I work at an outdoor equipment store. There is a northface womens pant called the Aphrodite that is elastic and my coworker wears them because she’s 5’11 and they fit perfectly. If you’re not set on having belt loops , I think you would like them.
I've got a similar problem: my belly gets bigger and smaller over thr hiking months. The right belt helps, bit can be irritating with a heavy backpack. At the moment I use the hip strap of my backpack for a belt. I take a belt with me for when I dont carry my bag.
I swear by alder apparel! I’m 5’11” and their 32” inseam open air pant is my fav hiking pant I’ve ever found. I personally love the more elastic waist as well.
Fit properly is obviously personal, but in case this helps anyone I just got the REI Sahara and I love them. They meet those criteria (for my body). I store fat around my waist/belly instead of my thighs, and the Sahara I think work well for that because the waistband has a little bit of elastic/stretch just at the back so it expands or contracts as I become more or less bloated, but still fits the rest of me the same. Also they’re zip off pants with tons of pockets and both are my criteria because pockets in the backcountry are essential, and so are zip off pants for bushwhacking and bugs and changes in temperature and whatever else might come up while you’re out! Highly recommend 😊
Buy one that is comfortabel everywhere except your waist. Use your hip strap as a belt. And take a hiking belt with you for when you dont wear your backpack. Otherwise, sow and make the pants perfect.
I have the REI activator pants! Super soft and comfortable. Helps with rock scooting 😅 if its winter i will put on under armor cold gear leggings for a little extra warmth.
My mother and I both love these Alaskan Hardgear zip off pants. They’re so stretchy, they have two sets of zippers, one at mid thigh and a second at mid calf. The pockets are decently sized and they even have two cargo pockets. The fabric is super stretchy and doesn’t snag, even when we’ve hiked through pricked bushes, and is also water resistant and quick dry. They sound fake but I swear they’re real and I love them so much. Sadly I couldn’t find them on their website so I’m not sure they still sell them
I have a pair of Columbia ones I bought out of desperation in a small store because it was freezing that summer and I was hiking in shorts. They turned out to be perfect and I wear them all the time (with tights in winter). They weren't that pricey either. I also have a pair of Decathlon ones (don't know if you have this brand in the US) which are perfect for longer hikes that alternate warm and cold climate because the legs can be detached. I hiked through Nepal with them and they were great.
Mountain hardware dynama 2 pants were the best. Columbia bought them out and now call them dynama pants. They changed the style of the pockets to be like the Columbia brand. You may want to check them out.
I used to love the Lululemon studio dance pant, but they no longer make in a tall, so no go anymore. I just ordered 2 pairs of hiking pants from eddie bauer, I like that they come in a tall, but I will be bringing in the waist. I'm 5'9" with a 10" difference between my hips and waist.
I have the same issue, a lot of them look frumpy. I do like some that Decathlon sells and they're waterproof too with fleece lined versions for winter. I'm on the lookout for some waterproof outdoor leggings to feel a bit more streamlined and less bulky. There's definitely a gap in the market for flattering women's outdoor/trades woman clothing (I mostly use my outdoor clothing for gardening work).
Try Coalatree...their pants amd have ties both on the waist and bottom of legs.I have similar issues as a guy + I carry a lot of heavier stuff in my pockets which tends to drag your pants down anyway...So I almost always gets ties. The Coalatree pants (& shorts) are stretchy and somewhat water shedding.
if you like joggers you should look for the mountain hardware stryders! backpacked for a year in them! *i'm 5"8 with bigger thighs/hips and long legs and I got a size M ( I'm usually a 6-8)*
I’m a female and I wear mens pants from Columbia to fit my thick thighs! The pants actually hug my figure perfectly and are high waisted. Women’s pants are so tight!
I’ve been wanting to try out Fjallråven’s hiking pants for a long time but they’ve always been a bit out of budget for me. I ended up just using leggings because they allow for more flexibility, but having to constantly be pulling them up all the time can be a pain if the ode don’t fit right either.
I liked the Fjallraven Keb pants too, but they were out of budget and too scratchy. Now I am happy with the Forclaz MT 900 hiking pants from Decathlon. I am only 5‘8 though
I a guy and I have the same problem. I think I am going to try Bergans Y LightLine Vapor Pants because I love going ultra light weight ... these are pretty much just windresistant pants for the mountains which are super comfy, but the problem with them are durability, so for bushcrafty stuff I would rather use a more durable cotton pair of pants similar to the classic fjallraven
100% feel you girl. I feel like outdoor clothing mfrs just phone it in when making pants for women, it's infuriating. I keep saying they need to get actual designers who make clothes for WOMEN'S bodies.
It’s an impossible task, like they are all designed by men, my husband could even wear his casually in town cuz they fit him so well, and incredibly mine are always baggy and tight in some parts but at the same time I need belt because won’t stay in they’re place while I walk
I wear jeans because they protect my legs from getting scratched and bruised from climbing logs and random sticks and rocks on the trail. I never have trouble with chafing or skin irritation. I sometimes don’t like how hot and sweaty they get since they don’t breath as well. But I never regret wearing them because of how they protect me. It’s not for everyone and that’s okay 👍
I've watched no less than 5 people get helicoptered off mountains because they hiked in jeans and got caught in snowstorms and got hypothermia. Cotton is your enemy.
