The Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants are super stretchy so you can move easily on your adventures. They’re also very lightweight (the lightest we tested), which is a key benefit on backcountry trips where every ounce matters. The cinch cords at the ankles of the Ferrosis allow you to adapt the height of the pants to your style, the weather, and varying trail conditions. We find these pants to be very comfy and we love the simple pocket setup. For pants with so much stretch, we do wish Outdoor Research had included a built-in belt to help dial in the fit. But overall, these pants are an excellent choice.

The Arc’teryx Gamma LT Pants are some of the lightest and most minimal pants we tested. We love that they have a built-in belt and a simplistic pocket design. We tend to like a simple pocket setup, but some people may not love the lack of back pockets on these pants. The latest iteration of the Gammas are slightly more fitted, but they will stretch and move with your body without getting in the way. The biggest drawback to these pants is the high price tag, but their excellent materials and superior craftsmanship justify the cost. So if you’re looking for a lightweight, comfortable, and very high-quality pair of hiking pants, these might just be the ones.

The REI Sahara Convertibles are designed with a plethora of useful features and pockets for utilitarian hikers. These pants have zip-off legs and can convert into cargo shorts on hot days. This makes the affordable price even more appealing since you’re getting a pair of pants and a pair of shorts all rolled into one.

The zippers that run up the side of the leg allow you to make the pants-to-shorts transition without taking off your shoes, and the color-coded conversion zippers make for an effortless switch back to pants. The drawstring at the waist helps dial in the fit of these pants, but there are also belt loops if you prefer to use a belt.

We can’t lie, we’re not the biggest fans of the convertible/cargo pant look because they’re a bit busy and baggier than our preferred style. That said – you’re wearing these on a trail, not a runway at fashion week. And you’d be hard-pressed to find any fault in the functionality of the Sahara Pants.

The prAna Stretch Zion II Pants have been a favorite among climbers and backpackers for years due to their stretchy comfort and durability. We love the built-in belt and we like that the pocket design is nice and simple too. We do wish these pants were a little lighter (they were among the heaviest we tested) and we aren’t huge fans of how loose the fit is in the leg (though they also come in a slim option). That said, these are a super solid choice if you’re needing a versatile pair of do-it-all pants and you like that classic hiking pant look.

The Kuhl Deceptr Pants are some of the most minimalist pants we tested, and we love their sleek look. We like that the pocket design is useful without looking or feeling bulky – we often find that hiking pants have too many pockets for our liking and can look frumpy. The fabric on the Deceptr pants feels lightweight, stretchy, and very comfortable. Overall we think these pants perform very well and are versatile enough for traveling, hitting the trail after a day around town, or for backpacking.

The prAna Brion Pants II are a great option for those who prefer their hiking pants to have a more casual look that transitions easily from town to trail. We love the minimal look of these pants and we found them to be very comfy. Don’t let their looks fool you, though, we have used these pants for years and they have proven to be very durable and functional. We do wish prAna had included a built-in belt and snaps on the legs to hold rolled-up cuffs, similar to the Zion pants listed above. These pants are kind of just… well… pants, but they’re good at what they do.

The Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible Pants are exceptionally breathable and we like how light the fabric feels. The integrated belt helps to dial in the fit at the waist, and we like that the fit in the legs is not as baggy as many other convertible pants we tested. That said, these pants were a little too tight in the quads which was restrictive when taking large steps up or rock scrambling. We wish these pants had some stretch to them to make movement a little easier.

The Patagonia Quandary Pants have a stylish look that transitions well from town to trail. We like the simple pocket design and the material has a decent amount of stretch to it. These pants breathe well and are lightweight, so they would be a good choice for a variety of weather conditions. Patagonia included a cinch cord with these pants, but we wish they had included a belt instead, which would have been more useful. We also found the fit of these pants to be a bit tight in the quads. Overall, the Quandary Pants are a great choice for day hikes that end with a trip to a brewery.

The Kuhl Renegade Convertible Pants are well designed with a zipper that goes up the leg, making it easier to slip the zip-off sections over boots. We often find that convertible pants have a noticeable or uncomfortable seam at the zipper when in shorts mode, but these actually look and feel like normal shorts when converted. The Renegade pants feel really durable and would be a good option for off-trail adventures or rugged terrain, but they were far too heavy for our liking and they lacked breathability, making them a poor choice for warm weather hikes.

The Mountain Hardwear AP Pants have a nice fit and look very stylish, but they feel a little heavy for our liking. We often find that roll-up pants put the snaps that hold the cuffs up too low. The snaps on the AP pants put the cuff at ankle height, so you would likely need to roll past the snaps for water crossings or to get good ventilation. The heavier material – while not typically our favorite – feels pretty durable, and we think these would be a good option for cold-weather adventures.