Bottom Line
We love the Mountain Hardwear Dynama 2 ankle pants for comfort and style both in the frontcountry and backcountry. Mentally and physically, we feel great wearing them: they have a flattering cut, are a bit loose, and are constructed with a lovely, light fabric.
Testing revealed that although these pants are not all that water-resistant, they dry quickly. Field tests on our backpacking trips proved that the pockets are pretty much for aesthetics, which was a big downside for us. We also wish they had belt loops or a waist tie to keep them from falling down when the elastic stretches out. Durability wasn’t the Dynama’s biggest strength either, but that may be a fair trade-off for those looking for a light pair of pants. Ultimately, it’s all about having the right tool for the job, and these pants certainly get the job done best as town-to-trail joggers.
We know how much it stinks to be out on the trail wearing gear that doesn’t quite work for your body, the adventure, or the conditions. So we tested and reviewed some of the best hiking pants for our complete guide to the best hiking pants for women so you don’t get dragged down on the trail. Let us know which pair you love best!
Quick Specs
Women’s Mountain Hardwear Dynama/2 Ankle
Best Ultralight Hiking Pants
Price:
$85
Weight:
6.6 oz.
Inseam:
30
Fit:
Tapered, ankle cut
Fabric:
94% nylon, 6% elastane
Pros
- Exceptionally comfortable
- Less expensive
- Stylish
- Ultralight
- Breathable
- Stretchy fabric is easy to move in
- Inclusive sizing
Cons
- Ankle height isn’t as protective as full-length pants
- Minimal pockets
- Waistband stretches over time
Comfort & Mobility
The Dynama pants are so comfortable that we like to wear them on the couch and the trail. In our experience, the softer fabric is extremely comfortable on the skin, and the looser fit paired with the fitted ankle makes it feel like wearing sweatpants. These pants are one of our first choices to wear on trail, when every bit of creature comfort goes a long way in camp at the end of a big day. During our side-by-side trials, we found little resistance when lifting our legs, which is great for hiking uphill or scrambling up and down summit blocks.
During our backpacking trips in the San Juan Mountains, our biggest complaint was that the elastic material in the waistband stretched out before the end of our first day wearing them. Because there isn’t a drawstring at the waist, they were loose and fell down some at the hips. That said, a final point in favor of the Dynama pants is that the design fits our body well, making us feel more confident and, thus, comfortable wearing them on the trail.
Durability
One area where the Dynama pants could have performed better is its durability. We wore these pants on multiple backpacking trips in the Four Corners and were pleased to find that there wasn’t any fabric piling afterward. However, at the end of our first day on the trail, we found several spots on the lower legs where some of the threads in the fabric had pulled loose. This was disappointing because the hike wasn’t particularly brushy or overgrown. During our side-by-side comparison tests, the pants performed well when abraded on rough surfaces, but when we rubbed the fabric against a sharp stick, a hole formed relatively quickly. It is good to note that the fabric is pretty thin and light, so these pants will be better suited to use on less brushy or rugged hiking trails.
Breathability
The looser fit and thinner fabric mean the Mountain Hardwear Dynama pants are relatively breathable. When we timed how long they took to dry, these pants were in the middle of the pack at one hour and six minutes. On the trail, they were as breathable as other pant options for retaining heat and triggering sweat. We never really noticed feeling especially hot in these pants while hiking on hot summer days. Essentially, they do not have any especially noteworthy breathability features, but they don’t have any detrimental qualities either. They are just average.
Features
The Dynama’s pockets ended up being an area of frustration for us. Sure, pockets on climbing pants are often minimal by design since climbers wear a harness and shouldn’t stash anything in an unzipped pocket. Still, these pants are great for hiking, but the pockets are for style, not for practical hiking storage. The hip pockets are barely large enough for a smartphone. When we sat down to take our shoes off on one trip, the phone fell out of the shallow pockets and cracked the screen from falling on the rocks. This wasn’t the only occasion when the phone fell out either. Unfortunately, there are only two other pockets, and on this version of the Dynama pants, they are not very usable for right-handed people either. One pocket has a tiny zipper and zipper teeth, which makes it difficult to open. Pair that with being located on the left leg, and we found it highly inconvenient to use. Left-handed hikers may have less of a problem, though we suspect it still would not be as convenient as some other pants we tried. The final pocket is on the rear, which is very inconvenient for backpackers, and was small enough that our phone easily fell out while moving around.
Our other big complaint with these pants is the lack of a drawstring or waist tie. The elastic at the waist began to stretch out before the end of our first day wearing them, so they were constantly falling down. If the pants had a built-in drawstring or even belt loops, they would be more comfortable to wear.
Weather Resistance
Like many of the pants we tried, the Dynama pants are not especially water-resistant. When we sprayed these pants with a squirt bottle, they did not soak in on the first spray, which was good. However, they only lasted three spritzes before being soaked in that location. This makes sense for a pant designed for climbing and hiking(climbers need the crag dry and grippy). Thankfully, given the thin and light fabric, they dry quickly. Buyers looking to repel the elements will want to pair these pants with rain pants or consider a different option.
Should You Buy the Dynama 2/Ankle Pants?
These pants offer decent value because they have a reasonable price tag and have multiple functions. Generally, we look at overall quality compared to price when determining value. Do these pants have a lot to offer, and will they last a long time relative to the cost? The Dynama pants have fewer features than others we tried and are not as durable either. Because of this, their best use is on more easygoing or straightforward hikes. Finally, the Dynama gets some bonus value by being stylish enough to wear around town.
We love these pants but are also picky about what we use them for. In our experience, they are great for mellow to average hikes where the forecast is clear. If comfort is a priority over features like pockets, these are fantastic. They are also great as town-to-trail pants for those who want a more stylish, multi-functional pair of pants. We would not recommend using these pants for more technical adventures such as off-trail, rugged backpacking trips.
What Other Hiking Pants Should You Consider?
Athleta Trekkie North Jogger Review: Those looking for a comfortable pair of pants with better durability and functional pockets may like the Trekkie North Joggers. They have a similar style, sporting an elastic waistband, cinched ankles, and a looser cut. Just know the Trekkie pants are also a fair-weather friend.
Patagonia Happy Hike: A very similar pair of pants to the Dynamas, Patagonia’s Happy Hike pants offer many of the same pros and cons. They also don’t have the best pockets or durability, but they are comfortable! Two main differences are elastic ankles(slightly higher up) and a more expensive price tag.
The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 Review: Another incredibly comfortable pair of pants, the Aphrodite feels like wearing scrubs on the trail in many ways. These pants have better pockets and a waistband tie; otherwise, they have fairly similar durability and weather resistance.
