The 13 Best Hiking Pants of 2026: Staff Picks

Not every adventure begins on the trail. Sometimes it starts with a coffee run, a day at the office or a long drive before you lace up your boots—and KUHL understands that you might want a one-and-done pant for days like those. When you're transitioning between outings over the course of a busy day, the Renegade Recon Klassik pants offer the best of both worlds: simple, everyday style combined with the toughness and performance you need when you hit the dirt.

Like the rest of the Renegade line, the Recon Klassik’s soft-shell fabric has a buttery, cottonlike feel and two-way stretch, so you can move easily over just about any kind of ground. Its clean, tapered silhouette is a little roomier across the hips and thighs than other Renegades for a slightly more relaxed version of a standard fit. An elastic waistband and gusseted crotch help these pants stay comfortable all day, whether you're climbing over rocks or driving home. “Great for lounging at home, normal daily use and also for hiking as it's lightweight and dries quickly,” says Kai Salus, who works in the REI sales and customer service department. “My favorite detail of all KUHL pants is the little pocket that I can slip my phone into. It makes for less bulk in the front pockets.”

The durable water repellent (DWR) finish helps shed light rain, while UPF 50 sun protection and quick-drying fabric keep you comfortable as the weather changes. Six thoughtfully placed pockets—including two drop-in rear thigh pockets large enough to stash a cellphone into and one zippered security pocket for an ID and cash or a credit card—are a main draw, whether you’re stashing snacks for after a long meeting or to share at the summit. Other versions: Shop the full KUHL Renegade collection.

Some hiking pants feel stiff and technical right off the rack, but the Haven pants from KUHL are different: They’re exceptionally soft against your skin and impressively breathable while still offering the durability and stretch you need for long, active days inside or out.

The pull-on waistband with an external drawcord makes it easy to dial in the fit, while adjustable hems fit easily over hiking boots to keep out rocks and twigs when the trail gets rough. "I bought this pant in three colors, and the fit is fantastic," says one REI customer-reviewer from southern California. "The fabric is light and quick-drying with just enough give, and the cut is figure-flattering. They don't look like the average schlumpy hiking pants.” The Haven’s trail-to-town style means they’re ready for a day at the office and a lunchtime hike—no need to pack a spare pair. And the breathable fabric helps keep you feeling and looking fresh, even on warm days. Zippered front and rear pockets offer lots of protected storage while maintaining a sleek profile, and the KUHL classic drop-in cellphone pocket is a forever favorite feature.

Many reviews mention the Haven pants’ longer inseam, making them a great choice for hikers who need extra length. Roll up and cinch them when you want a shorter drape or face a water crossing. They’ve got you covered from the sun, too: The blended plant-based, nylon and spandex fabric features a UPF 50+ rating for UV protection all day.

Small details can make a big difference when you’re out on the trail. That’s why The North Face added features like roll-up hems with snap tabs on its new Exploration hiking pants series, so you can cool off on warm days, cross shallow streams or simply adjust the length for a better fit.

The 93% recycled nylon fabric stretches as you move, with mobility-enhancing darts at the knees for better articulation (read: nimbler scrambles on tough terrain). One Arizona-based customer loves the men’s flattering fit—snug but not constricting in the waist, relaxed at the thigh with stylishly tapered hems—and lighter weight for hot Phoenix days: The men’s tapered Exploration weighs less than 12 ounces and the women’s weighs less than 10 ounces. Durable water repellent (DWR) finish helps keep moisture at bay, and thoughtfully placed pockets keep your essentials at hand. Both women’s and men’s versions feature a zippered thigh pocket that doesn’t add bulk but boosts storage and security: It’s big enough to stash an energy bar or a headlamp, so consider it your “just in case” pocket. The Exploration’s modern cuts and neutral colorways help them blend right in off-trail, too: These may quickly become your favorite pair to wear from work straight to the woods.

Whether you're heading out for a quick day hike or covering long, hot miles on your favorite trail, these pants balance comfort, mobility and everyday versatility. Other versions: Available with low-profile cargo pockets in men’s.

When you’ve got miles to go before you sleep, you want clothes that can keep up with you, and the Ferrosi pants from Outdoor Research will quickly become your favorite trailmate for multiday adventures and hikes to climb. There’s a good reason the Ferrosi line has been going strong since 2009, and the thoughtful details are what put these pants at the top of our backpacking kit list. They’re designed for maximum packability and comfort, with a climber-friendly profile that moves with you in any direction—even up.

These pants balance weight, durability and stretch thanks to a blend of lightweight, 90-denier ripstop nylon and 14% spandex. That means you can high step your way across boulder fields or navigate steep scrambles without busting a seam, tearing a pant leg, or looking like you’ve been chewed up and spit out by your latest alpine adventure. The sun-protective, wind- and water-resistant material also stands up to stains and light snags—you know, in case you fall into the brush. “I want to live in these,” says a customer-reviewer from California who bought four pairs. “The fabric is soft and super light, stretch is awesome, abrasion resistance is very good (hiking through—and falling in—heavy overgrown shrubs yielded no snags or abrasions whatsoever).” The Ferrosi are go-to long-mile hikers for Kai Salus from the REI sales and customer service department. (He reaches for his KUHL Renegades for tougher trail conditions, though.)

