How to Choose Hiking Pants

These are the premier 3-season alpine pants from Outdoor Research. With a gusseted crotch, articulated knees and double-stretch weave, they're movement mirroring. An built-in belt offers a custom fit.
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Imported.
View all Outdoor Research Men's Hiking PantsBest Use | Hiking Climbing |
---|---|
Fabric | 88% nylon/12% spandex 90-denier stretch double weave (bluesign-approved material) |
Pants Rise | Mid |
Pant Fit | Standard |
Pant Leg Style | Straight |
Inseam (in.) | 31 inches |
Gender | Men's |
Weight | 13.6 ounces |
Sustainability | Product meets the bluesign® criteria |
XS | S | M | L | XL | XXL | XXXL | 28 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chest | 33.5 - 36 | 36 - 38.5 | 38.5 - 41.5 | 41.5 - 44.5 | 44.5 - 48 | 48 - 52 | 52 - 56 | |||||||||||
Sleeve Length | 31.5 | 32.5 | 33.5 | 34.5 | 35.5 | 36 | 36.5 | |||||||||||
Waist | 26.5 - 29 | 29 - 31.5 | 31.5 - 34.5 | 34.5 - 37.5 | 37.5 - 41.5 | 41.5 - 45.5 | 45.5 - 50 | 29.5 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 39 | 41 | 43 |
Hip | 32.5 - 35 | 35 - 37.5 | 37.5 - 40.5 | 40.5 - 43.5 | 43.5 - 46 | 46 - 49.5 | 49.5 - 53 | 35.5 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44.5 | 46 | 47.5 |
Inseam | 31.5 | 31.5 | 32 | 32.5 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
Measurements are stated in inches unless otherwise indicated.
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These pants have been an excellent addition to my outdoor gear. I use them for a wide range of activities, including climbing, mountaineering, and hiking, and they perform consistently well. They keep me warm, block wind effectively, and do a great job repelling moisture, making them ideal for various conditions. These pants are versatile, comfortable, and allow for great mobility, which is essential for the activities I do. My only critique is with durability. I noticed some wear starting to develop in the crotch area after only a few times wearing them. While this hasn’t impacted overall performance yet, it’s disappointing to see wear develop so quickly. I'm still hopeful they will last a fair amount of use. Despite this, the Cirque Lite Pants remain a favorite for their performance and versatility, and I would still recommend them to anyone looking for reliable softshell pants for demanding outdoor adventures!
Horrible durability. I bought these and climbed in them for ONE weekend and they piled so horribly that they now look trashed. Too bad OR didn’t do their material homework on these, otherwise they’d be good.
The first pair that I had was the last seasons model of these, after ~8-10 days of consecutive use(mostly standing around) the seam at the crotch split and had to be repaired in the field. The second pair (current seasons model) which I received as a warranty replacement for the first have been worn around the house maybe a total of 3 non-consecutive days and the crotch panels are already piling from the minimal friction of walking from the kitchen to the bedroom. Obviously these are made of a lighter denier than the Cirque pant, as they are the lite version, but I expect at least a seasons use of durability from such an item at a minimum.
Just what I need for warmer days out touring. Nice and stretchy, not too warm, and they fit over my boots.
Got this pant for winter approaches and climbing. It's well constructed, stylish and mostly true to size. Where it can improve is fit - specially the cut around the butt area. You can see from promo pics it's pretty tight if you have any glutes. I would also say these could use a touch heavier fabric, with the high wear areas using the cordura fabric found in the ferossi crux. Lastly the integrated belt is great though the buckle is cheap plastic - would replace w something tougher or better yet - use side Velcro straps like you see in mtn biking shorts. Looking forward to thrashing these pants and updating this review in a few months.
I've tested these pants out on many adventures and have quickly become a favorite of mine. While they are they are comfortable they are also rugged. I've used them for hiking mostly and have been very surprised how well they have taken to the elements so far. Whether it be on a muddy trail or thick brush these have held up nicely. They have great wind resistance and kept me warm on days with strong and cool spring winds. If I would have one complaint it would be the belt as it feels pretty cheap. Either just normal belt loops or something a little more heavy duty would be preferred. But again grasping straws.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The hybrid between the durability of the Criques and lighter weight of the Ferrosi pants is a great idea, and it's quite well executed in the Cirque Lite pants. I love these for big days where I'm going to be dealing with some hot sloggy bits at lower altitudes, but will also need some durability and protection from crampons up higher. The zipper at the lower leg lets you select breathability or closed positions that are super well thought out. My only critique is that the sizing was quite different from other OR pants I own - I'm a medium in both the Ferrosi pants from two years back, my Cirque pants from 5 years back, but VERY much not a medium in these, but rather a small.
I'm 6'1" and 230 lbs, and a Large fits perfectly. I wear these for SAR ops and training, and one of my favorite features is the elastic cuffs. They're not too tight, but they go over my boots and reduce the need for gaiters. When I do wear gaiters, they eliminate excess fabric bunched up inside. Also, there are two buttons on the waist that increase/decrease the size by an inch. I use one for normal wear and the other to expand them a bit when I have long underwear as a base layer. The fabric is stretchy and water-resistant, and fits close but not tight. Pretty much the perfect pants for anything outdoor.
I bought these pants for ski touring, mountaineering, and backpacking and I have been nothing but impressed. The material is strong but still breathable and it repels water well. On a recent trip to Peru they kept me warm but also cool during the day. I am very impressed by how well these pants maintain a good temperature. This has quickly become one of my favorite pairs of pants. I am 5’11” 150lbs and a medium fits me great.
If you need pants that can handle hikes and climates from the desert to the glacier, these are it. The wind/water resistance helps them handle any hike where you don't need warming layers, and the brilliant vents behind the knees help keep you cool. The reinforcements at the ankle for crampons are an excellent touch, as well. I'm 5'7", 165# with a very athletic build. Usually wear 32/30 or M, but after a few reviews mentioned that they run big, I went with Small and they fit perfect. I've got large thighs so they're slightly slim, but my wife doesn't seem to mind and the length is just right.