Best Hot-Weather Hiking Pants For Staying Cool on the Trail

A favorite among fans, the Mountain Hardwear Chockstone/2 is also our top choice for hot-weather hiking pants.

As one of the most technical trousers in the company’s lineup, the Chockstone/2 is an ideal choice for a range of activities. For starters, they’re made with a nylon/elastane blend fabric with a UPF 50 rating for overall functionality.

Additionally, the Chockstone/2 has a removable belt for the perfect fit and a harness-compatible waist for alpine adventures. It also comes with a gusseted seat for mobility and an adjustable cord at the hem if you want to cinch them around your ankles for ventilation.

That being said, the Chockstone/2 is one of the most expensive pairs of trousers in our review, which is a bit of a disappointment. Nevertheless, if you’re okay with spending more for quality, these pants are a worthy choice.

A versatile option for hot-weather hiking, the stylish Prana Stretch Zion is an ideal choice for all-weather adventures.

They’re made with Prana’s Stretch Zion fabric, which mixes nylon and spandex for added performance and mobility in hot weather. Furthermore, they feature UPF50+ sun protection to shield you from harmful UV rays.

In addition to their PFC-free durable water repellent (DWR) treatment, these trousers are also quick drying. That makes them ideal for occasional drizzles on the trail. These roll-up pants also have a ventilated inseam gusset to provide increased breathability as you hike.

The downside to these trousers is that their fabric is a bit on the thick side. However, most folks will find that this is offset by the Zion’s exceptional breathability and handy ventilation features, both of which make them a great option for warm conditions nonetheless.

When breathability is your priority, we recommend the Arc’teryx Lefroy as a solid choice.

These high-quality trousers are ideal for hiking in hot weather because they’re made with Fair Trade Certified Aequara AirPerm fabric. This fabric has a high percentage of elastane to provide increased breathability and stretch as you hike.

Furthermore, Aequara AirPerm fabric is designed to wick sweat to keep you cool during high-octane pursuits. It also has a gusseted crotch and articulated knees to ensure that you have full range of motion at all times.

Do keep in mind, however, that the Lefroy doesn’t have DWR or a UPF rating. As such, it may not provide a lot of sun protection or be as water-resistant as other models on our list. But if ventilation and quick-drying abilities are your key concerns, the Arc’teryx Lefroy is a winner.

If sun is forecasted for your next hike, the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants are our top choice.

Built using Outdoor Research’s famous Ferrosi fabric, these trousers are both highly breathable and stretchy as can be. Their blended nylon/spandex construction also boasts a UPF 50+ sun protection rating, so they’re perfect for hiking in hot climates or users particularly concerned about protecting their skin from the sun’s harmful rays.

That said, the Ferrosi trousers aren’t just for those super-sunny conditions alone. In fact, their DWR treatment makes them water-resistant and quick-drying enough for hiking in light rain showers. Plus, they offer a zippered thigh pocket for gear storage and a harness-compatible waist for alpine ascents.

The Ferrosi are a bit too thin for use in cool and windy conditions. Nevertheless, if you plan to stick to summertime adventures, it’s hard to find any further fault. 

The Marmot Arch Rock Pants are our preferred choice for variable weather, offering a lightweight design that remains waterproof to keep you cool and dry in any condition.

These abrasion-resistant pants are made with bluesign-approved fabric with a UPF 50 rating for superior all-mountain, all-weather performance. They also have articulated knees for freedom of movement and a slew of front, thigh, and back pockets for gear storage.

At the same time, the Arch Rock Pants have a DWR finish to keep you dry in inclement weather and dry as quickly as any other pants we’ve ever had the pleasure of pulling over our pins.

While some folks might find that the fabric in these trousers is a bit noisy on the trail, most hikers will be too focused on the scenery to notice. Ultimately, these trousers are a reliable choice for variable conditions during the hotter months of the year.

If you’re tired of trekking pants that wear out after a few seasons on the trail, then the durable Fjallraven Abisko are the pants you’ve been looking for.

These durable hot-weather hiking pants are made from award-winning G-1000 Air Stretch fabric (65% polyester, 35% cotton). This quick-drying material is exceptionally breathable and is made from recycled polyester for eco-friendliness.