A harness-compatible full-coverage waist (adjustable with an internal drawcord) saves you climb time, and drawstring hems let you quickly roll or cinch up at the lower leg. And, of course, pockets for days: two drop-in hand pockets and back patch pockets hold your on-trail necessities like snacks or a smartphone, while secure zippered thigh and back pockets are more easily accessible when harnessed up. Other versions: Shop the Outdoor Reasearch Ferrosi collection.

Some adventures keep going even after you reach the water—and some begin there. The guide-inspired Topogrid pants from Free Fly were designed with anglers in mind, but they’ll also be your go-to for hikes that follow remote streams and end at waterfalls, as well as when you’re waiting for your next catch.

Naturally, being water-ready means lightweight, quick-drying fabric, with a durable water repellent (DWR) finish in case you get splashed or rained on. Two-way stretch makes bending, squatting, climbing and scrambling easier, and UPF 50+ protection means less sunscreen to apply (and reapply) after getting wet or sweating.

These pants have plenty of space for your trail and fishing essentials without extra bulk thanks to a hidden cargo pocket, a zippered back pocket, and an inside pocket for a knife or multitool. While they might not be the pants you wear from the office to the dock, they’re lightweight enough to pack as a quick change of clothes after work or for a weekend away by the lake.

Whether you’re logging miles in a national park or laps around the terminal in the airport on the way there, the Terravia Trail pants from Patagonia are built for the entire journey. Their slim fit, lightweight feel and extra-secure pockets transition easily from long flights to outdoor adventures.

"Ever since I lost my phone on an overnight bus in Peru some years ago, I've been obsessed with having zippers on my pants pockets," says one customer-reviewer from Oregon who loves the deep, secure storage in the Terravia. "These pants have three front zippered pockets! No problem keeping your phone, wallet, passport, car keys safe with these pants!"

Their mostly recycled, ultra-breathable recycled polyester stretches as you move and dries quickly, with an added durable water repellent (DWR) finish to protect from drizzly days. Designed to quickly dump heat, this fabric will come in handy when stepping off the temperature-controlled plane into muggy or hot weather. The boot-friendly leg opening fits comfortably over most hiking footwear, but they’re drawstring cinchable if you want a higher cut, extra ventilation or encounter a water crossing. Reviewers love that they can pass their Terravias off as slacks, making it easier to sneak out after a meeting to check out the nearest trailhead. Other versions: Available as trail shorts in women’s and men’s.

When you're looking for versatility and comfort on warm-weather hikes, zip-off convertible pants are hard to beat. Because they transition from pants to shorts easily, they're great for days that start cool and warm up with the sun; for hikes that vary in intensity level; when your hike has major elevation gain; and for water crossings. Since 1995, the iconic Sahara Convertible Pants have been a best-seller for REI Co-op and are the pinnacle of pants-to-shorts innovation, with more than a thousand 5-star reviews on REI.com to date. The latest version is even easier to zip off without removing your shoes and has color-coded zippers to guide you in reattaching the right and left legs.

“After working at REI for four-plus years, I finally got a pair of convertible Saharas,” says Expert Advice hike editor Ever Meister. “All that time I thought, ‘These will absolutely make me look outdoorky,’ so I was shocked to try them on and realize they are actually really flattering both long and short. I’ll admit that I even wear them indoors sometimes.”

The Sahara’s lightweight nylon and spandex fabric helps keep you cool in hot temps and has a DWR coating to keep the rain off. (The pants dry quickly if they get drenched). Like the rest of the REI Co-op Sahara collection, the convertible pants feature UPF 50+ rated material to keep harmful UV rays at bay. The men's Sahara Convertible Pants feature front hand pockets, back pockets and two cargo pockets, one of which is zippered. The women's Sahara Convertible Pants have spacious, patch hand pockets, back pockets and a zippered right-side thigh pocket for extra storage without the bulkiness of cargo. (This pocket is only useful when they are worn as full-length pants.) The trousers are lightweight but durable and pack down to a stuffable size, making them ideal for traveling as well as for shoulder-season hiking. Other versions: Shop the REI Co-op Sahara collection.

If you want a pair of technical outdoor pants that don’t look technical, the barrel-cut Trailmade pants from REI Co-op have a modern, relaxed silhouette that offers everyday style on the trail (or off) without sacrificing performance you need for long hikes.

As with the rest of the quality-meets-value Trailmade collection, the barrel pants’ lightweight nylon-spandex fabric moves with you and dries fast for all-day and all-terrain adventure. The higher-rise waist with built-in, adjustable webbing helps secure a comfortable, flattering fit, and deep hand pockets and a zippered thigh pocket make it easy to keep your phone, headlamp and other essentials close by.

