Men’s Patagonia Quandary Hiking Pant Review

Bottom Line

The Patagonia Quandary Pants are versatile, durable, and designed for adventure. Constructed with a lightweight nylon blend made of recycled fishing nets, the Quandary continues Patagonia’s commitment to sustainability and environmental care. With features like zippered pockets and loops to roll up the pant cuffs, the Quandary is a great backcountry option and one of our best hiking pants.

With its articulated knees, gusseted crotch, and nylon/spandex material, the Quandary is flexible and agile for hikes, bike rides, and scrambles. The waistband features a curved design for a secure, tailored fit, with a zip fly and metal-button closure. Five pockets—including two front, two back, and a zippered thigh pocket—provide ample storage for essentials. 

Although the Quandary lacks the flexibility of other pants we tested, we love the many features found on it that make it more backcountry-ready. This is another pant that blurs the lines between town and trail with a slightly heavier emphasis on the trail. The Quandary is a great pant for anyone looking for a sustainably made and high-quality option for their next adventure.

How We Tested

We tested the Quandary on Alaskan trails, hikes, and peaks across the span of multiple months. Every pair of pants we test has been out in a variety of weather, and we are sure to take each pair out for as many miles on trail as possible during that time.

Comfort & Mobility

We used the Quandary primarily for day hikes on Alaska’s mountainous trails. Gear analyst Miles Knotek found that it provided good mobility but not to the level he’d want for long trips in the backcountry. Even with a gusseted crotch, he often felt restricted in large steps and wide-stanced movements. The ninety-six percent nylon and four percent spandex material provides moderate stretch but not quite as much as others we tested.

The Quandary definitely is a slim-fitting pant, which is most noticeable through the waist and thighs. If you’re someone with beefier quads, then these pants may not be the pair for you. We appreciated the pant’s slim look, but this limited our movement more than we liked.

Breathability

Mesh-lined pockets and the option to roll up and secure the hems are two features that help increase the breathability of the Quandary. The ability to roll up the legs is one we love. Additionally, the material used for the pants is noticeably thinner than others tested which lent itself to more breathability than anticipated. Although we never felt over-sweaty or clammy while wearing these pants, they were not as breathable as others we tested. Best suited for activities where you don’t anticipate sweating heavily, the Quandary offers moderate breathability.

Weather Resistance

Treated with a PFC-free DWR coating, the Quandary offers enough weather resistance to help block light rains. We noted some beading of light rain – even some moisture rolling down our pant legs. However, this weather resistance is quickly overwhelmed by anything more than a mist. These pants quickly soaked through in a heavy rain, but thanks to their quick drying abilities, they also dried out fast. This makes them great for moving in and out of light moisture with the ability to dry out between rain showers.

Durability

Taking these pants to the hiking trail, to the climbing gym, and around town, we have experienced no shortcomings in their durability and build quality. However, due to their thin material, we wouldn’t use these pants for activities like work or outdoor rock climbing where they would be subject to more abrasions. They felt thin when we passed through brush and twigs, leaving our legs feeling whipped. The thin fabric, while quick drying and breathable, does not make the Quandary a heavy-duty option for our hikes.

Features

The Quandary comes equipped with five pockets: two front, two rear, and one vertical thigh. This allows for some versatility in where to store items. Plus, one rear pocket and the thigh pocket is zippered. The biggest drawback to these pockets is that they are very small. The thigh pocket barely fits a cell phone, and the hand pockets are tight and restrictive with a wallet and keys in them. Though they’re not able to carry a lot of cargo, these pockets keep the pants sleek and trim. We also love the roll-up cord and button fastener on each pant leg to roll up the cuffs when crossing streams or when it gets hot.

Should You Buy the Patagonia Quandary Pant?

The Patagonia Quandary is built with Patagonia’s commitment to sustainability with nylon constructed with recycled fishing nets to reduce ocean plastic pollution. This makes it a great pant for anyone who wants their clothing to have less of a negative impact on the environment. The Quandary fits slimmer bodies best and is great for anyone looking for a backcountry-ready pant with in-town style. It may lack the breathability of other pants tested, but its thin material dries quickly and is great for moving in and out of precipitation. We love the roll-up cord and button fastener on the lower legs to customize the look and ventilation of the pants, and five pockets keep your items secure. The Quandary is a versatile pair of pants that will be right at home on your next adventure.

What Other Hiking Pants Should You Consider?

Check out our full gear guide for the lineup of best hiking pants.

REI Trailmade Review – Similarly designed with a drawstring on the inside of the waist, the Trailmade has many of the same features as the Quandary but at a lower price.

Mammut Runbold Review – If the Quandary left you wanting more flexibility, the Runbold is one of our best backcountry-ready pants with exceptional flexibility.

KUHL Deceptr Review – With a flexible waistband, the Deceptr has a greater degree of flexibility than the Quandary but still maintains a trim look for trail-to-town versatility.