I'm collecting gear for my next trip and I've been toying with the idea of including a bottom for hiking/intense activities. I love hiking and I'd be doing a lot of it, in Brazil (hot weather) and Peru (cold weather). I've been hiking since I was little but never had a specific pair of pants for it. I just always wore my regular clothes. But during my last trips I noticed that my bottoms would get filthy from slipping and I couldn't wear them for anything else anymore, hence my idea to bring a pair specifically for hiking. I see most one bag girlies using leggings for hiking, but I'm not sure if I'd like that or if I'd prefer something a little bit more structured and protecting. I'm looking into potentially getting hiking pants that have a zip-off function.

In theory they would be great: You don't need to carry a second bottom on the hikes and if you buy a black/neutral coloured pair they could also function for other activities.

What is your experience with the hiking pants? Worth it? Or should I just go for a pair of leggings and buy a pair of jeans in Peru?

I've been searching for a good pair for my girlfriend for a while but she isn't gear obsessed like me so she doesn't check sales that often, and we've had a tough time trying to find a good fit for her too. She's about 5'1" , petite, 130, slimmer waist and bigger thighs because of ballet, so it's been kind of tough. I know they make pants in petite sizes, but I just see so many mixed reviews I can't really tell what's good.

Can anyone direct me to women’s hiking pants with zipper at based of pant leg ONLY. I don’t want convertible pants (pants to shorts). I can only seem to find pants with zipper at leg opening that are ALSO convertible to shorts. I can’t believe there isn’t option that isn’t??

Please tell me I’ve overlooked some!

I’m so mad the Outdoor Afro pants are all gone. We need those back! They had the zipper and multiple length options. Ugh.