The Best Hiking Pants for Men of 2025

We’ve been lucky to have the privilege of testing a wide array of hiking pants from KÜHL, and when we say it was hard to settle on a top pick — we mean it. Each pair we took for a spin impressed us on multiple fronts, but we narrowed in on the sleek and functional KÜHL Radikl Pants ($109) as our model of choice for this hiking guide.

With a classic, stylish look for trotting around town and enough grit for serious trekking endeavors, these are some of our favorite crossover, do-it-all pants that keep worming their way into our packs, duffels, and carry-ons for all manner of adventures.

Wear ’em to work or bomb down a scree slope in the backcountry — the Radikl Pants have a classy vibe but are packed with discrete, outdoor-ready features that make them power players when the mountains call. Slim stretch knit fabric panels below the knee, waist, back yoke, and gusset not only boost flexibility while bounding about but also afford adequate ventilation when you pick up the pace.

You’d never know these vents existed until pulling the Radikl on, though, as they are the same color and appear to have the same texture as the rest of the pant’s Enduro performance fabric.

This tough, abrasion-resistant material mixes up a well-balanced batch of cotton, nylon, and spandex for a supremely durable — albeit noticeably weighty — force to be reckoned with. These quickly became our go-to pants for bush-bashing or boulder-hopping, but there’s slightly less mobility than those more suited for scrambling like the Black Diamond Alpine Light.

Such thick, stalwart fabric comes at a cost, though, and these don’t boast the best next-to-skin comfort compared to other pants on this list. They are also some of the heavier pants we tested, and we don’t bring these on fast and light missions where weight is of chief importance.

For front and backcountry style, though, these pants are hard to beat. Subtle side pockets for phones or an EDC knife ride along the thighs, and a muted brass “KÜHL” logo decorates the top of a thin coin pocket. These pants look pretty darn slick paired with a nice shirt tucked into a belt. Their “Free Ryde” waist follows the natural rise of your hips, which seems to move surprisingly well with you as you vault over blowdowns or navigate rock-strewn riverbeds.

The Radikl Pants have a somewhat athletic fit through the thigh but do flair out a bit more than we like in the lower leg. This is fine when wearing these on casual outings, but they tend to flap back and forth a tad while hiking, and we would prefer a slimmer cut (note: we tested the “Klassik Fit”. You can opt for a “Tapered Fit” option if ordering off of KÜHL’s site).

In short, these are some of our favorite pants in our closet, and we find ourselves wearing them for much more than just hiking. While they aren’t as light or performance-oriented as some on this list, they bring a rugged, stylish aesthetic to your outdoor wardrobe that only KÜHL can do.

When it comes to versatility, comfort, and all the pocket storage you need, the Kuhl Renegade Cargo Convertible Pants ($139) have it all.

The first thing we noticed about these hiking pants is their super-soft feel. When you put these on, it feels like you’re wearing casual pants rather than swishy hiking pants. Kuhl’s “full fit” adds to their comfort. Our tester is 5’9”, 170 pounds, and has big skier/hiker thighs. Yet these pants didn’t restrict his movement or limit mobility like many others have.

We tested them in everything from hot summer Teton hikes to fourteener climbs to casual strolls to the brewery.  Despite having a DWR coating, they breathe well in hot temps. Plus, when the mercury rises, the convertibility of these pants makes them shine.

Of all the convertible pants we tested, these were the easiest to turn from pants to shorts and back again. A generous fit and side zips near the ankle allowed us to convert them trailside without taking off our hiking boots.  

On long days in the mountains, when we start at sunrise and finish around sunset, we experience wild temperature swings, even in summer. These epic adventures require versatile, comfy hiking pants, and the Cargo Convertibles check all the boxes. Plus, you can barely even tell they’re convertible. The zippers blend in extremely well, and there is no big flap of fabric covering the zippers that screams out, “These are zip-offs!”

We love the fit, feel, and function of these pants. However, during an afternoon thunderstorm, they didn’t repel water as well as we expected. Unfortunately, the rain soaked into the fabric instead. Thankfully, they dry quickly, but we’d appreciate it if Kuhl would step up the water resistance.

Our only other gripe is the length of the shorts; we’d like them a bit longer, but that’s just our preference.

If you’re looking for versatile, comfy, functional hiking pants that can easily move from trail to town, then you’ll love the Kuhl Renegade Cargo Convertible Pants.

Need pants that seamlessly transport you from work to the trailhead for a quick evening hike? Then look no further. The KÜHL Renegade Recon Pants ($99) are a great choice. They look amazing, fit well, hold their shape, and don’t sag, thanks to the elastic waist. Plus, we love not having to wear a belt, especially when our adventures call for a heavy backpack or a harness.

Although the pants Renegade Recon Pants claim to have water repellency and be quick-drying, we were a bit disappointed the first time we put this to the test. We were on a short hike in the Colorado Rockies on a day when the weather looked ominous.

About a mile from the trailhead, it started lightly sprinkling and then became a steady light rain. Within 10 minutes, the pants were totally soaked through, and our legs were cold and wet. Even after a 20-minute drive with the car heater on full, our legs were still damp when we arrived home. If you live and hike in wetter climes, a faster-drying option like the REI Trailmade Pants will better meet your needs.

When choosing your inseam size, make sure to take note of the intended fit according to the Kuhl website and sizing guide. Under tapered fit, they mention that the “style is meant to hit at the ankle; the actual inseam will measure 1.5″ shorter than the inseam selected.” If you don’t want a pair of hiking pants that feel like you are rocking a high-water look, then consider ordering a longer inseam.

