Buying hiking trousers – what you need to know

The difference between trekking and hiking

Trekking is a challenging tour, sometimes lasting several weeks. You usually carry a lot of equipment with you, often including a tent, sleeping bag and cooking equipment in your backpack. Hikes come in varying degrees of difficulty, from one to several days. You may only need to bring food and a change of clothes.

This is why more robust trousers are ideal for trekking, and lighter hiking trousers are often sufficient for regular hiking. But trousers for hiking and trekking don’t differ much, which is why we use the same term for both.

Hiking trousers material

Trousers for hiking or trekking should be sturdy and not restrict your movement. Materials such as polyester and nylon are durable and lightweight, while elastane makes the fabric stretchy so that you can move freely. If you’re out and about in the high-alpine mountains, the trousers should also be insulating and water repellent. Breathable materials ensure a comfortable feel.

Here are some ways to differentiate hiking trousers:

Hiking trousers: finding the right fit

Finding the right fit for your hiking trousers is important. It ensures the best possible freedom of movement and reduces the risk of chafing.  Before buying the trousers, try this out: take long steps forward and to the side, use a flight of stairs to climb several steps up at once, and sit down in them. The trousers shouldn’t restrict you, pinch at the waist, slip or disturb you in any other way.

It’s best to bring your hiking boots with you when you try them on. This way, you can check if the trouser legs are wide enough for your shoes and equipment to fit together.

Pockets and other features

The right size and the right material for your adventure are most important features when it comes to hiking trousers. However, you should also take a close look at details such as the pockets and ventilation.

Hiking trousers for winter

For hiking or trekking in winter, it’s best to opt for softshell trousers or waterproof trousers. Make sure that the material is breathable and wicks moisture away from the body. This is important in ensuring you don’t get cold because of trapped moisture.

It helps if the material is windproof – such as softshell. In icy winds, you cool down quickly due to the wind chill effect, which is the difference between the actual temperature and the perceived temperature. The latter is strongly influenced by wind. For example, with a fresh breeze of 40 kilometres per hour, five degrees just feels like zero degrees. That’s why you’re well equipped with windproof trousers.

When wearing hiking trousers in winter, make sure that the seams are welded together well. This makes it harder for wet and cold to penetrate.

Washing hiking trousers

We offer a comprehensive care and laundry service for a variety of outdoor clothing.

If you want to wash your hiking trousers yourself, always follow the instructions on the care label. As a general rule:

• Air out your hiking trousers after every tour.

• On a multi-day tour, remove visible dirt with a damp cloth or spot wash it by hand.

• Use a mild detergent without fabric softener to wash. Choose a low-temperature washing programme and air dry the trousers. If you’re using a dryer, make sure you choose a programme with a low temperature, as temperatures that are too high can damage the material.

• For waterproof or water-repellent trousers, waterproof them as recommended by the manufacturer.

Hiking trousers for every situation – summarized

For light hikes or walks, you should opt for comfortable, breathable trousers. For demanding mountain tours, you’ll be well equipped with durable, weatherproof models. If your tour includes climbing, you need plenty of freedom of movement, and the trousers should be robust. Hiking trousers for winter should protect you well from the cold, so they should be windproof and/or lined.

For long trekking tours, it’s important that the trousers are durable, dry quickly and have practical pockets. Articulated knees give you extra freedom of movement.

Maybe you don’t only wear the trousers for hiking. In that case, you should consider where the hiking trousers will receive more stress. For example, if you also want to wear them for fishing or outdoor photography, look for trousers with reinforced knees.