Yesterday I was at Costco and spied some men’s chinos billed as “travel pants”. They’re UPF 50, 94% nylon/6% spandex, with slightly expandable waist. I brought home a few pairs for my guy, then ended up trying them on myself (though he’s skinny as a rail, the size 30″ waist are barely small enough for him). They actually felt pretty decent, though I was taxing the expandable waist, so I went back this morning and got some in 32″ and 34″ waist sizes. Both sizes seem to work for me (I’m a 10 or 12 right now, depending on the style). I like them because the waist is reasonably high, not hip-hugger like most of the “hiking” pants available for women these days, and the spandex allows enough give that they don’t bind on the thighs when I bend, squat, etc. So I think these might work for either sex as hiking pants. Not super light, 12 oz for a pair of 32×30, but only $17.99.
