A high waist protects the lower back better, particularly when scrambling or wearing a rucksack hipbelt. Some trousers have double or even triple stitched seams in high-stress areas for added durability. Adjustable cuffs with a press stud, tab or strap closure permit a closer, more streamlined fit. Some trousers have an integrated lace or boot hook at the front of the ankle cuff to stop the cuff riding up and help prevent debris from getting into your boots.
Adding elastane also called spandex or Lycra to a fabric provides stretch, giving better freedom of movement and a closer fit. Two-way stretch fabrics stretch either vertically or horizontally. Four-way stretch fabrics stretch in both directions, crosswise and lengthwise. It also proved to be impressively fast-drying. These are great qualities for all-day wear in the hills, but the fact that they are so packable makes them a great option for backpacking too.
The overall fit is comfortable and unrestrictive. In fact, the only thing that limits freedom of movement is the crotch seam, where a gusset panel might have given an inch of extra leg lift. They have two hand pockets and two back pockets, but only one zipped pocket, at the thigh. Since the focus is on minimum weight and maximum breathability, there are no fabric overlays at seat, knees or ankles. It also points out that wicking finishes can cause dew to spread up the trousers to your knees, an interesting point Uncomplicated summer trousers that nail the essentials, with a great fit and a lightweight, breathable fabric.
As comfortable as gym leggings, but robust enough to cope with life in the great outdoors, the Sherpa Kalpana Hike Tights are a great concept. However, the heavier fabric weight ensures good durability. It means these are thicker than most gym, yoga or running tights too, providing a bit more warmth on the hill. All seams are flatlock stitched to ensure zero irritation, and the panelling incorporates a gusseted crotch that offers excellent freedom of movement.
The high waist gives good coverage, while the low-profile design that means they sit easily underneath a climbing harness or a rucksack hipbelt. We loved the practical zipped pockets on both thighs, and we also discovered a small, hidden internal security pocket in the waistband.
Super comfy tights that work well for hillwalking but would also be a good option on multi-day backpacking trips. Fortunately, things have moved on since then, though in some areas, female-specific kit design is still rather lacking. Hillwalking trousers are a case in point. The lighter Stretch Max Skinnies are just as good. Riveted front pockets, twin back pockets one of which is zipped , belt loops and a rear leather-look logo patch all emphasise the casual styling.
But they boast plenty of hidden performance, being made from hard-wearing and quick-drying nylon with four-way stretch. They also have a shower-resistant DWR finish. We were impressed with their overall cut, which offers excellent freedom of movement.
And they come in a wide range of sizes too, plus four leg lengths. Versatile and stylish outdoor trousers with enough technical performance to get out there all summer long. So please, avoid jeans. Easy to clean : Treks can get messy. Think dusty trails, horse dung, rolling in the meadows or sitting under a maple tree for lunch.
All these will get dirt on your pants. Like cotton. To address this, good trek pants are made of stain and dirt-resistant fabrics. Again, polyamides are great at this. While cotton is great for this purpose, it is a bad choice for treks. Contrary to the popular notion, they are breathable and let your sweat evaporate easily. Note : And I must state the obvious here — waterproof pants like the ones made of raincoat material are not breathable.
Do not ever wear them on treks. The only time you can wear waterproof pants is when you slip them over your regular trekking pants on monsoon treks. Basically when there is a downpour on. But waterproof pants are extremely bulky and weigh a lot. Even on big monsoon treks, I would not recommend taking them on treks. Truth : I have done that and regretted it.
For two reasons:. Nowadays you get good synthetic track pants. They really work well as inners. And yet, we forget this crucial detail while choosing our trek clothes. There are no two ways about it. The problem area usually is fitting at the crotch. So, do a full squat and see if it feels tight.
Next, lift your knees to your chest. See how the material responds. Does it stretch easily? Are you comfortable with the stretch? Buy the pants only if the answer is a straight yes. Many will be surprised with this question — is there a right time to buy trekking pants? Timing plays an important role. So, what is the right time to buy a trekking pant? These will tumble out, especially when you climb suddenly, or squat on the ground to sit. It is never possible to get a level ground to sit.
