Best Men’s Convertible Hiking Pants of 2023

JUMP TO:  KUHL RENEGADE CARGO / PRANA STRETCH ZION / FJALLRAVEN ABISKO MIDSUMMER / OUTDOOR RESEARCH FERROSI / PATAGONIA QUANDARY / REI SAHARA GUIDE / COLUMBIA SILVER RIDGE / TNF PARAMOUNT ACTIVE / BUYING ADVICE

Author: Rob Thijssen

The Short Version:

The Long Version:

When you’re out on a hike, you want to be as prepared as possible.

That might mean having the clothing for traveling fast and light… think shorts!

Or it might mean having clothing that provides protection from the weather and the insects… think trousers!

Or it might mean making sure you are prepared for both… think convertible hiking pants!

Convertible hiking pants are trousers where the lower part of the legs – i.e. below the knee – can be zipped off, converting them into shorts.

The advantage?

By having both shorts and trousers in one, you have a multi-purpose item – which of course is every backpacker’s dream — providing both versatility and weight savings.

 

My convertible hiking pants being put through their paces on the way to Nanga Parbat Base Camp.

 

The downside has historically been that they are slightly bulky and somewhat unsightly. But over the years, convertible hiking pants have seen many improvements.

They aren’t the square, un-stylish piece of outdoor equipment they used to be. These days there are convertible hiking pants that are lightweight and breathable, whilst also being relatively stealth in the aesthetics of the zip-off functionality.

In this review, I’ve selected the best convertible hiking pants, covering activities from backpacking, to alpine hiking, to general travel.

If you love this list of the best convertible hiking pants, then you'll likely love reading some of our other gear-fiend related pages:

Need To Know What To Look Out For?

When shopping for your next pair of convertible hiking pants, you’ll want to consider aspects like weight, breathability, durability, and water-repellency. And of course, the quality of the conversion to shorts! Our buying advice will give you the heads up on everything to look out for.

MATERIAL: DURALUX™ fabric (95% nylon, 5% spandex)

POCKETS: 6

CLAIMED WEIGHT: 17 oz (482gr)

PROS:  Durable stretch nylon with DWR finish, performs well in a variety of situations

CONS: Convertible zipper seam can cause chafing on your thigh

The Kuhl Renegade Cargo Convertibles are true do-it-all pants. Made from a durable Duralux™ fabric, they perform exceptionally well during many activities, not just hiking. If you’re looking for a pair of paints to wear on your next backpacking trip, climbing adventure, or even just working around the house, this is an excellent option.

The loose and almost baggy fit is something that’s harder to find, since many hiking pants nowadays have a regular/slim fit design. The gusseted crotch and spandex allow you to keep moving freely, no matter how challenging the trail gets.

When noon arrives and temperatures rise, it’s easy to unzip the lower legs. Kuhl’s own STEALTH™ zip-off design opens and closes without effort. And thankfully there is a vertical zipper on the outside of the ankle, so you don’t have to take off your shoes to go from pants to shorts – something I’d consider vital for backpacking use.

The Kuhl Cargo Convertible trousers are loaded with features. A total of six pockets lets you store a ton of items and gadgets. The two cargo pockets on the thighs, each have different compartments. This prevents smaller items from bouncing around too much.

Overall they are a very rugged, versatile, pair of hiking pants. They’re not the cheapest, nor the most expensive, making them an excellent choice for occasional or regular hikers looking for quality at a reasonable price.

Note that if you’re heading out deeper into the backcountry, there’s a version with a built-in RECCO® reflector, which helps rescue professionals locate you faster in an emergency.

Best for Versatility: PRANA STRETCH ZION CONVERTIBLE

MATERIAL: 97% nylon, 3% spandex, PFC-free DWR finish

POCKETS: 6

CLAIMED WEIGHT: 11.7 oz (330gr)

PROS: Plenty of pockets, sturdy stretchy fabric, casual look

CONS: Integrated belt, although convenient, might cause pressure points

The prAna Stretch Zion Convertible Pants are an excellent choice for many activities, not just hiking. The fabric uses a nylon/spandex blend that has enough stretch to provide unrestricted freedom of movement, while at the same time being very durable. This freedom of movement is only amplified by the gusseted crotch.

