9 best women’s walking trousers to add to your rambling wardrobe

We adored these comfy, canvas outdoor trousers so much that we wore them everywhere. A lovely organic cotton blend with a touch of spandex makes the fabric soft and comfortable as well as durable, while the cut is flattering – designed for women – but flexible. The tapered fit around the ankle means they fit comfortably above a hiking boot and are also bike friendly. There’s a small, subtle zipped pocket for valuables too, as well as jean-like hip pockets. The kind of trousers you could wear climbing – there’s even a reinforced belt loop for your chalk bag – as well as to the pub garden.

Versatile and comfortable, these lightweight trousers are stretchy enough for scrambling and tough enough for long walks. They are also made with insect repellent to help keep mozzies at bay – we’ve trialled this in the jungles of South East Asia and it’s not a gimmick – and they zip apart above the knee to convert into shorts. Breathable and soft to the touch, they’re ideal for warm spring and summer walking. They dry quickly if you’re stuck in a shower and are packed with low-profile, helpful features, like five pockets, three of which are zipped, and a sunglasses wipe.

Smart, durable walking trousers with impeccable eco-credentials. The latest model of quandary pants, which have something of a cult following among walkers, have enough give to stay comfortable when you’re clambering or sitting down for lunch. They sit low on the waist but have a handy drawstring to keep them fitted and can convert into capris with the snap of a fastener at the cuff. They also have multiple pockets, including zipped options.

These are the perfect trousers for short strolls, weekend pub wanders and walking the dog. Acai is one of our new favourite brands, which specialises in comfortable outdoor wear designed for women and made by women. These casual-fit, durable trousers are a great example – stretchy and well-cut, they pass for girlfriend jeans from a distance. But they’re also exceptionally water-repellant, wipe-clean and breathable.

Among the stretchiest of pairs that we tried, these breathable trousers are comfortable, soft and well-fitted. We particularly liked the zipped pockets – there are four, all a good size. Water repellent but PFC free – a nice detail that means they’re more environmentally friendly – they’re also convertibles, with a zip-off leg that has enough stretch to be comfortable if you’re clambering. We tested a navy colour that we loved: the fabric was dark enough to cover any dust and dirt, without being basic black.

A seriously expedition-worthy pair of trousers that look gorgeous, with a curved fit that’s as flattering as it is functional. The waxed cotton shell is exceptionally durable and looks awesomely rugged: we would have no qualms scrambling over the toughest surfaces in these. Big, military-style cargo pockets fitted our OS map and penknife with ease, and the hip pockets made great hand warmers.

Despite the rugged fabric, there’s a degree of give, a lot of which is made possible by the trouser’s clever structure – particularly the darts around the knee panels and the stretch fabric behind. Buckles around the ankles mean you can bunch them above your boot, or cinch them to stop any tics or insects working their way up. This is a lovely-looking pair of trousers that will last a lifetime.

The stretchiest trousers that we tried, these ultra-flexible pants were amazing for hill walking, with a great blend of durability and breathability. Four zipped pockets mean there’s plenty of space for keys and a phone, and the fit, along with the stretch, was among the best that we found. The belt (which comes provided) and poppers at the waist mean you can keep them comfortably snug, while zips and tabs at the ankle make it easy to roll them up for ventilation, or to keep your legs dry through small puddles.

A lightweight pair of walking trousers that deliver a great performance with no unnecessary frills. We loved the integrated half belt, with an s-clip fastener, that helps you to customise the fit, as well as the overall simplicity of the style – clean hems, and no superfluous or snaggable zips, tabs or poppers. The material is water repellent “omni-shield” – we’ve taken other Columbia gear on tropical holidays before and found omni-shield fabric to be excellent in humid weather and tropical downpours, while being breathable and quick drying.