Hiking pants guide

These four terms are often used as synonyms. Strictly speaking, they’re not the same. The fact is that hiking pants have been developed specifically for hiking, therefore they are abrasion-proof, breathable, stretch and have many practical details. All these features together make hiking pants very functional.

Trekking pants differ to hiking pants in that the material and finish are more robust. This is because you need to be comfortable for several days at a time when trekking. They also have to be able to dry quickly e.g. with dryprotec.

However, outdoor pants or functional pants are umbrella terms, which include all types of outdoor activities, therefore less clearly defined. Some manufacturers equip outdoor pants/functional pants with lots of functions. However, others make them barely distinguishable from standard cotton pants by adding just a few details that are suitable for the outdoors. Moreover, many functional pants nowadays are also suitable for everyday use.

Maier Sports has something for all needs, ranging from everyday functional pants to technically advanced hiking pants. In fact, all of our pants are functional and suitable for active outdoor use.

There is only one important difference: our functional pants are even more versatile whereas our hiking pants have been developed especially for long walks in the outdoors. Moreover, you will also find proper all-purpose outdoor pants such as our best-rated pants for hiking and travelling – multi-award-winning hiking pants with a plethora of functions and practical features.

In addition to the fabric, workmanship and features, hiking pants also have a different cut compared to everyday pants. The knee sections should be preformed if you want to be able to make wide and high steps easily when climbing or scrambling (or kneeling down). This is why the pants have a slightly curved cut. Moreover, details such as pockets should not limit freedom of movement or cause friction, even when filled.

The question then remains whether the cut of the hiking pants should be form-fitting (slim) or loose (regular). There are advantages to both cuts. Fashionable form-fitting hiking pants rub less and do not flap around. Loose-fitting pants have a more relaxed fit and provide better ventilation. In turn, you benefit from Maier Sports’ numerous sizes and product range (with slim and regular cuts): try them out for yourself and choose the version that makes you feel more comfortable.

The highest demands are placed on the fabric of hiking pants. This is why an all-rounder would make the best choice. On the one hand you never know exactly what the weather is going to be like. On the other hand you don’t want to have to buy special pants for every type of weather. The good news: you won’t need to if you choose a high-quality fabric.

Modern textile technologies manage to unite high breathability, insulation, strong elasticity, quick-drying time, wind resistance and a waterproof finish. Cotton can’t do any of this.

But there’s one thing you do need to know: not a single textile technology can guarantee all of these demands completely. So you will always have to compromise on one or more properties. The questions you should ask yourself, and only you can answer, are:

- What demands do my hiking pants need to fulfil?

- How environmentally friendly is the fabric?
Maier Sports can easily answer the second question. Since Fall/Winter 2018/2019, all Maier Sports products have a PFC-free finish. Our PFC-free finish is biodegradable and protects people's health and nature. Furthermore, we have managed to improve wash resistance, the simple reactivation of the water repelling effect and abrasion resistance without using environmentally damaging chemicals and to optimise the durability of our hiking pants.

However, when it comes to deciding what your hiking pants need to cope with, you first need to think about what kind of hiking tours you are planning to go on. How sweaty will it get? What will the weather be like? And how long will your tour take? Then you will know, which of the following textile technologies you need.