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Hiking requires clothing (most of the time, anyway…unless you’re into the whole naked hiking trend, in which case, power to ya). Often, the clothing required is pants. Like when it’s cold or trails are covered in brush that threatens to tear up your legs or when ticks abound. We don’t have to tell you why pants are often necessary when hitting the trail. But the perfect pair of hiking pants can be hard to find. So we put several pairs to the test (which are all PFAS-free) to see which sustainable hiking pants for men are the perfect combination of technical performance, trail style, and functionality.
Wonder what we mean when we call clothing sustainable? Read about how sustainability is a spectrum here. And if you’re looking for hiking pants for women, find them here.
Royal Robbins Wilder Pant
One pair of hiking pants we’ll be turning to time and time again: the Wilder pant from Royal Robbins. Why? They’re stretchy and flexible, light- to mid-weight, and look good on trail and off. There’s plenty of stretch built in for scrambling up large boulders or tackling steep inclines, but they’re not the absolute stretchiest on this list. They’re slightly lower waisted than some other options, which is a plus for those with short legs and short waists. But the main selling point of these pants is that they’re mosquito-proof without the use of any chemical treatments that wear off after time; the very stitch of the fabric prevents the little blood suckers from biting your through your clothing (a feature we would have loved on our Everglades kayak camping trip). Royal Robbins has a whole line of shirts and pants with this material technology.
As for features, they have all the pockets you need–front hand pockets, back pockets, and a zippered side pocket–and bungees in the ankles (also a plus for short folks). They may be our new favorite hiking pants, partially due to the fit, but we also love that they’re water- and wind-resistant and the nylon fabric seems durable enough to handle brushy or rocky trails without scuffing or tearing.
How it’s sustainable: 94% recycled nylon, Mosquito Protection Technology™ provides chemical-free mosquito protection that will not wash or wear away.
Pros
- Water resistant
- Wind resistant
- Chemical-free mosquito protection
- Good fit
- Available in several neutrals
Cons
- Wind-resistant means they may not be as breathable for hot weather
Mammut Hiking V Pant
When we need a pair of lightweight, stretchy, comfortable hiking pants for warm-weather adventures, you better believe these are the first we’re reaching for. The material is light–the lightest of any pants on this list–which I appreciated on warm or more humid hikes when pants are still called for. Plus they’re supremely stretchy so allow for an impressively wide range of motion that makes them suitable for hiking or climbing or just about any other outdoor activity you can think of.
They fit snug in the hips and thighs, then continue in a straight leg for a loose fit at the calves and ankles. The legs are plenty long but don’t have bungees or roll snaps, so shorter hikers may need to hem them for a better fit. On the upside, the waist is a slightly lower rise, which means they’ll fit lower-waisted hikers well. There are zippered hand pockets complete with low-profile pulls and a zippered back pocket plus belt loops if you need them. They come in a handful of neutral colors perfect for the wild. The only downside? There’s a fairly prominent logo in two separate places on the pants, which is never our favorite look. Even so, these will likely be our new go-to pants for summer hikes.
How it’s sustainable: 85% recycled material, Bluesign approved, Fair Wear certified.
Pros
- Quick drying
- Moisture wicking
- Secure zipper pockets
- Low-rise waist
- Supremely stretchy
- Lightweight fabric
Cons
- Extra long legs
- Large logos
Outdoor Research Timberline Pants
When we use the term “trail-to-town,” we’re usually referring to technical clothing that doesn’t look so technical it would be out of place when grabbing drinks with friends post-adventure. But these pants take it to a whole other level. Maybe weekend warrior to workday pants is more descriptive? That’s because, especially in one of the neutral colors, these new pants look straight up sleek enough to wear out to dinner, on a date, or a business meeting. Seriously! A lack of crazy pockets, the matte fabric, sleek lines and seams don’t scream “hiking pant!” Which makes them an excellent do-it-all pant for travel, the outdoors, and everyday life. And one pair of pants that does several things well is always more sustainable than multiple pairs that each do one.
