The Finest Mountaineering Pants for Males of 2024

Whereas no single pair of pants works for everybody, we’ve examined the perfect climbing pants for males to deliver you our high decisions.

Our group collectively examined over 30 totally different climbing pants over the previous 3 years, with present specialists Rob Simpson and Ryan Kempfer placing 7 fashions via demanding testing prior to now yr alone. We’ve got post-holed via waist-deep snow on high-altitude adventures, plodded within the blistering warmth via the desert, and slogged alongside muddy paths to search out the perfect climbing pants to your wants.

We assessed these climbing pants on consolation, sturdiness, development, efficiency, worth, and extra. Whether or not you need the highest efficiency of the Outside Analysis Ferrosi Pants, our general finest decide, or the worth of our budget-friendly selection, the REI Trailmade Pants, we’ve one thing for everybody.

In order for you assist figuring out what you want in your climbing pants, leap to our purchaser’s information on the finish of this text, or try our comparability chart and worth and worth part.

Editor’s Observe: We updating this text on November 1, 2024, by including a worth and worth part, comparisons inside our opinions to assist information your decision-making, and our favourite climbing pants for chilly climate, the Outside Analysis Rialto Fleece Lined Pants.

The Finest Mountaineering Pants for Males of 2024

Mountaineering Pants Comparability Chart

How We Examined Mountaineering Pants

It’s no exaggeration to say the GearJunkie squad has collectively clocked tens of 1000’s of miles on trails everywhere in the world with these climbing pants. Not all climbing pants are created equal, and we all know what makes a pair worthy of any actual property in our climbing loadout.

Lifelong gear testers Justin La Vigne and Steve Graepel led the cost with this information again in July 2020, selecting our preliminary roundup of 9 pants. Each are seasoned backpackers, hikers, and all-around outdoorsmen who know the significance of a stable pair of pants for all-day consolation on the path.

Senior Editor Chris Carter took over this information in August of 2022 when he started rifling via his closet, scouring the interwebs, and incessantly bugging the professionals to slender in on the streamlined collection of pants. Chris has thru-hiked the Triple Crown of lengthy trails in the USA and continues to discover and backpack everywhere in the world. He has put 1000’s of miles on a wide range of climbing pants via totally different climates and terrain and is aware of what to search for in trekking garments that have to final for months of torture.

In 2024, Rob Simpson and Ryan Kempfer took over this information. As a university pupil in Southern California, Rob received his first out of doors job as a camp counselor and backpacking information simply outdoors Yosemite Nationwide Park. On and off for the following 25+ years, Rob led backpacking, mountaineering, and winter tenting journeys everywhere in the Sierra Nevada vary. Now Rob lives in Salida, Colo., the place he loves climbing numerous 14ers and exploring all of the Continental Divide and the Rockies have to supply.

Ryan is an avid outdoorsman who loves snowboarding and climbing and mixing each for backcountry pursuits. He lives and works as a information within the Tetons, the place he places gear via the wringer each day, each for enjoyable and work. Collectively, we’ve examined every of the pants on this information on real-world adventures and really feel assured recommending any of them for lengthy hikes or demanding backpacking journeys.

To totally package your self out, seek the advice of our information to the finest climbing boots or finest climbing sneakers. And, for those who’re on the lookout for women-specific pants, try our information to the Finest Mountaineering Pants for Ladies.

Purchaser’s Information: Find out how to Select the Finest Mountaineering Pants

Mountaineering pants are necessary investments for all-day consolation on path and must be chosen correctly earlier than setting off in your journey. The kind of terrain you intend to come across in your journey, the temperatures you can be climbing in, and the extent of publicity to the solar all issue into which mannequin could be the perfect to your wants.

Proceed studying to assist slender down the choice and discover the proper pair of pants.

Pant Size & Versatility

Mountaineering pants are available three primary choices: full-length, convertible, and roll-up. Full-length pants are an awesome possibility for full leg safety, even in the summertime. To fight overheating, most pants have mesh pockets or vents.

Convertible pants just like the REI Sahara Convertible Pants are the final word 2-in-1. The legs zip off and will be worn as shorts or pants. They’re an awesome possibility for variable climate and multiday hikes the place you need extra choices and fewer gear to pack, nevertheless it’s robust to discover a pair that doesn’t look goofy. It’s additionally good to have the ability to pull the legs off with out having to take away your climbing boots — a luxurious not all convertible pants supply.

