Need Advice - Looking for decent Hiking Pants

[DownEaster]

For me it's the Cresta hiking pant from L.L.Bean. Not only have these pants been great for me but Bean's is a major supporter of the trail. As always if they prove problematic simply return them.

I've got the same pants, and I really like them. Usually things from L.L. Bean are pricey (at the top of your price range), but right now if you're not picky about the color you can take advantage of a sale: link.

[Bansko]

I wear Zions every day! I even have a pair of Zion shorts.


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I still wear the pair that took me the distance on a regular basis. You can't kill 'em, and they make great travel pants when off trail.

[Don H]

I have several pairs of North Face Paramount Convertible pants.

https://www.thenorthface.com/shop/me...pants-nf0a2wla

Over the years, after many miles I had to send two pairs back because the fly zipper failed. each time NF repaired and returned them for no charge.
They have a lifetime warranty that they honor.

[Femadog]

I will give a +1 on the White Sierra pants on Amazon. I just got off the AT from a section hike last week and they were perfect from a 90 degree high humidity day (man was that hot) down to the 40s and windy.

I have a pair of Exofficios zip offs that just didn't fit right (nice pant though) The White Sierra have a very handy cell phone pocket on the right side that holds my S7 with a protector case. Easy to get out when I wanted to take pictures or shoot video. Dry quick, zip off legs have Right/Left on zippers.

Only weak point I saw was same as any pant with a sewn on waist button. I removed it and replaced with a metal button you can get at Walmart for a couple $. Just poke the pointed back piece through the waist where the old button was and press the new metal button on. I do that to any pant I have with a sewn on button. YMMV

[RockDoc]

No cheap stuff for me, I go Fjallraven all the way and never look back. Europeans know what I mean.

Occasionally available on eBay, Steep and Cheap, or Sierra Trading Post for under $100, worth every cent at any price IMO.

[dudeman_atl]

Love my REI long pants as well as the shorts. Don't have the convertible ones from REI, but my reality with my BSA uniform pants is i usually don't convert in three field long too short our vice versa

[devoidapop]

No cheap stuff for me, I go Fjallraven all the way and never look back. Europeans know what I mean.

Occasionally available on eBay, Steep and Cheap, or Sierra Trading Post for under $100, worth every cent at any price IMO.

Steep and Cheap has a bunch of Fjallraven on sale right now

[gbolt]

If I were ranking Convertable pants - here it is:
1. Prana Zion (but ouch, they cost$$$)
2. Columbia Silver Ridge (my number one choice for cost and weight)
3. Kuhl but the cotton does add weight and slows drying so mainly a summer time comfort item or general hiking vs. thru hikin.
4. I Like the REI Sahara but don't know why I won't try them and keep settling on the Columbia Pants.

I currently use Columbia Aruba III's but they are no longer available.

[Huntmog]

Prana Zion Stretch (non convertible) all day. The most comfortable pair of pants I own...i may even wear them to the office on casual days...

I thought it'd be 5000 votes for them here

[TexasBob]

1 + on White Sierra pants. Good quality for the price, better than the REI brand pants in fit and workmanship.

[Patriot76]

After many years of experimentation my choice is nylon shorts, silk long underwear, and rain pants to provide versatility during the day and at night. In cooler weather I like Duluth Trading Companies fire hose pants because they are water resistant and tough as nails. They are a relaxed fit with deep cargo pockets.

[ScareBear]

My go-to trail pants are Craghopper zip-off pro-stretch. Can't find these in the US anymore, but they still sell them in UK. Super comfortable, great pockets. Glad I bought a spare pair when they were on sale at STP. Not sure when I will need them as the original pair has 400 miles on them and look like new with no wear issues whatsoever...

I second the rec's on the REI Sahara zip-offs. Mine fit quite well, but the waistband isn't as comfortable as the Craghoppers...YMMV...

[Bansko]

Whatever pants you choose, I find convertibles to be not useful on a long hike. For the same weight I carried (or wore) a pair of non-convertible Prana Stretch Zions and an ultralight pair of Brooks running shorts. The combination was much more versatile than a pair of convertibles. Think laundry day. I ditched my rain pants at Harper's Ferry and had to wear something while doing laundry.

