The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 Pants are exceptionally comfortable and easy to move in, so they’re a great choice for everything from hiking, to traveling, to going out for brunch. The fit is relaxed, and the cut looks and feels great on any body type.

The Aphrodite pants have drawcords on the ankle cuffs, so you can choose what length to wear them at. This adaptability lets you stay protected in buggy areas, catch a breeze on hot days, and match your personal style when wearing them around town. The simple pocket arrangement (two hand pockets and a concealed zipper pocket on the right hip) keeps the profile of these pants sleek while providing enough storage for small essentials like a wallet or phone.

Best of all, the Aphrodites are some of the most affordable hiking pants on our list. So if you’re searching for the perfect blend of cost, quality, and style – you’ve found it in the Aphrodites.

It was instant love the very first time we put on the REI Trailmade pants. These affordable hiking pants are surprisingly flattering for technical clothing, but not at the expense of functionality.

With hand pockets that are actually deep enough to serve a purpose, two smaller pockets on the bum, and a zippered cargo pocket on the right thigh, the Trailmades will keep you organized without leaving you feeling weighed down or bulky. While the lightweight fabric may not be cut out for trails with a ton of bushwhacking, it’s breathable, comfortable, and dries quickly. These pants also have a decent amount of stretch, so the fit hugs body curvature nicely but doesn’t get in the way of scrambling.

The Trailmades have quickly become one of our favorite pairs of hiking pants, and we really view them as more of a tie for the number one spot with the Aphrodites than a number two on the list.

The Mountain Hardwear Dynama/2 Ankle Pants are the lightest hiking pants we’ve tested, and their minimal design keeps them airy and easy to move in. Mountain Hardwear kept the features of the Dynamas simple, yet highly functional – relaxed slim fit, flattering ankle-length cut, two hand pockets, and a zippered leg pocket.

Some hikers may prefer to have an adjustable waist. But we love that there are no zippers, buttons, or drawstrings to deal with, because it makes the Dynamas very comfortable to wear under a hipbelt when backpacking. We’ve worn the Dynama pants for many hundreds of miles now (including a thru-hike on Vermont’s Long Trail), and they’re amazingly durable for how lightweight they are.

The affordable Dynamas are a go-to for us, and hikers wanting a flattering and streamlined pair of hiking pants will absolutely love them.

The REI Sahara Convertible Pants 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 Mountain Hardwear Trail Sender Pants are even better than shorts when you’re hiking in exposed, alpine terrain. They provide full-length leg protection from the sun, bugs, and brush, but unlike many pants – they breathe! The ultralight fabric lets even the slightest breeze pass through, which is such sweet relief when you’re chugging up switchbacks.

The Trail Senders’ light fabric not only keeps you cool, but it also adds minimal weight to your pack so you can afford to carry both shorts and pants if you want to. Admittedly, these britches don’t feel as stylish as some of our favorites because the fit is slightly loose and billowy. Still, they’re some of our absolute favorites since they’re so exceptionally comfy and are essentially performance sweatpants.

If you’re looking for simplicity, comfort in warm summer hiking conditions, and effective skin protection for your legs, we’re certain you’ll love the Trail Sender pants. We like them so much, we’re getting them in multiple colors.

We’re not kidding when we say that the Patagonia Happy Hikes are the most comfy hiking pants we’ve ever worn. Their flattering fit will keep you feeling cool and confident on the trail, and they transition seamlessly to post-hike drinks.

The ankle height provides an excellent balance of coverage and temperature regulation, but you can also use the elastic ankle to wear the Happy Hikes as capris on really hot days. The wide, flat waistband doesn’t pinch, and it sits comfortably under a hipbelt since there are no buttons, zippers, or drawstrings to get in the way.

We like them so much that we often wear them around the house or for running errands when we want to look put together with minimal effort. The stylish, do-it-all Happy Hike pants are an excellent choice for hikers looking for a new favorite pair of pants to live in.

The Columbia Saturday Trails are the most affordable hiking pants on our list, and they’re also some of our all-time favorite roll-ups. We often find that roll-up pants don’t roll to a very useful height – generally somewhere just above the ankle bone. But the Saturday Trail pants snap up about mid-calf when rolled and the straps tuck neatly into a sewn-in hood. This gives a really clean look and keeps the pant legs out of the way when crossing streams.

The Saturday Trails are super breathable, so they’re nice on warm weather hikes. But they work best when paired with base layer bottoms on chilly days. Hikers looking for a ton of useful pockets may find the Saturday Trails less than ideal. The hand pockets are shallow and the zippered leg pocket holds items at the back of your leg, which can feel a bit awkward.

That said, we don’t typically keep things in our pockets when hiking, so we didn’t find this to be a big deal. We think the affordable price tag, flattering fit, and functional roll-up design more then makes up for the less convenient pockets.

The Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights Pro have a strange way of making you feel ready for anything when you put them on. They have quite a bit of compression for a supportive feel and plenty of pockets to keep you well-equipped.

These tights are expensive, so they’re best for those who are sure they’ll put them to hard use. But the Abiskos should last you for a very long time thanks to the reinforced Cordura panels on the seat and knees. We often find that the pockets on leggings tend to be a little lackluster compared to those on hiking pants, but the Abiskos have great storage options. There are two deep, stretchy pockets – an open one on the left leg for easy access, and a pocket with a flap over the top on the right leg for securing items.

While the Abiskos aren’t exactly pants, we felt they deserved a prominent spot on this list because they offer more durability than many of the lighter weight hiking pants featured. If you’re a fan of leggings, you might also want to check out our full list of the Best Hiking Leggings.

The Ferrosi line from Outdoor Research has been a favorite among hikers for years, and the newest iteration is the best yet. The redesigned Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants have a soft waistband, drawcords at the ankle to adjust the height, and plenty of stretch.

The stretchy fabric allows you to easily tackle rock scrambles and fallen trees on the trail without impeding your movement, so they’re great for challenging hikes. The thoughtful pocket layout provides plenty of storage options without feeling busy – several of the pockets even have low-profile zippers for keeping small items secure.

While we love the drawcords at the ankle for adjusting the height, they’re not as secure or durable as the snaps found on many other roll-up pants. Still, they get the job done and we like that they can be completely hidden away when the cuffs are rolled up.

The prAna Halle II Pants have a classic look and a design that’s focused on performance. The fabric of the Halles is thicker than that of many other hiking pants on this list, so they’re some of the more durable pants featured.

Despite the heavier fabric, the Halles still feel comfy and breathable, and the roomy fit will easily accommodate a thick base layer bottom. The roll-up length on these pants is excellent – sitting just above mid-calf. But the fabric is so thick that the rolls look bulky and feel heavy, and they have the tendency to rub against each other while hiking. Not the biggest deal in the world, but it can be slightly annoying if the rolls aren’t done perfectly.

For hikers who prioritize function over form, the prAna Halles are a worthwhile investment that are suitable for any season.

For us, it was love at first sight with the prAna Halle E-Waist Jogger II Pants. They look great with any outfit from town to trail, and they feel even better with their soft fabric and stretchy, relaxed fit.

We’re becoming more and more drawn to jogger-style pants because the elastic waistband makes them so easy to pull on, and the ankle cuffs stay out of the way when you’re striding down the trail. The length and cut also work well with a variety of sandals and shoes.

The Halle Joggers are some of the best joggers we’ve found on the market with the same tried-and-true Halle Pants fabric we love for the outdoors (sun protective and durable), but with a fresh spin on the design for modern, active women.