How to Choose Hiking Pants

Offering all-mountain performance, the women's Arc'teryx Gamma pants provide wind protection and climate control for active adventures, with a durable design that can hold up to rugged conditions.
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Imported.
View the Arc'teryx Gamma Product LineView all Arc'teryx Women's Hiking PantsBest Use | Hiking |
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Fabric | Recycled nylon double weave solid, 186 g/m2, warp-knit mesh |
Pants Rise | Mid |
Pant Fit | Slim |
Pant Leg Style | Straight |
Inseam (in.) | 29, 31, 34 inches |
Gender | Women's |
Weight | 10.6 ounces |
Sustainability | Contains materials that meet the bluesign® criteria Contains recycled materials |
XXS | XS | S | M | L | XL | XXL | XS Short | S Short | M Short | L Short | XS Tall | S Tall | M Tall | L Tall | XL Tall | 00 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 00 Short | 0 Short | 2 Short | 4 Short | 6 Short | 8 Short | 10 Short | 12 Short | 14 Short | 2 Tall | 4 Tall | 6 Tall | 8 Tall | 10 Tall | 12 Tall | 14 Tall | 16 Tall | |
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Numerical Size | 00 | 0-2 | 4-6 | 8-10 | 12-14 | 16-18 | 00 | 0-2 | 4-6 | 8-10 | 0-2 | 4-6 | 8-10 | 12-14 | 16-18 | 00 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 00 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | |
Chest | 30 | 32 | 34 | 36 | 39 | 43 | 47 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sleeve Length | 28.5 | 29.5 | 30.5 | 31.5 | 32 | 32.5 | 33.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Waist | 23.5 | 25.5 | 27.5 | 29.5 | 32.5 | 36.5 | 40.5 | 27 | 28.5 | 30.5 | 34 | 27 | 28.5 | 30.5 | 34 | 38 | 24 | 25 | 26.5 | 27.5 | 28.5 | 30 | 31 | 33 | 35 | 37 | 24 | 25 | 26.6 | 27.5 | 28.5 | 30 | 31 | 33 | 35 | 26.6 | 27.5 | 28.5 | 30 | 31 | 33 | 35 | 37 |
Hip | 33 | 35 | 37 | 39 | 42 | 46 | 50 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 43.5 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 43.5 | 47 | 33.5 | 34.5 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39.5 | 40.5 | 42.5 | 44.5 | 46.5 | 33.5 | 34.5 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39.5 | 40.5 | 42.5 | 44.5 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39.5 | 40.5 | 42.5 | 44.5 | 46.5 |
Inseam | 30.5 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31.5 | 32 | 32 | 28.5 | 29 | 29 | 29.5 | 33.5 | 34 | 34 | 34.5 | 35 | 30.5 | 30.5 | 30.5 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31.5 | 31.5 | 31.5 | 32 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 34 | 34 |
Measurements are stated in inches unless otherwise indicated.
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What made me squeal and makes these pants able to do no wrong is the "Low-profile ladder lock waist adjuster with offset buckle for a secure fit and comfort under a harness". I often wear kids pants just for the elastic/ button waist band they come with which over time loses stretch and that's that. This adjuster is of solid construction which once locked does not move and I'm able to tuck it in towards the front button (see picture). This is perfect as waist lines can change rather quickly with activity and cycles. With the adjuster on the side and the wide waistband, I did not have any rubbing or bunching in the back. This and the high waist, meant no dragging down and just the right length. The second thing I love is that the pockets all zip so I don't have to worry about things falling out while hiking (and my phone fits!), yet the zippers are very small with fine teeth that also do not scratch when I put my hands in my pockets. Lastly, the ankles cinch in, which may come in handy when climbing and to keep out debris moving across fields, and there are also small loops on the inside that might hook to hiking boots to keep out debris and the dreaded fall if an errant lace gets caught, but also would make it very easy to shorten the length of the pants more permanently if needed. The material of the pants has a nice, light stretch that will help climbing and doesn't seem to bag, but the pants also are not a slim fit on me leading to a little swooshing when walking down the street. If the legs were a bit better fit, these would be 5 stars. I will be trying a smaller size in the future, but overall they feel great and I really like the look which should make them great for town too!
I wore these pants while bouldering at a local indoor climbing gym. They did great. Very stretchy material, I felt that I had all the range is motion and flexibility to move in any direction necessary. They felt very light, hugged my hips for a secure wear, and durable material (given the rough surface of climbing walls). What I'm really looking forward to is using them for backpacking or hiking. I'm excited for the side (zip!) pockets. They come in really useful for holding immediate use items such as a phone or snacks. I noticed the sizes run just a bit smaller than other brands. I had a size 4, which I normally would wear but might have felt more comfortable in a 6. Even if the size 6 was a tad bigger than I wanted, these pants come with a built in belt, it would make it easy to adjust the fit. Love that.
The Arc’Teryx Gamma pants fit very true to size and are the perfect length. I love that the pants are breathable, yet they still repel moisture incredibly well. The only downside is no back pockets. There are side pockets and a leg pocket so that does mostly make up for it. The pants are very comfortable and fit nicely.
