I also used the poly-pros on under everything one really cold day. These are really great pants.

When you find a video three days after buying new gear... oh well, still very informative and useful! I've had a pair of cheap craghopper trousers for about ten years, but I tore them recently and thought I'd treat myself to something a bit nicer. They were perfectly good trousers though, very hard wearing, quick-drying and lots of pockets, I had thousands of miles on them. I've just replaced them with Montaine Terra and I'm happy so far after one day out, good ventilation and they feel like they give good manoeuvrability, the only downside is that I'm going to miss having a huge map pocket.

Very thorough. Being from the UK I’ve heard of the Rab trousers but not the other two but they sound good. Here in the UK my go to trousers are Montane Terra Pants or the Fjellraven Vidda Pro pants.

Fjallraven makes great stuff. Love their paints. Their g1000 fabric is great and can be waxed for added water resistance. Great brand to look into for anyone in the market..

I'll never give up on my Fjallravens. I'm an outdoorsman and I work in the trades. Fjallraven have Carhartt beat all day. And light enough to wear hiking. Yes, you pay for them, but they'll outlast 5 pairs of Carhartts. Buy once, cry once.

For hiking I own 5 pair of Prana Stretch Zions. 3 of which are convertible. I also have a pair of Fjallraven Kebs(Jacket as well.) Climbing Arcteryx Psiphon AR which are sadly discontinued and the Alpha AR 100D(Alpha SV jacket as well) when things get spicy.

Patagonia Terrebone joggers is the correct answer for 3 season hiking / backpacking. Comfortable, extremely lightweight and packable, and quick drying.

I have used the OR Ferrosi pants quite extensively and can vouch for their comfort and durability. I wouldn’t hike with anything else. They are not for very cold weather but I tend to be really hot…. So they’re great when you want the bug protection of a full pant but something that will be cool on your legs like shorts. 10/10.

Duluth Flexpadition, First Lite Corrigate Guide, and Prana Zion Stretch. My top 3.

My hiking pants are and always have been heavy weight polycotton workwear. Why, you ask? Because I live in Australia and mostly hike solo and also fly fish in the back country where I encounter lots of snakes. Most Australian snakes have fairly short fangs that have difficulty penetrating thick loose fabric, so I wear the cuffs free to increase the chance of a snake strike only finding a mouthful of thick cloth with no flesh in it. I also wear heavy gaiters under the pants when predominantly around streams, such as when fly fishing or just navigation the terrain. This provides added snake protection. As this is a hiking channel, you may not be aware that many fly fishers wear specialised wading boots and wet wade , particularly in warm weather which we have lots of in Australia. So, the heavy fabric is not a thermal issue, I just wade & get the pant legs wet which then provides extensive evaporative cooling when not wading, simple & obvious isn't it. Of course, getting wet right before setting up for the night is to be avoided but that is no problem at all. I have seen loads of very venomous shakes, a few have has a go bit zero contact so far. It's a system that works. Any time you are near water in Australia in summer, you need to be extra vigilant about this because if bitten, you have to apply a an shake bandage, set off a PLB and stay put and wait for assistance. Any attempt to to self rescue is just going to pump venom through your system with fatal consequences. A PLB is your only chance for survival from a fatal bite. You or your group must have one on every walk.

I just picked up a pair of the strider pro pants by Patagonia, since I mostly wear running shorts and just need a solid wind pant. I'm excited that they have a slimmer fit than the old houdini pants

IMO these are great designs for dayhikes and shorter overnight trips and all round use, but for long distance hiking I prefer pants with no pockets or belt loops that can create blisters under a hip belt.

Eleven Skies makes AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING hiking pants- guaranteed to last I believe. Super lightweight and has a lot of room to grow or lose weight in. I also really love my Patagonia pack out tights- for when it’s a bit cooler.

For me, it's the Vertex Stretch LT and the Wrangler ATG outdoor pants.

Arcteryx Gamma LT pant, can't be beaten 👍

Great reviews I live in my rei sahara convertible pants

I just got Outdoor Vitals Satu pants. Kinda in between slim and regular fit. Ventilation on the sides. A lil extra tightener on the waist, and some other nice touches. But… not cheap. They’re So comfy and look great. Even worn them on sales trips, lol. But… that price.

Nice to add what kind of zipper or button access for each pant mentioned

I got a pair of Ferrosi pants earlier this year and they are sized HUGE. I've re-ordered another pair cos I like them, but this time 2 sizes smaller than usual for me.

PRANA ZION ARE MY CHOICE, TOUGH, VENTED, EASY TO DRY. HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF THEM.

Didn't think I'd find myself watching a video about pants tonight... but here I am!

청색바지가 실용적이네요 방수기능도있고. 잘보고갑니다

What do you think of Kuhl Renegade convertible pants? Also in general I like the idea of convertible pants. I didn’t see a mention of it in this video? Would those be an overkill for you? Any thoughts ?

Eric, I've been waiting for a review on hiking pants. Been on the lookout for a durable, water-resistant pair. I've been leaning toward the OR Ferrosi and the Fjallravens. The greatest challenge is buying a pair online without trying them on for fit and comfort. Thanks for the review!

Eric, fantastic review! Thank you...these pants are great for me. I do have a question on behalf of my wife. She needs hiking pants with a higher waist, a little wider thigh and a thinner waist...she can't find that without spending an arm and a "leg"...any suggestions?

Running shorts plus waterproof pants has always seemed like a more versatile setup to me, but I sweat like crazy

What no cargo pants!! Shocking 😱

Mystery Ranch question. can you get away with the Coulee 40 for an overnight trip? Fit all the sleep system in the main compartment with the lack of bottom straps?