Once we dialed in the fit, we enjoyed wearing these for sunny day hikes in Colorado. If you’re looking for a sharp-looking pair of hiking pants that you can wear to a staff meeting with a polo or button-up and then go straight to the trailhead for an afternoon or evening hike, then take a look at the KÜHL Renegade Recon Pants ($99).

We’ve been wearing an original version of this pant for nearly 20 years, taking it rock climbing, mountaineering, bushwhacking, spring crud skiing, and cross-country running. The pocket zipper has pulled off, and the DWR has worn away, but the pant material is still — by nearly every measure — as good as new. They’re virtually bombproof.

The Arc’teryx Gamma Pants ($180) — previously known as the Gamma LT — has only improved in the years since its inception. Arc’teryx has put a cord inside the pant hem, updated the belt, and sewn in a thigh map pocket. It has seen a recent upgrade in materials, but it still brings four-way stretch with snag-proof protection and now has a more comfortable skin-facing side.

Unfortunately, the price is nearly twice that of the other pants on the list. Breathability is low, and the fabric is fairly noisy. But these are acceptable sacrifices for more vertical endeavors, particularly hiking and climbing in wet conditions. If you’d prefer to spend a bit less and get an equally stretchy but lighter, less noisy option, give the Black Diamond Alpine Light Pants a look.

Landing squarely on the opposite end of the weight and durability spectrum from Rab’s ultralight pants above, the brawny Blaze Softshell Pants ($160) are for serious technical objectives, where a perfect balance of all-day comfort and bombproof performance is paramount. While these serve as fine hiking pants in mild conditions — chilly temps, tempestuous weather, and brutal terrain are the Blaze Pants’ bailiwick.

Burly features abound on these hardworking trousers, with a thick four-way stretch, articulated cuts, plenty of adjustability, and reinforced panels over high-use areas. Unfortunately, we’re awarded the highest scale reading on this list to pay for these luxuries so if you’re looking for a lighter option that will still put up with wear and tear, you’ll prefer the Rab Incline Light Pants.

Despite their hefty weight, however, they pack down surprisingly small, and the degree of mobility they offer makes them feel much lighter than they are. These are consequently perfect picks for winter treks or light mountaineering objectives where lighter, more flimsy pants would tap out early.

Elasticated Velcro adjustments at the hips and a zippered adjustment in the lower leg allow you to dial in the fit or add insulating layers underneath. The lower leg zips tight for a snug, athletic fit if that’s your cup of tea (it is ours) or can splay open to accommodate beefy mountaineering boots or bulky layers if the need arises.

For such thick fabric, we were surprised at how well its four-way stretch and gusseted crotch moved with us, and we had little difficulty contorting our body while navigating dense blowdowns, or bounding from boulder to boulder.

The abrasion-resistant fabric thwarts rips and tears better than most, giving us great confidence in thorny bushwhacks. Additionally, high-impact areas (like the pants’ instep) are reinforced with thicker materials.

Despite the high weight, the Blaze Pants only have three pockets (two side and one zippered thigh). We wish there were back pockets. And, the zippered thigh pocket is positioned on the front of the thigh — which feels a bit uncomfortable when loaded up compared to pockets on the side of the thigh.

Our slight grumbles aside, we think these are some of the better softshell hybrid hiking/mountaineering pants on the market. Helly Hansen knows what they’re doing when it comes to technical adventure gear, and that thoughtful attention to detail is obvious in these trekking pants.

Reminiscent of our top pick, Outdoor Research’s Ferrosi Pants, the sleek Patagonia Terravia Trail Pants ($129) — previously known as the Altvia — are extremely comfortable, protective trekking pants for demanding missions in the mountains. Their polyester and spandex construction makes them some of the more cozy pants to trot around in, and despite their thicker fabric, they afford a shocking amount of flexibility.

Vaulting over blowdowns, or parkouring through boulder-strewn creek beds, they move with you seamlessly and protect you from thorns and underbrush. A straight-panel gusset and articulated legs enhance their mobility, and the flexibility extends to the waistband in these pants.

They consequently have a somewhat jogger-like feel. The fabric is robust, which is a pro for protection from the elements, but a con in hot, muggy weather. It doesn’t have a lot of breathability or ventilation to speak of.

We took these pants on some serious bushwhacks while scoping out new climbing crags and off-trail side quests on backpacking trips, and while they held up well, we were surprised at the number of picks and loose strands that materialized after just a handful of excursions.

Given their reputation for above-average durability, we did put them through more torture than others, so we can’t bash them too much on that front. However, is durability is of utmost importance, you’ll prefer the Fjällräven Vidda Pro Ventilated Trousers.

The Terravia Trail Pants’ five zippered pockets keep everything safe and sound while bounding about on the trail, and we love the confidence these inspire. So many zippers do add some weight, though, nudging these pants toward the heavier end of the spectrum.

The standard, straight fit of these pants hugged our legs comfortably without being constrictive, but we found the 31-inch inseam to be an odd choice. We prefer to have the options of 30 or 32 inches, as opposed to the 29 or 31-inch options that these pants offer.

The 30-inch version of Patagonia pants fits our tester perfectly, and he found the 31-inch to be just a touch too long. We do appreciate the internal gussets and zippered fit of the cuff, though, which makes it simple to slide these over various sizes of bulky boots.

Those qualms aside, we feel these relatively new pants from Patagonia offer state-of-the-art comfort with a functional, adventure-ready design. While they aren’t our first choice for toasty summer treks, we love them for colder journeys or hikes over rough, bushy terrain.