Thanks to the use of nylon, the fabric is abrasion resistant and dries quickly. On top of that, the durable water repellent (DWR) finish prevents water being absorbed during light showers. And because it's made without the use of PFC, it’s better for both the environment and your health.

Several features of the fabric also make these great trousers for travel. The material is wrinkle resistant so you can stuff them in your pack and pull them out like new. The DWR finish helps to protect against stains. And the fabric provides UPF 50+ sun protection, making these pants ideal for travel to sunny destinations.

The integrated belt loop allows for easy tightening and loosing, but I have the idea it might also cause an unwanted pressure point while you’re wearing a hip belt on a multiday backpacking trip. Therefore, these trousers wouldn’t be my first choice for thru-hiking.

They have plenty of pockets for easy storage of smaller items. The front and back pockets have a mesh lining that increase the overall breathability of the pants. The two zippered cargo pockets on either side of the thighs have both a side and top access. The side access is especially handy when you’re wearing a climbing harness for example.

Overall, the prAna Stretch Zion Convertible Pants are a versatile pair of hiking pants, made from a high-quality and comfortable stretch fabric, and with plenty of well-thought-out features.

MATERIAL: G-1000® Air Stretch: 65% polyester, 35% cotton, 100% polyester

POCKETS: 5

CLAIMED WEIGHT: 11.6 oz (330gr)

PROS: Bomber and breathable, soft material, zippered pockets

CONS: ‘Timeless’ design (you either love it or you hate it), limited amount of pockets

The prize-winning Fjallraven Abisko Midsummer Trousers now have a convertible version… and they are simply sublime.

Made with Fjallraven’s own G-1000 Air Stretch fabric, the Abisko Midsummer Zip Off Trousers use a mix of organic cotton and partially recycled polyester. As always with G-1000, you can treat it with their special Greenland Wax for better water repellency. The fabric also has a mechanical stretch, which means that there’s no spandex used to create the elasticity. Instead, the yarns are woven with a high twist, giving the fabric a small amount of natural stretch. Interlaced with this cutting-edge material, are patches of stretch panel material that allow a spectacular amount of freedom of movement.

The zippered hand pockets are all lined with mesh, which adds ventilation. On the right thigh, there is a low-profile, zippered, mesh-lined pocket, which also has a small internal media pocket. On the left thigh, there’s a spacious pocket with a button closure, big enough to comfortably fit most hiking maps.

The conversion zippers are tucked away between two flaps. This reduces the chance of unwanted chafing on your upper leg when you’re wearing them as shorts.

The Fjallraven Abisko Midsummer Zip Off Trousers are by far the most expensive convertible pair of hiking pants in this review. But you’ll get a plethora of well-designed features, like drawcord adjustments at the hems and articulated knees, as well as a quick-drying and durable top-notch material.

Best for Alpine Hiking: OUTDOOR RESEARCH FERROSI CONVERTIBLE

MATERIAL: 86% nylon, 14% spandex 90D stretch woven ripstop

POCKETS: 5

CLAIMED WEIGHT: 13.1 oz (370gr)

PROS:  Lightweight, stretchy and strong softshell material

CONS: Thigh pocket is quite small, no vertical side zipper on leg

Outdoor Research has a long history in manufacturing high-quality outerwear, and the Ferrosi Convertible Pants are a prime example of this.

This abrasion-resistant pair of pants are made from super stretchy and highly breathable softshell material. Although the fabric is lightweight and breathable, it has been treated with a DWR finish, so it won’t get soaked at the first light shower.

This creates a very versatile garment that matches your movement, also made possible by the gusseted crotch. These pants are an ideal companion on a long hike where every ounce counts, or a challenging rock climb up an alpine ridge.

They have five pockets, which in my opinion, should suffice for bringing along some smaller items. I prefer to keep as much out of my pockets anyway to reduce the risk of loosing valuable gear. Two hand pockets, two zippered back pockets and one zippered pocket on the thigh (although this isn’t very big), keep any items you’ll carry safe.