Currently rocking overstock TNF Horizon & Exploration pants. If you find them, it’s a catch. 🎣

Thank you for the review! Have you looked at Truewerk's T1? I'm in the market for my next pair of "adventure" pants 👖

Have you tried the outdoor vitals satu pants?

Do the brands make women's versions who require a different fit? It would be good to have that perspective. Also would be helpful to know how they wash/dry on the trail.

I have chosen LL Bean Cresta pants (and shorts) for 6 years now. I have tried many others but none seem to last and wear like LL Bean. For some reason, I never see reviews on these pants.

Outdoor research in general makes nice things. Kuhl also makes nice things. Wrangler Hiking/Trail pants for those on a budget $25 Shitmart

I was checking out the Ferrosi pants- the price is now $89 wondering if you bought them through a vendor or direct from OR?

I both backpack/hike and canoe camp. Has anyone one tried any of these pants canoeing? They sound like they would be good for portages?

Thank you again

Nice recommendations bro!!! I may try those Coalatree… they are at $99 now 😮 Don’t disagree lol BUT I have the Hardwear AP from Mountain Hardwear.

Am I the only one that needs/loves cargo pockets?

Fjällräven every hike!!

I've worn them all. If you want a good hiking pant. Just roll to Walmart and grab the Wrangler hiking pant. Like $26.99. Your paying for pant and not the advertising the manufacturers spend.

I'll take my wrangler outdoor pants any day. Made of nylon, zip cargo pockets and only $25. Cant beat them for the price.

I would not have expected that a review of hiking pants would mention repelling wine and making one's butt look good. But to each their own :). Thanks for the video.

Good job with this. Rab is awesome but those are cotton. Too warm when there's no chance of rain and pretty dumb if there is. Cotton in hiking pants is too limiting. So I'm all in with OR Ferrosi. I've rolled around on granite for years with mine and they're no worse for wear. OR sizing is ALWAYS a crap shoot though. Try 'em on first.

I like wranglers hiking pants...

I exclusively use the wrangler outdoor zip cargo pants. They're 25$ at walmart and i don't see a reason to spend any more on a pair of pants. They're stretchy, have 7 pockets, well made, moisture wicking and cheap.

I won't hike (year round) without my Prana stretch Zions. Best I've found. Ferosi for a close 2nd

I recycle coffee every day. Never thought to use the result to make pants.

So, Eric, how about you have your girlfriend test the women's version of the coalatree pants? I've heard there are some strange sizing issues with the women's.. and it looks like they cater to the petite/very slim section of the women's market, but would love to see an honest review! :D

Montane terra pants for me :) 🇦🇺 Tasmania

These options a cool however do them make them for larger people?? It seems in the Backpacking space All the manufactures of clothing and gear seem to either be under the assumption that either plus size people don't hike/backpack or the plus sized market is not large enough to worry about. I can tell you from personal experience that plus size people do hike/backpack and we are forced to use lesser quality equipment because no one makes clothing and equipment for us!

It's so weird to me how hiking pants haven't come further faster. As a paintballer I've owned Planet Eclipse Program Pants for years already. They are 4-way stretch, ultra durable and breathable with Kevlar knee pads and ankle cuffs. A bit on the heavy side, probably a pound. Why has non of that paintball extreme R&D not made it's way to hiking by now?

Funny the mention of the Bridger. Dana design had the bridger and I understand the designer is the same guy. But the materials in my old Dana pack fell apart and wasn’t warranted

Eric ... I agree with your thoughts on the Outdoor Research Ferrosi pants ... I picked up a pair of them last summer and they quickly became my go to hiking pants ... W/respect to the RabRadius pants ... Since they are made out of cotton doesn't that go against the general hiking rule of "cotton kills"? ... Just wondering ...

Kuiu Attack Pants. Check them out. $149. Vents, all season, tough no cotton high-tech materials hunters use for mountain hikes. Warm, quick drying, very breathable, DWR treated.

Need to check out KUIU Tiburon pants. Yes they are a hunting company. get over that. They are the lightest most breathable pants that are not shorts. Made from Toray fabric with zero spandex. They are tough and dry super fast.

so if "cotton kills" why is it ok for hiking pants?

In the 70s we all just hiked in bellbottoms or jeans...nobody died from it.

Those are nice suggestions. Typically. I just wear adult diapers for hiking, sans pants. Think of it - no need to wash pants. I just throw mine away when they are worn out and slap on a new one. My favorite feature is that I can custom-tailor them with their handy tape strips. Seville Row has nothing on Snuggees when it comes to a snug, secure, comfortable fit. Bathroom breaks and digging cat holes are a thing of the past. I can be a true "through-hiker", hiking all day through to camp. I have saved 17 minutes each day. And take about lightweight? These things are lighter than any pants I have ever worn. You watch - these things are catching on with the veteran hikers. In five years everybody on the trail will be hiking with diapers. You'll see.

Pants for short men. Sorry, but I’ll stick with Patagonia baggies for hiking and either carhartts or jeans for work/rough terrain.

Hayyy Yall 🤣

Pass on all but the Ferrosi. Wrangler ATG much better bargain. Columbia convertible most practical.

Pants > Shorts. Please include mosquito protection levels in future pants evals. BTW Nice Superbad inspired "Hey, Proff...." log stretch.

The Coala Tree pants are boiling hot unfortunately.

Where are the hiking pants with cargo pockets? REAL cargo pockets??? I want to be able to shove a hat, pair of lightweight gloves, large screen phone, etc. in there. So sad to see functional cargo pockets are getting harder and harder to find.

If you recommend a Gerber Paraframe knife, you are immediately discredited as a source of knowledge lol

well I just wear my jeans

@Eric what about those new blue Fjällräven pants you have.. how high you rank them?