I hauled a pair of these tactical trekking pants on a wilderness rafting trip in Hells Canyon this summer with the intention of testing their mettle on some of the most rugged, bush wacky, and rattlesnake- and thorn-infested trails I’ve ever walked. Regrettably, the 110* F temps meant I spent my off-boat time in shorts in or near the water. A few weeks later, I got the chance to give them a good shakedown while shore fishing and hiking on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. I was sold on the badassery of these tough and technical mountain pants by the end of that trip. Reinforcements in the knees (also knee-pad compatible) and other high abrasion areas resist snagging. Constructed with a waxed nylon and cotton blend of ripstop fabric that is water and tear-resistant, they also move and flex with your body and breath exceptionally well, especially when the zipper side vents are deployed. Hailing from Whitefish, Mont., Forloh makes these pants in the U.S. and they’re ideal for hardcore trekking or hunting or whatever hard-scrabble conditions you may throw at them. MSRP: $259. Forloh.com
