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Hiking Pants and Shorts
Hiking pants, shorts, capris, knickers... there are so many options to chose from and we've tried a lot of pants and shorts over the years. Our favorites are below with any pros and cons listed. Keep in mind that clothing styles change constantly, and something may no longer be available or works/fits as we described.
Info and tips about hiking pants and shorts are below the recommendations.
These "knee pants" hit a sweetspot between shorts and capris. Waist has drawstring in addition to a zipper/button; leg cords allow length to be cinched.
Pro: Super comfy, lightweight, stretchy for scrambling up rocks. Started wearing them for more than hiking so I picked up a 2nd pair on sale.
Con: Only 1 pocket, on the thigh. But I found I didn't miss pockets as much as I thought.
Women's
EMS Camp Cargo Zip-Off Pant. I always have trouble finding good
pants. After trying on every hiking
pant in the area (seriously), I finally found a great pair from EMS.
Pro: Comfortable and flattering!!! I promptly bought another pair.
Con: Shorts are on the short side. 1 thigh pocket not big enough to fit map; is on zip-off leg.
EXOFFICIO Women's Nio Amphi Shorts.
Lightweight, quick-dry, sun guard 30+, zippered side pocket. Nice, slightly long length - 10" inseam..
The shorts I really like are getting hard to find (Women's North Face Horizon Eiffel Cargo Short) but these look like they come close as a replacement.
Men's The North Face Paramount Valley Convertible Pant. Really can't go
wrong with North Face pants. Lightweight, quick dying, comfy, stylish; also
works as a casual/travel pant.
Pro: The shorts are a little longer than some other zip-offs, and they are so lightweight you often can keep them as long pants even when it's really warm out (good for avoiding poison ivy and/or ticks)
EMS Men's Camp Cargo Shorts.
Great basic hiking short - lightweight,
comfy, multiple pockets, dries super quick plus pockets have drainage holes. An elastic waist in case you stop at Dairy Queen one too many times after-hike.
Pro: A lot of function for a great price.
Avoid hiking in cotton sweats/jeans as they retain moisture and invite hypothermia.
Hiking pants are usually lightweight, dirt-resistent, quick-drying/moisture
wicking and often have SPF 30-50 sun protection. They also have lots of pockets
to keep things handy, and come in several lengths... long pants, convertible
pants, capri/roll-up styles, and shorts.
Convertible Pants (zip-offs) are functional, comfortable and practical - and can be worn year-round. In spring and fall the legs can be zipped off/on as the temp changes during the day (or if the trail gets overrun with brush or stickers).
They can be worn as just shorts in the summer, while in the winter you can add a thermal layer underneath. Zippers from the ankle to mid-calf and snaps/velcro at the ankle make it easy to get the legs on/off over footwear.
Just don't expect to win any fashion awards - the legs tend to be baggy because of the zipper, and the shorts can be a tad too short (not quite as bad as those blue shorts with white stripes on the sides from the 1970s though... and if you just had a flashback to wearing those with your Zips sneakers, then you know what I am talking about)
Some now are available for in capri length (zips off at mid-calf), and some even have two zip-off lengths - shorts and capri.
Capri/Roll-up Pants - the legs roll-up with a fastener to capri length, or just are capris. Offer more coverage than zip-off shorts. Getting some air on your lower leg will often cool you down enough that you don't need to be in shorts.
Knickers/Knee Pants - a newer category for hiking gear. Falls inbetween shorts and capris... the length is usually at the knee, or a few inches below.
Tip: If you use your zip-offs without the legs all summer, don't be surprised if after a couple of years the pant legs are a slightly different color than the shorts - since they've been washed with a different frequency. I've had this happen to the point where it's noticeable.
Bonus: Our hiking pants often do double-duty as travel pants. You increase your dorkiness factor if they are zip-offs, but hey, you are on vacation so who cares?