[Venchka]

Hello Everyone.

I'm so glad I found this forum and it is great to be here! So over the past few days I was lurking around and finally decided to register. Hopefully I can get some help here.

Due to the fact I'm from Georgia, I know the AT. So I tend to go on some short term trips, using Springer Mountain as my starting point. But this year I'd like to go on a one month trip to discover more of the path and more of myself.

Anyway, my plan is to start this June. I nearly got al my stuff together except some decent hiking pants. I mean I still own a cheap one, which I bought a a few yeas back. But I would like to get a proper one for this trip. So last weekend I did some research and checked out some known trusted shopping as well as fashion sites. And the sheer amount is just overwhelming. I can't really decide which one to pick.

But what I want is a type of hiking pants where I can zip off the legs. In my opinion there quite versatile. But I'm not sure about the material. Mostly it is a mix of nylon/polyester and spandex/elastane. But I would like to have a bit of cotton as well. My budget is about $60 to $80.

So can anybody here recommend a specific model or brand? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Walt.

If you were confused coming in here, you must be bamboozled totally by now.
Keep it simple. Keep it cheap. You're just looking for a pair of synthetic fabric, loose fitting pants. You won't buy the perfect pants on your first try. Save your funds for the critical gear. Sleeping system, shelter, backpack.
Have fun in thrift store clothing.
Wayne

[WalterB]

Thanks for all these recommendations. I'll check them out.

[Runner2017]

Prana stretch zion pants can be little too hot for warm climate. They're great for cool climate tho. Costco has carried a knock off version of that for $20 in the past which is better for hiking in warm climate.

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[Patrickjd9]

Whatever pants you choose, I find convertibles to be not useful on a long hike. For the same weight I carried (or wore) a pair of non-convertible Prana Stretch Zions and an ultralight pair of Brooks running shorts.

I wore convertible pants for years but have gotten disenchanted with them lately. I'm between 30 and 32 inch inseam, and the style is really unforgiving of being too long--and I hate pants that are too short.

I bought a pair of REI Screeline pants I like enough for street wear, and a lighter pair of Marmot Arch Rock pants that did fine in their first hike. Still looking for a pair of lightweight shorts to go with them.

[RockDoc]

FWIW I remember more than once passing leg sleeves from convertible pants spread out on bushes along the AT. Clearly the owners put them out to dry, then forgot about them and hiked on... only to discover a major inconvenience some hours later. I've almost done it myself a few times. So I'm a bit disenchanted with them too.

[WalterB]

Hello Everyone.

I'm so glad I found this forum and it is great to be here! So over the past few days I was lurking around and finally decided to register. Hopefully I can get some help here.

Due to the fact I'm from Georgia, I know the AT. So I tend to go on some short term trips, using Springer Mountain as my starting point. But this year I'd like to go on a one month trip to discover more of the path and more of myself.

Anyway, my plan is to start this June. I nearly got all my stuff together except some decent hiking pants. I mean I still own a cheap one, which I bought a a few yeas back. But I would like to get a proper one for this trip. So last weekend I did some research and checked out some known trusted shopping as well as fashion sites like https://www.easyprices.com/fashion/hiking-pants. And the sheer amount is just overwhelming. I can't really decide which one to pick.

But what I want is a type of hiking pants where I can zip off the legs. In my opinion there quite versatile. But I'm not sure about the material. Mostly it is a mix of nylon/polyester and spandex/elastane. But I would like to have a bit of cotton as well. My budget is about $60 to $80.

So can anybody here recommend a specific model or brand? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Walt.

Thanks to everybody contributing to this thread. I finally decided on the REI. It fit's within my budget and it overall head good reviews. Wish you all a great weekend.

[WalterB]

FWIW I remember more than once passing leg sleeves from convertible pants spread out on bushes along the AT. Clearly the owners put them out to dry, then forgot about them and hiked on... only to discover a major inconvenience some hours later. I've almost done it myself a few times. So I'm a bit disenchanted with them too.

Good to know. I will keep it in mind!