As a woman who has always had difficulty finding a great pair of pants that fit, I thought finding the perfect hiking pants would be equally difficult. Fortunately, I tried on the Mountain Hardwear Dynama Ankle Pants in an REI store and immediately fell in love. A little background on me: I’m on the shorter side 5’1’’, with thicker thighs and a big bum. I have a bit of a lower belly pooch but also some curves.
What they claim to offer:
- Lightweight nylon/spandex fabric offers stretch for easy mobility; durable water repellent (DWR) finish on fabric resists moisture and stains
- UPF 50+ fabric shields you from harmful UV rays
- Flat and wide stretch waistband
- 2 deep hand pockets and a low-profile zippered security pocket stash your essentials
- Fits true to size; standard fit is not too tight and not too loose
What I personally love about these pants:
- The amazing fit! These pants pass the squat test. I have free range of motion without feeling constrained. The waistband is comfortable and I don’t feel like it’s digging into the skin.
- Great quality! I find that the inner thighs of pants usually start to wear out but mine are still holding up after two years.
- Pockets! The zippered security pocket is deep enough to hold my iPhone and makes it easy to access anything else I need (i.e. snacks).
So yes, these pants are amazing for the trail, but also for wearing casually around the town or even at the gym. I usually pair them with a long line tank, sports bra, or a lightweight button down. Add Teva’s or hiking boots on your feet to tie everything together and you’re good to hit the trail/sidewalk/gym!
These are my go-to pants. If you have any suggestions, drop a comment so I can explore other pants!
Good talk, see you out there!