Hiking bottoms that are not ‘hard’ pants - YouLookFab Forum

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Hiking bottoms that are not ‘hard’ pants

elpgal

Veteran

I am going on a ten-day trip to Glacier National park and Yellowstone in early August and am on the hunt for sweat-wicking bottoms with elastic waistbands. I can handle high-waisted leggings but zipper flys and buttons are out especially in higher rises. I also have a preference for longer bottoms for sun-protection although this is not a hard requirement.

I tried REI but came out empty-handed. Is Athleta still where I should look next? Any other options I should check out?

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20 replies

Latest reply was from elpgal

kellygirl

Veteran

Have you tried the Athleta Trekkie jogger? I’m not sure what you mean about zippers (they have them) but I wear these as casual pants and have even worked out in them. They’d be great for hiking. You might check out Eddie Bauer too—I have hiking shorts from them that are terrific. Good luck!

JAileen

Veteran

I don’t have any suggestions for pants, sorry. I would probably wear shorts and bug spray. August is usually perfect in Glacier. I just love it. I worked there three summers in college.

elpgal

Veteran

Thanks @kellygirl, those come in petite sizes so definitely adding them to the list. I meant zip fly; zippers on pockets are great. I edited the post to be clearer.

LaPed

Veteran

I adore these slim, stretchy, high-rise pull-on pants from Mountain Hardwear: https://www.mountainhardwear.c.....46291.html

They also make them in a mid-rise straight leg version, as well as shorts and capris. Great range of motion and they stay put. Can’t yet comment on durability as I’ve only had them for a couple of months.

Have fun in Glacier!!

ChrisM

Veteran

Try the Noga line of pants from Duluth - I love them and they have a nice selection of sizes.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I can relate. I have a pair of my perfect hiking pants, and they are from Athleta, but alas, they are probably 8-10 years old and no longer made. They are elastic waist with a drawstring, zipper pockets, wide legs, full length, soft technical fabric (like the current Brooklyn pants), and cool even in hot weather. I can layer under them in cooler temps. They are getting faded and there is one little snag in them but I will wear them until they die.

I don’t know why everything now is either scratchy fabric, cut narrow, jogger style (I don’t want cuffed bottoms), cropped, or leggings. Oh, and pockets are largely a joke. If I come across a current version of my great old pants, I’ll share the source!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

PS. Glacier and Yellowstone are among my favorite national parks! Have a wonderful time.

kkards

Veteran

If you want convertible pants, I’d give Columbia a try
https://www.publiclands.com/p/.....wstrdytrlc

or these from Kuhl, which roll up to a shorter length, and come in a ton of colors
https://www.publiclands.com/p/.....pwwfrflxrl
https://www.kuhl.com/kuhl/wome.....IVFczICh1b

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texasgal

I have the Mountain Hardware Dynama 2 pants (got them at REI). I have 5 pair and have worn them every day for the past year and a half (they are my at home pants). They wash well, line dry quickly, and are easy to wash/line dry for travel. We have been to a number of national parks in the past year and they have been perfect for hiking in Hawaii, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. They are incredibly comfortable, pull on, and have been great in cold weather as well as sticky humid temps (I’m wearing them today with temp 100 and heat index of about 105). We are heading to Alaska for 2 1/2 weeks soon and these are the only pants I’m bringing. Seriously great pants.

MrsK

I love these Dance Studio pants from Lululemon for hiking and outdoor activities. I asked the manager at the store if they had hiking pants, and he recommended these. I was skeptical, but they are comfortable, lightweight, look great, and are well-made.

I bought them a year ago and have used them to hike at Yosemite, and just used them to hike, rock climb, do a via ferrata and go paragliding in the French Alps. I also wear them on the plane as my travel pants.

https://shop.lululemon.com/p/w.....olor=36763

I see Lululemon just introduced hiking pants too, but they're double the price!

salt-sea

In addition to Athleta's trekkie jogger, check out Title Nine - they have an ultralight fabric hiking jogger (The Switchback) that may fit the bill. That's a midrise. The Aerotech is a higher rise and also pretty good.

I find both Athleta and Title Nine clothes to be good quality and last a long time.

If you're considering shorts - REI has some incredibly comfortable, super lightweight shorts with a 4.5" inseam - Active Pursuits. With a bit of sunblock & bug spray those can be good for hot weather hiking if you're on a pretty wide trail and don't need the leg protection.

salt-sea

@Janet - are your beloved Athleta pants the La Viva? I have one pair of pants and one capri length that I am hanging onto - they are also starting to fade and snag, but I'll wear them until they fall apart. Wish they still made them - the fabric and cut are great!

Jules

Veteran

Well this was timely for me too as I have hiking pants on my list, took a chance on the Lulus in a favourite shade ‘ancient copper’ (final sale and not all that discounted but I think I’ve noticed Lulu does that so hopefully no major issues). Thanks elpgal and MrsK! Enjoy the parks

Lucy

I know you said you tried REI, but did you try these? They are soooo comfortable and I love the drawcord at the bottom, so you can wear them straight or cinched. You will probably need a belt when hiking (I use a soft nylon-webbing belt) if you carry a lot in your pockets. I got them for hiking, but they have morphed into my go-to casual pants as well. They do have a button fly and zipper, but the waist has elastic at the back.
https://www.rei.com/product/14.....nts-womens

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Salt-sea, I’ve had them so long I could never have remembered the style name, but I looked it up, and I think you’re right! I have the capri length version too. I love the set-in and zipper-close pockets (not on the hip seam, yay!). I wear theses for photo hikes, so I shove memory cards, car key, etc, in my pocket, and can’t risk them falling out because I’m constantly squatting and moving around. I’ve nearly lost my car key from other pants pockets for this reason! The zipper on my old pair is starting to have issues too, so I’m now trolling Poshmark to see if I can score a new-to-me pair, now that I know the style name. Thank you!!!

elpgal

Veteran

I have ordered practically all of your suggestions, so hopefully I’ll end up with a few styles that work!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have to say thanks for this thread, elpgal! Thanks to you and salt-sea, I have now ordered some replacement pants for my old favorites from a seller on Poshmark. Yay!

Jules

Veteran

I got my lulu "dance pants" and I like them; they will suit my purposes (light hiking and hand wash/quick dry at a cottage where I don't have access to laundry). I have a weird aversion to outdoor gear brands so I am also happy to have a hack I will add the info that my colour (now sold out) and it appears several others actually have a faint tonal stripe to them, which was not obvious to me online. It's a very subtle thing that won't show much to observers but I would prefer a solid. I took my usual size 14 and it's the right size, but they are a little snug across my rear and the fabric shows a little more "detail" than I would prefer. I would probably stick with dark colours in the future.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I had to return a pair of Mountain Hardware pants to REI (need to size up, eek!), and stumbled upon a nice pair of Prana. Zip pockets, lightweight, full length, not joggers but a nice flat elastic waist, slim but not hugging legs.

elpgal

Veteran

I was pulling out some of my older gear and thought I’d check if I could fit into them. Guess what, it turns out they are same La Viva pants! Sadly they are a smidge tight so I ordered a used pair off EBay. I have the other options still arriving by mail. I picked up a pair of a Jodi performance joggers to wear around in the evenings.