Any piece of clothing eventually reveals what makes it a great option for guys — or ends up being a piece of apparel that might not work in every situation. Recently, I visited Austria on vacation and spent some time hiking in cities like Grein, Haag, and Dürnstein. For each pair of pants, I wore them for biking along the Danube river, hiking in the mountains, or just strolling through a tiergarten (a fancy German word for zoo).
Dixxon Chino Pants
The thick material on these pants worked well for hiking in the Austrian Alps. Breathable enough for biking in the hot sun but also warm enough for slightly cold temps, I loved the flexibility and durability these Chino Pants provide. I wished the rear pocket had a zipper for true adventuring (or walking through the Vienna airport which is notorious for pickpockets). Another discovery is that the Chino Pants tend to run a bit long, so keep that in mind if you order them. Because they are a bit thicker, these pants were not as ideal for biking near the Danube.
Patagonia Quandary Hiking Pants
My favorite pants right now, the Quandary Hiking are amazingly breathable, light, and airy enough for hiking in the sun. They are “performance pants” in that the material is stretchy enough and light so you can jog, bike, or hike quite easily without having such a tapered leg that you don’t get enough movement. Another thing I like is the drawstring, which means you don’t have to wear a belt. That in turn makes the pants feel even lighter, almost like you are wearing sweatpants yet with good durability.
511 Tactical
These thicker work pants have a utility that is well suited to someone who is crawling under a car to change the oil but also crawling up the side of a mountain. I did the second one, exploring some ancient Roman ruins and a dilapidated castle that was home to King Richard at one time. (I say “home” in the sense that he was held prisoner there for an entire year.) I brushed up against bricks a few times and even slipped in the sand and these pants barely blinked. I preferred the Patagonia Quandary pants only because of the lightweight material, but if I was doing serious work or the weather turned foul, I’d choose the Stryke pants every time.
Free Fly Marquesas Guide Pant
I absolutely love these lightweight, comfortable pants that look like slacks but feel like you are wearing sweats. They are so thin I prefer them to shorts even on summer days and they can double as slacks at the office, fulfilling any business casual dress code. It took me a minute to warm up to the zipper pocket, which is on the front, but it’s actually a nice change up from the usual back pocket for stashing my wallet and it’s a great way to secure keys. The pants have UV protection and come in two colors. Technically you can wear them for anything but they work the best for fishing and dry super quick and have moisture wicking tech.