The Greatest Mountaineering Pants for Ladies in 2023

Discovering the proper pair of ladies’s pants for outside actions is a notoriously troublesome job. Too stretchy, not stretchy sufficient, high-waisted, low-waisted, cinched ankles or roll-ups, it’s not simple to wade via all of the choices.

Researching dozens of the most effective ladies’s mountaineering pants available on the market immediately, we selected 14 fashions from in style manufacturers to place to the check. Our lead tester, Miya Tsudome, tried every of them personally, taking them on native hikes in southern California, on uncovered trails and thru prickly desert vegetation, and on mountain switchbacks with river crossings and bug publicity. 

Throughout testing, we thought of consolation, sturdiness, and freedom of motion. We additionally checked out worth, type, and intelligent options. Having particular metrics allowed us to match totally different fashions of pants objectively to see the place they excelled and the place they fell quick. After a number of months of researching the most recent pants and placing them to the check, we narrowed down the most effective choices for various makes use of, in classes akin to versatility, sturdiness, and price range. 

Fortunately, we’re seeing an increasing checklist of mountaineering pants for ladies. And whereas there isn’t a single mountaineering pant to go well with each girl, we’ve damaged the checklist into helpful classes that will help you discover the most effective match.

Don’t neglect to take a look at our buyer’s guide and frequently asked questions for useful suggestions, and take a look at our comparison chart to assist steer your resolution making.

Editor’s Observe: We refreshed this text on December 22, 2023, including extra particulars about our testing practices, and guaranteeing every present pant is in inventory and up-to-date.

The Greatest Mountaineering Pants for Ladies in 2023

Ladies’s Mountaineering Pants Comparability Chart

How We Examined Ladies’s Mountaineering Pants

Right here at GearJunkie, we’re devoted athletes, outside hobbyists, and all-around journey aficionados. In different phrases, we do all of it, and we all know what it’s wish to need your clothes to have the ability to sustain.

We’ve been reviewing mountaineering pants for this information since July 2020, and every year we fastidiously analysis the most effective mountaineering pants available on the market to overview. On this newest iteration, our testers spent over a 12 months researching which fashions to check, and put these mountaineering pants via the wringer. From rocky trails within the Pacific Northwest, to the desert sagebrush and alpine mountains of Bishop, Calif., we ensured that every pair was worn over a number of miles in various terrain and circumstances to see how they measured as much as each other. 

Contributor Rebecca Ross is a mountaineering and backpacking fanatic. She’s hiked everywhere in the Pacific Northwest, usually mixed with climbing aims. An American Alpine Membership grant recipient, she’s no stranger to worldwide climbing expeditions.

Our different tester and editor, Miya Tsudome, can also be an avid mountaineering fanatic and former information for the Yosemite Mountain College, and may usually be discovered going deep into the Excessive Sierra mountains in her yard of Bishop, Calif. She’s used and destroyed loads of pants bushwhacking her option to distant crags and shimmying up granite chimneys.

Assessing every of those pants with goal metrics akin to materials, versatility, mobility, weatherproofing, and extra options, Miya and Rebecca had been in a position to write an knowledgeable purchaser’s information stuffed with helpful data. Their mixed expertise and data — plus their general instinct on what an excellent pair of mountaineering pants ought to feel and appear like — will hopefully enable you to discover the most effective pair to your subsequent journey.

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

This information focuses on the most effective mountaineering pants available on the market that boast sturdiness over the long term. Take a look at our information to the most effective leggings if you need extra solutions for activewear to match all of your adventures. Additionally, when you’re searching for male-specific fashions, try our information on the Greatest Mountaineering Pants for males.

Materials

Do you propose to hike solely in heat summer time months or do you propose to hike all 12 months spherical in fluctuating climate? Do you want plenty of stretch in your pants or are you searching for one thing extra waterproof and sturdy? These questions are necessary to bear in mind when selecting mountaineering pants, which are available in all kinds of supplies as of late. 

Most all mountaineering pants are product of a mix of artificial supplies. In our lineup, nylon, polyester, and spandex (elastane) are closely featured. This ensures they’ve qualities that make them breathable or weather-resistant, in addition to stretchy to maintain you comfy on the path.

Pants made primarily of polyester, just like the Kuhl Freeflex Roll-up Pants and Fjallraven Keb Curved Trousers, are sometimes extra breathable with excessive moisture-wicking talents and medium stretch. 

Pants which can be primarily product of nylon, just like the Patagonia Quandary Pants, Prana Halle Hiking Pants, Columbia Saturday Trail Pant, and Coalatree Trailhead Pants are more durable than pants made primarily of polyester, making them the higher alternative if sturdiness is of concern.

Lastly, pants with a better degree of elastane, just like the Coalatree Trailhead Pants, or naturally, any leggings just like the Athleta Headlands Cargo Tights, will present extra stretch.

Selecting what kind of cloth will greatest fit your wants is finally a matter of non-public choice and luxury, in addition to contemplating when you want sturdiness or breathability based mostly on the kind of mountaineering you’ll be doing. In case you are searching for much more breathability, you would possibly wish to select pants which can be made with further air flow options like on the Fjallraven Keb Curved Trousers. These heavy-duty mountaineering pants have facet vents on every pant leg for once you want some further assist cooling down. 