The Trailmade line is thoughtfully designed thanks to feedback from a wide range of REI Co-op Members and partners, which inspired the updated styles and extended fit from sizes XS to 3XL. “As a 5-foot-2-inch, apple-shaped person who struggles with too-long pants legs, too-small pockets and unflattering rises in most women’s clothing, the whole Trailmade collection has been a game changer,” says REI hike editor Ever Meister. “The petite-cut barrel pants land where I like, just above the ankle, they rest perfectly just above my hips and I feel like I could store my whole life in the pockets.” Another favorite detail? The discreet sunglasses loop at top left that helps you quickly stash your shades when you need to quickly focus your binoculars before that lifer flies away. Other versions: Shop the REI Co-op Trailmade collection.

The longtime best-selling Stretch Zion collection from prAna just got a fresh edition update with the Stretch Zion Cargo Pants in women’s and men’s—the line’s first with a more relaxed fit.

While they look like they’re made for chilling out, they’re also designed to work. Lightweight, flexible recycled nylon fabric dries quickly and wicks moisture, with the classic Zion stretch that helps you move easily through any outing.

Rain and sun are little match for them, too: The Stretch Zion Cargo pants are rated UPF 50+ and feature a durable water repellent (DWR) to resist light precipitation. Some reviewers mention that the fabric pill up after washing or rough use, so they may be better suited to trips where you’re staying on wider, clearer trails, or just hanging around camp. Roomy, zippered cargo pockets plus a sneaky zippered hip pocket hold all your trail essentials (and nonessentials that you want to bring anyway).

“I wear the Stretch Zion Pants daily,” says REI merchandising planning assistant Kenny Duong. “Great for climbing, backpacking or daily wear. I can wear this pant for roughly three to five days straight and not worry about changing it.” The women’s pants cinch at the bottom hem for protection from dirt or bugs, or simply for style. Other versions: Shop the prAna Stretch Zion collection.

Don’t know where the day might take you? The South Saddle Peak Pants from Columbia are along for the ride anyway with their street-ready profile and performance-focused details. The modern, relaxed fit starts at a flattering, flat-front mid rise waist and flows into a versatile wide leg that can be cinched and tied at the hem for more of a balloon-pant look. (Some reviewers wish the hem used a drawstring closure instead of a tie, but others like the tactile feel of the lace.) “Love these pants. Perfect fit and tall-girl friendly,” says one REI customer-reviewer in Florida.

Elastic around the back and an integrated daisy-chain style belt helps dial in the fit without buckles or snaps. Generous hand, cargo and zippered security pockets hold the stuff that you don’t want to, so your hands can be free to carry an iced latte or a camera. Proprietary Columbia water-resistance tech means the pants repel stains and moisture—which bead up rather than absorb into the fabric—and dry absurdly quickly. Articulated knees and two-way stretch boost the roomy legs’ ability to move with you. Wear them with a spontaneous spirit: They’ll transition straight from the coffee shop to the local park with ease any time the mood strikes.

Trekking is hard work, so having a rugged pant that can keep up is a must. For those moving fast or in hot weather, a sleek legging may be preferable. Those may sound like two different pairs of pants, but in a pair of Abisko Tights from Fjallraven, you don't have to sacrifice comfort for durability. These light but hard-wearing tights have reinforcements where you need them most: the bum and the knees. "I love the reinforced coverage on the seat—I feel like I can plop down anywhere without worrying about the fabric thinning or staining," says one REI customer-reviewer after nearly a year of use. Read more: Hiking in Leggings and Yoga Pants  

The durable, double-knitted recycled-polyester stretch fabric wicks away moisture, and a nonfluorinated durable water-resistant (DWR) finish keeps you dry rain or shine. A comfortable waistband with an inside drawcord offers comfort, adjustability and easy movement. Two generous leg pockets—one zippered and one with an envelope closure—keep items accessible and secure whether you're scrambling over rocks or sitting by the campfire at the end of the day. Other versions: Shop the full Abisko collection.

Anyone who's been caught outdoors in a complete downpour knows the benefit of fully waterproof hiking pants. Enter the highly technical XeroCloud 3L rain pants from REI Co-op, which feature a 3-layer HydroWall soft-shell fabric that’s water- and windproof, highly breathable and stretches when you do on the trail. That breathable membrane means you won’t get that same crunchy plastic feel as you might with some rain pants. A gusseted crotch and articulated knees help boost your ability to scramble up or climb down with ease. Your bottom half stays super dry thanks to a nonfluorinated durable water repellent (DWR) coating on the recycled nylon/polyester face, and a lightweight, soft jersey backer means happy skin if you go without an underlayer or pull these over shorts. (Add a XeroCloud 3L rain jacket for full-body coverage.)   

The fully elastic waistband comes with a drawcord for adjustability, and ankle zippers do double duty, offering quick ventilation as well as making it easy to pull these pants on or off over boots. Two zippered hand pockets are generously sized without being bulky, and you can stuff the pants into their own left pocket, which means you’ll never be caught unprepared in bad weather. Like most REI Co-op apparel, these technical pants come in a range of sizes, including short and tall sizes and from XS to 3X.