Hiking pants recommendation

[Scott Smith]

Looking for some protection for my legs whilst backpacking..Ideally, super light, dries quickly when when wet. And. ..cool ( or breaths we’ll )

 

Thanks !

[Bob Shuff]

OR Ferrosi and Railrider Eco Mesh have been my favorites.  I’m curious about the Fjallraven Abisko Lite Trekking trousers, but haven’t convinced myself to pay the $.

[Brad W]

Ferrosi all day everyday.

[Link .]

I sent you a PM

[Gumbo]

Ferrosi

[Scott F.]

Patagonia Terrebonne Joggers

[Miner]

Railrider Eco Mesh have been my goto hiking pants in warm weather since 2008.  Unzipping the side mesh panels really helps keep you legs cool as the motion of hiking tends to pull air around your legs through them.   Years ago, when I hiked the PCT, I wore them from the Mexican border to Washington in September when I finally switched them out for something warmer.  I never felt a strong need to switch to shorts.

[Brad Rogers]

It sounds like you are looking for the Railriders Echo Mesh Pants – like Miner and Bob, I have had great experiences using the Eco Mesh and they’ve been my go to 3-season hiking pants since 2011.  The zippered vents on the side let you vent when it’s hot, or keep them sealed up when it’s cooler.  The fit is almost comically baggy and some people can’t get over that, but I think it’s really part of the reason they work so well, they sort of act as a bellows as you walk pushing hot air out and letting cooler air in.  It’s no secrete that loosing fitting clothes are cooler than tight fitting clothing, and the Eco Mech certainly fit that bill.  I think they were originally designed for an adventure race/ultra marathon across the Sahara desert, where the user needed something as cool as shorts that offered sun protection.

You wont be winning any fashion contests with them but I really think they’re the best hot weather hiking pants out there.

[Paul S]

I wish outdoor clothing designers would put the vents closer to where they are most needed- the crotch. Cause that’s where it gets hottest, and can cause chafing (extremely painful)!

[Thom]

Patagonia Terrebonne Joggers . 2 of me can fit in rail riders .

thom

[Paul Hatfield]

I have skinny legs, but oddly the Patagonia Terrebone Joggers feel tight in the knees. Also the cut in the rump is very unattractive on me. They are very light weight, and the main fabric contains no elastane to slow down drying. But they are polyester and don’t seem to have an anti-odour treatment, so they could be more likely to pick up an odour than nylon.

The 94% Nylon, 6% Elastane fabric that Mountain Hardware uses in its Dynama pants for women is extremely breathable. I think their range of mens pants that use the same fabric is called the Basin.

[Phong D]

I asked this question a while back, and I went with the Patagonia Terrebonne Joggers.  I think they are lighter/thinner then many of the others.  Others have confirmed that even though they are so thin, they handle the sitting on rocky sandy ground well.  I have also confirmed this with use.  The pockets are a bit slippy, and I plan an sewing on a loop since I have my phone on a lanyard and my thin wallet is fine in the zippered back pocket.

[Zack Freije]

I have an older pair of the Ferrosi pants. I’m trying to decide if I want to buy a newer version which has one less zip pocket in the back, but the side pocket looks better. My main concern is if they are super baggy in the calf area which is not my preference.

For another point of reference, I have a pair of Free Fly Latitude Pants which are roughly the same overall look but are slightly more transit style with a slimmer calf area, but a little less durable.

Ferrosi Pants:

Cons:

• Front pockets are tiny – can’t fit a phone in there without it sticking out
• Leg pocket is too far down to be useful
• baggy in the calf area

Pros:

• Lightweight, breathable, water and stain resistant, stretchy, not hot
• Has the elastic cord in the ankle to make them into shorts if you like

 

[baja bob]

I think the Ferrosi Transit has a tapered leg.

[Brad W]

I hate the new Ferrosis cut. This vanity sizing stuff needs to end. My older-double zippered rear pockets-are fine-albeit a little baggy, but I size down. The front pocket hold my 14 Pro Max iPhone perfectly.

[Paul Hatfield]

I don’t know what transit-style is.

I really like the Mountain Hardwear Basin Trek Pant which I have recently got. They are cut like normal pants. Size 33 weighs 274 g. The fabric is 94% nylon, 6% elastane, UPF 50. The actual inseam 31″.

I also tried the Mountain Hardwear Basin Pull-on Pant, but I didn’t like the cut of them in the rear. They were too baggy in back, similar to the Patagonia Terrebone Joggers.

Mountain Hardwear also makes other models of men’s pants, but I haven’t tried them. I think their Stryder Pant (which is might be discontinued) is 100% nylon, but breathability is near zero.

[David D]

When did the Ferrosi cut change?  Mine are 2 to 3 years old, work great from freezing to upper 20 sC, iPhone 11 never at risk on front pocket even over technical stuff and the right zipper front pocket is perfect for my glasses.

[Zack Freije]

I just ordered a new pair of Ferrosi. When they arrive, I’ll look up my prior purchase date, and compare weight, cut, function.

[David D]

Thanks Zack

[Brad W]

@David, if you have double zippered rear pockets and no string running through the waist band, you have the older-better IMO version.

[David D]

@Brad W the new ones then (thanks).

I go for the early 2000’s hip hop style with my hiking garb (joking, kinda, but oversized) so these work great for me.

[Author]

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