Durable but still light hiking pants (California)

[Greg F]

I currently own a pair of REI Sahara hiking pants bought in 2019.  They’ve been great: I have freedom of movement, they don’t feel too hot, and are reasonably lightweight.  However they haven’t been very durable.  I wore a hole in a front pocket just carrying ID/credit cards, and then this year easily shredded one of the pant legs with my crampons (first time using crampons).  I have also started doing more off trail adventures in the high Sierra (once or twice a year, talus), although I normally stay on trail in California (PCT, Sierras, coastal range, etc) and normally March-October.  Is there a good durable pant that can hold up to rock scrapes but still be somewhat lightweight and have good movement?  Or should I buy a set of pants for just trail hiking and one for off trail?  I see Ryan Jordan’s recommendation for the Patagonia Quandary, which might fit the requirement.  I was wondering what else is out there.

[bradmacmt]

I have two pairs of Patagonia Quandary pants… that’s what I’d recommend.

[Dan @ Durston Gear]

I’ve been using the Quandary a lot for bushwhacking. I like the pants but I do have quite a few holes in mine after 2 summers from sticks etc. They are relatively simple pants so they are a good choice and about as durable as you’re going to get for the weight, but aren’t really a scrambling pant.

If there’s a critique of them, it’s the integrated belt. They have an integrated belt/waist band that you can tie but it’s made of really stretchy cord such that even pulling it as tight as you can does almost nothing. Best to remove it or forget it’s there and use an actual belt if needed.

[Dan]

I’ve been wearing Kuhl pants for several years now and I am off trail a lot. I think they are called Silencr. They are reasonably light, but not super thin. They are pretty durable and dry very quickly.

[DWR D]

In the old old days we used knickers and knee socks… they worked out well for cramponing and talus… no cuff to get in the way…

But… if you could find them, you’re look pretty silly, I guess… :)))

[bradmacmt]

I’ve been using the Quandary a lot for bushwhacking. I like the pants but I do have quite a few holes in mine after 2 summers from sticks etc. They are relatively simple pants so they are a good choice and about as durable as you’re going to get for the weight, but aren’t really a scrambling pant.

Agree – they really aren’t a bushwhacking pant. They’re a light, warm weather pant for camp and trail. Off trail I tend to wear Prana Stretch Zion pants. Incredibly durable, but also almost 4 oz’s heavier. They’re what I’ve been using for highcountry elk hunting for the last 13 years. The latest iteration of Zion fabric is even more durable than the Gen 1 pants.

[Matthew / BPL]

Subjective but I find the Zions to be far too warm above 70° although I agree they are durable. I have been wearing a few pairs of their shorts and pants for many years.

The Quandry pants are nice but I find them a little warm too for summer hiking. The Quandry shorts are a dream. Very nice. I agree the drawstring is too stretchy to be useful.

It was suggested in another thread that spandex content makes pants warmer.

Patagonia Sandy Cat pants are thin 100% nylon with a little bit of breathability. They are really nice in hot weather if that matters to you. The cut is more like slacks than athletic pants but I’m not wearing any of these as fashion items.

[DWR D]

As far as shredding the pant leg with crampons, you could wear gaiters over them while cramponing…

I looked at the Quandry, but I don’t like pants with top-access pockets… makes packet access more difficult with a backpack belt on… prefer side pockets for backpacking… easier access with a pack belt on.

[Richard N]

I have been surprisingly happy with the Outdoor Vitals Satu pants. They’re some Toray polyester; basically Kuiu with some more hike-friendly features.

[bradmacmt]

Subjective but I find the Zions to be far too warm above 70° although I agree they are durable. I have been wearing a few pairs of their shorts and pants for many years.

The Quandry pants are nice but I find them a little warm too for summer hiking.

I don’t ever hike in pants during the summer (and often not in the late spring or early fall) so I can’t really say. For fall backpack hunts or spring snowshoeing, the Zion’s are wonderful.

[John B]

I have been wearing Railriders pants for the past 5-6 years and find them much more durable than REI sahara’s.

[Brad W]

OR Ferrosi pants I own have seen a ton of bushwhacking and other than snags and pilling here and there, have held up shockingly for how breathable they are.

