You never know what you might face out on the trail. Howling wind. Pouring rain. Blazing sun. Bitter cold. When we make the choice to venture into the wilderness in search of adventure, we do so with the knowledge that Mother Nature can throw anything at us.

Bottom line: you need a pair of hiking pants that will propel you forward, not hold you back. We went in search of the best hiking pants of 2020, and we these are the ones that truly impressed us the most.

The right pick for your next adventure depends on your own needs. Whether you’re looking for the most lightweight, the most water-resistant, the most comfortable or the most durable hiking pants out there, any pair on this list deserves consideration.

Best Buy

1. prAna Stretch Zion Pant

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The prAna Stretch Zion Pant gets top marks across the board. Comfy, stretchy, cool, breathable and lightweight, these pants make for a trusty trail companion. Named for Zion National Park (quite a namesake to live up to), these hiking pants come in a variety of rugged colors, and are reasonably fashionable by hiking pant standards.

You probably wouldn’t wear them to a fine dining restaurant, but you won’t feel out of place at the local brewpub if you want to knock a couple back after the trail. The pockets (including one cargo pocket) are well designed to hold all your stuff without getting in the way.

The water-resistant fabric (97% Nylon and 3% Spandex with a DWR coating) does a great job shedding moisture. Will they keep you dry in an all-out downpour? Not quite. But you’ll be happy with your choice when your morning hike takes you through a dewy field of tall grass.

The pants also have a UPF of 50+, which offers nice sun protection, and the ventilated inseam gusset and roll-up leg snaps offer extra comfort during hot days on the trail. The sizes tend to run a little big compared to most hiking pants, so if you typically wear a size 34 waist, you might find that a 33 fits better.