You sit where you can. Good trek pants come with zippered pockets. It prevents stuff from tumbling out. Ask our lost and found team. Ensure your trek pants come with side pockets with zippers. Most trek pants will also come with thigh pockets , either with zips or flaps. They really make life easy, especially for mobile phones, maps, small notepads. Make sure that they are able to take in the length of your mobile phone easily.
Check how these are placed. For example, Velcro at the bottom will gather dirt and will be hard to clean. But velcro to adjust the waist size like you have in the Mountain Trekking Trousers — TREK pants is really helpful during loo breaks in cold winters when your fingers are too cold to fumble with the buttons.
For the mains, check — do these trekking pants need a belt? That will weigh you down. Instead, go for the ones that have elastic at the waist. Or if the pant is well-fitting, sturdy buttons will also do. Pro tip : Check if your trek pants stay in place even when you put things in the pocket.
Sometimes, the weight of loaded pockets pull your trek pant down, and you need a light belt to keep it in place at such times. Layering refers to wearing more than one layer of clothing to trap body heat.
Two layers of t-shirt work as good as one sweater. But what do you do for your legs? If your legs are feeling cold, the only thing that you need to do is layer up. This is where you carry extra synthetic fitting track pants. Wearing track pants or tights under your trek pants can offset any cold nights. For men and women, the formula is the same. Here, the material of an inner fitting pant — could be stretchable track pants, leggings or tights will determine the ease of layering.
So, choose a stretchable trekking pant or a track pant as an inner, if they are smooth enough to allow layering. At Indiahikes, we are conscious of this fact. More expensive trek pants may be marginally better, but really not worth the price difference. And it works, because you do find great options under that budget. For example, TREK series of pants stick to this budget range. I am stressing on this because trekking is a minimalist sport. So, be smart about it. Check out the trekking gears you can rent.
Before investing in expensive trekking pants, pause and think — do I really need this? It even has built-in gaiters and is meant for winters. It is thick, has lovely insulation, and frankly on snow it is the best thing ever. The reality is that I have only worn it once on a winter trek. In my next winter setting, I wore multiple layers to add more flexibility.
These fancy pants occupied too much space. These are the most popular trekking pants in the category because they are tailor-made for river-crossing or hot weather. You are bound to encounter these on a trek.
And in such situations, these trekking pants can be easily converted into shorts as the lower part is detachable. You can easily remove the bottom part of these pants and prevent them from getting wet during river crossing.
This keeps you warm and dry. Also, on trails that are hot and humid, convertibles are great. You can convert your trek pants into shorts to stay cooler and lighter.
Apart from that, TREK has most qualities of a good trekking pant, in terms of what we discussed earlier in this blog. We may earn a commission if you buy something from any affiliate links on our site. Learn more. A sturdy pair of walking boots top the list, closely followed by a waterproof jacket but for absolute comfort whatever the weather you should invest in a good pair of walking trousers. Few things are more miserable than cold wet jeans when you are miles from home, so a fast drying, breathable and water repellent trousers are a must.
Read our list of the best headphones for our favourite picks in every category. The waist and hem can both be adjusted for added comfort, and they just feel great to wear, with no danger of chaffing. As far as storage, the trousers have six pockets — four of which are zipped for added security — and we appreciate the hidden lace hook in the hem, that attaches to your walking boots to prevent them riding up. It also conforms to Bluesign, an industry standard that ensures fabrics are made as eco as possible.
The sewing is also done in Fair Trade factories, which ensured better working conditions and wages. Also consider: Patagonia tells us that a womens style of its Point Peak Trail Pants are coming later this year.
Pros: Superb comfort; good style; sustainable design Cons: Nothing of note. They now boast a wide range of in-house brands — from very basic first-time gear to advanced kit for serious mountaineering — and as a result features and fabrics developed for the top of the line which is still more affordable than most are now trickling down to the mass market.
They look good and feel good.
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