How to choose hiking pants?
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Time to read 4 min
Whether you enjoy Sunday walks in the forest, are passionate about mountain trekking, or love long wild routes, choosing the right hiking pants is essential. Comfort, breathability, protection from the elements, environmental impact... many criteria come into play. At Lagoped, we design technical, responsible, and European pants, made for all adventures. Here are our tips to help you find the ideal model.
Choosing pants suited to your activity
The first criterion to consider is the use you will make of your trekking or hiking pants.
Day hiking or easy stroll
For short outings or without technical difficulty, lightweight, flexible, and easy-to-care-for pants are sufficient. They must ensure good freedom of movement and quick drying.
👉 The RIOUPOU pants from Lagoped are perfect for this use: stretch, breathable, and comfortable with an elastic waistband and a gusset at the crotch. They also have 3 zippered pockets (one compatible with wearing a harness) and a featherweight of 280g.
Trekking or technical terrain
For more demanding outings (altitude, duration, uncertain weather), pants must meet other requirements to better protect against harsher external elements.
Prioritize:
Reinforcements on knees, seat, and lower leg
Technical materials: ripstop, stretch
Secure and well-placed pockets (harness, belt)
A sustainable, local, and responsible manufacturing
👉 By incorporating a main flexible and 4-way stretch fabric, 4 zippered pockets compatible with a harness, and ripstop stretch and water-repellent reinforcement panels on the seat, thighs, and knees, the PTARMIGAN2 pants offer uncompromising protection and freedom of movement. All while ensuring ethical and 100% European manufacturing.
What is the difference between a softshell pant and a classic hiking pant?
A softshell pant is designed to offer an excellent balance between protection and thermal comfort. It is made from a technical fabric denser than classic pants: slightly windproof, water-repellent, and especially very breathable. It’s the ideal choice for outings in cool, wet, or windy conditions without needing to wear overpants.
Conversely, a "classic" hiking pant is often lighter, thinner, and therefore better suited for hot climates or intense efforts. It dries quickly, moves well with stretch panels, but offers less protection in changing weather.
👉 In summary:
Softshell = protection + warmth + 3-season versatility
At Lagoped, the PTARMITOUR pant is a durable softshell ski touring pant that can also be worn for hiking when weather conditions are not ideal.Classic = lightweight + maximum breathability
At Lagoped, the RIOUPOU is a perfect mid-season or summer hiking pant for high altitudes, while the PTARMIGAN2 meets the needs for more challenging terrain hikes all year round.
Adapting your pants to the weather
In hot weather
In summer or hot climates, choose pants made of lightweight, breathable, and quick-drying material. Stretch models are also comfortable to wear as they follow your movements without sticking.
👉 RIOUPOU is again an excellent choice for its comfort and breathability properties, and its slightly looser fit.
In cool, variable, or humid weather
A windproof, water-repellent, or slightly brushed inside pant is recommended. It helps keep you dry while preventing you from getting cold at the slightest gust of wind or moisture.
👉 PTARMIGAN2 features a technical design suited for mixed conditions with a stretch ripstop fabric that is durable and water-repellent without PFCs.
👉 The softshell pants PTARMITOUR are also pants that can be worn for hiking in cold weather.
💡 Also remember to bring waterproof overpants if showers are forecast.
Aim for durability and eco-design
A recycled and responsible material
At Lagoped, our pants are made from recycled nylon, notably from fishing nets and fabric scraps. We use Econyl®, an innovative fiber produced in Slovenia.
The fabrics are woven and dyed in France and Italy, and the pants are assembled in Lithuania. No toxic treatments: our water repellents are PFC-free and UV protection is achieved by construction, without chemicals.
Why avoid pants with PFC-based water-repellent treatment?
PFCs (perfluorinated compounds) are chemical substances used for years to make outdoor clothing water-repellent. The problem? They do not break down in nature. Once released into the environment, they contaminate soil, rivers, wildlife… and even our own bodies, as they are now found in human blood. Some are already classified as endocrine disruptors.
At Lagoped, we refuse to sacrifice the planet for a water-repellent effect lasting only a few hours. All our water-repellent treatments are guaranteed PFC-free and comply with the strictest European standards. It’s a bit less spectacular when water doesn’t bead as much on the fabric surface… but much healthier for nature and for all of us.
European manufacturing
Our production chain is entirely European: a guarantee of quality, transparency, and respect for social and environmental conditions.
The details that make the difference
Functional pockets: at least two zippered pockets (hand rests), often complemented by a thigh pocket or a back pocket.
Reinforcements: seat, knees, inner lower legs for better durability.
Belt loops: for a customized fit.
Harness compatibility: essential for mountaineering or via ferrata.
👉 PTARMIGAN2 ticks all these boxes with its 3 pockets, strategic reinforcements, and technical construction.
Can you wear tights under hiking pants?
Absolutely! Layering is an effective strategy against the cold when temperatures drop. Wearing tights or a thermal base layer under your pants helps retain body heat while letting the outer layer protect against wind or moisture.
But beware: not all pants are designed for this. You need a fit that is neither too tight nor too loose, to avoid chafing and maintain freedom of movement.
In short: the right habits to adopt
To choose hiking pants well:
Consider your main use (duration, terrain, intensity)
Adapt your choice to the weather conditions
Focus on comfort and stretch
Choose resistant, durable, and responsible models
Your hiking pants should be a durable, technical, and responsible ally. At Lagoped, we have designed every detail to support you for a long time, respecting the mountain and those who explore it.
Need extra advice? Contact our team or come try our pants at one of our Refuges, our stores in Paris or Chamonix, or at our retailers.
