Hot Weather Pants

I like the fit of the drycanvas. Well constructed. They seem to be more of a relaxed fit. I haven't worn them in the heat too much, though that is one reason I bought them. A little heavier and more durable than my Columbia convertable pants. Find I never use the convertable feature and find the zippers a little annoying. The SD Drycanvas giving the most protection and the Columbias perhaps being a little cooler and they are lighter. I just wouldn't get convertables again. Lighter, cooler and less protection is a cheap pair of board shorts and wind pants from Luke's. Next time though, I would ask Luke for a little more relaxed fit.

Katherine, I haven't tried any of the men's, as I'm way too short (5'2"). But have you seen the ExOfficio BugsAway Damselfly Pants? I don't own them, but they have mesh at the back of the knees — not as good as side venting, but better than nothing.

I have yet to find women's pants with nice side vents like the RailRiders men's.

Ladies what about the mens Bone Flats pants? The mesh on the sides does not go all the way down the leg. Could be hemmed.

One of the problems with women trying to wear men's hiking hiking pants is height. Usually hiking pants have articulated knees — for me, at 5'2", the knees would end up being somewhere below my knees. For the taller gals, men's pants are more feasible.

How about Gramiccis?

Gramicci

"One of the problems with women trying to wear men's hiking hiking pants is height. Usually hiking pants have articulated knees — for me, at 5'2", the knees would end up being somewhere below my knees. For the taller gals, men's pants are more feasible."

The other problem for women trying to wear men's pants is that the waist is often too big and the hips/thighs too skinny. Although judging by the OP, this may also be a problem for men wearing men's pants!

I've always liked Ex Officio Nomad pants, but I don't run hot enough to feel the need for mesh ventilation. I find the Nomads feel significantly cooler than my other hiking pants–probably because they are the only ones without elastic in the fabric, which always makes clothes feel hotter to me. The women's Ex Officio run quite large, not sure if that's true of the men's models as well.

Too true about the other fit issues, Kate. I agree about pants with stretch — my fave winter hiking pants do have a bit of stretch and they are definitely warmer. Both my summer pants are non-stretch (ExOfficio & REI).

I don't know about ExOfficio running large — both my ExOfficio & REI pants are the same size; they are both petite, though, so I don't know if there may be more variation in regular sizes. But sizes these days are all over the place — I have street pants in purportedly 3 different sizes and they all the same!

I would love a good side vent summer pant for desert hiking.

The best hot pants I've seen were Daisy Dukes on our neighbor girl.

UH OH- You mean hot WEATHER pants. Well, REI Saharas are the best I've used.

Guide Series Men's Trailhead Convertible Pant
Item # 445907
Customer Rating: 4.5
Key Features:
Tough 100% full dull nylon fabric
Quick-drying and moisture-wicking
DWR finish repels moisture to keep you dry
Gusseted inseam, articulated knees for mobility
Legs zip off to easily convert into shorts

Sale Price $29.99 FREE SHIPPING
LOVE THESE PANTS

From where?

HERE

Another vote for the Arc'Teryx Palisades. Lightweight but really tough, with seams and pockets in just the right places, no rear pockets. Cut trim so you can avoid the baggy and boring REI blendo-beige look. Two front small pockets with zips so you won't lose important stuff when scrambling. I don't get hot in them, and they are SPF 50.

http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=3227&p_id=2305404&gen_cd=1

I have had pretty good luck with the Trail Ridge Convertible pants from Montbell