Hiking Pants
As with any other type of clothing that you purchase, you are going to want to make sure that the pants fit comfortably. So you don’t want the waist to be too tight or too loose and you will want the pant legs to be fairly snug. If you are used to wearing particularly loose or tight pants, you should bear in mind that you are going to be fairly active and you don’t want your pants to either inhibit your movement or flap around and potentially get caught on a branch or something else on the trail. You will also want to find a pair of pants that is conducive to maintaining the appropriate body temperature and that means something that will keep you cool in warm weather and warm in cool weather. Another important feature that you are going to want available to you on your hiking pants is an abundance of pockets primarily with zippers in order to have easy access to the smaller personal gear that you are not going to throw in your pack.
It is generally recommended to dress in layers. Dressing in layers accomplishes a number of purposes. One is that it enables the sweat to be wicked away while still maintaining an optimal body temperature. Another is that you will be able to take off a layer or two if you are getting too hot without having to necessarily change your outfit.
Thermal Underwear
If you choose to layer, generally, the first layer would be a pair of thermal underwear which can come either in a short length or a full-length size. Thermal underwear will keep you dry by wicking sweat away from your body while keeping you warm.
Insulated Pants
The next layer would be something that offers warmth like fleece or a similar material that is light but warm. These pants can often stand alone if you take off the top layer but also fit in between the first and third layers when you so desire.
Outer Pants
There are many options in this category. You can go for shell pants which are designed specifically for a layering system or with standard hiking pants. The shells are often waterproof and when combined with the bottom two layers, will often stand up to most weather conditions that an avid hiker will confront. Alternatively, standard hiking pants can also function as an outer layer and are meant to stand alone as well. So in warmer weather you can just wear the pants by themselves. Sometimes hiking pants offer the ability to remove the lower section and thus convert into shorts. These are great for warmer weather.
When you are deciding on a pair of hiking pants, keep in mind that nylon materials are durable and can be used under most weather conditions. Also if you are deciding between a lighter pair and a heavier pair, we suggest going with the lighter one because you don’t want to feel weighed down when you are out on the trails.