Readers' Choice 2014: Merrell Belay Hiking Pants
Technical hiking pants that fit a woman's curvy figure.
Brand: Belay
Model: Merrell
[women ‘s softshell pants]
I’ve had a hard time finding the ideal three-season hiking pant. I want them light and breathable enough for strenuous hiking, quick-drying so I can wear them through showers and streams, tiny-packing, and tailored to fit my curvy figure. The Belay nails all these things. Made from a stretchy and rugged nylon, the pocket layout is convenient but not fussy, with two zippered hand pockets and a single thigh cargo pocket. The waistband is clean and unfettered with low-profile belt loops, so it never irritated me under a pack’s hipbelt. $85; 9.5 oz. (4); w’s 2-16; merrell.com