CHOOSING THE RIGHT HIKING TROUSERS

As soon as the effort becomes more intense, the terrain more rugged and the weather less favorable, it's time to get equipped and choose the right hiking trousers.

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Choosing the right hiking pants: the 4 essential criteria

To accompany you on all your outings, it is important to choose hiking trousers which combines the following 4 criteria:

• Comfort: you will be wearing it for long kilometres, so you can't compromise on comfort! You must therefore choose hiking pants which will give you great freedom of movement and will allow you to feel comfortable on the flat as well as on the way up or to climb rocks. Good hiking pants should therefore fit perfectly, and their lining and seams should not get in the way.
• Breathability: during your hike, you will have to sweat. So, if natural fibers such as cotton provide a good feeling of comfort, they dry slowly, which can become unpleasant by the friction caused and cause a feeling of cold. To wick away perspiration, choose hiking clothing made of synthetic fibers. Very breathable, they also have the advantage of drying quickly, an essential quality in the event of high heat and rain.
• Resistance: between the brambles, the friction against the rocks and the various branches that you will encounter, your hiking pants will see all the colors. You must therefore choose resistant hiking pants. Synthetic materials are preferred and it is important to pay particular attention to the seams which will be considerably strained by the variety of movements you will have to perform.

• Waterproofing: your hiking clothing must be breathable and if you go out in all conditions you can't ignore waterproofing either. Rain, snow, wind can quickly spoil an outing. You should therefore choose hiking pants with a Gore-Tex type membrane if you go out in all conditions. In winter, it's also the best way to stay warm, because these hiking pants perfectly wick away perspiration without letting in outside moisture. For occasional outings or mainly in good weather, water-repellent hiking clothing may be sufficient.

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Which hiking pants to choose according to your effort?

If you tend to sweat a lot or if you intend to hike at medium to high intensity, it is essential to choose hiking trousers made of synthetic fibers: breathable and fast drying. Models containing elastane may also be suitable and, thanks to their flexibility, they will give you greater freedom of movement.

For beginners in hiking, outings in mild skies or low-intensity climatic conditions, you can succumb to the softness of natural fibers, because you will not sweat too much. A fabric combining cotton and synthetic fibers is still preferable to a hiking clothing made of 100% cotton.

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Choosing the right hiking clothing depending on the weather

For winter excursions, you can't do without a liner. In fleece or another breathable material, you have to find the right balance between thermal insulation and perspiration wicking. For those who fear cold and very low temperatures, technical underwear is a must. As in the 3-layer system that is used to conserve heat on the upper body, this hiking garment will allow you to retain the heat given off by your body while wicking away moisture. Waterproof treatment of your pants is also necessary.

In summer, hiking pants are logically thinner and always in synthetic materials. To avoid going from hot weather when the sun is at its zenith to shivering as soon as night falls, it is worth choosing modular hiking pants. Equipped with a zip, it's a versatile hiking garment that lets you go from pants to shorts in no time. The little extra: the ventilation zips which will provide you with additional ventilation. However, don't forget that hiking pants are also a safety ally: even in hot weather, always wear trousers on rocky passages or on rough terrain.

Choosing the right hiking trousers is a guarantee of peace of mind: thus equipped, you will fully enjoy your excursions and will benefit from a hiking clothing that lasts.