Furthermore, Fjallraven crafted these trousers with zippered vents on each pant leg that provide all the breathability you need on a hot-weather hike. This pair of hiking pants also has some of the best pockets we’ve ever seen, including two front cargo pockets on the thigh.

With that in mind, the Fjallraven Abisko are far from cheap and they’re not water-resistant unless you treat them with Greenland wax. Nevertheless, if durability is your chief concern, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything better.

If you enjoy maximum freedom to move while cruising up the trail, the Helly Hansen Tinden Light Pants are just the ticket for you.

With these high-quality trousers, Helly Hansen used 100% polyamide fabric. As a result, they feature a lightweight construction and 4-way stretch without skimping on durability. 

Additionally, the Tinden Light has an integrated belt, articulated knees, and a gusseted crotch for an improved fit. For added convenience, these trousers also come with two front and rear pockets so you can safely stash all your essential items on the go.

However, the Helly Hansen Tinden Light don’t have a UPF rating, nor any DWR coating for rain-resistance. As such, they’re best for situations where range of motion is your main priority.

Offering functionality and durability, the convertible KUHL Renegade Cargo is a trekker’s best friend in sunny locales.

They’re made with a DURALUX fabric that combines nylon and spandex for both stretch and abrasion-resistance. The Renegade are also rated to UPF 50 and they have a DWR coating to help keep you dry in a drizzle.

The best part about these trousers is their convertible pant legs, which use KUHL’s incredibly convenient, easy-to-use STEALTH zippers to simplify the on/off conversion. Meanwhile, these zippers stow away nicely when not in use to give you a stylish trouser in colder temperatures.

Some folks do find that the zippers on these convertible pant legs rest a little too low on the thigh for comfort. However, if you plan to use them mostly in shorts mode anyway, this might not be a major concern.

For budget-conscious hikers, the Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible zip-off pants offer great value.

Designed for functionality, these convertible pants are made with OMNI-SHADE fabric to keep you cool on the trail. This fabric is as moisture-wicking as it gets and it has UPF 50 protection against harmful UV rays.

Furthermore, Columbia crafted these trousers with breathability in mind, using several built-in mesh panels for ventilation on the go. They also come with 2 hand pockets, two zippered pockets at the back, and one thigh pocket for gear storage.

Although these trousers are a pretty solid deal, however, they don’t offer any water-resistance. They’re also not very stretchy, meaning they offer less mobility than other items on our list. Nevertheless, when affordability is a priority, the Silver Ridge Convertible are well worth a place on your list.

Finding women’s specific trekking trousers isn’t always easy, but the high-quality Prana Halle Pant is a must for ladies with a smaller frame.

Built out of the same Zion fabric used in Prana’s other award-winning pants, the Halle are stretchy, lightweight pants ideal for all keen adventurers. It is quick to dry, rated to UPF 50+, and fantastically durable, so it’s a nice option for long days in hot locales.

For extra functionality, Prana also crafted these trousers with a roll-up leg. As a result, you get all the style and benefits of full-length trousers with the option to roll up your pant leg in very warm conditions.

Like many pairs of women’s trousers, however, the Halle has a fairly narrow fit, so won’t be ideal for everyone. But if durability, versatility, and breathability sound awesome to you and you don’t mind a slightly tighter fit, the Halle Pant might be just what you need.

In hot, muggy conditions, quick-dry trousers are a must, with The North Face Paramount Trail Convertible ready for any adventure, rain or shine.

Engineered out of lightweight FlashDry fabric, the Paramount Trail is a great choice for outdoor activities. Their breathable fabric is designed to dry quickly to help wick away moisture as you cruise toward the summit.

Meanwhile, the trousers’ zip-off legs allow you to seamlessly transition into shorts when the sun is out in full force. Regardless of whether you’re in pants or shorts mode, the Paramount Trail also boasts a gusseted crotch and an integrated belt for an improved fit and increased mobility.

While these trousers might be great at drying off after a light rain, their lack of thigh pockets leaves a lot to be desired. Lack of pockets aside, however, it’s very hard to find fault with these very trail-worthy and comfortable pants.