The legs come off easily, and the conversion zipper is tucked away neatly in between fabrics to prevent unwanted scratching. It misses, however, a vertical zipper on the side of the ankles – so you have to take your boots off to remove the lower legs, which is slightly frustrating. When wearing sneakers or climbing shoes you might be able to pull them over thanks to the amount of stretch, but you’ll drag the dirt on your shoes along the inside of the legs in the process. And there’s definitely no chance when wearing heavier hiking boots.

The Outdoor Ferrosi Convertible Pants are an excellent choice if you’re looking for zip-off hiking pants that provide you with plenty of freedom of movement. Since they are soft shell convertible, they are an attractive choice for alpinists looking to only bring one pair of trousers on their trip – the shorts will work great on the approach or climbing on rock, and then you can just zip ‘em up when you encounter snow and cold.

Best for Backpacking: PATAGONIA QUANDARY CONVERTIBLE

MATERIAL: 95% nylon (65% recycled)/5% spandex

POCKETS: 5

CLAIMED WEIGHT: 12 oz (340gr)

PROS: Low profile button closure, easy access to hand pockets while wearing hip belt

CONS: You have to take your shoes off to convert

We covered the Quandary Hiking Shorts from Patagonia in our round up of the best men’s hiking shorts, and the convertible pants version has also earned a spot on our list.

With a pretty decent amount of spandex, the Patagonia Quandary Convertible Pants won’t have you struggling to get up a steep trail or scramble. The freedom of movement in these pants is enhanced by the gusseted crotch, in such a way that articulated knees aren’t even necessary.

Inside the waist, there’s a thin, stretchy cord that helps tighten the fit slightly. This feature eliminates the need for a belt. That, together with the slim-profile metal button, makes the Patagonia Quandary Convertible, in my opinion, the best choice if you’re going backpacking and wearing a pack with a hip belt.

Two handwarmer pockets, two rear pockets, a coin pocket on the right side and one right-thigh zippered pocket create plenty of storage. The hand pockets are placed in such an angle that you still have easy access when wearing a backpack with a bulkier hip belt, which can be a challenge with some other models.

Zipping the legs off is easy, thanks to high-quality, smooth running YKK zipper. Like the Outdoor Research Ferrosi, this pair also lacks a side zipper to help remove the legs without having to take your shoes off.

If you’re planning a backpacking trip, and you’re in need of a pair of pants that’ll tick all the boxes in terms of comfort, durability and even style, the Patagonia Quandary Convertible is your choice.

Runner-Up for Backpacking: REI SAHARA GUIDE CONVERTIBLE

MATERIAL: 88% nylon/12% spandex

POCKETS: 8

CLAIMED WEIGHT: N/A

PROS: Very stretchy, elastic waistband, drawcord hems

CONS: Not the most stylish look

Using feedback from adventure guides as well as members, REI developed the Sahara Guide Convertible Pants. A true mountain-inspired, hiker approved, pair of hiking pants, these are made with 88% nylon, and a whopping 12% spandex – calling them stretchy is an understatement.

This blend makes these the stretchiest pair of trousers in this review, and together with the slightly looser fit, allows you to move and groove on the mountainside with epic comfort and range of motion.

Despite their relatively simple looks, the Sahara Guide Convertible Pants have some solid features. Starting with the fabric, it has a DWR finish, UPF 50+ sun protection and is quick drying, which always comes in handy when you want to wash them on the trail. Two hand pockets, one zippered thigh pocket, and one zippered back pocket on the right, provide secure storage of smaller items. Although they’re not very big, they do let you have things like energy bars, a compass, or a tool close at hand. There’s also a small carabiner loop for keys or a towel.

One of the stand-out features on these pants is of course the elastic waistband. This provides a snug fit, all day long, and simultaneously reduces the chance of pressure points when you’re wearing a backpack with a proper hip belt. It comes with an internal drawcord if you need to tighten a little more. A drawcord is also used in the hems, letting you convert them to a jogger-style pants, securely holding the pant legs in place.