Roll-up pants are someplace between full-length and convertible. When rolled up, a tab, button, or drawcord secures the cuff.

The alpine-centric Arc’teryx Gamma Pants are a heavier, extra sturdy mannequin that we’d hesitate to put on on the most popular summer season days. Nevertheless, it additionally has helpful drawcords on the cuffs, so it’s straightforward to drag them up and get some airflow on the calves.

Drawcords across the ankles can preserve the cuffs secured up across the legs. Pants with out them will must be rolled up.

Mobility

Having the ability to transfer freely in climbing pants is a serious concern. Whether or not working down the path or scrambling up a rocky patch, you don’t need your pants limiting your motion.

That is the place design options like a gusseted crotch, articulated knees, and stretchy supplies show helpful. And since all people is formed in a different way, it may be useful to attempt on a couple of pairs earlier than shopping for to make sure a comfortable (however comfy) match. It’s additionally necessary to think about that you could be want to search out the fitting belt to assist safe your pants comfortably across the waist.

Some pants run slim and limit motion. Conversely, Black Diamond’s Alpine Gentle Pants and the Outside Analysis Rialto Fleece Lined Pants strike an ideal stability of light-weight sturdiness and mobility.

It’s additionally necessary to think about how comfy your pants will likely be when sporting a completely loaded backpacking backpack. Make sure that they suit you properly so that you don’t must put on a belt to maintain them up, as that might rub uncomfortably in opposition to your pack as you hike.

Climate Safety

Simply since you’re sporting pants doesn’t imply you’re protected from the solar’s damaging rays. If you’re climbing on extraordinarily sunny days, search for pants with rated UPF safety of 40 or 50.

A DWR coating like we see within the Outside Analysis Ferrosi Pants doesn’t make pants utterly waterproof, nevertheless it provides sufficient wet-weather safety to maintain you dry whereas climbing via dewy brush or in gentle showers. DWR retains water droplets on the outside, permitting them to easily roll off.

DWRs will ultimately wash out over time. For optimum efficiency, you’ll need to deal with closely used climbing pants once in a while. Nikwax Softshell Proof Wash-In is a simple method to preserve your pants repelling water yr after yr.

And for those who don’t need pants with DWR, the Fjällräven Abisko Midsummer Pants are an awesome possibility. Fjällräven steers away from DWR and as an alternative sells an aftermarket wax that you could apply to beef up the water resistance.

These additions begin to creep up the price of pants. Nevertheless, our funds selection, REI’s Trailmade Pants does have a DWR and UV safety and is an unbelievable worth.

Moreover, climate safety could make pants a bit extra heavy and fewer cellular — components to think about when fascinated with your climbing goals. We personally don’t place DWR therapy excessive on our want listing when purchasing for climbing pants, as we typically throw on a devoted pair of rain pants if the heavens actually open up. Some hikers do like them for gentle rain and mist, nevertheless.

Further Options for Mountaineering Pants

The little extras can actually make or break an excellent pair of pants. Properly-positioned cargo pockets, zippered pockets, belt loops, and built-in belts are a few of the options accessible. Whether or not you need these or not will depend on your private climbing plans and elegance.

Basically, you need your climbing pants to have a wholesome features-to-weight stability like we discovered within the Fjällräven Vidda Professional Ventilated Trousers. Light-weight breathability is of utmost significance in most climbing eventualities, and lots of options are simply plain gimmicky with out including a lot utility to your journey.

In the event you get pleasure from carrying a great deal of further trinkets in your pockets when you plod alongside, further zippered and cargo pockets could also be your cup of tea. In the event you plan on carrying most issues in your backpack or hipbelt pockets, nevertheless, avoid wasting weight by snagging a slimmed-down pair of pants with solely the requirements.

It’s additionally a good suggestion to check out your climbing pants with no matter backpack you intend on sporting to your trek, to verify the waist feels comfy below load, and gained’t trigger chafing over the long term. Built-in belt loops will be useful in some cases, however we’ve discovered that they not often really feel cozy with a 30-pound pack urgent down on them.

Worth & Worth

Finances

The least costly pants in our assessment lie inside the $69 to $89 vary. At this worth level, you possibly can assure good climbing pants, however you’ll sacrifice sturdiness and a few extra options.

