Men's Outdoor Pants

What are the best pants to wear in the mountains?

The same as everything you wear in the mountains, your choice of activity is the starting point for choosing the best pants and getting your layering system right. You want trousers that combine freedom of movement and weather protection, yet prevent you overheating. Are you hiking, trekking, speed hiking, climbing or mountaineering? What weather conditions are you expecting?

What material is best for mountain trousers?

• Functional fabrics
  For summer trekking use and hot, dry weather, look for lighter functional stretch fabrics that allow good breathability and dry fast. Avoid cotton, which takes a long time to dry when wet. Natural and synthetic fiber blends are lightweight, pleasant to wear and provide good freedom of movement.
• Softshell
  Softshell alpine pants are the go-to option in the mountains. Their soft, breathable and water-repellent fabrics offer all-day comfort and some versions provide a certain amount of insulation. They are also very quick to dry.
• Water repellent fabrics
  Water repellent pants get treated with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish. The DWR is also needed to prevent rain or snow from saturating the fabric exterior. These days, many DWR treatments are PFC-free to help protect the environment.
• Hardshell
  In full winter conditions or for activities such as winter mountaineering and ice climbing, a GORE-TEX® hardshell pant provides comprehensive protection.

Should men's outdoor trousers be tight?

Hiking and trekking pants come in slim, regular and relaxed fits. You might be wearing your hiking pants all day, so it’s important that they fit well and stay comfortable. That means they shouldn’t be too tight and the material shouldn’t rub. Modern 2-way stretch and 4-way stretch functional fabrics can be cut closer, yet still ensure good freedom of movement.

Slim-fitting alpine pants that are ideal for mountain use, as they keep you warmer and are less likely to snag or catch on rock or your crampons, etc. A slim fit also gives you a better view of your feet when you’re climbing. Many outdoor pants are cut with an inseam gusset, ergonomic waist and articulated knees to offer further flexibility.

How long should men’s walking trousers be?

You want your hiking pants to fit over your hiking boots or mountain boots, but not flap around, drag in the dirt, or get snagged on thorny undergrowth. If you feel that you need more weather protection at the lower leg, try using gaiters. Alternately, when climbing on warmer days, button up, cinch in or roll up the lower leg for greater precision with your feet.

Is it better to hike in pants or shorts?

For some fast moving mountain activities, shorts can be a better choice. Carry waterproof overtrousers as a back-up. Convertible pants or zip-off pants that convert to shorts offer a versatile solution for variable weather conditions.