Best walking trousers 2024: Quick links
01. Best overall
02. Best for women
03. Best convertible
04. Best for durability
05. Best for men
06. Best waterproof
07. Best premium
08. Best for warm weather
09. Best lightweight
10. How to choose
11. How we test
12. FAQ
When hitting the trails, a reliable pair of the best walking trousers is your legs' best friend. So put those tracksuit bottoms or (eek!) jeans back in the drawer – they're just not going to cut it.
The below women's and men's hiking trousers are flexible and fast-drying, lightweight yet tough, won't chafe or fall, and come with pockets for all your valuables and even knee zips to let you air out your lower legs when/if the sun comes out.
Whether you're headed out on a strenuous multi-day trek or a casual stroll in the country, or even if you're just planning some sightseeing that requires comfortable attire, a pair of the best walking trousers is a good choice.
Add a couple of the best hiking boots and the best waterproof jacket, and you're all set for a comfortable, protected trip.
Best walking trousers to buy right now
Why you can trust T3
Best overall
New for A/W 2022, the Fjällräven Keb Agile are the best walking trousers for men. They're a lighter-weight version of the original Keb trousers (below), and come with a similar mix of fabrics to deliver comfort as well as toughness. The majority of the Keb Agile trousers are made from stretch fabric, with a gusseted groin area allowing for impressive freedom of movement, while reinforced patches on high-wear areas like the knees ensure you don't wear through these immediately. The Agile version is pitched as three-season and is slightly wind-resistant, with vents to prevent overheating.
Read our full Fjällräven Keb Agile trousers review.
Best for women
The Montane Women's Tucana Pants are crafted from durable, stretchy, and wind-resistant Granite Stretch fabric with a PFC-free DWR coating for added water resistance. These lightweight pants offer a slim fit that is both flattering and breathable, making them perfect for active outdoor use.
The large stretch waistband provides comfort, even allowing room for a post-hike meal without discomfort. The pants feature two zip hand pockets and a zipped rear pocket, ideal for storing essentials like a phone, tissues, or a map, though bulkier items might not fit due to the slender cut.
Tested on a coastal trek in varied weather conditions, the Tucana Pants lived up to their promises. They are not waterproof but handled light rain well, drying quickly thanks to the water-repellent coating. The snug fit is stylish yet practical, and the Granite Stretch fabric allows for easy movement, making them suitable for all-day wear.
Perfect for tall, slender women who enjoy outdoor activities, the Montane Women's Tucana Pants combine great looks with functionality. Their thoughtful design and range of sizes ensure a perfect fit, making them a top choice for hiking and other outdoor adventures.
Read our full Montane Women's Tucana Pants review.
Best convertible
Columbia's Silver Ridge Utility Convertible Walking Trousers stand out for their versatile two-in-one design. With zips just above the knee, you can quickly convert these trousers into cargo shorts, perfect for unpredictable summer hikes.
Made from 100% recycled polyester, these trousers are environmentally friendly and offer sun protection, making them ideal for summer. They are lightweight (men's 34W 30L weighs only 322g), breathable, and quick-drying, outperforming standard cotton in sweat-wicking and drying speed.
The trousers feature ample storage with two hand pockets, two back pockets, a cargo pocket, and a zipped pocket, all located on the shorts section, so you don't lose storage space when converting them.
Designed for the UK's variable weather, the Silver Ridge Utility Convertible Walking Trousers provide light wind protection and excellent sun coverage. Despite initial concerns about the zipping mechanism, the colour-coded zips make reattaching the lower leg sections easy.
However, they lack an adjustable hem, which would help prevent critters from entering when hiking through thick undergrowth.
The Columbia Silver Ridge Utility Convertible Walking Trousers are perfect for summer hikes and ultralight hiking.
Read our full Columbia Silver Ridge Utility Convertible Walking Trousers review.
Best for durability
Premium outdoor brand Mammut's lightweight Zinal Hybrid Pants are made from quick-drying, breathable fabric with 8% spandex, offering comfort and flexibility. The PFC-free durable water-repellent (DWR) treatment makes them weather-resistant, and they offer UPF 50+ protection against strong sunlight.