All in all, the REI Sahara Guide Convertible Pants are some very well-designed hiking pants. Although they might not be the most stylish-looking pair on this list (due to their slightly baggier fit) they would do great on your next outdoor adventure. And the price isn’t bad at all, especially if you’re a REI member.

MATERIAL: Ripstop Nylon

POCKETS: 6

CLAIMED WEIGHT: 10.8 oz (306gr)

PROS: Nice budget option, lightweight

CONS: No stretch, mediocre stitching, you get what you pay for

The Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible Pants are made from 100% ripstop nylon. This means these pants have no stretch whatsoever, which can limit your freedom of movement considerably, especially when the trail requires some high steps.

But the fabric is thin and therefore breathable, making these pants a good choice for warmer days where they will do a good job at keeping you cool. This also makes them dry faster when you wash them on a multi-day hike. However a big drawback is the lack of a DWR finish, which would have helped prevent the material from absorbing water so easily in the first place.

The features on this pair of trousers are sufficient, but nothing out of the ordinary. Two mesh-lined handwarmer pockets provide additional ventilation on those warmer days. Two rear pockets, one zippered cargo pocket on the left thigh, and one velcro pocket on the right, deliver plenty of storage opportunity without being too bulky. A UPF 50+ sun protection, integrated webbing belt, and two elastic sections in the waist is about the extent of the feature set.

The Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible Pants are a great budget option, well suited for basic travel to the tropics or an afternoon hike. Nothing too exciting, but relatively honest in their price.

MATERIAL: 90% polyester, 10% spandex

POCKETS: 4

CLAIMED WEIGHT: 12 oz (340gr)

PROS: Slim fit design, plenty of stretch

CONS: Conversion zipper could cause scratching on the skin

The Paramount Active Convertible Pants, from The North Face, are made with polyester and a good amount of spandex, creating plenty of freedom of movement, which is amplified by the gusseted crotch. Thanks to these features, the folks at TNF could keep the fit slim, making them (almost) suitable for an afternoon in town.

The conversion zippers are low-profile, thanks to the lack of the two flaps that protect the zipper from possibly scratching the skin. But this also doubles as the main drawback of this pair of trousers. Since the zipper touches the bare skin, there’s a higher chance of unwanted chafing on longer hikes, especially because of the slim fit design.

Two hand pockets, one rear pocket on the right, and one vertically-placed zippered pocket on the right thigh give you some amount of storage. Although it’s not much since the pockets aren’t very deep.

A useful feature is the drawstring on the inside of the waistband. This allows for optimizing the fit without the need for a bulky belt. This, together with the low profile waist in general, make this pair well-suited for backpacking. Although, for a few bucks more, I would choose the Patagonia Quandary Convertible or the REI Sahara Guide Convertible, that have the conversion zippers tucked away safely.

The Paramount Active Convertible Pants perform well on some metrics, like casual design (if slim fit is your thing) and stretch. However, for proper hiking adventures, and for the same price or just a few bucks more, there are better options out there. But having said that, these are a decent option if you’re going travelling.

BUYING ADVICE FOR CONVERTIBLE HIKING PANTS

Use case

The first thing you need to think about is your use case. Where are you going to wear them? Are you the type of person that likes to explore the wilderness on a multi-day trek with a tent, or do you prefer a relaxed afternoon hike in your local forest? Maybe you’re planning on hiking the PCT in one push!

As you can imagine, each of these goals and environments may require a totally different pair of pants.

When on a trek, you’ll be wearing a backpack. A hiking short with belt loops or a bulky closure system can cause unwanted pressure points or chafe marks due to your hip belt so you may want to avoid belts and buckles. You also might want to look for a lighter pair of pants for longer treks or backpacking trips, since you’ll be carrying a lot of weight already. It might sound like a cliché, but every ounce really does matter!

It’s advisable to look for a pair with a good amount of stretch. The higher the percentage of spandex, the stretchier they will be, providing you with more freedom of movement.  This is so much more comfortable on steeper trails, or light scrambles.

Fabrics

After you’ve determined what you're going to use them for, you can have a look at the materials used. Hiking shorts are made from one or a combination of the following fabrics:

NYLON: A synthetic material that is strong, lightweight, dries quickly and is more abrasion-resistant than polyester. It is also slightly more expensive.

