Just to clarify, the Eddie Bauer Guide pants are 94% nylon, 6% spandex. Still killer pants, just not 100% nylon. Stretch is coming from the spandex in addition to mechanical factor through means of woven technique.
Nice overview of mens pants! My new favorite pants are the Prana stretch Zions - so comfortable! But sometimes needing to go through the catclaw, I tend to go back to my Kuhls. I used to wear the Renegades convertibles, but I recently found the Rock Pants to be super durable and they've got so many pockets!
The best hiking pants is no pants. Check out the Patagonia baggies short 5" and use Enlightened Equipment Copperfield wind pants for high grassy areas and mountain ridges where the temps might dip. Do you prefer boots or trailrunners? Now following!
I just puchased the Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants. I picked up a pair of "slim" models 1) because I like a slimmer cut and 2) they were only $60 on amazon (although only khaki was available). They fit me amazing! Thanks for the suggestion, I am bummed it took me so long to find and purchase these.
Really comprehensive review, appreciate the work and research that went into this. Visiting your website has become standard work as I plan my various trips.
I love my Railriders Bushwacker Weather Pants with insect shield. I've been using them for a year and love the fit, which is generous but not too generous, the included belt, and all the pockets. I have numerous other pairs of Railriders pants, shirts, and shorts. I've been using their products for at least 15 years and respect the company. I have had some difficulties getting the correct sizing on shirts and shorts, but the Bushwackers pants are true to size. Very comfortable and highly recommended.
Another great video Alan! I'd also like to reccomend wrangler's outdoor series. Good pants that perform well at a budget price point. Especially great deal is their fleece lined pant for cold weather.
Thanks for pointing out Eddie Bauer. The brand seems be overlooked for the pricier brands by the RUclips backpacking community. A couple things about the guide pro that needs fixing imho are the waist band and cargo pockets. The men's cargo pocket is angled. I find the pocket does not allow items like a phone or wallet to sit well inside the pocket. Both my wife and I find that the pants tend to slip down from the waist over a longer hike. We both have to readjust the pants to fit properly. Overall though, I would not hesitate to recommend them.
You can make any clothing, pants included, insect repellent with a soak in permethrin. It's very useful. It doesn't last as long, but still useful. Also, there are commercial services that will treat your clothing to almost insect shield standard. If you have a favorite pair of pants, treatment is better than buying an insect shield specific pair that you might not like as well as your own pair.
Thanks for your comments bertman. And yes, we have used the InsectShield "treat a bag" option to insect repellent some of our favorite shirts. But we do note that mosts folks are uncomfortable with chemically treating their own clothing - and self treated clothes last like 6-12 washings vs 70. Fortunately that's not such a big deal since there are plenty of good to excellent factory treated insect repellent pants and shirt options out there. As such we belive it's the option most folks would be interested in. Best, -alan
I liked the Eco-mesh pants and have worn them for two 100+ mile hikes on the JMT, and a few other small hikes However, after this summer’s JMT adventure I noticed small holes in the seat area as well as some tares in the mesh. I’m very tough on pants so I don’t exactly blame it on the pants but I was a bit bummed that such expensive pants didn’t hold up particularly well, plus I bought the lighter khaki which were impossible to keep clean. I just scored a pair of the Bushwacker pants on eBay for only $20 and they seem like almost new, and are a dark slate which will not show the dirt as much. I’ve found for me, a pair of bomber pants is a necessity as I can be accident prone, falling in streams and getting myself tangled up in rocky terrain, etc.. I was excited to get these pants.
Thx Alan. I like the 2nd pant and the last one. Thx. I'll check these out and also others have been suggesting the wranglers outdoor pants so I'll check those out too. Thanks a bunch. 👍💪
Loved the 2 layer top for under 50°, put I loath pants. I only hike in running shorts, with or without running tights, or woven running pants that are on the tough side(think UK fell running). Hate belts and and cargo pockets! I get the tick issue and I’ve tried all kinds of hiking pants, but they just flat out annoy me. Wish it wasn’t so but it is.
After 30 years of backpacking, and I can say with certainty, hiking pants are not something anyone should spend a lot of money on for 3-season hiking conditions. Find a pair of thin nylon pants that fit and have whatever frills you need - pockets, convertible, etc. - and that’s literally all you need. It is absolutely not worth the money to spend more than $50.
Alan, you have really good content and also is master of the subject you talk about. For me, the main issue with your videos (and this trend has been getting stronger) is the lack of conciseness. I know the RUclips algorithm asks for long videos but the way you are presenting your videos will surely lead to a decrease in number of viewers (even though watch time is increasing in the short term, it should decrease in the long run together with engagement). My suggestion would be to work on a scrip before making the video. It's possible to convey the same message and not cut a single piece of information in about half the time your current vídeos (2/3 of the shorter ones). Again, this is my perception based on other RUclips creators, I hope this is valid/valued feedback. Sincerely, a concerned viewer.
Thanks for the great reviews. You hate to spend a good bit of money on a pair of pants that you end up not liking, or do not do the job you hoped they would. This video will help avoid that issue., But who is this "we" you keep talking about? Are the voices in your head batlling it out over which pair is the best??? =)
We have a whole staff of backpackers and reviewer’s who are using pants all the time. So it’s not just me but a broad range of hikers and backpackers’ experiences and opinions we take into consideration.
Just to clarify, the Eddie Bauer Guide pants are 94% nylon, 6% spandex. Still killer pants, just not 100% nylon. Stretch is coming from the spandex in addition to mechanical factor through means of woven technique.
Thanks! sold on the REI Activator
Nice overview of mens pants! My new favorite pants are the Prana stretch Zions - so comfortable! But sometimes needing to go through the catclaw, I tend to go back to my Kuhls. I used to wear the Renegades convertibles, but I recently found the Rock Pants to be super durable and they've got so many pockets!
