It seems I underestimated how good hiking pants could be

[Exterous]

I didn't have cheap hiking pants but I wouldn't have spent over $200 on a pair. Well I did some work for someone and, as part of the deal, got a crazy good deal on some brand new Fjallraven Keb pants.

Just spent some rather wet time in Alaska and boy do I like these pants. Like I've never liked a pair of pants this much. I brought my Patagonia ones but passed them over almost everyday for these instead. Came prewaxed so ocean spray or rain was NBD. Super stretchy for long strides or tall steps up. Very comfortable, , great pockets, love the vents

If anything happens to these I'll have to resign myself to getting another pair

 

[skyking]

my pants are hiking up my arse and klinging on to my thighs all the time. It is not good at all.

 

[Captante]

 

[shortylickens]

I've got some 15 dollar hiking pants. They arent super comfortable, but they are very lightweight, dont retain much water, and dry out quickly.

 

[NuclearNed]

I bought a pair of Kuhl pants a few years ago - most comfortable pants I've ever owned, and they are amazingly tough. I've abused them hard, but they look almost new.

 

[dullard]

You are correct about good hiking pants: great stretch so they don't hinder your movement, water rolls right off them, they dry quickly if you do get drenched, keep you cool in summer and warm in winter, zippered pockets so you don't have to worry about losing keys, etc. I'll never hike with anything else (especially shorts).

I haven't tried the Fjallraven brand yet, but I've heard they are good. I really like the prAna stretch Zion. I really like the built in belt on it as I've struggled with reliability/longevity with any other hiking belt. That has recently been replaced with the Zion II (which I have not yet tried) https://www.prana.com/p/stretch-zion-pant-ii/1969791.html?dwvar_1969791_color=Dark Iron prAna is essentially Columbia's luxury brand.

 

[nakedfrog]

After finally getting a vented raincoat this spring, I can certainly see the benefit of having them on the pants too, my current rainsuit is good at keeping me dry, but better for winter use since it doesn't breathe well (but it was also pretty cheap).

 

[Exterous]

How'd you get one of my vacation pictures already???

You are correct about good hiking pants: great stretch so they don't hinder your movement

I've tried a lot of different brands and styles and I'm always surprised at how few hiking pants grant decent movement. Like do the people buying them take tiny steps and can't raise their foot higher than their shin?

 

[nakedfrog]

I mostly hike in kilts or leggings, so I haven't encountered that particular issue.

 

[dullard]

I've tried a lot of different brands and styles and I'm always surprised at how few hiking pants grant decent movement. Like do the people buying them take tiny steps and can't raise their foot higher than their shin?

I have to assume the designers aren't hikers. Or they were so rushed that they only tried them on stairs in their business. While the most pleasant hikes only have short steps and small rocks to go up/down, real hikes usually require the occasional scramble or the occasional step that is ~3' tall. When I first felt the stretch on the prAna pants, I never went back to anything else.

 

[shortylickens]

it might look silly, but yoga pants and similar items grant the best movement. Unfortunately they dont protect worth a damn. And hiking has the potential to abuse your legs, a lot.

 

[Stiff Clamp]

I do be wanting ventilated pants. Usually I ventilate jeans by unzipping the fly and rolling up the cuff. Sure helps. Looks weird.

 

[nakedfrog]

it might look silly, but yoga pants and similar items grant the best movement. Unfortunately they dont protect worth a damn. And hiking has the potential to abuse your legs, a lot.

Kilts and leggings
If you're on maintained trails there isn't too much to worry about.

 

[shortylickens]

I just remembered something. A while back I bought lightweight work pants, and those are probably good for most hikers.
They also dry quickly but have a ripstop weave and protect much better against damage. And they dont restrict movement either.

 

[brianmanahan]

i have only ever hiked in jeans

did 15 miles in a day a few years ago at prarie creek redwoods in nothing but my jeans

 

[lxskllr]

BDUs/ACUs. They're made for hiking.

 

[sdifox]

my pants are hiking up my arse and klinging on to my thighs all the time. It is not good at all.

That's why assless chaps were invented.

 

[JEDI]

I didn't have cheap hiking pants but I wouldn't have spent over $200 on a pair. Well I did some work for someone and, as part of the deal, got a crazy good deal on some brand new Fjallraven Keb pants.

Just spent some rather wet time in Alaska and boy do I like these pants. Like I've never liked a pair of pants this much. I brought my Patagonia ones but passed them over almost everyday for these instead. Came prewaxed so ocean spray or rain was NBD. Super stretchy for long strides or tall steps up. Very comfortable, , great pockets, love the vents

If anything happens to these I'll have to resign myself to getting another pair

my 1st thought when i clicked on your link:



ugly fishing pants without the boots

 

[shortylickens]

That's why assless chaps were invented.

ALL CHAPS ARE ASSLESS!!!!

 

[sdifox]

ALL CHAPS ARE ASSLESS!!!!

you are clearly not familiar with the meme

 

[Captante]

 

[MrSquished]

I bought a pair of Kuhl pants a few years ago - most comfortable pants I've ever owned, and they are amazingly tough. I've abused them hard, but they look almost new.

I do love me some kuhl gear. I have some of their pants, some shorts, some polos, a jacket, a hoodie and some short sleeve button downs. In fact I have their quick drying shorts with me in Crete. They look like nice shorts, but are a bathing suit too. Good dual use clothing.

It's quality stuff. I hope they don't sell out

 

[Aharami]

$235?!

Noped the fuck back here