Hiking Pants state of the market in 2019

Still hoping Montbell brings back the original Sunnyside pants.  Bought three pair in ‘06 and the last pair are almost done. Baggy, cool, simple, gusseted crotch and no ridiculous amount of pockets. Don’t wrinkle either.

Glad to read that someone likes the Tiburon pants. I’ve considered them since I’ve got the shirt and it is really breathable which is a good thing since It would not feel good against the skin. Works great with something like a cap t-shirt or that really open weave new Mt. Hardwear lite t. so should be great as well with some cap daily boxers or something similar. The fabric knit is patterned with regular holes all over. Pretty pricey though. But I don’t regret one cent paid for the shirt. I did order up a size since the shirt appeared to be pretty form fitting and glad I did. Keeps the sun off and you can feel the breeze coming right through.

Kuiu came out with their first pair of nylon pants—the Katanas. They are, I think, the current best hiking pant on the market. They’re 100% nylon with 2-way mechanical stretch, fairly light, somewhat slim cut, with long hip vents for dumping heat.

They’re really, really fantastic.

Sorry for the necro-bump, but curious if there are any new thoughts/products out there in this area?

I’ve been using OR Ferrosi (34×34, 10 oz) and they are great – stretchy, light, very breathable. But when it gets into the upper 80’s/90’s with high humidity, I sometimes wish they had a mesh panel for extra airflow. I was out last weekend on an overnighter and could literally feel the sweat running down my legs.

I tried the RR. I could deal with just baggy/ugly, but the fit was a functional no-go. While the waist and leg length were sort of ok, the way the crotch is sewn it would jam up with any kind of big steps. So it was a weird combination of baggy and yet restrictive. Just not a match for my shape, and if I went up another size I’d be swimming in them.

I saw someone’s comment about the ExOfficio Sandfly – they look interesting. But then another user compared them to the ferrosi and said they were much less breathable for the non-mesh fabric. So that doesn’t sound like an overall benefit.

I’m halfway tempted to just mod the Ferrosi to add a mesh panel. Maybe if that seam starts to go that could give it a second life.

Oh, and since some folks asked about the waist on the Ferrosi – it does run large compared to the thigh size and the stated width. You should probably order a size down. (I fit in the 33×34 ferrosi’s fine too without it being restrictive.) The material is also very stretchy, so over a long hike/trip they will loosen up compared to where they start.

I have been using Columbia Silver Ridge Zip-Off pants for years including for my AT thru-hike. The non stretch version. One of the lightest weight zip-off pants out there but they make non zip-off also. You might give them a try.

I avoid tights because stretchy spandex is heavy but also because of other people have asked me to. :)

Jeff

+1 to the Kuiu Tiburon.

I do have have lighter pants, but none of them fit as comfortably (they aren’t baggy), breathe as well, or even come close their durability. Whenever a head out, I always pick them first. And because they fit so well, I hang them with my slacks & khakis so I can wear them in the office or to job sites.

They are pricey but you get what you pay for.

Ah, I forgot to mention I did try the Silver Ridge. The waist/thigh proportions on those didn’t work for me. Like the RR, they jammed up in the crotch with big steps. They were nice and light though. Thanks for the suggestion though!

Getting too hot in the crotch area (and the subsequent intensely painful chafing) with long hiking pants is my nemesis. I have tried the 3/4 length OR ferrosi pants. Still too hot, then, Arc teryx Lefroy pants. Breathable fabric, yes, sort of, if there’s a breeze, but, still too hot. I just ordered a pair of the Ex Officio pants with the vents (Sandfly) and I’m hoping they be o.k.

The Tiburon’s look interesting – thanks! Out of curiosity, is anyone else using the Toray Dot Air fabric? If it works as advertised it seems like a natural choice for hot weather hiking/backpacking.

I have some Tiburon pants and was not happy with the fabric durability. It quickly developed a fuzzy nap and I’ve already torn a few holes hiking through brush. The fabric is airy and comfy but they should have mixed some higher denier fibers in there. If you are a trail hiker they may work fine, but off trail don’t expect them to last.

