12 Best Walking Trousers for Hiking

Type of activity: What type of activity will you be taking on? Does your hike involve simple walking like those pub walks or dog walks wearing your shorts? Or do you need something more rugged and durable to deal with rocky and challenging terrains?  

By answering this you can decide if you need walking leggings, the best waterproof dog walking trousers  or tougher mountaineer trousers.

The season, temperature, and weather: Are you planning to engage in lots of winter walks? If yes, you’ll need windproof, warm, and waterproof walking trousers. 

Plan to walk or hike mostly in summer instead? Then something breathable, lightweight, and moisture-wicking would suit you just fine. How hot or cold the temperature will be and if there’s likely to be storm or rain too would be decisive factors to think about.  Remember if you think it will rain then packaway waterproof trousers are your friend!

Breathability: Walking trousers made with breathable fabrics can wick away moisture and help in ventilation. This means even when the temperature soars and you sweat, you’ll stay cool, dry, and comfy.

Stretchy:  Walker trousers made of flexible fabrics can stretch easily as you take long strides, jump over, or climb. This allows dynamic movements and added comfort as your knee can move more freely and flexibly.  

Fit: Your chosen walking trousers shouldn’t be too tight to keep you gasping for breath or too loose to make you prone to trips and falls. They should give you a snug fit. It’s a bonus if they have features like articulated leg pads or elasticated ankle and waists covers.  Make sure the cuffs as snug but not scratchy or itchy (nothing hurts more on a hike than bad cuffs lol)

Also look for high wasted walking pants…it makes all the bending and stretching easier and stops a cold back!

Weight: Your walker trousers should be lightweight and allow dynamic movements. When you’re already lugging your hiking gear, you definitely don’t want your trousers to add more weight and woes to your hike.

Durability: These walker trousers will be on your body for hours on end and face the elements. You definitely don’t want them to get torn or damaged. Else, they’ll let in the elements.

Pockets: yes one we dont think about when we buy pants but when hiking you want heaps of on body, easy access storage.  ON any hiking clothes look for a couple of warming hand pockets and at least one zippable storage pocket.  I always look for walking pants with a phone pocket…we dont carry maps now but a phone in our cargo pant pockets!