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Best Hiking Pants for Alaska Vacation – 2023

May 31, 2021February 12, 2023 Kevin E Beasley 0 Comments alaska gear, alaska hiking pants, best hiking pant for alaska, hiking pants

Best Hiking Pants for Alaska

(Note: This review of Best Hiking Pants for Alaska is written for the casual Alaskan vacationer. It is not intended for the rugged adventure traveler. My suggestion is designed to strike a balance between essential features of the product and cost effectiveness for those who may or may not use the product after their Alaskan vacation.)

You’re taking your once in a lifetime Alaskan vacation!

You will not regret one minute or one penny of this great Alaska vacation.

The first time I traveled to Alaska, it changed my life forever. I couldn’t have imagined those wild Alaskan animals and rugged mountain peaks without seeing it with my own eyes!

I have now traveled to Alaska on 8 adventures and have spent about 16 weeks in the “Last Frontier.” My travels include most of the road system and hiked the bush. I’ve seen sea life and wildlife, met the locals and the tourists, and gone through quite a bit of gear along the way.

One of the most important pieces of gear you can pick up for your Alaska vacation is the best hiking pants you can find for your needs and in your budget.

Alaska on a Budget

My number one suggestion for you for your Alaska vacation, is to strike that fine balance between a quality experience and a reasonable budget. As with any big vacation, the pitfall is that you’ll spend more than you should and will regret some of your choices on your return to the lower 48 or wherever you live in the world. You don’t have to break the bank to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience in one of the most beautiful places on the planet.

One of the danger zones for a budget breaking Alaskan adventure is gear.

Don’t get me wrong, the right gear will make for a much more enjoyable trip. I remember going to the Grand Canyon a few years ago with my wife and only carrying some old worn out tennis shoes. As much as I wanted to climb down the canyon walls, it was virtually impossible to navigate well without the right foot gear. I also remember being stuck on a boat in the middle of Lake Clark National Park without a rain jacket in the freezing cold Alaskan drizzle.

Gear is essential for the ultimate experience. For this reason, I want to help you strike the balance between functionality, support and price when you go to purchase gear for your great Alaskan adventure.

Top Priority Gear for Alaska

Very high up the priority gear list for an epic Alaskan adventure is a quality pair of hiking pants. A trip to Alaska is not complete without some time trekking through the mountains or along the coast and soaking in some of the most beautiful landscape you can find. There are several reasons you need the right hiking pants to make your adventures more memorable. Here’s what you look for in a good pair of pants…

Just the right stretchiness
Lightweight but durable
Lots of pockets to store your other gear
Breathable and Quick Drying Fabric
Cost Effectiveness

Drum Roll Please….

My Pick for Best Hiking Pants for Alaska

Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible Pants!

Click Here for Mens

Click Here for Women’s

Specifications

Category: Lightweight
Weight: 12.6 oz!
Breathable and Fast Drying Material
Plenty of Pocket Space for Extra Gear
Great Cost ($60), Great balance of quality and price for the Casual Hiker
Several Colors Available
Best Place to Shop

Lightweight Option at a Great Price

Hiking pants can get heavy and stiff if the material is not lightweight and breatable. At only 12.6 oz, the Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible is a great choice to keep things as light as possible, but with the features needed for a comfortable outing. And at an average $60, these pants are very economical in the hiking pants line-up.

Fast-Drying Light-Weight Material

Water abounds in Alaska and you are almost sure to get wet on a hike through the Alaska wilderness. That’s why the best hiking pants for Alaska need to be both light-weight and fast-drying. The Columbia Silver Ridge pants are constructed of 95% Polyester and 5% Elastane.

Columbia’s Silver Ridge Stretch Convertible Pant also features Omni-Shade UPF 50 fabric for maximum protection against the sun and Omni-Shield water and stain repellent fabric for weather-heavy days outside. The construction of these pants are not as heavy-duty as some more expensive options, but to balance price and function, this is our best suggestion.

These Alaska hiking pants include one zip-closure security pocket, two side pockets and mesh pocket bags for lots of gear storage.

Zip Off Legs are a Must for the Best Alaska Hiking Pants

If you have a choice, do not fail to purchase hiking pants with zip-off legs! When we think of Alaska, we usually think of snowy peaks and cold weather, but summertime in Alaska is beautiful with temperatures often getting into the 70’s. When you are working hard to make it to the top of that mountain, you’ll be very thankful to be able to remove the legs of your pants!

Comfort and Support at a Great Value

The Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible Pants have been on the market for a while. They come in a wide variety of size and color options. You’ll find eight colors to choose from! These pants also even come with their own belt!

Pros

Men’s and Women’s Version!
Great Value for Good Pants suitable for the Day-Hiker.
Just Stretchy Enough for Comfort and Durability
Easy Zip-Off Legs for When It Gets Hot
Lots of Colors to Choose From
Includes a Belt at No Extra Cost

Cons

Not as Suitable for Rugged Hikes or Multi-Day Experiences.
Not as Rugged as More Expensive Options
A Little Baggier Fit than Most Pants

Our Pick for the Best Hiking Pants for Alaska Vacation

Our goal at thingstodoinalaska.us is to help you turn your Alaskan Vacation into an Epic Adventure. We hope you can do this without breaking the bank. However, we want you to get as much as you can out of your experience. For this reason, we highly recommend the Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible Pants for your epic experience!