7 Best Men's Hiking Pants in 2022 (Outdoor Guide-Reviewed)

Polyester is a type of thermoplastic designed for different weather conditions. Polyester can stretch, so it’s a good material for people that want to easily bend while wearing it. It also provides some warmth and dries quickly, making it great for colder climates. It can also repel water and keeps out water, which makes it great for outerwear.

However, polyester doesn't provide as much durability as nylon, so it could tear and rip unexpectedly. If you want something that will work great in cold or rainy weather conditions, you can go with polyester.

Nylon is a synthetic fabric common in pants and other types of clothing. It's a breathable material, so it will keep the wearer cool in warm weather. Nylon’s structure is designed to move sweat away from the body, which makes it a cool fabric in hot, humid weather. The fabric is stretchy and light, lending itself to great outdoor and athletic wear that can keep you cool in the heat. 

It's also a durable material, making it great for hikes with steep trails and more dangerous terrain such as rocks. On the other hand, nylon takes a while to dry and doesn't provide much heat, meaning it doesn't do well in cold weather conditions. If you plan to go hiking in the heat, you should give nylon a try.

Many hiking pants will include Spandex to make the pants stretch more. Spandex works well as a secondary material since it lets the pants stretch a bit. When the pants can stretch, they bend at the joints and are easier to move around in. If you want to make hiking less restrictive, you may want some pants with Spandex.

Standard pockets make it easy to grab belongings without anything blocking your access. Not only does this make things convenient, but it also saves time. However, your things can fall out of these pockets if you go on a steep trail or need to jump during the hike. Most outdoor pants have deeper pockets as it's common to have more in them while participating in outdoor activities.

Other pockets will have zippers along the slits to keep them closed. Zipper pockets will keep belongings in place without them falling out. They allow you to jump and scramble over boulders without holding onto your belongings.

On the other hand, zipper pockets take a bit more time to open, so they won't give you quick access. If you want to keep your belongings safe during a hike, zipper pockets are the way to go. Make sure that the pants have a durable type of zipper (like YKK) as the zippers will easily pick up dirt and grime as you spend more time outdoors.

Some pants have buttons or Velcro on them to work as in-between options for standard and zipper pockets. Buttons and Velcro are useful since they can keep a pocket closed to prevent belongings from falling out. They are also good at providing some convenience since you can easily slip smaller belongings between the fasteners.

However, zippers still provide more security, especially if you're hiking in thick woods where a pocket flap might get caught on branches. But Velcro and buttons usually tend to last longer in the outdoors since the dust and dirt don't affect them as much as zippers. Standard pockets are the most convenient option. As a side note, some pants will have a combination of pocket types, so keep your eyes open for them.

Light and dark colors can affect how warm or cold people feel in different weather conditions. Light colors reflect more heat, so they won’t absorb as much heat, and keep you comfortable in warm weather. On the other hand, dark colors absorb more heat, so they are great for colder weather.

If you’re not sure which one to go with, you can choose an in-between color for more versatility. For example, you could choose from a few shades of green, blue, or gray. And if you're hiking in an area where hunting is permitted, go with something bright!

Some hiking pants are convertible, which means they have zippers near the knees to remove the lower half of the pant legs and turn them into shorts. If you start a hiking trip early in the morning, convertible pants can be useful as the day gets warmer.

The temperature will drop as you go on a trail with a higher elevation, so changing them back into pants can be useful. They can also make things more convenient by removing the need to buy a pair of both shorts and pants. As an alternative, you can bring leg warmers if you don't like the idea of convertible pants.

Pants can also come with elastic waistbands and belts to provide more support. Waistbands are convenient since they hold themselves against the waist to keep the pants in place. Attached belts are easy to adjust and provide more support. If you want to keep your pants secured, you should find a pair with elastic waists or belts included.

Many pants will have water resistance, so they will hold up in the rain or wet areas. Water-resistant pants will dry quickly after they get wet. They also won't soak up water as much, so they can remain dry in light rain and similar conditions. 

If you plan to hike in an area with lots of rain, you will want some water resistance. It is good practice to wash your pants with waterproofing treatments like Nikwax every so often as water resistance does recede over time.