Whenever I’m asked, “Which hiking pants should I get?” my answer is always the same: “What are you using them for?” There are many different types of hiking pants to suit different types and levels of adventure. You can quickly narrow down your options when you have a clear idea of what activities you’ll be using your outdoor pants for. Have a quick read of the descriptions below and you’ll be well on your way to choosing the best pair of hiking pants for your needs.

The Everyday Hiker Pants 

_{The Bushbuck Venture Pants 2.0 are excellent all-round hiking and adventure pants.} You’re after a pair of comfortable outdoor pants to wear hiking on popular trails in mostly fair weather. Your main priorities are having extra warmth during the cooler months and sun protection in the warmer months. However, you require reasonable durability, breathability, and some rain protection. And you also want the fabric to provide a decent amount of flex for hiking uphill and navigating tricky terrain.  Your ideal hiking pants specs:

• High-stretch fabric for comfort and flexibility

• Breathable fabric 

• Water-repellent

• Reinforced stitching in high-wear areas

• Extra durability around ankles 

• Pockets and vent zips 

Best Match: Venture Pants 2.0

The All-Out Adventure Pants

You’re a serious adventurer who braves wet weather and alpine conditions so you need a pair of hiking pants that are up to the task. If you’re covering long distances, you want pants that are lightweight and breathable with plenty of flex so they don’t slow you down or restrict movement. But you also want them to be durable and abrasion resistant for rugged, rocky terrain and bush bashing, as well as fully waterproof for hiking in rain and snow. Your ideal hiking pants specs:

• 4-way stretch fabric for freedom of movement

• Durable ripstop fabric

• 100% waterproof (at least 10,000mm)

• Highly breathable (at least 10,000g)

• Lightweight (less than 750 grams)

• Extra durability around ankles

• Waterproof pockets 

Best Match: Alpine Pants

The Heavy-Duty Work Pants

You’re after hiking pants that put toughness and protection above all else. You might be a hardcore hiker, or a tradie or farmer who likes to get outdoors during the weekends. Durability is number one so you’re after a heavy-duty fabric with extra reinforcements in high-wear areas. But you also want comfortable outdoor pants that have a good range of movement and breathability. You’re likely to be exposed to the elements come rain, hail or shine, so you need pants that are fully waterproof and windproof.  Your ideal hiking pants specs:

• Heavy-duty, durable fabric 

• 100% waterproof (at least 10,000mm)

• Windproof membrane 

• Highly breathable 

• Extra reinforcements in high-wear areas 

• Waterproof pockets 

Best Match: Defender Pants

Choosing a pair of hiking pants is quite different to buying a pair of jeans, chinos or work pants. Sure, you want your outdoor trousers to look good, but there’s a whole lot more to take into consideration. Here, I’ll guide you through the key things to look for in a pair of hiking pants so the next one you buy is bang on the money.

Best Hiking Pant Fabrics

The fabric your hiking pants are made of will have the biggest influence on durability, weight, water-resistance, quick-drying capabilities, and overall comfort. The most common fabrics used in hiking pants are polyester and nylon. Both fabrics are used in a wide range of outdoor gear and while they offer similar performance, they each have unique benefits.

Nylon vs Polyester Performance 

Generally, nylon is considered a more durable, heavy-duty fabric and polyester a decent all-round fabric. Both fabrics come in a wide range of thickness, which determines the overall durability of the pants. Fabric thickness or density is measured in “denier”, which is typically shortened to “D” in product descriptions. For example, hiking pants made from 500D nylon will be thicker and more durable than pants made from 400D nylon. It’s important to keep in mind that thicker fabric is usually less comfortable, flexible and breathable than thinner fabrics. It’s all about finding the right balance for your needs.

