Good pants for hiking?

[kbroderick]

OK, I realize that this isn't season-appropriate, but the current Campmor clearance sale got me thinking about various clothing needs, particularly pants for hiking. When I went out last fall, I generally just wore jeans, which fall short due to being cotton and sometimes restrictive of movement; as I'm thinking about spending more time outdoors in the coming spring, I started wondering what I should be looking for to fill in once my Burton AK pants become too heavy.

I'm thinking that I should be concerned about resistance to tearing, response to water, and breathability. The Marmot trail pants at Campmor caught my eye, just because they happened to be on the "Hot Deals" list and available in my size. Is that a reasonable feature list (Supplex nylon material, mesh pockets) and pricepoint ($30), or should I be looking at higher pricepoints? Any particular features I should be looking for?

(I realize that a pair of $80 pants will probably be better, in at least some way, compared to a pair of $30 pants; however, I can't see myself spending $80 on a pair of hiking pants, either.)

thanks

 

[pepsi]

My 3 season pants have to have to be quick dry and have zip-off legs with zips at the ankles to get the legs off with boots on. YMMV

Those pants look fine if you wear long pants all the time or want to carry shorts too.

Personally I prefer something like these

I do not have these exact pants but similar one's from Gaylan's for about $15 some and maybe as much as $30 at REI. I like the Gaylan's ones so much that I bought 3 pairs. I don't think you get much more for $80 except that you feel bad when you tear them on day one.

 

[thetrailboss]

That looks like a good deal. Ideally, something thin, lightweight, and durable, like windbreaker pants works great. I used to hike in Carhartts, but they are too heavy to be versatile.

 

[salida]

I know, these are expensive, but they breath so well, I use them in temp ranges from 10 degrees to 90 degrees, they are awesome. I own two pairs and used them exclusively on my trip in the arctic last summer. Not to mention they held up superbly with daily use at the MW Observatory. I reccomend them whole heartedly

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Pro...ry_rn=4501461&vcat=REI_SSHP_MENS_CLOTHING_TOC

 

[riverc0il]

personally, i find pants that fit well to be the best pants. that being said, i can't imagine ever buying pants online. i have tried on several pants for hiking and walked out of several stores because i couldn't find something that fit well. particularly, i look for pants that are loose around the knees and thighs when taking a large step up. don't want something restrictively tight in any part of the body but close enough to keep the legs warm. tough compromise. also, i really like hiking pants to be light weight, so those zip off pants to shorts things don't work for me, the zippers add too much weight. i like to wear a bathing suit underneath my pants and have zip ups at the foot hole that allow me to pull the pants off without taking off my boots.

what ever your preferences are, i think fit and comfort should always be tops.

 

[kbroderick]

Thanks for the feedback. The fit issue is a good one to think about; although I'm used to buying pants without trying them on, the cut of hiking pants is likely to be a lot more important than it would be with pants for sitting around in an office or whatnot.