hiking trousers

The Arc’teryx Gamma SL Pant is a standout lightweight softshell pant that blends stretch, durability, and weather resistance for hikers, climbers, and alpine travelers who demand mobility without sacrificing protection. It features a built-in belt and zippered pockets for practical use, but can feel warm on hot days and has a premium price; durability is strong overall though thigh-pocket wear is noted.

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.

The Arc'teryx Rho LT Bottoms are a fleece-lined, durable base layer that works well as a standalone layer or under shell pants in cool to cold weather. They deliver warmth, excellent durability, and strong wicking with comfortable, stretchy fit, and true-to-size comfort, though high water absorption when wet and long leg length can be drawbacks; ventilation is important to prevent clamminess in heavy sweat.

These pants deliver top-tier weather protection and a superb, close-to-the-skin fit, with a comfortable fleece-brushed liner. They ventilate well for uphill travel and pair nicely with layering for backcountry or resort skiing, though they come at a premium price and have a lean feature set.

The Arc'teryx Sabre Pant is a high-end Gore-Tex shell ski pant, uninsulated with a light flannel backer, designed for resort and backcountry use. It offers fortress-like waterproofing, good breathability, and a durable, minimalist build, though fit can be polarizing and the price is high.

The Sabria Pant from Arc’teryx is a durable, versatile hiking pant with four-way stretch and a discreet waistband adjuster that sits well under a harness. It’s breathable and comfortable in warm weather, pairs with a base layer in cooler conditions, and features a DWR finish for light moisture; however, pockets are small, the fit is snug, and it has been discontinued by the brand.

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.

The Torrentshell 3L Pant - Women's is a burly, 3-layer rain pant that improves durability and versatility with side zippers that double as vents. It delivers solid wet-weather protection and year-round use, though it’s heavier than lighter rain pants and isn’t the best option for snow travel or cramming gear into the cuffs.

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.

Durable synthetic base layer tested for skiing, hiking, climbing, and snow play, offering a strong warmth-to-wicking balance and fast drying. The high-rise, comfortable fit with flatlock seams layers well under other layers and moves well with activity. A noted drawback is that the fabric tends to hold odor after use.

Storm Shift is Patagonia’s premium Gore-Tex resort pant, offering exceptional durability and waterproofing with a 2-layer Gore-Tex shell, large pockets, and a refined fit. It’s uninsulated, so warmth relies on layering, and it stands out for protection and build quality, though it’s a higher-priced option.

The Patagonia Storm Shift Ski Pant is a premium resort shell pant built with Gore-Tex 2-layer protection and a burly 150D shell. It offers top-tier waterproofing, durability, and comfort for all-season resort days, though it's bulky and less breathable for high-output touring.