Hiking Pants Flexibility 

There’s nothing worse than a pair of hiking pants with zero flex. They restrict your movement and slow you down. In order to make outdoor pants more flexible and comfortable, the nylon or polyester is often blended with a “stretchy” fabric like spandex, elastane, or lycra. This blend is highly recommended for hiking pants as it provides the freedom of movement you need for hitting your stride, climbing uphill, and navigating tricky terrain. Your outdoor pants don’t need to perform like a gymnast’s tights, but you definitely want some degree of flex. Look out for pants that are two-way stretch, four-way stretch, or contain a small amount of spandex, elastane or lycra. Typically, outdoor pants will only need 10-15% of stretchy fabric to provide a good amount of flexibility. For example, our four-way-stretch Alpine Pants are made of 85% nylon and 15% spandex.

Little known fact: Elastane, spandex and lycra are actually all the same synthetic fabric, they’re just different brand names.

_{The Bushbuck Alpine Pants are designed for maximum flex and freedom of movement.} Most hiking pants will offer some level of water resistance as polyester and nylon both have water-resistant properties. However, not all hiking pants are waterproof. If you’re planning to be out in the rain, snow, or walking through dewy long grass on cold mornings in the hills, you should consider buying waterproof hiking pants. Just like waterproof jackets, hiking pants can have different waterproof ratings with the most common being 5,000mm, 10,000mm, and 20,000mm.  The higher the number, the more waterproof the pants. There’s a whole science to waterproof ratings, which you can learn more about here. While the overall waterproof ratings is the best indicator of waterproof performance, you should also look for other features such as:

• DWR: A waterproof treatment that causes water to bead on the surface of your pants.

• Seam Sealing: A waterproof seal along the stitching of your pants. Some pants will only have seam sealing in the most exposed areas while others will be 100% seam sealed.

• Waterproof Pockets: If you’re planning to carry valuables in your pockets, you’ll also want pants that have waterproof zips and/or storm flaps.

Now if you’re just after waterproof pants, you could go and grab some of those yellow PVC over trousers that dad used to wear as they’re basically impenetrable. But can you imagine how much you’d sweat while hiking in those?

That’s why you also need to consider breathability. 

You probably know how hot and sweaty your nether regions can get while hiking, hunting, or working hard. This is why it’s so important to choose hiking pants that can breathe.  Waterproof performance and durability are important, but a good pair of outdoor pants should also let heat and moisture escape.  Hiking pants breathability is achieved in the same way as waterproof jackets, by using a 2- or 3-layer fabric construction that prevents water from getting in, but lets heat and moisture out. Vents and zips are other ways pants can “breathe”. 

Are Hiking Pants Windproof?

Windproof hiking pants are typically made from tightly woven fabrics like nylon or polyester, which naturally resist wind penetration. Some may include a windproof membrane, similar to those used in waterproof jackets. The windproof membrane is usually sandwiched between the waterproof outer layer and breathable inner layer.  For example, our Defender Pants use Stormarc Technology, a 3-layer technical membrane that we also use in most of our waterproof jackets. Stormarc is designed to be waterproof, windproof and breathable, similar to GoreTex. For additional wind protection, consider layering your hiking pants over a pair of Merino leggings.

Hiking Pants Durability

_{The Bushbuck Defender Pants are engineered for hard work, but they also provide the durability you need in the outdoors.} I talked about fabric durability above, but hiking pants should go above and beyond when it comes to durability.  In the course of your adventures, you’re likely to scuff your pants against rocks, crawl through dirt and stones, bash through the bush, and contort your body into all sorts of unnatural postures. You want your hiking pants to be tough, which is why you should look for some or all of the following durability features:

• Ankle Bash Pads: These provide extra protection around the ankle area which takes a lot of punishment from scuffing against your boots, rocks, scrub etc.

• Knee Pads: These provide extra durability at the knees, which is helpful if you’re crawling, bending, or kneeling on the ground while working or hunting.

• Reinforced Stitching: An extra layer of stitching in high-wear areas (crotch, hips etc) ensures pants are hard-wearing and long-lasting.

What Are The Most Comfortable Hiking Pants?

Sometimes durability can come at the cost of comfort. But comfort is key when it comes to hiking pants and it is possible to get pants that are both comfortable and tough. So how do you know if a pair of hiking pants is comfortable before you get to test them out? Design, fit, and sizing are three factors that can help you determine how comfortable outdoor pants will be.

