Best walking trousers 2024 | Tested and reviewed

This offering from Fjällräven is a lighter and even more flexible version of the Swedish brand's standard Keb trousers – a previous 'Best in Test' winner in our Trail Magazine group test. It uses a zoned fabric construction, largely consisting of fast-drying, double-woven nylon stretch fabric. 

Thigh pockets, knee panels, hems and ankle scuff patches feature G-1000 Lite Eco reinforcements for extra durability. This is a tough ripstop fabric incorporating organic cotton and recycled polyester, which can be waxed for extra water resistance. Pre-shaped knees and a crotch gusset allow superb freedom of movement, while the tapered legs ensure minimal flapping in windy weather. 

The lower legs have press-stud ankle cinches, and you also get zipped thigh vents to help dump heat when working hard uphill. Twin zipped thigh pockets provide secure storage (the right-hand pocket has a stretch mesh inner to hold a smartphone). There are also two open hand pockets and a waistband fitted with belt loops, finished with a button closure and a zip fly. These well-built and versatile trousers feel protective and robust without being too hot or heavy. They work well for hillwalking and scrambling in most conditions, from spring right through to autumn. 

There's no women's version yet. We think the hem cinches could use some additional snaps for an even closer fit with trail shoes or mid-boots. They're expensive trousers too.

At just £35, these hiking trousers are amazing value for money – it’s hard to believe the price is correct.

You get loads of features despite the low price-tag, including an integrated belt, ankle cuff drawcords, two zippered handwarmer pockets, one rear zippered pocket (right buttock), and two thigh pockets (one with a flap and press stud closure, one with a zip and an internal phone sleeve). The left leg thigh pocket can just about take an OS map, but it sticks out of the top of the pocket.

Features are simple but effective, consisting of a zip fly and press stud waist closure, two secure zipped hand pockets, a zipped rear pocket and a side elasticated waistband fitted with a low-profile webbing waistbelt. But these trousers lack a thigh pocket. The plastic belt buckle is a side-release type that feels rather flimsy.

The fit is true to size with a slightly athletic cut – although we noticed a touch of tightness over the quads. Freedom of movement is generally good, however, thanks to the use of stretchier fabrics (88% polyamide, 12% elastane) across the seat, knees and lower legs.

Tougher nylon fabric inserts are used across high-wear areas to improve long-term durability, and the materials over the lower leg and seat are water-repellent. The ankle cuffs, which flare out a little, can be cinched-in using elasticated drawcords for improved syncing with your boots.

At 387g the MT500 trousers are midweight, but strike a nice balance between comfort, toughness and agility. All of this for £35 is quite remarkable.

Check out the women's version here

Montane's extensive and much-loved Terra range got a new addition in spring 2023, the Terra Lite. From the name, you might think they're just a lighter version of the brand's best-selling Terra pants. Not altogether wrong, but in terms of fabric, construction and fit, they're very different. These are made from Vector Lite fabric, a nylon-elastane blend, which ensures they're both lighter and stretchier than the standard Terras. It offers sun protection of UPF 50+ and is finished with a PFC-free DWR. 

The fit is closer than the Terra too, being slimmer through the seat and thigh. Knee darts and a small gusset panel in the crotch add some articulation. Other features include a zipped fly with button and secondary press stud closure and a removable webbing belt with a sturdy metal hook buckle. There are two open mesh-lined hand pockets and a rear zipped pocket, plus a zipped front thigh pocket. 

Essentially these are less of an all-mountain trouser than the Terra, instead being better suited to trekking in warmer climates. Having said that, they also work well for all-day wear on hot and humid hill days here in the UK. 

We'd like a more tapered lower leg or some ankle adjustment to cinch them in around trail shoes and mid-cut hikers. We wish the hand pockets had zips too. 

Check out the women's version here

These simple, no-nonsense trousers are lightweight, comfortable and technical, at an affordable price – impressive credentials for just £65. They don't have any technical features, and you won’t find yourself getting too excited about them, but they quietly achieve almost everything you need from a pair of hillwalking trousers.

Out on the hill, they are comfortable with good freedom of movement, and the fit works well. Made from partially recycled 96% polyamide blended with 4% elastane, there is a nice bit of stretchiness to the material, although we’d like to see a hybrid design with more durable fabrics used across high-abrasion areas.

You do, however, get a stronger ‘heel tape’ around the ankle cuff for a slight durability boost. The trousers have a DWR (durable water-repellent) finish so they can withstand a light shower, and the waistline is elasticated with six belt loops, button closure and a zippered fly.

You get four pockets – two polycotton-lined handwarmer pockets, one mesh-lined central thigh pocket, and one rear right buttock zippered pocket. The trousers weigh 339g (men’s 32in), which is surprisingly lightweight considering the price.

