Best Budget Hiking Pants For Affordable Outdoor Adventures

Taking gold in our review of the top low-cost hiking pants is fully featured, high-performing, and impressively hard-wearing Patagonia Quandary.

Engineered with bluesign-approved materials, these pants feature a mostly recycled nylon/spandex construction that provides plenty of stretch, durability, and breathability. They have a UPF 50+ sun protection rating, a DWR coating for water resistance, and superior moisture-wicking properties.

As far as features go, these hiking pants don’t disappoint. They have a full set of hand, back, and thigh pockets for gear storage. There’s also a full crotch gusset and a curved waistband to provide a better fit throughout your adventures. 

Some folks do find the Quandary to be a bit too warm for very hot conditions. However, if you want one set of pants to do it all in the alpine, this model is a solid choice.

If you plan on tackling more technical hikes that demand the perfect balance between ruggedness, breathability, and flexibility, the Prana Zion are well worth considering. 

Designed specifically with functionality in mind, these incredibly well-thought-out trousers are made with the company’s abrasion-resistant Stretch Zion fabric for added durability with sacrificing mobility. This 97% nylon, 3% spandex, high-wicking, quick-drying fabric is also breathable enough to keep you cool on sweaty uphill climbs.

To provide a better range of motion, these trousers come with a gusseted crotch and an adjustable waistband. They also have roll-up legs with snaps that work well when you need a bit of extra ventilation.

Like the Quandary, the Stretch Zion are a little on the thick side, so they’re not the ideal option in extremely hot conditions. But, when you need a comfortable and versatile hiking pant that’s good for everything except searing heat, this is one option you won’t want to overlook.

Boasting top-end breathability and exceptional comfort, the uber-popular OR Ferrosi are our top pick for hot days on the trail.

The Ferrosi are made with Outdoor Research’s proprietary 86% nylon, 14% spandex Ferrosi fabric, which offers enough stretch and abrasion-resistance enough for hikes on steeper and more rugged trails, and breathes better than any other fabric on our list. 

The Ferrosi also have a UPF rating of 50+, so they provide ample protection from the sun’s rays on even the sunniest of days or when you’re hiking at altitude.

The OR Ferrosi are also winners in terms of features. In addition to a harness-compatible waist, these trousers have a plethora of hand, back, and thigh pockets for stashing gear on the go, and drawcord cuffs for a snug fit over your hiking boots.

Despite weighing a fairly hefty 12.2 oz., the material in these softshell trousers is very thin, so they’re not a great choice in cold weather. Plus, despite their DWR coating, the Ferrosi tend to soak through in moderate or sustained light rain. However, if fair-weather hiking is your jam, the Ferrosi definitely deserve a place on your shortlist!

For folks that want to get the highest value for their money, the Silver Ridge are our affordable hiking pants of choice.

These budget-friendly hiking pants are made with Columbia’s 100% nylon OMNI-SHADE material to keep you cool in the heat. This material provides UPF 50 sun protection for those hot summer days and it has OMNI-Wick Mesh panels for enhanced ventilation.

With these quality hiking cargo pants, you also get a full set of front, thigh, and back pockets for gear storage, while the zip-off lower legs let you quickly turn them into shorts on those scorching hot days on the trail.

And the downsides? Well, these are an entry-level model and, as such, make a few compromises. The 100% nylon materials make the Silver Ridge both noisy and a little stiff and restrictive when hiking uphill, and they’re a less durable option than models like the Stretch Zion or Quandary. All in all, though, the Silver Ridge are a solid choice for the cost-conscious hiker.

Our number one choice for the top convertible hiking pants, the REI Co-op Sahara are a must-have for hot days in the mountains.

These high-quality hiking pants are made with bluesign-approved nylon material for eco-friendliness as well as a relaxed fit for added comfort. They also boast a UPF 50+ sun protection rating and a DWR coating for added water resistance in wet conditions.

As their name suggests, the Sahara have zip-off legs that let you switch to “short mode” in hot weather. As an added bonus, though, the legs have a color-coded zipper system to make sure the shorts-to-trousers conversion is as seamless as possible – a feature not included in the Columbia Silver Ridge or Smith Creek.

Perhaps the most endearing feature of the Sahara compared to these two other convertibles, however, is the stretchiness of the material, which provides a little extra comfort and more freedom of movement when hiking in steeper terrain.

These uber-durable trousers are made from the unique Sonora Triexta fabric, which uses cotton and synthetic materials for comfort on the trail. It offers unparalleled breathability as well as quick-drying properties to help you stay cool in the heat.

To provide increased functionality, The North Face also crafted these hiking pants with 2 front pockets for gear storage. They also have an elasticized hip belt to make sure that you get the perfect fit while you hike and articulated knees that prevent the material bunching behind your legs on inclines.

The Motion look like denim, feel like denim, and are stylish enough to wear at the office or on a night on the town. However, their light weight, breathable fabric, and mobility-enhancing features make them outstanding performers when you hit the trails.

And the downside? These midweight hiking pants aren’t ideal in rainy conditions because of their partial cotton construction. However, the FlashDry technology and a DWR finish do make them more effective at managing moisture than regular cotton fabrics.

If endless sunshine is in the forecast for your outdoor adventures, the Columbia Smith Creek Convertible should be at the top of your list.

These convertible trousers are crafted out of an extra-rugged nylon material for added durability and abrasion resistance. They also feature Omni-Shade technology with UPF 50 protection to keep you shielded from the sun’s harmful rays.

Furthermore, the Smith Creek Convertible have a full set of hand and back pockets with velcro closures to keep your gear secure as you hike. They can also quickly convert into shorts thanks to their zip-off legs.

While not as stretchy as the REI Sahara convertibles, the Smith Creek are worth considering for their slightly superior breathability.