[A self-paying review without any consideration] A field test of three carefully selected trekking pants that are lightweight and beautifully silhouetted in the summer mountains.
written by Murakami Haruki
What are the best trekking pants for summer mountains?
Summer mountain season has arrived!
It looks like it's going to be a hot summer again this year
When hiking in the summer, where heatstroke is a concern, cool summer trekking pants are essential. Shorts are cool, but you have to worry about injuries on rocky terrain, sunburn, and insect bites
In this article, we will field test and review three carefully selected trekking pants from the 2024 lineup, which offer an excellent balance of breathability, durability, ease of movement, and cost-effectiveness, making them ideal for summer mountain climbing!
table of contents
- Field test of three carefully selected lightweight trekking pants
- Test environment and field test results
- Impressions of each model
- Overall Best: Rab Momentum Pants. Highly complete in every category. Recommended for all hikers
- Best Feature: milestone Natty Long Pants 2.0. The rear pocket keeps your smartphone secure. Recommended for fast packing and trail running
- Best All-Purpose Pants: Houdini Wadi Pants. They offer excellent breathability and a beautiful Nordic design. Recommended for hikers who love mountains and traveling
- summary
- Reference: Other recommended lightweight pants that made it onto the final list
Field test of three carefully selected lightweight trekking pants
We selected the following three items, all of which are expected to be released in 2024, weigh less than 250g, and are ideal for summer fastpacking, as they offer excellent breathability, durability, ease of movement, and cost-effectiveness
- rab Momentum Pants 215g Matrix™ Fabric
- Milestone Natty Long Pants 2.0 190g Dry Polyester Fabric
- Houdini Wadi Pants 217g Liquid Rock™ fabric
Test environment and field test results
Which trekking pants offer the best balance of breathability, durability, ease of movement, and cost-effectiveness for summer mountain climbing?
Field tests were performed under the following conditions and verified:
Test environment
- [Period] June to July
- [Mountain Range] Minoh Trail (Osaka)
- [Weather] Sunny, rain
- [Activity] Hiking
- [Other] I wore them every day, including at work
Field test results
The test results are as follows:
| type | No gaps, minimal type | Lightweight fast packing type | Mountain travel town all-rounder type |
|---|---|---|---|
| item | rab Momentum Pants | milestone Natty Long Pants 2.0 | Houdini Wadi Pants |
| image |  |  |  |
| This is ◎ |
|
|
|
| This is △ |
|
|
|
| Outdoor Gearzine Rating | |||
| Breathable | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Durability | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ease of movement | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Functionality | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| weight | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Cospa | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| style | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Specs | |||
| material | Matrix™ fabric | Dry polyester fabric | Liquid Rock™ Fabric |
| Actual weight (g) | 215 (Size S) | 190 (Size M) | 217 (Size S) |
| Reference price (as of July 2024) | ¥13,200 (tax included) | ¥14,300 (tax included) | ¥22,000 (tax included) |
Impressions of each model
Overall Best: Rab Momentum Pants. Highly complete in every category. Recommended for all hikers
Rab has been on a roll this season, releasing a string of products in quick succession, including the highly-finished lightweight backpack "Muon50" and the best-value sleeping mat "Ultrasphere4.5."
Rab's Momentum Pants are made of thin, breathable fabric, so they'll keep you cool even in the mountains in summer
It is generally the case that thinner fabrics are less durable, but after wearing them for a while, I never felt any concerns about their durability
We believe this is possible thanks to the breathable Matrix™ fabric
In addition, the shoes are smooth and comfortable to wear, so you won't feel uncomfortable even in the humid summer
In terms of leg lift and ease of movement, the crotch gusset and three-dimensional cutting are excellent, and the outstanding stretch performance enhances this, making this the best of the three in terms of leg lift
It weighs just 215g (measured in size S) and is lightweight and has a DWR (durable water repellent) finish
Furthermore, with the yen weak and prices rising these days, the price is set at 13,200 yen (tax included), making it excellent value for money
The silhouette and color are beautiful, and the minimalist design means it can be used in many situations other than on the mountain
Our impressions after field testing are that the breathability, durability, feel, ease of movement, and cost performance are all at a high level, making them a "highly-finished, minimalist pair of summer pants."
The only thing I would say is that it only has three pockets (two in the front and one in the back), but that should be enough for the minimalist hiker
First, it's the state I put it on.