Additionally, since pants are including extra options to safeguard you from the solar — search for pants with UPF safety just like the Outdoor Research Ferrosi which is rated at 50+ UPF!

Pant Size & Versatility

Mountaineering pants sometimes are available in three essential choices: full-length, convertible, and roll-up.

Full-length pants are an excellent choice for full leg safety, even in the summertime. A lot of the pants on our checklist are thought of full-length just like the Patagonia Skyline Traveler Pants or the Columbia Saturday Trail Pant.

Convertible pants — none are proven in our checklist — are a 2-in-1 packaged deal. They are often worn as shorts or pants, because the legs zip off. They’re an excellent choice for variable climate and multiday hikes the place you need extra choices and fewer gear to pack. They don’t get as many type factors however are purposeful and versatile if that’s what you’re searching for. 

And someplace between full-length and convertible lie roll-up pants much like Patagonia’s Quandary pants or the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants. Such pants have a tab, button, or drawcord that secures the cuff when rolled up.

A few of our testers are additionally massive proponents of ankle-length pants that don’t require you to roll the cuff, just like the Mountain Hardwear Women’s Dynama/2 Ankle. Not solely can this be a method choice, but in addition it lets you put on mountaineering boots with ankle cuffs with out having to make any alterations to your pants, which is usually a bonus for some.

Mobility

With the ability to transfer freely is a serious hallmark of the most effective mountaineering pants. Whether or not operating 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.

The feminine form will be robust to suit, however there are extra choices now than ever earlier than. Some manufacturers like Fjallraven provide curvy and straight suits, whereas others have added plus-size technical choices. And since each physique is formed in another way, it may be useful to attempt on just a few pairs earlier than shopping for to make sure a comfortable (however comfy) match.

With regards to trekking-specific leggings, like our favourite decide, Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights HD they’ll usually be barely tighter and fewer forgiving than typical yoga pants however are extra sturdy and sometimes bolstered to help in longevity on the path.

Options

Mountaineering pants are available in all sizes and shapes, and a few options like the kind of waist closure or measurement and the variety of pockets will help you resolve what sort of pants you’ll like the most effective. 

When out on the path, pockets will be useful when needing to entry gadgets rapidly. Typically you’ll see mountaineering pants with back and front pockets. Pants with extra versatility will present a zippered pocket on the thigh for added safety.

Since we like to remain on the transfer, we desire pants with deep pockets that match our telephones or snacks and, ideally ones that zip. With regards to pockets that aren’t purposeful for our wants, they have an inclination to make it on our cons checklist.

The Fjallraven Keb Curved Trousers have a powerful quantity of pockets, with two hand pockets plus two deep pockets on every leg, and even an inside mesh pocket. We additionally actually recognize when leggings characteristic pockets, and that’s one of many essential causes the Athleta Headlands Cargo Tights and the Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights made it onto our checklist.

You’ll additionally need to resolve what kind of waist closure you’re searching for in a mountaineering pant. Most conventional mountaineering pants characteristic a zipper and button closure, just like the Outdoor Research Ferrosi, Patagonia Quandary, Prana Halle II, Kuhl Freeflex, and Columbia Saturday Path Pant. A lot of these pants additionally all include belt loops, so you may dial in a exact match.

The Coalatree Trailhead pants characteristic a cinched waistband with a drawcord for a extra informal, fairly than technical, look. For some, the stretchy waistband of leggings could be extra interesting. These match snugly underneath a backpacking backpack’s waist belt, and gained’t be susceptible to any snagging or bunching like button-closure pants would possibly. 

Climate Safety

A DWR (sturdy waterproof repellent) coating is used on most mountaineering pants. It doesn’t make pants fully waterproof however provides sufficient safety to maintain you dry on dewy mornings or in mild showers.

The Coalatree Trailhead Pants and Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants present a DWR end for sudden rain, however we don’t advocate sporting them as all-weather pants. As an alternative, you’ll need one thing designed to tackle extra precipitation just like the Columbia Saturday Trail Pant with Omni-Defend for repelling stains and water. Nevertheless, if you need complete waterproof safety — rain pants layered over mountaineering pants will do the trick.

It’s price mentioning that DWR coatings put on out over time, so that you’ll wish to deal with closely used mountaineering pants for optimum efficiency. Nikwax Softshell Proof Wash-In is a simple option to hold your pants repelling water 12 months after 12 months.

Extra Options for Mountaineering Pants

The little extras can actually make or break a great pair of pants. A few of the options accessible are well-positioned cargo pockets, zippered pockets, cooling vents, belt loops, and built-in belts. These increase a pant’s useability and performance on lengthy treks, and assist with group and general consolation because the miles grind by.

Extra options we like are stain resistance and anti-microbial properties for fewer washes, safety from abrasions to maintain your pants lasting via rugged terrain, and even designated waist loops designed to maintain gadgets helpful. Whether or not you need these or not is determined by your private mountaineering plans and magnificence.

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