The best hiking trousers. Comparison & buying guide

There are many aspects that are taken into account when making a choice hiking trousers The right size and fit for each person's body. Care should be taken to ensure that they are not too tight, that they allow comfortable walking and sitting, that the material is suitable and that they meet the buyer's taste. If all this is taken into account when buying trousers for normal use, even more attention should be paid when this garment is for intense outdoor activities, such as hiking.

Get to know the most commonly used terms

Before trying on the trousers it is good to know the most common terms you will come across when buying this hiking garment:

• Articulated knees: knee-length trousers may have a cut or fold that allows a full range of movement to flex the knees in comfort.
• Crotch: refers to the inner thigh area near the groin. Ideally, the trousers should be comfortable and not tight around this part of your body so that you can walk or jump with your legs open without tripping.
• DWR coating and SPF protection: Sometimes hiking trousers come with a DWR coating, a type of waterproofing, or an SPF rating made from special fabrics and textiles that protect you from the sun. Some may even be impregnated with insect repellent.

Material and fabric adapted to the environment and activity

Keep in mind the site and the weather where you will be hiking. This will also determine the ideal material for your trousers. 

If the journey is during winter season there are trousers with thermal and thicker fabricswhich will reduce heat loss from the body. There are also trousers mackintoshes that you can use if the weather conditions are very extreme. One example is the Berghaus Gore Tex Paclite Shell (From 79 euros on Amazon). However, if we are looking for a multi-purpose trousers we can go for the SALEWA Sesvenna Ski Tour DST (Click here to buy it)The durable, lightweight, flexible, windproof and waterproof jacket is ideal for mountaineering or ski touring. 

You can also opt for a model that can be adapted to both mid-mountain and more demanding conditions, such as trousers. TERNUA ® Withorn Krens TrousersThe fabric features a bi-stretch technical fabric with a PFC-free DWR water repellent finish. 

Ternua Withorn Pant Men's Pant, Black/Whales Grey, S

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However, if you go to warm places the best are the insulated and cool clothing or those that allow you to remove the lower part of the trousers, from the knee down, to facilitate ventilation. If you manage to find a quick-drying fabric would be very useful for you. In the following article we talk about "What to wear for trekking in tropical climates". THE NORTH FACE Horizon Convertible is a model that allows the lower part of the knee to be separated and can be very versatile for any trekking trip in hot climates.

Evaluates the comfort and freedom of movement of the hiking trousers while walking

The first thing to assess is your comfort and freedom of movement. Think about how irritating it will be to wear them on a long walk. Try on new trousers before you buy them or make sure you can return them if they don't fit or don't feel comfortable.

Try these simple moves to check that they fit comfortably and give you freedom of movement:

• Sit down. If your trousers feel tight when you sit down, it is best to try a larger size.
• Bend and flex your knees. Once you are seated, lift one knee at a time as close to your chest as you can. If you feel too much pressure and no comfort at all, it's best to look for another style or another size.
• Squat down (as if you were bending down to inspect something on the floor). This position will allow you to see if your trousers ride up significantly and leave your lower legs very exposed. 

Then check the back of the trousers and make sure your bum is well covered. Low-rise (or below the hip) trousers are no longer as popular with outdoor gear manufacturers as they were a few years ago, but if you do happen to try on one that's still around, don't buy it and look for one that covers the full length of your legs and bum.

Prefer zipped pockets

Regardless of the design of your hiking trousers, look for those with zipped pockets, which will ensure that you can close them and prevent items inside from falling out or getting lost when you take a wide step or negotiate a steep climb.

Avoid carrying heavy items in your pockets that will cause you discomfort when walking. Only use them to carry light items that don't take up too much space.

The side pockets Mid-calf lengths are a good alternative; similar to military trousers.

Buy hiking trousers with reinforcements

Look for garments that have reinforcements in different areas; these are the most preferred for hiking. One of the most commonly used reinforcements is in the back area. between your waist and your ass. Another is in the knees and some wear it on their crotch.

The main objective is to achieve trousers with reinforcement in areas where abrasion or wear is most likely to occur when crawling on the ground, rubbing against vegetation, crossing sections where you have to take very long steps or jumps, etc.

*All purchase prices included in this article are current as of 20/01/2020.