Design

• Gusseted Crotch: A gusseted crotch is a triangle or diamond piece of fabric that’s sewn into the crotch area. It means the tension from the seams is more dispersed making them more comfortable to wear. It also helps with overall durability as the crotch seams aren’t under as much pressure.

• Articulated Knee: An articulated knee is a design feature where the fabric is pre-shaped and sewn to mimic the natural bend of the knee. This involves using extra fabric and strategic stitching to create a curved shape, allowing for greater comfort and freedom of movement, which is important for outdoor activities.

• Inner Lining: Pants with a soft or brushed inner lining or membrane can be more comfortable to wear for longer missions than more rigid fabrics.

Size and Fit

• Sizing: Hiking pants sizing should be similar to other pants you wear, however, it’s always a good idea to use the sizing guide provided and whip out the old tape measure at home to be sure. I recommend sizing up if you’re planning to wear your pants as a waterproof layer over leggings or shorts.

• Fit: Most hiking pants will be regular fit or relaxed fit. The great outdoors isn’t a fashion show so there’s no need for hiking pants that fit like skinny jeans. Some rain pants may be more relaxed for wearing over other clothes.

• Women’s Hiking Pants: There tends to be more sizing and fit options for women’s hiking pants.  They tend to have a narrower waist, wider hips, and more room in the thighs. They often feature a higher rise to fit better around the waist and hips.

• Product Reviews: Sometimes customer reviews can provide valuable insight into the size and fit of outdoor pants. Make sure to browse through the reviews if you’re unsure about sizing.

Zips

• Zip-Off Hiking Pants: Zip-off hiking pants allow you to zip off the bottom half of the pants and convert them into shorts. This can be a versatile feature if you’re trying to cut down on how much gear you’re carrying.

• Leg Zips: Leg zips are designed to make it easier to put on and take off your hiking pants over the top of your boots. This is a great feature if it suddenly starts raining or the temperature drops and you want to quickly pull your pants on over your other gear. Leg zips can be full length or half length or quarter length.

• Zip Vents: Some hiking pants have ventilation zips that allow you to offload heat when the going gets tough.

Belts

• Webbing Belts: Webbing belts, often included with or built into hiking pants, are made from strong, woven synthetic fibres. They typically have quick-release buckles, making them easy to adjust and secure.

• Velcro Straps: Some hiking pants have integrated velcro straps around the waist which help with tightening or loosening the fit around your hips. While not strictly a belt, they serve a similar purpose.

• Elastic Waistbands: Some hiking pants have elastic waistbands with drawstrings or cinch cords. These allow for easy adjustment and provide a snug fit without the need for a separate belt.

Pockets

You might think pockets are an obvious feature for a pair of hiking pants. But some pants have a whole lot more going on in the pocket department than others. Hiking pants are close cousins of cargo pants and military pants, which are both known for having a heap of pockets for carrying all sorts of gear. While some hiking pants only have the two traditional hip pockets, other outdoor pants have a lot more. Our Venture 2.0 Pants, for example, have six pockets. While pockets are unlikely to be a deal breaker when choosing your hiking pants, it’s worth considering how much gear you like to carry on your person.

Hit Your Stride with the Perfect Pair of Hiking Pants

_{The Bushbuck Alpine Pants hiking pants have a full length leg zip for putting on over your boots.} Choosing the right hiking pants is a game-changer for any outdoor enthusiast. The perfect pair provides comfort, durability, and functionality, ensuring you're ready for whatever nature throws your way. Whether you're tackling rugged trails, scaling peaks, or enjoying a casual walk in the woods, the right hiking pants will keep you comfortable and protected.

As I said at the beginning, your legs are your greatest asset in the outdoors so take your time to select the best hiking pants for your needs. But don’t get stuck overthinking it! After all, there are adventures to be had and memories to be made. So get your pins in a fresh pair of pants and I’ll see you out there. Check out Bushbuck’s hiking pants