The Greatest Mountaineering Pants for Males of 2024

Whereas no single pair of pants works for everybody, we’ve examined the very best climbing pants for males to carry you our prime decisions.

Our workforce collectively examined over 30 totally different climbing pants over the previous 3 years, with present consultants Rob Simpson and Ryan Kempfer placing 7 fashions by way of demanding testing previously 12 months alone. Now we have post-holed by way of waist-deep snow on high-altitude adventures, plodded within the blistering warmth by way of the desert, and slogged alongside muddy paths to search out the very best climbing pants in your wants.

We assessed these climbing pants on consolation, sturdiness, building, efficiency, worth, and extra. Whether or not you need the highest efficiency of the Outside Analysis Ferrosi Pants, our total greatest choose, or the worth of our budget-friendly selection, the REI Trailmade Pants, now we have one thing for everybody.

If you’d like assist figuring out what you want in your climbing pants, bounce to our purchaser’s information on the finish of this text, or take a look at our comparability chart and worth and worth part.

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

The Greatest 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 all around 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, deciding on 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 by way of his closet, scouring the interwebs, and incessantly bugging the professionals to slim in on the streamlined number of pants. Chris has thru-hiked the Triple Crown of lengthy trails in the US and continues to discover and backpack all around the world. He has put 1000’s of miles on a wide range of climbing pants by way of totally different climates and terrain and is aware of what to search for in trekking garments that must final for months of torture.

In 2024, Rob Simpson and Ryan Kempfer took over this information. As a school pupil in Southern California, Rob received his first outside job as a camp counselor and backpacking information simply outdoors Yosemite Nationwide Park. On and off for the subsequent 25+ years, Rob led backpacking, mountain climbing, and winter tenting journeys all around 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 by way of the wringer every day, each for enjoyable and work. Collectively, now we have 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 equipment your self out, seek the advice of our information to the greatest climbing boots or greatest climbing footwear. And, should you’re in search of women-specific pants, take a look at our information to the Greatest Mountaineering Pants for Ladies.

Purchaser’s Information: The right way to Select the Greatest Mountaineering Pants

Mountaineering pants are necessary investments for all-day consolation on path and should be chosen properly 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 very best in your wants.

Proceed studying to assist slim down the choice and discover the right pair of pants.

Pant Size & Versatility

Mountaineering pants are available three most important choices: full-length, convertible, and roll-up. Full-length pants are an incredible 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 last word 2-in-1. The legs zip off and may be worn as shorts or pants. They’re an incredible possibility for variable climate and multiday hikes the place you need extra choices and fewer gear to pack, however it’s powerful 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 provide.

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 well liked summer season days. Nevertheless, it additionally has helpful drawcords on the cuffs, so it’s simple 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 should be rolled up.

Mobility

With 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 proscribing your motion.

That is the place design options like a gusseted crotch, articulated knees, and stretchy supplies show helpful. And since everyone is formed in another way, it may be useful to strive on just a few pairs earlier than shopping for to make sure a comfortable (however snug) match. It’s additionally necessary to contemplate that you could be want to search out the appropriate belt to assist safe your pants comfortably across the waist.

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

It’s additionally necessary to contemplate how snug your pants might be when carrying a totally loaded backpacking backpack. Make certain 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 carrying pants doesn’t imply you’re secure from the solar’s damaging rays. In case you are 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 fully waterproof, however it provides sufficient wet-weather safety to maintain you dry whereas climbing by way of 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 wish to deal with closely used climbing pants every now and then. Nikwax Softshell Proof Wash-In is a simple method to preserve your pants repelling water 12 months after 12 months.

And should you don’t need pants with DWR, the Fjällräven Abisko Midsummer Pants are an incredible possibility. Fjällräven steers away from DWR and as an alternative sells an aftermarket wax which you can apply to beef up the water resistance.

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

Moreover, climate safety could make pants a bit extra heavy and fewer cellular — components to contemplate when occupied with your climbing aims. We personally don’t place DWR remedy excessive on our want listing when purchasing for climbing pants, as we usually 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.

Extra Options for Mountaineering Pants

The little extras can actually make or break a great pair of pants. Nicely-positioned cargo pockets, zippered pockets, belt loops, and built-in belts are a number of the options out there. Whether or not you need these or not is dependent upon your private climbing plans and elegance.

Basically, you need your climbing pants to have a wholesome features-to-weight steadiness 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 case you take pleasure in carrying a great deal of further trinkets in your pockets whilst you plod alongside, further zippered and cargo pockets could also be your cup of tea. In case 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 carrying in your trek, to ensure the waist feels snug underneath load, and gained’t trigger chafing over the long term. Built-in belt loops may be useful in some situations, however we’ve discovered that they hardly ever really feel cozy with a 30-pound pack urgent down on them.

Value & Worth

Finances

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

The most effective worth in our lineup is the REI Trailmade Pants ($69), which match very well and ship excessive consolation however lack DWR safety. Patagonia’s Quandary Pants ($89) are additionally an incredible selection with articulated knees, a gusseted crotch, breathable cloth, and a DWR coating with a 40+ UPF ranking. 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 have the ability to discover a superb pair when you’ve got this sum of money to spend. On this worth vary you’ll discover pants with extra options than the finances class, although the top-tier costs might be reserved for much more specialty attributes.

Our prime choose, the Outside Analysis Ferrosi Pants, price solely $99. They’ve unmatched mobility and luxury and each UPF and DWR safety. The Black Diamond Alpine Mild 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 they usually ship wonderful mobility for scrambling and boulder hopping.

Premium

The pricier climbing pants in our evaluate fall between the $126 and $180 vary. These pants are sometimes manufactured from extra sturdy supplies and have specialty options that set them other than the remaining. Whereas mid-tier climbing pants might be simply advantageous for many on a regular basis climbing wants, should you 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 when it comes to worth. However, as insulated, water resistant pants that transfer with you, they’re probably the most 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: facet vent zippered openings, massive buttoned pockets, and tons of different loops, hooks, and options.

Incessantly Requested Questions

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

For long-term use, you have to be in search of a pair of pants which have sturdiness, can repel water or dry out rapidly, and has options you need (pockets, belt, leg zip-offs). It’s higher to contemplate these choices initially, even when you find yourself dispensing more cash. The most effective climbing pants are those that meet your distinctive wants.

Once more, this can be a private choice. One in every of 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 case 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 the best choice. In case you’re blazing by way of thick brush within the Alaskan backcountry, you positively want to guard your legs from getting lower up, so the Fjällräven Abisko Midsummer Zip Off Trousers do the trick.

Do tires in your automotive matter? Go forward and hike in your work pants, denims, or sweatpants, after which strive a technical pair from the listing above — that ought to reply your query. In case you are simply getting began, strive a pair of inexpensive pants just like the Columbia Silver Ridge Cargo Pant, then work your method up as you establish what options you’d favor.

Denims aren’t the most suitable choice as a result of they’re manufactured from cotton, and cotton doesn’t wick away moisture. They’re additionally not breathable, haven’t any stretch, and are fairly heavy. Basically, you’ll wish to avoid clothes manufactured from cotton, linen, denim, or something stiff.

It’s at all times greatest to put on and pack layers when climbing. You wish to consider your physique as an onion with the choice to layer down. Unfastened clothes with breathability is good, guaranteeing that you just’ll keep cool and wick away moisture. Having clothes that has UPF of 40-50 throughout the mix of supplies may help with avoiding sunburn.

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