Budget Hiking Pants
Table of Contents
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Sweet Spot Recommendations
For cold weather, I recommend tough synthetic cargo pants. For hiking in hot weather in areas with poison ivy, stinging nettles, ticks, or mosquitoes, I recommend light, thin, breathable synthetic pants.
Men's Hiking Pants
Non-convertible
Be sure you buy the synthetic version. There are also cotton versions–you don’t want those!
96% Nylon, 4% Spandex
Pros
Affordable
Comfortable
Stretchy
Good seam quality
Two zippered front pockets in addition to hand pockets and back packets
Meshed pocket liners for increased breathability
Cons
Not very breathable
Not convertable
May require a belt
My Thoughts
I’ve been using the same pair for at least five years. I’ve been wearing them at least once per week at home and at least twice per year on overnight backpacking trips.
Convertible
Convertible, zip-off legs
96% nylon, 4% Spandex
Dupont Teflon coating
Six pockets: 2 front slant, 2 back flap, 2 side zippered
Pros
Ripstop fabric
Detachable belt
Vertical zippers on legs for easy removal
Cons
Zip-off legs not color coded
Front belt loops are far apart
Women's Hiking Pants
Non-convertible
90% Polyester, 10% Spandex
Pros
Stretchy
Comfortable
Hip pocket liners have mesh for increased breathability
Somewhat breathable
Ankle cinches
Cons
Not as durable as some competitors
Convertible
Convertible, zip-off legs
90% Nylon, 10% Spandex
6 pockets: 2 zippered cargo, 2 zippered back, 2 zippered hand
Pros
Stretchy
Six zippered pockets
Cons
Sizes run large
Not as durable as some competitors