The Best Backcountry Ski Pants of 2024
Not just any pants will do when you're braving the elements in the backcountry. These live up to the challenge.
Pants Reviews
You don’t want to take the performance of your hiking pants for granted. We have reviews on the best clothes to outfit you in the backcountry, including hiking pant reviews. Learn which features you don’t want to do without and which fabrics protect and provide the most comfortable fit on a long trek with expert advice from Backpacker Magazine.
Are Pee Zippers a Must-Have for Squatting Hikers? Our Writers Debate.
Some newfangled hiking pants feature an extended zipper that allows users to squat and pee without undressing. While some hikers love them, others are set in their urination ways.
Latest in Pants Reviews
Weekly Obsession: These Insulated Pants Are as Tough as They Are Warm
The Kuiu Kenai Pant isn’t your typical featherweight puffy.
Rhone Mako Short
Check out Amelia Arvesen's author page.
Fjällräven Abisko Midsummer Zip Off Trousers
The most versatile pants of 2021.
prAna Alameda Pants
The best heat-busting trouser of 2021.
Patagonia Altvia Alpine Pants
The best alpine-ready pants of 2021.
Smartwool Merino Sport 8-Inch Shorts
The best mile-crushing shorts of 2021.
Rab Ascendor Light Pants
The best do-it-all bottoms of 2021.
Patagonia Pack Out Hike Tights
Leggings have become a stay-at-home staple—but these can handle the trail too.
Sneak Peak: Holden Outerwear Schoeller Corkshell and WholeGarment Line
An outerwear line that uses cork and a waste-free computerized knitting system are among the innovations the company hopes to show off this year.
Icebreaker Persist Plus
Versatile pant
Fjällräven Keb Trouser
With salvaged materials and no PFCs, these pants are easy on the Earth.
The Best Hiking Pants for Any Conditions
Fend off thorns, cold, and more with the best hiking pants on the market.
Patagonia PowSlayer Bib
Eco-friendly all-rounders
Rab Sharp Edge Pant
Women’s touring pant
Dynafit Speedfit Dynastretch Pants
Best for touring laps
Fjällräven Abisko Lite Trekking Trouser
Trail armor
Mountain Khakis Camber 104 Hybrid Pant
Trail to town
Millet Aiguilles Vertes Cordura Pant
Perfect for peakbaggers
Western Rise Granite Camp Pant
Most versatile outdoor pants
Under Armour ArmourVent Trail Shorts
Breathable shorts
Dynafit Mezzalama Alpha Pant
Breathable insulation makes these the most versatile winter pants we’ve tested.
Kühl Radikl Pants
These pants' smartly placed stretch panels and a soft cotton blend mean crazy comfort.
Berghaus Antelao Pant
This full-featured, three-layer Gore-Tex Pro Shell pant stands up to hard use in fierce weather.
Black Diamond Dawn Patrol Touring Pants
Storm-worthy and breathable, this softshell pant proved ideal for working hard in all conditions.
Montane Fast Alpine Neo Pants
This tough, protective bib is more comfortable than most, thanks to a great fit and stretchy hardshell fabric.
Patagonia Super Cell Pants
Supremely packable and lightweight, this minimalist hardshell works year-round.
Scott Solute Pant
Supple, quiet fabric gives this hardshell jeans-like comfort for all-day wear and après lounging.
Snow Pants for Big Kids
Storm-worthy shell pants for powder days.
Salomon Field Pant
Softshell pants that are waterproof from the knees down.
Mountain Hardwear Chockstone Midweight Active Pant
Slim-fitting pants with top-notch durability and weather resistance.
Readers' Choice 2014: Merrell Belay Hiking Pants
Technical hiking pants that fit a woman's curvy figure.
Gear Review: Outdoor Research Supercharger Pants
Check out Glenna Xie's author page.
Gear Review: Patagonia Alpine Guide Pants
Softshell pants built for years of abuse.
Gear Review: Columbia Triple Trail II Pants
These bullet-proof pants are unbreakable.
Gear Review: First Ascent Nail Driver Pants
Durability and insulation in a mobile and comfortable pant.