All great choices!
The best hiking pants is no pants. Check out the Patagonia baggies short 5" and use Enlightened Equipment Copperfield wind pants for high grassy areas and mountain ridges where the temps might dip. Do you prefer boots or trailrunners? Now following!
I just puchased the Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants. I picked up a pair of "slim" models 1) because I like a slimmer cut and 2) they were only $60 on amazon (although only khaki was available). They fit me amazing! Thanks for the suggestion, I am bummed it took me so long to find and purchase these.
Very nice! Glad you found the video useful. Best, -alan
Really comprehensive review, appreciate the work and research that went into this. Visiting your website has become standard work as I plan my various trips.
Thanks for the kind words!
I love my Railriders Bushwacker Weather Pants with insect shield. I've been using them for a year and love the fit, which is generous but not too generous, the included belt, and all the pockets. I have numerous other pairs of Railriders pants, shirts, and shorts. I've been using their products for at least 15 years and respect the company. I have had some difficulties getting the correct sizing on shirts and shorts, but the Bushwackers pants are true to size. Very comfortable and highly recommended.
Right on!
Another great video Alan! I'd also like to reccomend wrangler's outdoor series. Good pants that perform well at a budget price point. Especially great deal is their fleece lined pant for cold weather.
Thanks for the tip!
Thanks for pointing out Eddie Bauer. The brand seems be overlooked for the pricier brands by the RUclips backpacking community.
A couple things about the guide pro that needs fixing imho are the waist band and cargo pockets. The men's cargo pocket is angled. I find the pocket does not allow items like a phone or wallet to sit well inside the pocket. Both my wife and I find that the pants tend to slip down from the waist over a longer hike. We both have to readjust the pants to fit properly.
Overall though, I would not hesitate to recommend them.
Great job as always on explaining whatever you are talking about.
Thanks for the kind words. Best, -alan
I really like the Railriders Eco Mesh pants. They are my favorite
Agreed!
You can make any clothing, pants included, insect repellent with a soak in permethrin. It's very useful. It doesn't last as long, but still useful. Also, there are commercial services that will treat your clothing to almost insect shield standard. If you have a favorite pair of pants, treatment is better than buying an insect shield specific pair that you might not like as well as your own pair.
Thanks for your comments bertman. And yes, we have used the InsectShield "treat a bag" option to insect repellent some of our favorite shirts. But we do note that mosts folks are uncomfortable with chemically treating their own clothing - and self treated clothes last like 6-12 washings vs 70. Fortunately that's not such a big deal since there are plenty of good to excellent factory treated insect repellent pants and shirt options out there. As such we belive it's the option most folks would be interested in. Best, -alan
I liked the Eco-mesh pants and have worn them for two 100+ mile hikes on the JMT, and a few other small hikes However, after this summer’s JMT adventure I noticed small holes in the seat area as well as some tares in the mesh. I’m very tough on pants so I don’t exactly blame it on the pants but I was a bit bummed that such expensive pants didn’t hold up particularly well, plus I bought the lighter khaki which were impossible to keep clean. I just scored a pair of the Bushwacker pants on eBay for only $20 and they seem like almost new, and are a dark slate which will not show the dirt as much. I’ve found for me, a pair of bomber pants is a necessity as I can be accident prone, falling in streams and getting myself tangled up in rocky terrain, etc.. I was excited to get these pants.
Thx Alan. I like the 2nd pant and the last one. Thx. I'll check these out and also others have been suggesting the wranglers outdoor pants so I'll check those out too. Thanks a bunch. 👍💪
Loved the 2 layer top for under 50°, put I loath pants. I only hike in running shorts, with or without running tights, or woven running pants that are on the tough side(think UK fell running). Hate belts and and cargo pockets! I get the tick issue and I’ve tried all kinds of hiking pants, but they just flat out annoy me. Wish it wasn’t so but it is.
After 30 years of backpacking, and I can say with certainty, hiking pants are not something anyone should spend a lot of money on for 3-season hiking conditions. Find a pair of thin nylon pants that fit and have whatever frills you need - pockets, convertible, etc. - and that’s literally all you need. It is absolutely not worth the money to spend more than $50.
And we have a pair of $30 pants in there that do just that. Best - Alan
Ferossi are nice but don't come with any belt, so the sizing has to be perfect, otherwise there's no adjustment (unless you buy a separate belt)
Actually we are big fans of picking your own belt. In general we find they work way better than the self belts included with most pants. Best - Alan
What color are the Eddie Bauer guide pros you have??
Alan, you have really good content and also is master of the subject you talk about. For me, the main issue with your videos (and this trend has been getting stronger) is the lack of conciseness. I know the RUclips algorithm asks for long videos but the way you are presenting your videos will surely lead to a decrease in number of viewers (even though watch time is increasing in the short term, it should decrease in the long run together with engagement).
My suggestion would be to work on a scrip before making the video. It's possible to convey the same message and not cut a single piece of information in about half the time your current vídeos (2/3 of the shorter ones).
Again, this is my perception based on other RUclips creators, I hope this is valid/valued feedback.
Sincerely, a concerned viewer.
Thanks for the constructive feedback and good suggestions. Best, -alan
Thanks for the great reviews. You hate to spend a good bit of money on a pair of pants that you end up not liking, or do not do the job you hoped they would. This video will help avoid that issue., But who is this "we" you keep talking about? Are the voices in your head batlling it out over which pair is the best??? =)
We have a whole staff of backpackers and reviewer’s who are using pants all the time. So it’s not just me but a broad range of hikers and backpackers’ experiences and opinions we take into consideration.