168cm, 56kg, waist 76cm, size S, light kahki
The slim silhouette is beautiful and looks natural even in the city
The light khaki color is also nice
It has good stretch so there is no tightness
One back pocket on the right side
Waist adjustment is by simple adjuster only
Storage possible
The back of the waist is made of mesh, which makes it quick-drying
Comfortable to walk in even on hot and humid days
High stretch performance makes it easy to lift your legs
Best Feature: milestone Natty Long Pants 2.0. The rear pocket keeps your smartphone secure. Recommended for fast packing and trail running
These 5-pocket pants are the lightest of the three, weighing just 190g (measured in size M)
The bag's three rear pockets are a distinctive feature. There are two envelope-style pockets on the rear side, which are excellent for keeping your smartphone in place while running. The pockets are large enough to easily fit my smartphone (16.5cm x 7.5cm). There's also a large pocket in the center of the rear that can even hold a wind shell, making it useful for fastpacking, trail running races, and even hands-free walks in the mountains
The material is dry polyester, which is stretchy, water-repellent, and quick-drying. I felt they were cool enough for summer pants. They are comfortable to wear and don't cause any stress when lifting your legs
The price is 14,300 yen (tax included), making it very cost-effective
There are six different colors to choose from and the silhouette is beautiful, so they are perfect for wearing around town and during the hot summer
The only thing that bothers me is that there are no back pockets, but I'm sure I'll get used to it
Comparing it to the "Rab Momentum Pants," I feel that the "Rab Momentum Pants" are more suitable for summer mountain climbing in terms of breathability, comfort, and quick-drying. Regardless of whether they're good or bad, the Natty Long Pants 2.0 can be said to be versatile enough to be worn from summer to autumn
So, first let's look at how they look when worn
Height 168cm Weight 56kg Waist 76cm Size M Kamoshika Greyi
The silhouette is beautiful
It's slim, but stretchy so it doesn't feel tight
The color also makes it look natural when worn around town
The 2.0 in the product name indicates that it has been wrinkled
Side pockets large enough to easily take your smartphone in and out
The pocket placement is excellent and your smartphone won't shake even when you run
The large center pocket is large enough to hold a wind shell
It also serves as ventilation when there is nothing inside
It looks like a slim silhouette, but it's not tight
Sufficient stretch for stress-free wear
Best All-Purpose Pants: Houdini Wadi Pants. They offer excellent breathability and a beautiful Nordic design. Recommended for hikers who love mountains and traveling
These 5-pocket pants have a wide silhouette, which is rare for trekking pants
The beautiful silhouette, soft colors, and minimalist design are typical of a Scandinavian brand. These versatile pants are perfect for mountain climbing, traveling, and even out in the city
My impressions after field testing were that these were ideal summer trekking pants, with the high breathability of the Liquid Rock™ fabric, the high ventilation of the loose silhouette, and the comfort of the small contact area. I felt that the breathability in particular was the best out of the three
They weigh just 217g (measured in a size S) and are so comfortable that it feels like you're not even wearing them. You'll want to wear them all the time
I imagine that it would be just right not only for summer but also for winter if you wear active insulation tights underneath
The price is high at 22,000 yen (tax included), but considering its versatility, which means it can be used in any situation (mountain, city, travel) or season (summer, winter), the cost performance is not bad at all
On the other hand, there were two things that bothered me: the fabric is too thin, making it a little uneasy to hack through bushes or walk on rocky terrain, and the wide silhouette makes it unsuitable for speedy mountain climbing. There's a trade-off between advantages and disadvantages, so this may be the fate of summer pants
Here's a photo of it when worn
Height 168cm Weight 56kg Waist 76cm Size S Sage Green
The soft silhouette is beautiful
I think there are a lot of hikers looking for pants like this
One rear pocket on each side
Tie only with string. No elastic waistband
Fastening your belt is more comfortable when speed hiking
The hem can be tightened with elastic
There are no fasteners, so the analog method of tying a rubber band is also good
The right pocket has an inner zipper pocket
Packable design that can be stored inside the zipper of the right pocket
As compact as a 500ml plastic bottle
Convenient for changing clothes when hiking or carrying when traveling
The loose silhouette allows ventilation as you walk, preventing stuffiness
It's easy to walk in, but sometimes it feels a bit flapping when running
Starting point of the Tokai Nature Trail (Minoh)
summary
After field testing three pairs of summer trekking pants, the ones I wanted most this season were the Houdini Wadi Pants
The deciding factors for me were their comfort, high ventilation, and their versatility, not only for hiking but also for traveling. I travel a lot, and these pants are highly versatile and can be used in a variety of situations. While most trekking pants have a slim silhouette, the relaxed fit was refreshing
However, while the Houdini Wadi Pants were the best for me this time, when I compared the other two carefully, I found that each had its own unique features and appeal. For example, the Momentum Pants from rab are well-rounded and flawless, so they can be used in both low and high mountains, and the Natty Long Pants 2.0 from milestone have excellent functionality in the rear pockets, making them the perfect partner for mountain trips where you want to move quickly and don't want to take off your backpack
The appropriate model will vary depending on the mountain range used, season, activity, etc., so we hope that this comparison review will be the mountain climbing when you make a judgment.
Reference: Other recommended lightweight pants that made it onto the final list
For your reference, the shortlisted items in this comparison review are "summer trekking pants that weigh less than 250g and are excellent in breathability, durability, ease of movement, cost performance, etc., designed for summer fastpacking."
atelierbluebottle Hiker's SUMMER PANTS 2024 134g
AXESQUIN Ventilation Pant 192g
Houdini Wadi Pants 232g
milestone Natty Long Pants 2.0 190g
Mountain Hardwear Mountain Speed Pants 240g
Rab Momentum Pants 238g
Teton Bros. Scrambling Pant 135g
Yamatomichi Light 5-Pocket Pants 153g
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Murakami Haruki
He has been climbing for five years and two years at UL. He's still a hiker who's still trying to get trial and error. I like long hikes. I love traveling and go out both domestically and internationally. We will focus on what we feel from a beginner's perspective, and will explain it in an easy-to-understand manner so that readers can feel, "Let's go to the mountains again next week!"
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