Gear Review: Sherpa Adventure Gear Saba-Tek Pants
Sherpa agains delivers quality pants at a great price.
Editors' Choice Snow Award 2012: La Sportiva Storm Fighter GTX Pants
These Gore-Tex beauties will restore your faith in hardshell pants.
Gear Review: The North Face Enzo Shell Pant
From snow to rain, backcountry to lifts, these pants do it all.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 2012: Pants
Tame winter's worst with five all-purpose pants.
Gear Guide 2012: Arc'teryx Palisade Capri
Short pants that offer a blend of performance and style.
Editors' Choice 2012: Kühl Liberator
Zip-off pants? Yes, thanks to convertibles that finally bring form to the function.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 2011: Pants
Tough winter pants (plus one really cushy pair) for all your cold-weather activities.
Gear Review: Patagonia Super Alpine Bibs
Bibs built for the worst of conditions.
Gear Review: REI Mistral Hiking Pants
Made for cold-weather hikes and cruiser snowshoe tours where ski pants seem like overkill.
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Bokta Hardshell Pants
Extremely breathable waterproof shell pants.
Gear Review: MontBell U.L. Down Inner Pants
Five-ounce down pants that provide instant warmth after bone-chilling hikes.
Gear Review: Mammut Eisfeld/Eismeer Softshell Pants
Tough, weather-resistant, and stretchy, these pants are also supremely breathable.
Gear Review: Beyond RoughRider/Steel Pants
Beyond creates custom-made trail clothes at a remarkable price.
2011 Editors' Choice Snow Award: Beyond RoughRider/Steel
Custom-made pants that fit every body type.
Gear Review: Helly Hansen Muru Short
Shorts that move but aren't baggy.
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Cohesion Stretch Pant
Lightweight and durable shell pants.
Gear Review: Kuhl Renegade Pants
Styled like cotton pants, but built to work out.
Gear Review: REI Endeavor Pants
These four-way stretch, double-weave polyester pants are comfortable and quick drying.
Gear Review: Sierra Designs Fusion Pant
If your winter gear closet includes skis, snowshoes, snowboards, and sleds, you need only one pair of drawers: the men's Sierra Designs Fusion Pant.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 2010: Pants
From softshells to bibs, the toughest and most comfortable pants for every cold-weather outdoor adventure.
Gear Review: Marmot Alpinist Pants
Lightweight bibs that turn into pants with a zip.
Gear Review: Flylow Magnum/Bella Donna Pants
Ski or snowboard pants that won't get shredded.
Gear Review: First Ascent Rainier Storm Shell Pants
Ultralight shell pants that protect from snow and cold.
Gear Review: ARC'TERYX Rampart Pants
Need pants you can wear for two weeks straight and still be presentable? Slip into the Rampart from ARC'TERYX.
Gear Review: First Ascent Mountain Guide Lite Pants
The fit, the fabric, and the details make these pants shine.
Gear Review: The North Face Men's Paramount Peak Convertible Pant
This upgrade to The North Face's tried and true convertible pant makes the grade.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 09: Pants
Five shell pants for any adventure.
Gear Review: Outdoor Research Equinox Convert Pants
These zip-off Outdoor Research pants are practical and stylish.
Gear Review: Marmot Murallon Pants
These Marmot pants are great for rugged, winter activity.
Gear Review: Lafuma LD Prowarm Battle Pants
Check out Testers Kelly Bastone, Liz Cornish, Shannon Davis, Jonathan Dorn, Ben Fullerton's author page.
Gear Review: Isis Cassandra Pant
These pants for ladies are practical and flattering.
Gear Review: Ground Puritan Pants
These Ground softshell pants fit a variety of sizes and are remarkably tough.
Gear Review: GoLite Badlands Trinity Pants
These waterproof GoLite shell pants are heavy duty.
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Navigation Pants
These rugged, yet stylish, pants have thigh vents and removable gaiters.
Review: Mountain Hardwear Canmore Pants
These lightweight and tough nylon pants will do the trick
Review: Royal Robbins Cardiff Stretch Traveler
Hit the trail and the town with the functional Royal Robbins Cardiff Stretch Traveler pants.