Men's Hiking/Travel Pant Comparative Review
By Steve Mann

The choice of an outdoor pant seems like a fairly simple one, yet there are many to choose from. A good pant adds a great deal of comfort to a trip. Your decision centers around the type of activity and its demands. Is the area humid? Will you be in the water? What is the range of temperatures?

I look at eight pants in this review, which aren't directly comparable. Rather, they represent products suitable for various activities, from basic hiking, to adventure travel, winter activities, and casual wear. They have one common characteristic--all are constructed of nylon-based fabrics. I'll identify their technical features and strengths, then outline their best uses. I limit the review to men's pants, but most also come in women's versions. The technical details are the same, but fit may differ.

I've broken the pants into two categories: those with zip-off legs and those without. With eight pants to cover, the descriptions are necessarily concise, but once you get to the summary, you'll understand which ones our test crew preferred.

Zip-Off Pants:
Ex Officio Traveling Convertible
Royal Robbins Zip'N'Go Pant
Gramicci Cabriolet

Non-Zip Pants:
Ex Officio Explorer
Moonstone Desert Rock Pant
LL Bean Schoeller Dryskin Guide Pant
Gramicci Qwik Dry
Royal Robbins Go Everywhere Pant

Zip Off Pants

Ex Officio Traveling Convertible

A classic in construction and styling, the Traveling Convertible features a nycott twill 100% nylon fabric treated with Teflon for water and stain resistance. A light polyurethane coating adds additional waterproofing. The fabric is durable, wrinkle resistant, soft, and dries quickly.

A total of six pockets, of various configurations, offer tons of storage and security. The main pockets have mesh linings. Pleated, over-thigh cargo pockets expand when stuffed. The zip-off legs have eight inch flap-covered ankle zips, allowing you to slip the pants on or off without removing your footwear.

Two pack straps hold the zipped-off legs at the back of your waist. Some of the reviewers complained that the straps were uncomfortable when wearing a pack. The waist is a button fly with belt loops--no web belt or buckle--and an elastic waist at the back.

For range of movement, a full-length inseam gusset--an extra fabric panel that runs from the crotch to the ankles--gives complete freedom to move in any direction as far as your legs will reach and great comfort.

Whether you are traveling by plane or backpacking weight and size are important. Weighing in at 12.4 ounces, the ExO pant is the lightest of the zip-off pants in this review. The Traveling Convertible retails for $74, right on the average for the zip-off pants in this review.

For more information contact Ex Officio at (206) 283-1471 or online at www.exofficio.com.

Royal Robbins Zip'N'Go Pant

A bastion of the Royal Robbins line, the Zip'N'Go pant is another time-honored classic. Made of 4 ounce 100% nylon, 3-ply laundered Supplex, the pant is soft, wrinkle resistant, and durable.

The zip-off legs adjust for easy on easy off without removing your footwear. Instead of zippers, as in the ExOfficio pant, velcro fasteners allow the pant leg to open a few inches. Unlike the ExO's zipper, the pant leg does not open up completely. A button tab allows you to cinch the ankle tight.

The gusseted crotch and general loose fit allow for easy movement. The Zip'N'Go dries quickly and has a rugged, sturdy feel. That may account for its heavier weight. At 17.5 ounces, it is the heaviest zip-off pant in the review. They are comfortable while active or relaxing. The shorts, created by zipping off the legs, are very short, ending above mid thigh on most men. The waist offers a nylon web belt with quick release buckle.

Secure pockets are important whether you are protecting from pickpockets, or just ensuring that your pocket contents don't slip out on the trail or when you sit down. The Zip'N'Go has four velcro pockets: two on the front, one on the back, and one just below the leg zipper on the left side. The left side pocket is mesh lined and includes a built-in velcro safety strap, good for securing keys. In addition to the secure pockets the Zip'N'Go sports two hand-pockets. There is one open-topped full mesh pocket inside at the waist.

The Zip'N'Go is priced at $79.

For more information contact Royal Robbins at (800) 587-9044 or online at www.royalrobbins.com.

Gramicci Cabriolet Pant

Gramicci's Cabriolet has a 2-ply cotton-look sanded nylon Supplex fabric. It has a button and zip fly, Gramicci's trademark "logo-tipped" belt, and pleats in front.

Our reviewers did not like the unusual buckle on the web waist belt. Rather than a standard side-release buckle, the Cabriolet's buckle has a rectangular-shaped protrusion that you slide into a slot and turn to fasten. We found this to be inconvenient. An elastic adjusts for added mobility. Like the others, the short created by zipping off the legs is short.

The pockets on the Cabriolet are unique. The pant provides a rear double seat, meaning huge rear pockets have enough fabric to cover the entire seat area down to just above the leg zippers. This extra fabric reinforces the seat. These deep back pockets have velcro closures and are mesh lined, as are the top side pockets. There are button-up cargo pockets on each leg above the leg zips, situated on the outside over the main pockets.