Check out the women's version here

The Mountain Equipment Makalu Pants make use of a new Gore-Tex membrane that's been 10 years in the making.

It's called ePE and has exactly the same waterproof rating as Gore-Tex's membrane it's used for decades (ePTFE) but is more sustainable.

People can be suspicious of a performance drop when a bigger focus is put on sustainability, but if we hadn't told you this, you wouldn't notice. The only detectable giveaway is that ePE is marginally lighter and thinner than the old membrane.

The Makalu Pants are highly waterproof, quite breathable, and tough thanks to a recycled 75D fabric. We liked the 3/4-length zips, which make the Makalu Pants easy to put on and take off. They also boost ventilation thanks to the use of two-way zips.

Check out the women's version here

Our female gear reviewer Ellie is an avowed fan of Acai's summer-weight Max Stretch Skinny trousers. She's also tested its cold-weather, fleece-lined Thermal Skinny trousers. But the brand's Aventurite Stretch Skinny are probably the best all-round option from Acai yet. They're also the most eco-friendly since they incorporate recycled nylon and are finished with a PFC-free DWR treatment.

Otherwise, the formula is familiar. These are technical, performance-focused trousers developed for women, by women, with the look of skinny jeans. That means riveted front pockets, twin back pockets (one of which is zipped), belt loops and a rear leather-look logo patch for on-trend casual styling.

But the fabric is a hardwearing and quick-drying nylon polyester with four-way stretch, delivering great comfort and flexibility, plus decent durability. They have a high waist to prevent a draughty back, even if your base layer rides up. And they come in a wide range of sizes, including four leg lengths. However, there's only one small rear-zipped pocket. And despite the fabric's high level of stretch, the skinny fit might not suit everyone.

These trousers take things up a notch or two in terms of technicality. While other pairs we’ve tested this year, such as the Forclaz MT500 and Craghoppers Kiwi Pro II feel like simple pants for bimbling around the UK’s grassy hills, the Salewa Terminal Durastretch are unapologetically alpine in their build, style and performance.

They are highly technical softshell trousers (66% polyamide, 23% polyester, 11% elastane), with an athletic cut, excellent freedom of movement, loads of stretch and superb comfort levels. We absolutely love them – although the fit might not suit all body shapes and the alpine style is clearly better suited to those who move fast and light in the mountains.

At just 350g, they are ultralight, and breathability is pretty decent too. Features include a PFC-free water repellent finish, two zippered handwarmer pockets, one zippered left thigh pocket, and ankle cuff adjustment via an integrated drawcord. The waistband is elasticated with five belt loops, press stud closure and zippered fly. Neither vents nor integrated belt are included.

Despite being lightweight, these versatile trousers are suitable for year-round use, bar the coldest of winter days.

Check out the women's version here

The recipe for creating these trousers was simple and superb: take Montane's popular Terra Mission Pants, and make them a bit tougher and more weather resistant.

The result is (perhaps predictably) excellent. Weighing in at half a kilogram, the Tenacity XT Pants (women's version called Terra Stretch XT) are a very good balance of mountain-ready toughness, and comfort.

We found the 260gsm softshell fabric had good stretch and overall mobility. To help improve ventilation, there are zipped, mesh-lined thigh vents, which work a treat. The fabric also does a great job of cutting out the wind and also has a PFC-free DWR to keep light rain at bay.

We were pleased with the use of a super tough Schoeller-Keprotec Kevlar panel on the instep. This material was originally developed for motorcycle racing and is extremely hard wearing. So, the instep was well and truly reinforced but the knees and seat don't receive any.

While the price is still 'premium' for lack of a better word, these are less expensive than many rivals and are fully featured, technical mountain trousers. From the inclusion of zipped gussets for accommodating mountain boots, to Montane being a Fair Wear Foundation member, these are a fantastic option for demading cold weather mountain hikes.

Check out the women's version here

66°North is an Icelandic clothing brand that allows hikers and runners to continue their outdoor pursuits even when mother nature suggests they don't. 

Its Straumnes trousers provide exactly that service to runners and hikers. We found for high-octane walking or running in deep winter, these trousers are exceptional. Eye-wateringly expensive but exceptional.

In terms of breathability, they're the easily best option here. And they're on par with the best for wind-resistance too. This is courtesy of Gore-Tex Infinium fabric. It's stretchy and lightweight yet keeps out the wind and even light drizzle.  

66°North is a reasonably sustainable brand too. It's a certified B-Corp and offers a repair service on all garments it's ever made and a return recycling scheme.

Read our full 66°North Straumnes review

Check out the women's version here