How to choose hiking pants

Last reviewed

Man walking in the Craghoppers Men's NosiLife Pro Trouser III

The best hiking pants are the ones that suit where you walk. A humid rainforest track, a dry ridge in full sun and a wet alpine plateau each ask something different of a pair of pants. Here's what to look for, and which pair fits which trip.

What matters most

  • Fabric and stretch: how freely you can move, and how fast it dries
  • Fit: room to step up and crouch without the fabric pulling
  • Weight: lighter for heat and packing, heavier for rough tracks
  • Weather: water repellent for showers, waterproof for real rain
  • Protection: UPF 50+ fabric for sun, and insect protection in bug country
  • Length: full length, zip-off convertible, crop or shorts

Fabric and stretch

Synthetic fabrics are the standard for walking trousers because they're light, tough and dry quickly. Cotton and denim stay wet and heavy once they're soaked; Tasmania Parks and Wildlife's walker pack list says to avoid both.

Stretch makes the biggest difference on steep or rocky ground. Kiwi Pro trousers are made from 4-way stretch polyamide (96% recycled nylon polyamide, 4% elastane on the Men's and Women's Kiwi Pro III Trousers). NosiLife Pro trousers also use a stretch fabric. The NosiLife Cargo range is built more for durability than stretch, with a part elasticated waist for comfort.

Fit

Every pair comes in one of four fits, shown on the product page:

  • Slim: close to the body with stretch. The NosiLife Pro trousers and Pro convertibles.
  • Active: a body-contouring stretch cut for big days on the trail. The Kiwi Pro range.
  • Regular: a classic straight leg. The Men's NosiLife Cargo range.
  • Relaxed: looser from the thigh down. The Women's Natales Waterproof Lightweight Cargo Trousers.

If you're between fits, think about how you walk. Scrambling and steep climbs suit Active or Slim. Long days where comfort comes first suit Regular. See the fit guide for what each fit means and how to measure your size.

Weight and drying time

Lighter pants are cooler in summer and take less room in a pack. As a guide, from the product pages: the Women's NosiLife Pro Trousers III weigh 290g, the Men's NosiLife Cargo Trouser III 325g and the Men's NosiLife Convertible Cargo Trouser III 385g.

Quick dry clothing matters more than most people expect. Pants that dry in an hour after a creek crossing or a sweaty climb are far more comfortable than ones that stay damp all day. Most Kiwi Pro and NosiLife trousers are described as quick or fast drying on their product pages, and many have drying loops so you can hang them up at camp.

Water repellent vs waterproof

These aren't the same thing.

  • Water repellent pants shed light rain and splashes, then dry fast. The Kiwi Pro trousers have an H2OShield water repellent finish. Good for showers, not a downpour.
  • Waterproof pants have a membrane and taped seams and keep sustained rain out. The Men's Kiwi Pro II Waterproof Trousers (Short Leg) are rated 15,000mm waterproof. The Women's Natales Waterproof Lightweight Cargo Trousers are rated 30,000mm, with fully taped seams.

For most day walks, water repellent pants plus a rain jacket are enough. For alpine and wet multi-day walks, carry waterproof over pants too.

Sun and insect protection

Australian sun is strong, and long pants are the simplest sun cover there is. The Kiwi Pro and NosiLife trousers use UPF 50+ fabric. Read What is UPF? for what the rating means.

For bugs, there are two approaches:

  • NosiLife has a plant-based insect repellent (Eucalyptus citriodora oil) built into the fabric for the life of the garment. It's on every NosiLife trouser and short.
  • NosiDefence is a weave tight enough that mosquitoes can't bite through, with no repellent. It's used on Kiwi Pro trousers.

Both work alongside skin repellent and tick checks, not instead of them. Browse all insect repellent clothing.

Pockets

Think about what you carry. A lean pair keeps weight down; a cargo pair holds a phone, map and snacks without opening your pack.

  • The NosiLife Pro trousers have 5 pockets, including an RFID and Zip'n'Clip security pocket for cards and a passport.
  • The Men's NosiLife Cargo Trouser III and Convertible Cargo Trouser III have 10 pockets and a dry bag.
  • The Women's Kiwi Pro Crop Trousers have 3 pockets, all zipped.

Convertible, full length, crop or shorts

Zip off pants (also called convertible or zip off trousers) unzip above the knee into shorts. They suit trips where the day starts cold, warms up, then heads into scrub: one pair does the job of two, which saves pack space on travel and multi-day walks. The Men's NosiLife Convertible Cargo Trouser III also has ankle zips so the legs come off over shoes. See all convertible pants.

Full length pants give the most protection from sun, scratches and insects. A crop, like the Women's Kiwi Pro Crop Trousers at 19", suits warm weather on open tracks. Shorts, like the Men's NosiLife Cargo Short III, are coolest but leave legs exposed.

Leg length

Women's pants come in sizes 8 to 20 (some styles to 16), and men's in waist sizes 30 to 44 (some to 42). If you're shorter in the leg, two men's styles come in a separate short leg version: the Men's NosiLife Convertible Cargo Trouser III (Short Leg) and the Men's Kiwi Pro II Waterproof Trousers (Short Leg). The size guide on each product page shows how to measure.

Which pair for which trip

Trip What to look for Try
Day hikes Stretch, quick dry, water repellent Men's or Women's Kiwi Pro III Trousers
Multi-day walks Durable, pockets, convertible Men's NosiLife Convertible Cargo Trouser III, Women's NosiLife Pro Convertible Trousers III
Travel Light, neat, security pocket Men's NosiLife Pro Trouser III, Women's NosiLife Pro Trousers III
Tropics Insect repellent, UPF 50+, light NosiLife Pro or NosiLife Cargo ranges
Wet weather Waterproof membrane, taped seams Women's Natales Waterproof Lightweight Cargo Trousers, Men's Kiwi Pro II Waterproof Trousers (Short Leg)
Cold days Brushed lining Women's Kiwi Pro III Thermo Trousers

Shop all hiking pants, or by men's pants and shorts and women's pants and shorts. For flights and city days, see travel pants. Putting together a full kit? Read what to wear hiking.

FAQs

What are the best hiking pants for Australia?

Light, quick-drying pants with UPF 50+ fabric suit most Australian walks. Add stretch for steep tracks, insect protection for the tropics and a waterproof pair for alpine or wet trips.

Are zip off pants worth it?

Yes, if your days change temperature or terrain. They save carrying both pants and shorts, which helps on travel and multi-day walks.

What are the best travel pants?

Look for a light, neat pair that dries overnight and has a secure pocket. The NosiLife Pro trousers have an RFID and Zip'n'Clip security pocket and are fast drying.

Are hiking pants waterproof?

Most aren't. Kiwi Pro trousers are water repellent, which handles showers. For steady rain, wear waterproof pants with taped seams.

What's the difference between walking trousers and hiking pants?

Nothing. Walking trousers is the British term; hiking pants is the Australian one.