Comparison review: We compared the best possible trekking pants by spring, autumn, summer and season.
written by Outdoor Gearzine Editorial Department
While it may be a different story for trail running in the middle of summer, long pants are definitely more comfortable for trekking and mountain climbing. In Japan's mountains, there are many times when you'll be glad to wear long pants, as they protect you from various dangers such as changeable weather, abundant undergrowth, insects, UV rays, and injuries
It's certainly important that trekking pants worn in the mountains are durable, but you also want them to be easy to move in, and even better, they should be breathable and quick to dry. They should also be cool or warm depending on the temperature, and it would be great if they were stylish too. There are so many things you want in a pair of pants that it can be a difficult decision
This time, we compared the hiking and trekking long pants from various brands this season and considered the best pants for each season: "spring/autumn" and "summer."
table of contents
table of contents
- About the items we compared and tested this time
- Thin type
- Medium thickness type
- summary
About the trekking pants compared this time
Below are the nine trekking pants models we compared this time. We chose a variety of three-season trekking pants. Because the characteristics are so diverse, it was difficult to summarize them all in one place, so this time we will divide them into two types: a thin type (for summer) and a medium-weight type (for spring and autumn), and provide a review in two halves
Thin type
- Arc'teryx Sabrio Pants
- Houdini Lucid Pants
- Mountain Hardwear Lone Mountain Stretch Pants
From left: Lucid Pants, Sabrio Pants, Lone Mountain Stretch Pants
Medium thickness type
- The North Face Magma Pants
- Patagonia Cozy Pike Pants
- Norrona Bitihorn lightweight pants
- Mammut Softec Trekker Pants
- finetrack camino pants
- Mountain Hardwear Rock Ground Pants
From left: Camino Pants, Cozy Pike Pants, Softec Trekkers Pants, Rock Ground Pants, Bitihorn lightweight pants, Magma Pants
Test environment
The following five points were set as indicators for review of the evaluation items.
- Comfort: An indicator of how comfortable and stress-free you can wear the shoes
- Mobility: As trekking pants, can you move freely without being restricted?
- Functionality: Does it have plenty of pockets and other features, and is it practical?
- Breathability and moisture permeability: This prevents stuffiness inside clothing, which is especially a concern in summer
- Weight: Not only the actual weight, but also the weight feeling when actually used is taken into consideration
- Style: Can it be used in a variety of situations, including after coming down the mountain or as everyday wear?
With the above five points in mind, I actually wore the pants and walked along a mountain trail. I only wore underwear under the pants, and chose the same jacket. It's difficult to create exactly the same environment, but I tried to do it under the same weather conditions as much as possible. To test the quick-drying properties, I soaked the pants in water for a few minutes and then checked until they were comfortable enough to wear, rather than until they were completely dry
The number of stars for each rating is not an overall absolute rating, but rather a relative rating within the thin and medium-thick categories
Test results and spec comparison chart (thin type)
If you find it difficult to see the table because it is lightweight for smartphones, click here
| comprehensive evaluation | AAA | AA | AA |
|---|---|---|---|
| item |  Arc'teryx Sabrio Pants |  Houdini Lucid Pants |  Mountain Hardwear Lone Mountain Stretch Pants |
| Reference price (excluding tax) | ¥14,000 | ¥19,000 | ¥13,000 |
| This is ◎ |
|
|
|
| This is △ |
|
|
|
| Comfort | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Mobility | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Functionality | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Breathable and moisture permeable | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| weight | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| style | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Specs | |||
| Official weight | 220g | 198g | 230g |
| Actual measured weight | 209g | 205g | 229g |
| material | Fortius™ DW 1.0 | Liquid Rock™ | 4-way stretch plain weave |
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Impressions of each model
Arc'teryx Sabrio Pants
This is ◎
- Comfort
- Smooth mobility
This is △
- Compact
The pockets are positioned a little low, but they do not interfere with harnesses, etc., so they are easy to use
These trekking pants weigh just 200g and offer a comfortable fit with just the right amount of stretch without being excessive. Above all, they offer excellent comfort while moving, allowing you to fully appreciate the quality of Arc'teryx construction. They feel comfortable to wear, and at times, you'll forget you're even wearing them, thanks to their lightness and flexibility. Not only that, but they also have just the right amount of stretch, allowing you to wear them comfortably throughout your activities. They're also reasonably quick-drying, drying quickly even when wet
There are only two zippered pockets on the sides. Both are mesh, so they can also serve as ventilation. Unlike other pants, they are positioned a little lower, so even if you are wearing a large backpack with its waist straps, you can still access them without any interference, but I'm a little skeptical about how easy it is to put things in and take them out. Considering that you'll be carrying a backpack, two pockets are enough, but the pockets themselves are smaller than other pants, so when wearing the pants alone, you may feel like there isn't much storage space
The fabric is very thin and highly breathable, but also has some wind resistance, so it looks like it could be used on its own for three seasons. Arc'teryx clothing is generally priced on the higher side, but these pants are high-performance yet relatively affordable, making them a great pair of pants that will let you experience the quality of Arc'teryx without any hassle
Houdini Lucid Pants
This is ◎
- Stress-free comfort
- Physically lightweight
This is △
- Snap buttons on the front
The front has snap buttons instead of a zipper
These Houdini trekking pants are lightweight, weighing less than 200g, and offer excellent breathability and stretch. The fabric is a thin, 2-way stretch Liquid Stretch. While you might think that 2-way stretch wouldn't be as good, Houdini's unique 3D cutting, called "Made to Move," molds to the wearer while they're moving, ensuring no stress. These pants are also incredibly comfortable, and the thin, flexible fabric provides excellent breathability
There are three pockets in total, two on the sides and one on the back, and the back pocket is packable with a zipper. While the front usually has a zipper, this one uses a snap button, so it might be a bit of a hassle if you need to go to the toilet in a hurry
It is very easy to use, with its flexible fabric and stress-free mobility, but it seems more useful for light hiking, changing clothes at tent sites, and wearing around town than for trekking
Mountain Hardwear Lone Mountain Stretch Pants
This is ◎
- Roomy fitting
- Quick drying
- Packable
This is △
- Not so good for hard mountain climbing
The packable design is very convenient and it can be stored in the palm of your hand
These mountain pants are highly stretchable and packable. When you try them on, you'll find that they're roomier around the waist than other pants, allowing for a relaxed fit. Their stretch and crotch mobility make them perfect for activities that require large movements, such as climbing, without any stress
There are three pockets in total, two in the front and one in the back, with only the front pocket being zippered and mesh. The back pocket is packable, making it convenient to carry as a spare pair of pants
Because they're packable and have a roomy fit, they're perfect for keeping in your backpack as a change of clothes when you get back from the campsite or the mountain, rather than wearing them as your main gear. Another plus point is that they dry quickly even after washing