Men should hike in pants that are flexible, lightweight and designed for the weather where you’ll be hiking. Men’s hiking pants often have features like a crotch gusset for extra stretch, ankle zips or drawcords to customize your fit, and a water-repellent coating to handle misty days. Zip and cargo pockets help you keep your essentials with you through the trails.

Hiking pants are designed to be comfortable, made both for unhindered movement and for handling a range of environmental conditions. With lightweight, flexible fabrics, men’s outdoor pants are also designed to breathe. They often have adjustable zips or drawcords on the waist and ankles, so you can have the perfect feel all day, and they play well with whatever other layers you bring along.

Zip-off pants are great for hiking in places where the weather or your surroundings might change. Outdoor pants with removable lower legs save space in your bag, since you won’t need a separate pair of shorts. And because the lower legs usually get dirtier faster, it helps to be able to wash them while still wearing your shorts. Zip-offs are good not just for convenience, but for protection, too: You might put the legs back on to shield you from bugs and scratches when crossing a grassy field or dense section of forest.