Despite their light design, these pants provide longevity, thanks to the reinforced areas around the knees, edges, and seat. The Zinal Pants feature five pockets (two at the front, two on the legs, and one at the back), a concealed fly with zipper and press studs, belt loops, side ventilation zippers, and adjustable hem width for a perfect fit.
Speaking of belt loops, we recommend getting a belt for the trousers, as the non-stretchy waist can be quite revealing when squatting unless tied up. (If you catch our drift.)
Overall, the Mammut Zinal Hybrid Pants are a solid choice for hikers who like to get their hands (and knees) dirty.
Best for men
Finisterre's Basset Trousers are crafted from heavyweight organic cotton with a brushed finish that feels soft yet durable. Thanks to the thick material and triple-stitched seams, they feel soft yet durable.
Storage is plentiful with five reinforced, deep pockets around the crotch area. Although not cargo pants, the pockets are spacious enough for essential items. The fifth pocket, a larger 'watch pocket,' can hold more substantial items like a compact flashlight.
While the Basset Trousers aren't highly technical, this enhances their versatility. Their durable construction makes them suitable for various environments, and their stylish design ensures you look good around town.
However, the lack of zip-fastened pockets and water resistance limits its functionality in more demanding conditions. Despite this, the trousers are tough enough to handle rough use and are designed to last. Finisterre also offers a repair service and workshops to teach repairs, promoting sustainability.
Read our full Finisterre Basset Trouser review.
Best waterproof
While many of the best walking trousers have some kind of contingency for inclement weather built-in – be it a quick-dry fabric or water-resistant finish, sometimes a properly waterproof pair of kecks will do. Our pick for the best waterproof walking trousers to buy now is the Resolve from The North Face.
These employ DryVent technology to keep the wind and rain securely out whilst still letting the air in, so your legs won't end up cooking on your wet-weather hike. Adjustable velcro cuff with knee-high zips means you can pull these on over your boots and get the fit sung once they're on. An elasticated waist and two zippered hand pockets round out the offering.
Pick up a bargain using one of our The North Face discount codes.
Best premium
The Klattermusen Gefjon 2.0 pants initially appear to be premium straight-fit cotton trousers with a simple design. They feature two hand pockets on each side and a zipped pocket with an internal mesh pocket for phones on the right leg.
Beneath the surface, these trousers boast technical details. Made from Klattermusen's Hirsutum cotton weave, they offer enhanced breathability and flexibility. The trousers have reconstructed seams for a cleaner look and a new front closure for quick and reliable fastening. The slightly higher waist at the back provides added protection, and the reinforced crotch area enhances agility, reflecting their design for climbing.
Despite initial concerns about their fashion-forward appearance, the Gefjon 2.0 pants prove highly functional. The relocated rear pockets, now on the sides, increase comfort and accessibility. The breathable Hirsutum fabric ensures comfort in various weather conditions, although the pants lack waterproofing. They are ideal for activities like walking, hiking, and climbing and are comfortable in diverse settings, from the beach to the office.
The Klattermusen Gefjon 2.0 pants are durable and versatile, making them a great choice for outdoor activities. They maintain their fresh appearance despite extensive use, justifying their higher price with longevity and performance. Investing in these pants could be more sustainable and cost-effective than frequently replacing cheaper alternatives.
Read our full Klattermusen Gefjon 2.0 review.
Best for warm weather
For a pair of women's walking trousers that are perfect for the summer months, Arc’teryx's Alroy hiking pants are definitely worth investigating. They're designed to be cool and flexible on warm-weather adventures and made with comfort and breathability in mind. They weigh in at just 225g, they're water-resistant enough to repel light rain, and they feature five pockets, including a thigh pocket that's ideal for holding your phone.
There are three colourways available – black, navy and khaki – and they're smart enough to wear when you're not out walking, as well as being tough enough to be scrunched up into a bag and not need ironing afterwards. Our one question mark is around the sizing; in our review, we found them to be far too big, and a lack of belt loops means you can't hitch them up if they're too roomy for you. We'd advise you to try before you buy (or at least order a range of sizes to see what suits you).
