Hiking and trekking pants and leggings

HIKING AND TREKKING PANTS: SUMMER AND WINTER ALIKE, THESE TROUSERS CAN BE FOUND ON ALL TYPES OF TERRAIN.

If you're a keen GR hiker, hiking pants have become just as essential as your waterproof jacket or backpack. They need to be hard-wearing, comfortable and practical, and they need to protect you from the sun as well as the rain. You need to feel comfortable, so you're not restricted in your movements. At Quechua we offer women's hiking pants, men's hiking pants and children's hiking pants cut from cotton or technical fabrics to help you hike in complete freedom.

WHAT FABRIC TO CHOOSE FOR YOUR HIKING PANTS?

The fabric quality of a pair of hiking pants is essential. When you leave for several days with only a backpack, you don't take your entire wardrobe with you. You need clothes that wash easily and dry quickly. In summer, lightweight cotton canvas or wrinkle-resistant, perspiration-limiting fabrics are recommended. For winter, you'll prefer thicker fabrics, and to protect you from the rain or cold, you'll also need waterproof overtrousers. They're cut from waterproof materials, tighten at the ankles and draw in at the waist to prevent water penetration. Canvas models offer the advantage of all-season wear.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF A PAIR OF HIKING OR TREKKING PANTS IS OF GOOD QUALITY?

What you want most of all from your pants is that they won't let you down along the way. A pair of hiking or trekking pants must be strong and resistant. The parts of your garment must be joined by triple folded seams. Pocket bottoms should be reinforced, as should knee and buttock areas. The garment's flexibility is also essential. Choose textiles with stretch or spandex. The waistband should be fitted and reinforced with elastic bands so you don't feel compressed.

WHAT CUT SHOULD I CHOOSE FOR MY HIKING PANTS?

Choose a classic cut. On the whole, men's hiking pants and women's hiking pants look the same as waterproof overtrousers. Comfort takes precedence over aesthetics. On the other hand, you'll appreciate certain details, such as the presence of numerous pockets with buttons or snaps, and the possibility of transforming your pants into shorts thanks to a zip at knee level. In summer, you'll appreciate this modularity. Modular 2-in-1 pants save space.