backpacking trousers

The Gamma Pant offers strong weather protection and durable stretch for cold, wet hikes. Its stretchy 88/12 fabric, gusseted crotch, and articulated knees deliver solid mobility, while wind and water resistance are standout features aided by a DWR finish. It’s a premium, highly versatile pant with thoughtful details like an integrated belt and ankle cinch, but it’s expensive, lacks rear pockets, and breathability isn’t best in hot conditions.

A premium midweight softshell pant that delivers exceptional mobility, durability, and a refined fit for hikers, climbers, and backcountry travelers. It shines in cooler shoulder-season conditions and alpine environments, but its price limits its appeal for warm-weather use.

The Gamma Pant for Women is a durable softshell hiking pant that delivers strong wind and water resistance, plus stretch for excellent mobility under a harness. It excels for year‑round, technical hiking and backcountry use, offering comfort and durability, but has a rigid waistband and a belt buckle that can be a weak point; breathability is not as high as lighter options.

Patagonia's Torrentshell Pant is a lightweight, 3-layer waterproof shell pant intended for short-term, light-use rain protection. It is packable, offers decent weather resistance, and features two hand-warmers pockets, but lags behind on durability and breathability compared with higher-end shell pants.

Patagonia Quandary Pants are lightweight, slim-fitting hiking pants that blend nylon and spandex for mobility and wind/light rain resistance. They are versatile for day hikes and casual wear, offering UPF sun protection, a simple pocket setup, and a breathable, quick-drying fabric. The slim cut provides excellent mobility but may not be ideal for larger builds, and pockets are limited.

The Patagonia Quandary women’s hiking pants are lightweight and breathable with a convenient roll-up-to-crop design, but are held back by uncomfortable double inseams and a weak DWR finish that doesn’t hold up in wet weather. They’re best for shorter hikes near home and for rock climbing, with a neutral look that can work for travel, though they aren’t ideal for backpacking due to limited weather resistance.

The Quandary Pant from Patagonia is a lightweight, breathable pant that handles hot-weather hiking and casual backpacking with surprising durability. It delivers comfort for long days but its limited stretch can hinder scrambling or technical terrain, making it a versatile all-around option rather than a peak-climbing pant.