POLYESTER: Also synthetic, polyester is warmer than nylon, and dries slightly faster than nylon. One potential drawback is that polyester absorbs smelly body oils in perspiration more than nylon. This is why polyester garments have the tendency to ‘smell’ more over the long term.

COTTON: Cotton is a natural material. It feels soft to the skin and is very breathable, but it also absorbs and retains moisture and thus, dries very slowly. Therefore, cotton is generally avoided when it comes to technical outdoor clothing. Nonetheless, some brands have created blended fabrics that include a cotton component — for example Fjallraven’s G-1000 fabric, which uses a mix of cotton and polyester.

ELASTANE / SPANDEX / LYCRA: This is the stretchy ingredient in a good deal of outdoor clothing. A higher percentage of this fabric makes for a stretchier garment, and will give you more freedom of movement. This is especially helpful when you’re ascending a steep trail or scramble, so that your clothing won’t restrict your mobility.

RIPSTOP: A special reinforcement technique, Ripstop is a way of interweaving a thicker yarn at regular intervals into the fabric. It’s recognizable by the little squares, or crosshatch pattern, in the fabric. In case of a hole, the fabric is less likely to tear, being stopped at the next intersection of reinforced threads.

Design & style

Every brand designs their hiking pants differently, and it really is up to you what kind of features you prefer. Nowadays, many hiking pants are designed in such a way that they still look stylish.

Cargo pants are great for storing a lot of items like snacks, a camera or a smartphone, and have a stylish look that transitions well from town to trail. Keep in mind though that all these extra pockets add to the pants overall weight.

Fit

Nowadays, thanks to stretch materials and articulated designs, hiking pants have a slimmer fit than before. Make sure you choose the right fit for your activity. For challenging hikes or scrambles, make sure you have enough freedom of movement.

A gusseted crotch also helps in this metric. This is a diamond-shaped patch of fabric stitched into the crotch, eliminating four seams coming together, and improving mobility.

Additional features

SUN PROTECTION: Many hiking pants have a built-in sun protection of UPF 50+ (Ultraviolet Protection Factor). This comes in handy on sunny days and high altitude.

CLOSURE SYSTEM: Buttons, zippers, snaps, draw cords, stretch waist, you can find about any type of closure system. Like I mentioned before, take into account your use. A hip belt from a backpack can push down on buttons, belt loops, etc. and can cause unwanted chafe marks, turning your hike into a painful endeavor. Be sure you keep this in mind when shopping for a new pair!

ZIP OFF FUNCTION: Convertible hiking pants have zippers just above the knees to switch from pants to shorts in the blink of an eye. When shopping for a new pair, try the zip-off functionality out – some zippers are lower quality and can snag, which can be frustrating. Also make sure you don’t feel the zipper on your skin, since this can become painful after many miles. Most high-quality brands ‘hide’ the conversion zipper in between two flaps of fabric, reducing the chance of chafing considerably.

A zip off function is also a great way of improving ventilation. Open the conversion zippers to increase airflow inside your pants!

Tip: make sure you always wash your pants with the legs, even if they’re not dirty. This will prevent you ending up with a color difference due to the shorts being washed more often.

DWR-FINISH: A Durable Water Repellency (DWR) finish is a coating that’s applied to the fabric to prevent it from absorbing water. Although it might sound like a useless feature on a pair of hiking pants, it’s actually worth a lot. Hiking through wet shrubs or grass or a light shower is no problem when your hiking pants have a DWR-finish. Besides that, it also protects against stains.

POCKETS: Pockets are perfect for storing snacks or other small items. However, pockets add to the overall weight of the shorts, plus it can get really uncomfortable when you’re ascending or descending and your camera or smartphone keeps banging into your legs. Depending on your use case, choose the appropriate amount of pockets. If you are going to be carrying a backpack, then consider hip belt or shoulder strap pouches as an alternative. Some of my favorites are Zpacks (hip or shoulder) or Gossamer Gear (hip or shoulder) pouches, but many companies now make them.

MORE INFORMATION

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Happy hiking, and take care out there in the wild!