The front pocket seams and interior back pockets (there’s also a zipper back pocket and hidden side seam zipper pocket), lay-flat waistband and low-profile belt loops, metal snap button, tapered leg, and a logo that blends into the pants all lend more of a business casual than backcountry look. Plus, the midnight fabric feels softer and looks neater and more tightly stitched than many other hiking pants we’ve tested. But just because they could pass as dress pants doesn’t mean they don’t have technical chops. There’s enough stretch to make them functional (though it’s only two-way, not four-way), they dry fast when they get wet (but they’re also water resistant), and we love the secure hidden pockets. The waistband is also wider and stretchy, so feels very comfortable. They have a higher-rise waist so low-waisted guys may find the crotch hangs just a bit low, but not enough to make us avoid them. Looking for a lighter weight option? The legendary Ferrosi pants are also a winner.
How it’s sustainable: Bluesign approved nylon.
Pros
- Super sleek
- Doubles seamlessly as work/dress casual pants
- Reflective strips on inside of hem
- Stretchy wide waistband for comfort
- Subtle logo
Cons
- Not as many outdoor-specific bells and whistles
La Sportiva Sierra Rock Pant
Cotten gets a bad wrap in the outdoor industry. But if you read or watch what we had to say about hiking in cotton, you know it absolutely can have its place on the trail. Especially in cool to warm dry weather (but not cold and wet or hot and wet). Especially for short hikes or close-to-home adventures. And for those, we love the La Sportive Sierra Rock Pant, which totally isn’t just for rock climbing.
In fact, we find them suitable for everything from rock scrambles to mild weather hikes to tooling around town (without looking like hiking pants are the only type we own). They’re durable, the fabric is midweight and soft, they have all the pockets you need in the form of two large drop pockets on the thighs and one zippered back pocket, and are easy to wear thanks to a loose, casual fit. That said, they don’t have a ton of stretch, which may inhibit the types of movement required for climbing (which is why we like them better for easy hikes). They have bungees in the ankles and are comfy thanks to a stretchy waistband complete with zipper and clasp fly (and built-in adjustable webbing belt). These have become our go-to day-to-day pants AND we don’t think twice about wearing them hiking. The only downside is the very prominent brand logo that’s stitched into the pants in two separate locations. Everyone will know what you’re wearing at all times.
How it’s sustainable: Made of recycled cotton and hemp instead of synthetics, durable.
Pros
- Available in multiple colors
- Bungees in the ankles
- Lots of pockets
- Comfy for trail and everyday wear
- Elastic waistband
- Soft fabric
Cons
- Not water repellant
- Doesn’t wick sweat
- Extra large logos
Cotopaxi Coraje Tech Pants
Looking for a mountain to metro pant for easy hikes? Take a look at the new Cotopaxi Coraje. They’re sleek, the light-mid weight fabric feels durable, and they have just enough features to keep our attention. That said, like most Cotopaxi clothing, we found these fit a bit…differently. They’re tighter on the legs and very loose around the waist, meaning they’ll likely fit folks with slimmer legs best. Cotopaxi uses letter sizing for men’s pants instead of measurements, which we think makes it a bit harder to decide what size you need, and they’re quite long.
The lightweight material has stretch, but isn’t as stretchy as other options, so we couldn’t do deep lunges or big step-ups without feeling like the fabric was straining. We wouldn’t take them on anything too extreme due to the reduced mobility, but for easy day hikes and exploratory strolls around town they were great and looked good doing what they do. There are two front pockets and two back pockets, one of which is outfitted with a zipper for security. There’s another zipper pocket on the side seam, but it’s quite far down on the leg, ending just above the knee, which isn’t the most convenient placement. There is a key or sunglasses loop right above the right pocket, which we found handy but didn’t actually use that often. If you like the look and Cotopaxi clothing tends to fit you, they’re a solid option.
How it’s sustainable: 96% recycled nylon, Fair Trade Certified, 1% For the Planet member, warranty program.
Pros
- Lightweight fabric
- Durable material
- Secure pockets
- Easily hemmed for short hikers
- Several colors available
Cons
- Not the stretchiest
- Odd sizing + fit
Bottom Line: Sustainable Hiking Pants for Men
Which pair of men’s hiking pants are right for you will depend on you: what type of hiking you like to do, body shape and size, style preferences and more. But no matter what features and functionality appeals to you, we’re sure you’ll find your new favorite pair on this list. Did you? Or did we miss your favorite hiking pants? Let us know! Then hit the trail and wander on.