For those who have access to more than one of the pants mentioned in this thread, I’d love to see an attempt at comparison of fabric breathability. Seal fabric over mouth, breath through, then compare. Obviously there’s a lot more to comparing pants (fit, mesh panels, stretch, wear, looks(?) etc.), but breathability is a data point I’d love to compare.

To kick things off: OR Ferrosi > RR Zion > ExOfficio Sandfly.

That’s what I like best about the combo I recommended earlier; the breathability.  There is almost no resistance to either in drawn or out blowing breath.

The only thing I like less breathable pants for, is cooler weather or insects.  But imo, the latter’s conditions is what a very light pair of wind pants are for, and only really necessary when stopped.

Obviously the nylon gym shorts will not hold up well to serious off trail, bushwhacking type hiking.  Very easy to snag.  The dyneema sleeves will snag some too (less so), but the material  is so ridiculously strong and tough it doesn’t matter that much.  In fact, for people doing real serious and intense bushwacking like Roger has described before, I would wear the dyneema sleeves over a pair of more traditional nylon hiking pants for maximum pant and skin protection.

Btw, are we just staying in 2019 until 2021 and skipping 2020 because 2020 has sucked so badly?

I bought a pair of sandfly pants last week. The fabric is not very air permeable. If you put your mouth to the fabric and try to blow through the fabric there is a lot of resistance. Compared to Arcteryx Lefroy pants it is way less air permeable. But, the sandfly’s have the mesh vents than run along the inside. I haven’t tried them yet on the trail.

I’ve been using the Ex Officio Sandfly pants for a few years now. While not as breathable as others, I like that it comes with permethrin baked in. My favorite (and only, pretty much) 3-season pant.

So, I’m a bit late to the party on this thread but I love the fit and feel of my Stretch Zion pants, but they’re heavy.  I’m a short dude and mine are 13.5 oz.  Bigger dudes will be wearing some heavy pants!  That said, I stumbled across some old (but apparently never worn) Backpacking Light Pertex pants that are just crazy light!  Mine weigh a scant 3.6 oz. for the pair!  That’s almost 10 oz. lighter than my Zions!  The cut is a bit tight in the torso area but on the trail I totally didn’t notice it.  They are admittedly thin and maybe a bit fragile in comparison to the Zions but they are stupid light.

Yeah. Stretch Zion’s are my go-to pants.

Since this thread has received some CPR, an update on the pants.

I ended up buying the pants from the link below.  They’re wonderful in every way with the exception that they don’t have belt loops and the built in belt system doesn’t do a particularly good job of staying cinched down when I’m hiking.  I find myself hitching them up and cinching the built in belt down at least 2-3 times per hour.

I like them enough that I’ll eventually have some belt loops sewn on.

https://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-rps-rock-climbing-pants/83071.html

To add, I did some pretty serious bushwhacking in them last summer.  No issues with snags or tears.

“I like them enough that I’ll eventually have some belt loops sewn on.”

You could just staple them to your hips before a trip….

I’ll likely staple the GoPro to me next time as well.  I imagine someone will enjoy the rattlesnake footage whenever it is found.

I have tried many hiking pants over the last decade but I still use my REI Sahara pants from over 10 years ago.  I find them durable and breathable enough, they have a built in belt and they have a CROTCH GUSSET which is one of the best things ever made.  You can buy them use don eBay for $20-$30 shipped.  They should be the ones with the tag the same color as the pants, a black and white REI logo on the left side, Three lines of text in the middle with a Made in China in the middle and then the size over the length.

My favs have always been the Arcteryx Ramparts first generation before they got thicker and heavier.

For breathability, I’d take a look at either the RailRiders EcoMesh or Bone Flats pant.

https://www.railriders.com/men-eco-mesh-pant-with-insect-shield-p-837.html?cPath=104_110

https://www.railriders.com/men-outdoor-clothing-pants-c-104_110.html

I’ve been very impressed with the BD Traverse pants this summer.  The fabric is fantastic, tough and very fast drying.  Not massively breathable but light enough that I find them wearable in summer heat.  Skeeter proof, and the face doesn’t hold burrs!  The crotch and waist patterning is excellent, though the rise is slightly on the long side.  Has a non-stretch integral belt with metal hook adjustment, which works well with a heavy pack.

The pockets are a bit silly, with the thigh ones a hair low, but given how good the fabric is I can tolerate that.