The Cabriolet's leg zips are exposed--there is no zipper flap cover like the other zip-off pants--to cut down on bulk and weight. At the bottom, the ankle cuff is expandable for easy removal.

The Cabriolet's fit is slightly roomier, the legs wider than the other pants. Gramicci is famous for the gusseted crotch, which makes Gramicci pants able to accommodate wide ranges of movement.

The Cabriolet sells for $70.00 and weighs 12.8 ounces. In my opinion, the pant should be lower priced (like Gramicci's Qwik Dry below) to compete effectively with the function and look of the Ex Officio and Royal Robbins pants.

For more information contact Gramicci at (800) 814-5000 or online at www.gramicci.com.

Zip Off Pants

Ex Officio Explorer

The ExOfficio Explorer is a general purpose pant made of featherweight nycott 100% nylon fabric treated with Teflon for water and stain resistance. The result is a durable and low maintenance pant. It sheds wrinkles, resists stains and dries in no time, although the Royal Robbins Go Everywhere pant shows less wrinkling due to stuffing into a pack or suitcase. The pant packs small and has a light airy feel, logical considering it weighs only 9.3 ounces.

The Explorer works as a travel pant or hiking/backpacking pant. The left, hand pocket has a small velcro-closure pocket inside and the right pocket has a coin pouch at the bottom. On the left leg sits a dual cargo pocket with a zipper and velcro flap for extra security. One back pocket zips, a second is zippered. The side and back pockets are mesh lined. A unique feature is a small, flush, zippered ankle pocket. The zipped side pockets are 'sitting position safety pockets'. My summary of the many and varied pocket features: lots of cargo space and secure storage.

The fly zips and buttons closed. There is no web belt or buckle. The back of the waist is elastic. The Explorer has the same inseam gusset as the Traveling Convertible, which our reviewers loved. The full-length inseam gives the ExO pants the best range of motion we've found. For $56, ExOfficio delivers great value.

Moonstone Desert Rock Pant

The Desert Rock pant is unique in this review. To start, the pant is not 100% nylon Supplex-style fabric. Moonstone chose a 330-denier cordura (nylon) fabric with lycra for stretchiness. The pant is treated for moisture management and quick drying, and is wind resistant.

This pant moves with you and breathes well, and has great style. It has a sturdier feel, yet remains lightweight at only 14 ounces. The waist has the standard web belt with a side buckle and full elastic waistband. There are to side hand pockets, and a single zippered back pocket with a flap cover. The waist snaps closed. Buttonholes inside the hem at the backside of the leg allow you to thread a drawcord to cinch the cuff at the ankle.

I liked the Desert Rock pant for hiking and travel, but it also works well for more demanding activities such as scrambling, climbing, and bouldering. The pant resists abrasion well. It dries quickly, but not as fast as most of the other pants in this review. One slight drawback was the pull I felt through the crotch when taking long strides, such as making a long bouldering move or stretching to cross a stream. Although the pant includes a gusseted crotch, the pant lacks range of movement.

The Desert Rock pant retails for $75. I like the Desert Rock pant a lot, but can't justify the price tag. For less money I'd overlook the restricted range of motion, but not for top dollar.

For more information contact Moonstone at (800) 390-3312 or online at www.moonstone.com.

LL Bean Schoeller Dryskin Guide Pant

The LL Bean pant is a great product, new for 2000. It is the heaviest pant reviewed at 17.2 ounces, but packs great features for its weight. The stretchy, Schoeller nylon/lycra fabric is interwoven with a Coolmax polyester backing to make a very versatile and tough pant. A textured version of the same fabric, which has a ripstop-looking design, has been pieced into the seat and knee for extra abrasion resistance and durability. The pant functions very well in cool or cold weather, yet breathes well enough that you can wear it on all but very warm days. The pant is wind resistant, water repellant, flexible, quiet and easy to pack.

The pockets all feature zippers with pull tabs for easy access with gloves. The are two side pockets and a single zippered back pocket. The legs have long zippers at bottom for easy on/off. The pant has a relaxed cut and gusseted crotch for a comfortable fit. The web waist belt offers no buckle or button, so you can open the zipper, but can't undo waist.

The Guide's intended use is different than most of the other pants in this review. It is most like the Desert Rock Pant in that it withstands more rugged use (or abuse).

I have worn the Guide pant hiking, snowshoeing, canyoneering, bouldering, winter hiking and backpacking, and scrambling--it is my favorite for cool weather and difficult conditions. Friction sliding through slot canyons has produced little if any sign of wear on the seat or knees, unlike less reinforced pants. If you need a cool weather pant, or a pant that withstands conditions tough enough to send other nylon pants wimpering, the Guide is for you.