I had to try on several different versions of Gamma pants to settle on these. The fit was a challenge as the one size was great in the hips, but tight in the waist. I sized up to a 10 from my usual 8 and they are a bit baggy in the hips. I think the fabric will work well on a trip to Iceland and also for hiking, as it seems it would shed some water. These are a bit noisy, for sure, but I am hoping this won't be too much of a deterrent. I agree that the snap is shallow (another reason to avoid a tight waistband). The light "Rune" colour will be nice for summer travel and excursions into the mountains.
I really want to like these pants, but there’s a few things that really frustrate me about them. I wear them climbing, specifically in the alpine. I appreciate that they’re a bit more high waisted than the typical Arc’teryx pant, and I really like how the thighs fit a bit looser (fore example, the gamma SL in the same size make me feel like I’m squeezing into a sausage casing…it’s not good). My biggest qualm with these pants is the absolutely ridiculous snap button for the fly. It’s not a secure snap and constantly pops open when I’m making high steps or bending. Arc’teryx designers, PLEASE please please please put something to secure the fly to prevent this (either a proper button or a hook and eye closure). There’s no reason that an active pant should fail like this, especially when worn under a harness. Honestly, it drives me mental. Otherwise, a solid pant considering no one else actually makes a reasonable women’s pant for climbing. Just a couple suggestions: 1: It would be great if you could offer a high waisted option for those of us with high hips. 2: Can you please include the rise of your pants in your size guide? It would be incredibly helpful.
Hi there. Thanks for your thoughtful and detailed feedback on the Gamma Pant. We're glad to hear the fit through the thigh and higher rise work well for your alpine climbing needs. We understand how frustrating the fly snap issue must be—especially when you're active and relying on your gear to perform—and we’ve shared your comments with our design team for future consideration. Suggestions like adding rise details to the size guide and offering more fit options are truly helpful. Thank you again for taking the time to share your experience.
I LOVE the Gamma Pant I bought in 2023 and I wore them almost every day. They still look new. They had a clean look (thanks to the built in sinch hook belt thingie at the top of the pant - I'll get more into that later), they NEVER popped open, and they withstood hours of prairie tromping in rough grass, over barbed wire and so on. I give them 5 stars and they remain my favorite pants in my wardrobe. I loved the pants so much I bought 2 more pairs last fall (I'm wearing one of those pairs now). These are the pants I'm giving 2 stars because you took away the adjustable belt with the hook close that over the button. The pants from 2023 had a strong hook, which kept the pants closed and button buttoned when doing field stuff (squatting during field work whether it's to set up cameras or examine plants, etc.). This belt also went over the snap button at the top of the pant - which kept that snap button closed. The pants also had a cleaner look - great for post-fieldwork meetings and such. Finally - and perhaps critically, you could adjust the belt as your weight fluctuated throughout the month... that's a thing for women. The new pants are a flimsier snap close button which doesn't stay open when you have to twist or move a lot, and that button is getting weaker with every snap despite the fact that I've been losing weight and the pants are getting looser. (I'm actually two sizes smaller now and they always pop open when I bend over, kneel or get out of my chair). PLEASE bring back the hook close adjustable belt thingie in your next series. (I noticed the men's pants still have these and I guess I can buy the male version until the female version is updated. Thing is, females have more weight fluctuation so I'm surprised you removed them for women AND increased the price of the pants).
Hi there. Thanks for sharing your feedback on the Gamma Pant. We are sorry to hear that you are disappointed with the current version not featuring and external adjustable belt with a hook. We appreciate your detailed comments and we will make sure to pass them to our team.
Great pant! This is my first pair of gamma pants in a new years, and I really like this year's design. I will note that they are wider in the thigh/calf than I was expecting, which I like, AND is also aligned with the current baggy-leg women's pant trend. I feel like the older ones were more slim cut, so if that was what you liked the most, I'd maybe consider another pant.
The inseam description for these is very misleading. I’m 5’10 and ordered a 6T and the inseam is only 29.5 inches at best. The description says a tall would be 34 inches, but it references a 32T as the example. So maybe this got mixed up with the mens sizing? Either way, 29.5 is way too short for a tall size. Especially since the short size inseam is supposedly 29.
Hi Kari. Thanks for sharing your feedback on the Gamma Pant. We are sorry to hear that you are disappointed with the inseam length and that it did not suit your needs. We appreciate you bringing this into our attention and we will make sure to pass it to our team.
Me and my wife both really enjoyed wearing these pants in the past few months. We were wearing them for hiking or just as casual everyday wear, super comfortable and good looking. Can we have the Moonstone color please!!! I saw them on the official Arc'teryx website, but I really just want to buy them at REI. Get us more colors please, it's summer time! Thank you!
Really wanted to not love these pants due to the price BUT they are truly the best. The fit is immaculate for those with higher hip:waist ratios and the length is absolutely perfect. The quality is superb; I can’t find a single fault with them. For reference, my height is 5’2”, waist 30”, hips 44” and the size 12 Regular is perfect.