Read our full Arc'teryx Alroy walking trousers review.
Best lightweight
Jack Wolfskin's softshell Overlands make their way into our best hiking trousers guide thanks to their flexible fabric and versatile design. Available in women's and men's cuts and colourways that range from the understated to 'wouldn't miss you on a mountainside', these include pretty much everything you need from a pair of hiking trousers. The fabric is breathable, lightweight and stretchy for good freedom of movement as you hit the trails (although we found the cut on the women's pair was a little tight around the thighs).
Should the sun emerge halfway through your trip, there's a zip-away option to free your lower legs, as well as standard UV protection to stop you from burning. There are also lots of useful pockets, including one on the leg. If you're heading off in the warm weather and want something lightweight and flexible, these are a great shout.
How to choose the best walking trousers for you
From walking trousers with zip-off legs that convert longs to shorts in seconds to multi-pocket trousers that have space for every outdoor gadget, this activewear hero is a game changer when it comes to trekking.
When choosing, consider what weather and terrain you want to wear your trousers in. Also, think about how you want them to fit and how important style is to you, as well as how many pockets you need. For example, are you hoping a wealth of pockets will suffice in place of a backpack?
There’s also the question of breathability. Highly breathable hiking trousers are great for keeping you cool when trekking in hot weather or for long periods, but this isn't always necessary. We mention this feature in particular because it can increase the cost of trousers, so you might be spending more than you need to.
Fit and style are down to personal preference, but the majority of walking trousers are styled on the looser side – when striding in the wilds or clambering up hills, you want to feel as comfortable as possible. And remember, you can tighten up the belt fastening on your trousers, but you can't magically make them bigger.
Another big consideration is budget and exactly how technical you need your trews to be. Serious hikers should consider technical walking trousers from the likes of Fjӓllrӓven, Vidda Pro, Montane and Arc'teryx. Their use of the latest tough, weatherproof yet breathable fabrics – as well as features like articulated knees and stretch gussets – put them a cut above, though they're generally expensive.
For more casual walkers and hikers, check out brands such as Jack Wolfskin, Maier and Saloman. Even these more basic walking trousers are much better than a pair of jeans – which become heavy and uncomfortable in rain, but are often more casual in design, with everyday wearable credentials.
For travellers and adventurers after something they can wear around the world, it's still difficult to look past styles like the Royal Robbins Men's Bug Barrier Active Traveller Stretch Zip 'N' Go and Berghaus Explorer Eco. Trousers that convert into shorts are something of a backpacking cliche, but there are good reasons for that. If you've either a small budget or you're trying to build a capsule wardrobe for a long trip and still be ready for anything, these two-in-one garments are worth their weight.
FAQ
What are the different types of walking trousers?
Also known as trekking trousers, this type of active clothing can be split into sub-categories depending on the fabric they’re made from, the fit and the features.
Softshell walking trousers, for example, are commonly made from synthetic fabrics. They’re often windproof and rain-resistant but not fully waterproof. You can buy them with a mesh or fleece lining and wear them over base layer leggings in winter. People tend to wear softshell trousers during winter walking and hiking.
You can also buy hardshell walking trousers, which are hard-wearing and breathable, providing impressive protection from wind, rain and rough and tumble. These tend to be worn during winter or in environments when you’re susceptible to harsh weather and need a sturdy extra outer layer over your base layers.
The best hiking trousers are usually made from blended fabrics and are suited to pursuits such as backpacking, hiking, trekking and robust outdoor walking where you’ll be encountering varying terrain and surroundings.
Common materials here include polyester or polyamide and cotton, which are used to construct trousers that are tough yet feel soft against the skin. You can buy walking trousers that are resistant to thorns, brambles and even mosquito bites, while any with a wax coating put in a good water-repellent performance.
Due to their lightweight design, walking trousers can be rolled up and stashed neatly away in backpacks, making them the ideal choice of lightweight clothing for backpacking holidays, hiking trips and general adventuring.