The very best worth in our lineup is the REI Trailmade Pants ($69), which match rather well and ship excessive consolation however lack DWR safety. Patagonia’s Quandary Pants ($89) are additionally an awesome selection with articulated knees, a gusseted crotch, breathable cloth, and a DWR coating with a 40+ UPF score. Nevertheless, each of those pants have much less durable-feeling cloth and small pockets.

Mid-Tier

Pants at this stage will usually be across the $90-$125 vary. That is the place a majority of climbing pants fall, and also you’ll be capable of discover a superb pair in case you have this sum of money to spend. On this worth vary you’ll discover pants with extra options than the funds class, although the top-tier costs will likely be reserved for much more specialty attributes.

Our high decide, the Outside Analysis Ferrosi Pants, price solely $99. They’ve unmatched mobility and luxury and each UPF and DWR safety. The Black Diamond Alpine Gentle Pants are one other nice mid-tier selection that’s a bit extra technical than others on the listing. They’re waterproof, light-weight, extremely sturdy for his or her weight and so they ship glorious mobility for scrambling and boulder hopping.

Premium

The pricier climbing pants in our assessment fall between the $126 and $180 vary. These pants are sometimes product of extra sturdy supplies and have specialty options that set them aside from the remaining. Whereas mid-tier climbing pants will likely be simply high-quality for many on a regular basis climbing wants, for those who want extra technical pants or simply extra options and sturdiness, count on to pay extra.

At $128, the Rialto Fleece Lined Pants from Outside Analysis fall proper on the low fringe of the class by way of worth. However, as insulated, waterproof pants that transfer with you, they’re one of the crucial distinctive pants on this listing. The Fjällräven Vidda Professional Ventilated Pants ($180) are so sturdy that they’re more likely to outlast all of your different gear. In addition they have a ton of additional bells and whistles: aspect vent zippered openings, giant buttoned pockets, and tons of different loops, hooks, and options.

Ceaselessly Requested Questions

It actually will depend on the place you’re going (dry desert, humid forest, bushwhacking), how lengthy you can be out (hours, days, weeks, months), what the climate will likely be like, and your private choice. We laid out loads of choices above that cowl these variables.

For long-term use, you ought to be on the lookout for a pair of pants which have sturdiness, can repel water or dry out shortly, and has options you need (pockets, belt, leg zip-offs). It’s higher to think about these choices initially, even when you find yourself allotting extra money. The very best climbing pants are those that meet your distinctive wants.

Once more, this can be a private choice. One in all our authors hiked with a man on the Appalachian Path who solely wore shorts for the two,000+ miles, regardless of the climate. In distinction, he primarily wore pants to guard in opposition to mosquitoes, solar, and abrasions. If it was actually sizzling, he transformed his zip-offs.

In the event you’re within the Sonoran desert the place temps are scorching it’s your decision the choice to transform to shorts, so cut-offs could also be your only option. In the event you’re blazing via thick brush within the Alaskan backcountry, you positively want to guard your legs from getting reduce up, so the Fjällräven Abisko Midsummer Zip Off Trousers do the trick.

Do tires to your automotive matter? Go forward and hike in your work pants, denims, or sweatpants, after which attempt a technical pair from the listing above — that ought to reply your query. If you’re simply getting began, attempt a pair of cheaper pants just like the Columbia Silver Ridge Cargo Pant, then work your means up as you identify what options you’d desire.

Denims usually are not the best choice as a result of they’re product of cotton, and cotton doesn’t wick away moisture. They’re additionally not breathable, don’t have any stretch, and are fairly heavy. Basically, you’ll need to avoid clothes product of cotton, linen, denim, or something stiff.

It’s all the time finest to put on and pack layers when climbing. You need to consider your physique as an onion with the choice to layer down. Unfastened clothes with breathability is good, making certain that you just’ll keep cool and wick away moisture. Having clothes that has UPF of 40-50 inside the mix of supplies will help with avoiding sunburn.

In the event you’re in buggy areas, having clothes with or treating your clothes with some kind of bug repellent will help preserve these pesky mosquitos, ticks, and sandflies away. Lastly, shade is necessary.  Maintain your clothes, together with your pants, on the lighter aspect, reminiscent of gentle beige, grey, or cream. Darker colours have a tendency to soak up warmth, whereas lighter colours mirror it.