Arc'teryx Pants

Arc'teryx makes some of the best technical trousers we know. Not because they are packed with features, but because most of the details are there for a reason.

The fit allows you to move, the fabrics are chosen for a specific kind of use, and the construction tends to disappear once you start wearing them. That is exactly what we look for in outdoor clothing.

Our Arc'teryx pants selection ranges from lightweight trousers for hiking and everyday wear to more protective softshell and mountain options.

The Gamma is a good place to start

If you are looking for one Arc'teryx pant that can do a lot, the Gamma is usually where we would start.

It is a proper softshell pant: stretchy, fairly tough and much more breathable than a waterproof shell. It blocks enough wind for exposed days and deals well with light moisture, but still feels comfortable when you are moving.

That makes it useful for hiking, scrambling, travelling and simply spending a lot of time outside.

It is also one of those technical pieces that does not immediately look like mountaineering equipment. Wear it with a fleece or a simple T-shirt and it works perfectly well around the city too.

Softshell or waterproof?

This is probably the most important distinction.

A Gamma-style softshell is the pant we would choose for most active days when the weather is reasonably good. You get stretch, airflow and enough protection without feeling wrapped in a waterproof membrane.

A waterproof pant is different. It is there for proper rain, wet snow and exposed weather.

If you are walking all day in dry conditions, a waterproof shell can feel excessive. If you are standing in sleet on a mountain, the opposite is true.

Neither is better. They just solve different problems.

The same applies to jackets, which we explain further in our Arc'teryx Jackets collection.

For hiking

Good hiking trousers should be something you stop thinking about once you are moving.

They should not pull at the knees when climbing uphill, feel restrictive over the thighs or become unbearably warm after half an hour.

That is where Arc'teryx tends to get things right.

Stretch fabrics and articulated cuts give you plenty of movement, while the relatively clean construction keeps the weight and bulk down.

For a normal day hike, we would usually take this kind of trouser over a heavy waterproof shell and keep the rain protection in the pack until it is actually needed.

You can find the rest of the setup in our Hiking & Outdoor Gear collection.

Technical pants that also work every day

This crossover is one of the reasons we like Arc'teryx.

You can wear the same trousers for a hike at the weekend, on the bike through Amsterdam on Monday and on a flight a few days later without feeling like you are constantly dressed for an expedition.

They dry quickly, have useful pockets, move easily and generally do not feel bulky.

That may sound less exciting than a long feature list, but in practice it is exactly what makes good technical clothing useful.

See our complete Pants & Trousers selection for more options.

For colder weather and snow

For winter mountain use, we would look at something more protective.

Arc'teryx makes dedicated ski and snowboard pants such as the Sabre, where weather protection matters much more than low weight or everyday versatility.

Those are built for snow, wind, chairlifts and long days in mountain weather.

If that is what you need, head to our Snowboard Pants rather than trying to make a lightweight hiking pant do the same job.

Getting the fit right

Arc'teryx tends to use quite purposeful fits.

A technical pant should sit close enough that there is no unnecessary fabric moving around, but you still need enough room through the thighs and knees to walk properly.

Think about the season too.

For summer use you probably want very little underneath. In colder conditions you may want space for a thermal layer.

If you are unsure, come by the shop. Fit is much easier to judge once you actually move around in a pair.

Complete the setup with Arc'teryx Shoes or browse the full Arc'teryx collection.

Arc'teryx Pants at Behind The Pines

We choose Arc'teryx pants because they are genuinely useful pieces of clothing.

They are technical without being overcomplicated, comfortable enough to wear all day and built for people who actually spend time outside.

Shop the collection online or visit Behind The Pines in Amsterdam to compare the different fits and fabrics in person.