Hiking is an activity that men do almost all year round. And so quality hiking pant companies make pants suitable for the various seasons. This article focuses on men’s hiking pants designed for the warmer parts of spring and fall.
If you are looking for men’s hiking pants to wear in either the heat of the summer or during colder times of the year, I would recommend still clicking on the links to the various company websites I link to in this article. They will also have similar quality hiking pants for different times of year. See also my article “Top 5 Highest Quality Men’s Convertible Hiking Pants 2024!”
The qualities you want to look for when searching for high-quality hiking pants are the following:
- Tough wear-and-tear-resistant material
- Durable zippers, buttons/snaps, and hem drawcords (if they have them).
- Designed for the temperatures you will be hiking in
- Breathable fabrics and/or ventilation
- For moist weather hikes, waterproofing or water resistance helps.
- A fit that you like
As you go through each hiking pants in my list below, remember I don’t list them in any particular order. These are all super high-quality men’s hiking pants. You will want to look through each and select the ones that best fit your needs based on the pros and cons of each. Alright, let’s get into it!
1. Kuhl’s “The Radikl Outsider” Men’s Hiking Pants
Kuhl’s “The Radikl Outsider” Men’s Hiking Pants are among the priciest pants on this list. At the time of the writing of this article, they are $199, whereas the rest of the pants on this list range between $85 and $199. However, these are some high-quality hiking pants.
These pants are made from what Kuhl calls their Dynawax™ ripstop fabric. Obviously, their word ripstop means tear-resistant. The main body of the pants is made from a cotton, polyester, and nylon blend. This gives you the comfort and breathability of the cotton. The fabric is wax-coated, making it wind and water-resistant (not waterproof).
The Radikl Outsider Men’s Hiking Pants have a UPF rating of 50+. Men’s Health Magazine awarded these pants as their “Best New Performance Trail Pant” for their 2023 outdoor awards. These pants also have large zippered thigh vents and adjustable bottom cuffs.
Pros
- Wind/Water Resistant: The cotton, polyester, and nylon blend is wax-coated.
- Tough, durable Fabric: Their Dynawax™ ripstop fabric is tear-resistant.
- Comfortable: This cotton blend has comfort similar to pure cotton.
- Breathable: The cotton in this fabric makes it breathable.
Cons
- Price: Higher-quality pants tend to cost more than lesser-quality ones.
2. Arc’teryx Gamma Men’s Hiking Pants
Arc’teryx’s Gamma Men’s Hiking Pants are another $199 pair of hiking pants (at the time of the writing of this article). And like Kuhl’s pair above, Arc’teryx’s Gamma Hiking Pants have some excellent features. And they are very high-quality.
These pants were designed for mountain climbing. The fabric is durable and tear-resistant. It has a burly double weave made of 46% nylon, 46% polyester, and 8% elastane. So, it is tough while still being soft and comfortable next to the skin.
The elastane in the blend gives the fabric a bit of stretchiness while having superior abrasion resistance. The fabric is fully machine washable. Its four-way weave is also very breathable and wind and water-resistant (not waterproof). The pant has no thigh or calf ventilation, but it has adjustable bottom cuffs.
Pros
- Wind/Water Resistant: The 46% nylon, 46% polyester, and 8% elastane blend is wind and water-resistant (not waterproof).
- Tough, durable Fabric: The 46% nylon, 46% polyester, and 8% elastane blend is tear-resistant.
- Comfortable: The inner side of this fabric is soft next to the skin.
- Breathable: The four-way weave makes it breathable.
Cons
- Price: Higher-quality pants tend to cost more than lesser-quality ones.
3. Prana Stretch Zion 2 Men’s Hiking Pants
Prana’s Stretch Zion 2 Men’s Hiking Pants is about half the price ($95) of the first two pants on this list as of the writing of this article. The fabric is a 95% recycled nylon, 5% elastane blend. Again, the elastane gives the fabric some stretchiness.
These pants are machine washable. They wear well but are not tare-resistant like the previous two pants on this list. These pants are somewhat breathable but not on the level of the previous two pants in this list.
The Prana Stretch Zion 2 pants’ design, makes them very comfortable to wear and look classy. They have mesh-lined pockets and an adjustable webbing waistband. They also have a left-thigh zipper cargo pocket with double entry and a concealed zipper coin pocket with an elastic key loop. They do have a ventilated inseam gusset as well.
Pros
- Comfortable: This fabric stretches and has a very comfortable feel.
- Nice look: These pants have a nice look to them.
- Wear Well: While these pants wear well, they are not as tear-resistant as other pants.
Cons
- Not as breathable: These pants are not as breathable as others.
- Not water or wind-resistant
4. Patagonia Men’s Point Peak Trail Pants
Patagonia’s Men’s Point Peak Trail Pants are priced at $139 at the time of the writing of this article. They are made from 90% recycled nylon and 10% spandex double-weave fabric to give them some stretchability. This fabric has a PFC-free, durable, water-repellent (DWR) finish that resists light moisture.
These pants are moisture-wicking and quick-drying. They have abrasion-resistant front panels that go from the mid-thighs down to the cuffs and on the seat area.
The manufacturer says these pants are built for rugged, multiday hiking excursions. They can be machine washed on warm and tumble dried on low. Because of being made of nylon they can be ironed with a cool iron.
Pros
- Water Repellant: This fabric has a PFC-free, durable, water-repellent (DWR) finish that resists light moisture.
- Moisture Wicking: These pants are moisture-wicking and quick-drying.
- Rugged Build: The manufacturer says these pants are built for rugged, multiday hiking excursions.
Cons
- Price: These pants are more expensive than lower-quality ones.
5. Marmot Men’s Mountain Active Hiking Pants
The Marmot Men’s Mountain Active Hiking Pants are priced at about $125 at the writing of this article. The main body fabric is a 91% pre-consumer recycled Nylon, 9% Elastane, and double weave blend. The Elastane gives these pants a slightly stretchy, comfortable feel.
They are built to be rugged hiking pants that will wear well, taking the abuse they will get out on the hiking trail. Besides their stretch performance fabric, these pants also have articulated knees and a gusseted crotch.
These pants have a PFC-free water-repellent coating so that they resist water. They also do a good job of wicking moisture away from the skin.
The Marmot Men’s Mountain Active Hiking Pants can be machine-washed in cold and tumble-dried on low. You don’t want to use bleach or a fabric softener. And use a liquid detergent.
Pros
- Water Repellant: It is a 91% pre-consumer recycled Nylon, 9% Elastane, and double weave blend that is wind and water-repellant (not waterproof).
- Tough, durable Fabric: The 91% pre-consumer recycled Nylon, 9% Elastane, and double weave blend.
- Comfortable: The Nylon Elastane blend gives these pants a slightly stretchy, comfortable feel.
- Moisture-wicking: The Nylon Elastane blend wicks moisture away from the skin.
Cons
- Price: Higher-quality pants tend to cost more than lesser-quality ones.
Final Thoughts
Remember, when looking for hiking pants of superior quality, you should be on the lookout for characteristics such as tough materials that resist tearing and wear, robust snaps, buttons, and drawcords at the hem (if applicable). Pants designed with airflow and breathable materials for the temperatures you will be trekking in are essential. Water resistance or waterproofing is also beneficial for hikes in wet weather.
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