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How We Tested Hiking Pants for Women

Thursday March 28, 2024
hiking pants women - hiking pant testing in red rock canyon. we wore these pants in a...
Hiking Pant testing in Red Rock Canyon. We wore these pants in a variety of terrains and weather conditions.
Credit: Norah Siller

We buy every pair of hiking pants that we review and wear them for several months while hiking, climbing, and camping. We tested the pants in this article in a range of environments, from the desert southwest to the northern woods of Maine and through the Sierra and Blue Ridge Mountains. We wore them in a range of temperatures and weather conditions and passed them around to friends to see how they fit. Here's how we test the pants in each metric.

hiking pants women - only the best handled the abuse of trad gear and sharp rocks during...
Only the best handled the abuse of trad gear and sharp rocks during the testing period.
Credit: Callie Manning

Comfort and Mobility


We hike miles in every pair, with and without a heavy pack, scrambling through tight canyons and climbing mountains and cliffs along the way. Throughout these real-world tests, we note how comfortable each pair feels and whether there are any annoying features or seams. We also note the stretch of the material and whether the fit and cut allow for natural movements.

We also wear each pair of pants to the climbing gym, the yoga mat, and for a full day at the office to see if they can keep up with you and your busy life.

hiking pants women - too hot for pants? just take the legs off!
Too hot for pants? Just take the legs off!
Credit: Julie Coates

Venting and Breathability


Wearing many of these pants in Southern Utah gave us a great idea of how breathable they are and how well features like rollable hems or zip-off legs vented our perspiration.

When we can't make it to the desert, we test each pair of pants in a controlled environment at the local gym, hitting the mountain climber for 10 minutes and comparing how much sweat builds up on our legs.

We also compare the heaviness of the material by blowing air through it and assess how easy it is to roll up the hems or, in the case of convertible pants, zip off the legs.

hiking pants women - hiking in hot weather in red rock canyon, nevada. we took each pair...
Hiking in hot weather in Red Rock Canyon, Nevada. We took each pair out on warm days and in full sun to note how cool we stayed and switched to shorts (if possible) when the temps heated up.
Credit: Norah Siller

Weather Resistance


We start by researching the water-repelling features of each of the pants to see if they are made of water-resistant fabric or coated in a durable water-repellant (DWR) finish. Then, we spray each model with a water bottle and note how long it takes for the water to soak through the material. We also stand in the shower until the pants soak through to get a sense of how they would handle a rainstorm.

Then we dunk each pair and hang them out to dry, timing how long it takes.

hiking pants women - testing drying times.
Testing drying times.
Credit: Clark Tate

While out and about, we note how well the pants block wind, then switch them out in quick succession on the same windy day to compare them side-by-side. We also check to see which includes an official UPF sun protection rating.

hiking pants women - we tested out all of the various features, including attempting to...
We tested out all of the various features, including attempting to take a pair of convertible pants off without removing our shoes!
Credit: Julie Coates

Construction Quality


We always pay attention to how well the gear we test holds up to wear and tear. To get a better sense of how long it's likely to last, we also examine how well each item is constructed.

After testing the pants in the field for several months, we scrutinize each pair for any signs of wear or weakness. We pay attention to construction details and material thickness and strength. We pull and press on the fabric and seams with the blunt tip of a paperclip and scrape the fabric on briars and rough rock surfaces. We also examine zippers, buttons, clasps, and belts to gauge how sturdy they seem.

hiking pants women - we weren't just using these pants on flat trails ... we took them...
We weren't just using these pants on flat trails ... we took them out scrambling, traveled over trail-less terrain with lots of sharp plants in the way, climbed routes in them, and anything else we could think of to get a lot of wear on each pair.
Credit: Aloysius Leap

Versatility and Features


We assess how versatile each pair is based on their ability to handle hikes ranging from a casual stroll to a 3-month thru-hike. We also wear them around town and to work to see how well each pair blends into daily life.

To compare the quality and utility of their features, we first list them all as we unpack the pants. As we use the pants in the field, we note how useful the various features are in real life and grade them accordingly.