I never thought pants would make me feel like a badass, but these
Mammut Zinal pants are like trail armor. Plenty of pockets, a great fit, and durable construction make them my go-to for everything from hiking to climbing.
I'm pretty picky about what I wear on the trail. I want clothes that don't look like I walked off an Everest expedition but perform like I could take one on if I needed to. I spent much of my life dressed in spandex covered with sponsor logos and I'm done with bright colors and flashy fabrics, but I don't want to sacrifice performance in order to avoid looking like a NASCAR driver. Mammut's Zinal pants hit the middle ground for me: incredibly practical on the trail, but they come in colors that can't be seen from space.
The first thing you'll notice with the Zinal is the strange seams that cut across the thighs, but once you start moving in them you'll soon forget about the seams or the pants. They feel like they were built with a body in them, moving naturally even when the pockets are loaded, thanks to the clever cut and spandex fabric. Zippered and tapered ankles make it easy to pull hiking boots on and off or roll the legs up to see your feet when climbing. Ventilation zippers on the sides let you cool off on hot hikes while cargo pocket let you carry snacks, phone, maps, etc.
These pants are durable. I've taken them to indoor and outdoor climbing, as well as on long hikes with scrambles that would shred lightweight fabric. Contrary to what their tough exterior and water-repellant coating might lead you to believe, these pants are Bluesign approved, meaning they are made using ecologically sound fabrics and manufacturing processes.
These pants aren't cheap, but they let my knees move better on technical climbs than any other pants I have ever worn. The athletic fit lets me use the cargo pockets on hikes without things uncomfortably bumping into my thighs, and the zippered ventilation is handy when I need some cooling.
Pros: Great fit, usable cargo pockets, zippered vents
Cons: Expensive