Bottom Line
We’ve got a comprehensive list of the best hiking pants for women, but if you’re shopping for great all-around hiking pants, look no further! We’ve tested these pants everywhere from Arizona to Alaska and, after much consideration, decided the Kuhl FreeFlex Rollup offer the best combination of fashion and function.
A plethora of positive attributes stand out in these pants. For example, we like being able to choose from six different functional pockets to store our electronics, maps, and snacks. They dry quickly when they get wet and are comfortable enough to wear for 12 + hours of hiking in the backcountry. Probably our favorite thing about the FreeFlex is how well they stand up to getting poked, raked, and whacked by plants while off-trail hiking. These pants are DURABLE, which means that one pair of pants will last a long time, making them well worth the purchase.
Quick Specs
KUHL Freeflex Roll-Up
Best Hiking Pants Overall
CleverHiker Rating: 84.3/100
Price: $99
Weight: 11.9 oz.
Fit: Relaxed
Fabric: Polyester
Pros
- Exceptionally durable
- Soft fabric is very comfortable
- Plethora of pockets
- Articulated knees make them easy to move in
- Highly breathable
- Stylish
- Inclusive sizing
Cons
- Not very weather-resistant
Comfort & Mobility
Despite their tough construction and athletic fit, these pants give the comfy, unrestrictive joggers a run for their money. The technical fabric feels softer than typical performance pants without compromising durability so that you can rely on these pants for big objectives and extended adventures. They move well for their close-fitting style – again, more like trail joggers. And it wasn’t just in our head; when we measured the leg restriction, the FreeFlex was competitive with the best of the best. It’s really Kuhl.
Durability
One of the best qualities of the Kuhl FreeFlex Rollup is its ability to withstand crawling through bushes, sliding down hills, surfing down scree fields, and anything else the wilderness can throw at it. We took these pants with us into the wilderness of Alaska over the summer, where we hiked off trail through devil’s club, alders, and an assortment of other plants that grow like crazy under the midnight sun. At one point, we even slid down a steep, grassy gully while wearing these pants. Other models used on that trip did not survive, falling victim to large tears up the legs. The FreeFlex pants were a different story: they completed the trip relatively unscathed. A few small fly-away threads and one tiny puncture on the bottom hem were the only signs of use found after two weeks in the backcountry. Thanks to their stellar performance, they are our top choice for adventuring off the beaten path.
Breathability
Generally speaking, we anticipate that thicker, heavier-duty materials will take longer to dry, but not with the Kuhl FreeFlex pants! In our side-by-side tests, they ended up being the third fastest to dry, which came as a pleasant surprise. Out in the field, we wore these pants while fording multiple glacial-fed streams and creeks in Alaska. Even with cooler temperatures and higher humidity, they dried off relatively quickly. When it came to wicking sweat, the FreeFlex Rollup pants were about equal to many of the looser-fitting and thinner fabric models we tried out.
Features
Those who love large, usable pockets: rejoice! The Kuhl FreeFlex pants sport six pockets, all just barely large enough to fit a modern smartphone. These pants have two hip pockets, two leg pockets, and two butt pockets. The leg and butt pockets all have an envelope-style snap closure to help secure items. We like these snap closures because they are easier to manipulate with one hand, particularly on the non-dominant side, and do not wear out as quickly as zippers. We only wish the rear pockets were slightly deeper because the snaps would not easily close over an iPhone 15 Pro. But these pants are so great, so we might just have to get a smaller phone…
Other features of the FreeFlex pants include belt loops and a drawstring. These Rollup pants also have snaps to secure the bottom of the pants at calf height for better ventilation and stream crossings.
Weather Resistance
We had to dig deep to find a fault in the FreeFlex pants. However, like many hiking pants, weather resistance is where these favorites fall short. While moving through snow and rain and crossing creeks, it became apparent that the FreeFlex do not shed water despite the PFC-free water-resistant finish. Unfortunately, they absorb moisture relatively easily. However, these pants are not softshell or rain pants, so they are not designed to be moisture-resistant. Plus, breathability and weather resistance are inversely related(it is hard to find materials that can provide both features simultaneously). Kuhl prioritized breathability over water resistance, which is just something that users need to be aware of when selecting the best pair of pants for their situation.
Should You Buy the KUHL FreeFlex Roll-Up Pants?
By our measure, the Kuhl FreeFlex Rollup pants provide a high return on your investment relative to the price. They offer a comfortable hiking experience, many valuable features, and dry quickly on the trail. But this love affair goes deeper. They cost about the same as most other hiking pants on the market, but their exceptional durability and versatility mean that the cost per wear is in the pennies. We thrashed through some rugged terrain testing pants and the FreeFlex and unlike other brands, these burly trousers didn’t look worse for the wear.
These are great all-around pants but really excel in durability, breathability, and features. We typically choose these pants for more rugged adventures where performance is our top concern. They are reasonably comfortable and stylish, but that isn’t their main focus. Those looking for a pair of hiking pants to take on short, easy trips before running errands in town may not find these pants to be the best choice. Likewise, they will not keep out the rain unless paired with a pair of rain pants. If neither of those areas is a top concern, then the FreeFlex pants are a great all-around choice at a reasonable price.
What Other Hiking Pants Should You Consider?
Outdoor Research Ferrosi: Another technical option, the Outdoor Research Ferrosi is a great option for those who want to place slightly more emphasis on water resistance over durability while staying in the same price range.
prAna Halle Straight: Bordering on softshell territory, the Halle Straight pants offer more weather resistance than the Kuhl Freeflex pants. They are relatively comfortable, breathable, and durable at a similar price point. The most significant tradeoff is smaller pockets.
Arc’teryx Gamma Pant: For those looking to maximize durability and weather resistance, the Gamma pants might provide the right solution. These pants perform well in rain or snow, better than any other pants we tried, which makes them great for shoulder season and winter. The most significant tradeoff is a heftier price tag: they cost more than any other pants we tried.