[Bruce Tolley]

I used to wear Railriders or Arcteryx Gamma LTs.

I prefer stretch woven pants for comfort and breathability. I have recently switched to Kuiu Kutanas. They are spandex free and treated with DWR.  They are a bit pricey but if you wait, they come on sale or a $50 off coupon becomes available. They are on sale right now in fact.

[Tom M]

I will second Brad on the OR Ferrosi pants. I recently used them on a 350 mile bushwack in the Frank Church. No tears whatsoever in the material and my legs looked like they were attacked by a cheese grater. Lots of water crossings/swims and the material dried quickly and  I also like they come in lots of different sizes.

[Alex Wallace]

I too like the OR Ferrosi pants. Good fabric and fit. They seem plenty durable. I’ve scooched & shimmied down lots of granite and scree and the fabric looks fine.

I tried the Patagonia Quandry, but I didn’t care for the fit (a bit too tight around the thighs yet a bit baggy below the knee).

I recently picked up a pair of REI Trailmade pants, on-sale half off, and they fit pretty good and the fabric feels nice and light. They “feel” like they might be a tad cooler than the Ferrosi, but I haven’t had them out in warm/hot weather yet to confirm.

[bradmacmt]

You guys convinced me… just ordered a pair of Ferrosi’s from Moosejaw on sale. We’ll see.

[Brad W]

The only issue with the Ferrosi, which happens with all clothing, is they changed the sizing drastically. Older versions, pre 2022 or so were loose and a bit too baggy. I sized down in late 2022 and they were too small.

[bradmacmt]

The only issue with the Ferrosi, which happens with all clothing, is they changed the sizing drastically. Older versions, pre 2022 or so were loose and a bit too baggy. I sized down in late 2022 and they were too small.

Yeah, so much of this stuff is sewn off shore by the lowest bidder, there’s little QC. I had the opposite of your problem with the Ferrosi recently when OR changed their Echo T shirt (my favorite hiking shirt). I went from a Medium, to a Small in its latest iteration. At least they announced the garment was being changed, so often that’s not the case.

I will say however, in the case of most “Medium” garments today, they are more like a “Large” of the 1970’s and 80’s.

[jscott]

The REI pants mentioned in the original post are light, cool, and mosquito proof. And yes, I had a hole wear through one interior pocket that made it unusable for keys, etc. The thing is, they’re not very expensive. So they can be replaced after ~two seasons, depending on use. I imagine that that’s par for the course with most brands.

Oh wait, they’re also SPF 50 or such–plenty for my purposes.

I don’t do a lot of bushwhacking, so take that into account. I do hike in the Sierra, which can be hot. their light and cool aspect is important to me.

[Shane S.]

I use Patagonia Terrebonne Jogger Pants. Really dig them.

[Greg F]

Thanks everyone for the good suggestions for pants, and the suggestion of gaiters while using crampons (seems like a great idea).  I ended up buying a pair of the Quandarys at an outfitter in Bishop, while on a road trip from Sacramento to Havasu Falls AZ.  Being able to try them for size and fit was really nice.  I haven’t used them yet; I used my REI pants, and shorts for the Havasu Falls hike.

[Tom K]

Montane Terra pants.  Wore the same pair for over 10 years in the Sierra with lots of off trail and talus.  A little frayed at the cuffs, but otherwise intact.  Excellent for hot weather, with side zip thigh ventilation panels.  Hard to beat for long, hot ascents of Sierra East Side trails – Shepherd, Baxter, Sawmill, Taboose.  Done ’em all in that pair of Terras, and couldn’t be more satisfied.

[DWR D]

@Tom…. seems unlikely that any pant from 10 years ago would still be made with the same fabric in the same design. so.. IF that pant is still sold it may not have the same or equal properties to what you refer…

 

[bradmacmt]

https://us.montane.com/collections/mens-terra-pants-collection/products/montane-mens-terra-pants

[DWR D]

@bradmacmt…. sure, I found links to the current offering also… but how do you compare to what was sold under that name 10 years ago? How do you know it’s the same material? same design? by far, most things have changed in the past 10 years…

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