Although the Guide Pant is pricey--it retails for $119--it is worth every penny.

For more information contact LL Bean at (800) 441-5713 or online at www.llbean.com.

Gramicci Qwik Dry

Constructed of 3.5 oz, 2-ply sanded Supplex (soft-feeling nylon), these pants are lightweight (only 8.4 ounces) and comfortable. I have worn them on the trail, around camp as an 'after-sport' pant, and at home as a pant for just lounging.

From rough sandstone hiking around Moab, Utah, to fall mountain hiking above 10,000 feet, to winter desert hiking, and in rainy weather the pants have worked well. The thin Supplex makes them easy to move in--one of our reviewers sport climbed in the Qwik Drys with good results. These pants are also well suited to travel. The are relatively wrinkle free, very lightweight, and the colors and cut make them stylish.

If your hiking, adventure traveling, or backpacking involves water, say crossing streams, a dip in the surf, swimming a plunge pool, or an afternoon rain shower, then the Qwik Dry pant is at its best.

The Qwik Dry has a very clean look. The front pockets open off the side seams, effectively hiding them. The single rear pocket is the only break in the front or back of the pant.

Like most Gramicci pants, the Qwik Dry comes with an elastic waist and a trademark "logo-tipped" belt and patented gusseted crotch--Gramicci staples. The pockets are mesh lined. Our reviewers appreciated the rear patch pocket's full-width closure. This ensures that whatever you place in the pocket won't fall out when the going gets tough.

As for fit, getting the right waist size meant our reviewers had to go with pants that were too long. Our guess is that this ensures a given size is long enough for everyone, but it may mean that you'll be cutting yours off, hemming them, or rolling them up. One reviewer also mentioned that he felt the pants "pooched" out in the front at the waist.

One other cavaet. One of our reviewers found that the pant's dye bleed through on to his base layer clothing. He has washed them several times, but it continues to happen. Others have not noticed the same problem. ,/p>

The Qwik Dry pant sells for $48.

Royal Robbins Go Everywhere Pant

The Go Everywhere pant is aptly named. This pant goes anywhere (or is it everywhere?) you want to go. At this point the technical specs will sound like a broken record: 100% nylon 3.8 ounce 3-ply sanded Supplex fabric, standard side pockets with velcro-closure- flap pocket on the left beneath the side pocket, a snap waist with zip fly, and moderate abrasion resistance. I didn't find the hidden inside document pocket until I was reading about the pant in the Royal Robbins catalog--it's really hidden!

The fabric is treated with a permanent Intera coating for extra waterproofness. The pant has an excellent drape, is wrinkle resistant, and dries very quickly. The waist features belt loops and a side button/pull strap that allows you to let out or pull in the waist. At the ankle opening, there is an elastic loop & button allowing you to cinch the leg tight around your ankle. The pant features ample legroom.

The Go Everywhere is a favorite for hiking, adventure travel, and casual wear. You'll feel comfortable wearing it from the trail right to the restaurant. Clearly the best looking pant overall, the Go Everywhere is my first choice anytime I'll be spending time in public. It packs small and light, weighing 9.2 ounces.

The only drawback is the price--at $76 it is the most expensive non-zip pant of the lot. Unfortunately, while not the most technical pant, it is my favorite pant for the most common hiking and travel situations.

Summary

Hard to pick a single pant for all conditions, so I won't. But I will recommend a few. For adventure travel and light hiking or backpacking, especially when you'll be in public--say visiting national parks or staying at hostels--the Royal Robbins Go Everywhere pant deserves top billing. At $76 you're paying for the quality, but you'll get what you pay for. It is without question the best looking pant of the bunch.

For value, consider the ExOfficio Explorer. Compared to the Go Everywhere, the Explorer's affordable $56 price tag doesn't mean you'll settle for inferior quality. For most outdoor activities, the Explorer performs excellently. The Go Everywhere is superior only in its clean and polished look.

For cooler weather or very tough conditions, look to the LL Bean Schoeller Guide Pant. The rugged construction, great Schoeller stretch fabric, and little extras (such as the tabbed zippers) show great attention to detail. Although more pricey at $99, I'll pay the extra money for the Guide any time I need a durable pant for activities like scrambling, canyoneering, snowshoeing, or alpine pursuits.

Personally, I don't like zip-off pants. I find that after zipping off the legs, the shorts are too short for my liking. I'd prefer knee-length shorts to protect my thighs from scratches. Given that is a personal preference, for those who do like zip-offs, I recommend the ExOfficio Travel Convertible. Every reviewer mentioned the quality feel and construction of these pants. Although the Royal Robbins Zip'N'Go is very similar, the ExO pant edges it out--and saves you a 5-spot.

Steve Mann is a contributing editor for GearReview.com