Bottom Line
The Patagonia Happy Hike Studio Pant is comfortable both on and off the trail. We love that these pants have a looser fit, an elastic waistband, and ankle cinches to keep them on. The soft fabric and airiness make them easy to lounge in and effortless to move in. The flip side is the comfortable fabric is also prone to thread pulls and does not shed water well. While using these pants in the White Mountains of Arizona, we found them to be a good choice for well-maintained trails and relaxing in camp at night, but they weren’t ideal for bushwhacking. Compared to other pants we tested, these have the best hip pockets, which are both large and deep. We could keep our phones in both pockets while hiking without risking them falling out or getting in the way. Overall, they are a great pair of pants for on the trail and at home.
Quick Specs
Women’s Patagonia Happy Hike
Exceptionally Comfortable Hiking Pants with a Flattering Fit
CleverHiker Rating:
59.5/100
Price:
$99
Weight:
9.4 oz.
Fit:
Tapered, ankle cut
Fabric:
89% polyester, 11% Spandex
Pros
- Exceptionally comfortable
- Stretchy fabric is easy to move in
- Breathable
- Stylish
- Made in a Fair Trade Certified factory
Cons
- A bit expensive
- Ankle height isn’t as protective as full-length pants
- No waist adjustments
- Pockets aren’t as practical
Comfort & Mobility
One thing we love about the Happy Hike Pants is how comfortable they are. As a jogger-style pair of pants, they have a looser fit with elastic at the waist and ankles. The design is more simplistic but helps to maximize comfort. When we performed side-by-side testing, we lifted each leg until we felt resistance, then measured the distance from the top of the knee to the floor. The Patagonia pants were in the top tier with all the other joggers we tested.
While using these pants on backpacking trips, we did tend to pick them (when prioritizing comfort) over more traditional pants. For example, while hiking in the White Mountains of Arizona, we liked to wear them in camp and to bed because they were easier to move in and had less bulky zippers that would be uncomfortable to sleep on. Some of the pants we tested are slightly more stylish, fit our build a bit better, and are more comfortable. However, the Patagonia Happy Hike Studio Pants are still extraordinarily comfortable while on the trail and hanging out in camp after a long day.
Durability
Like most joggers, the Patagonia Happy Hike Pants are not the most durable option for hiking; however, they did surprisingly well in the backcountry. Generally, the fabric that makes a pair of pants more comfortable to wear also tends to not perform as well technically, be it durability or weather resistance. The weave of these fabrics do not tend to be as tight, so they are more prone to pulled threads. This was our experience while hiking in the Patagonia Happy Hike Studio Pants. We wore them while backpacking in the White Mountains of Arizona. This trip had a mix of trail conditions, with some trails in relatively good shape and others essentially non-existent. We used these pants in the more developed areas, but that wasn’t always possible. After a bit of brushy hiking on the Steeple Trail, the pants had some cosmetic wear due to pulled threads. While this is not ideal, we are impressed the pants did not tear from the pokey plants or from when we tripped and scraped a knee. These pants would not be our first choice for dedicated off-trail use, but they do well for a pair of joggers.
Breathability
Breathability is not an area where the Happy Hike pants perform well. During our side-by-side comparison tests, we got one of the pant legs wet and timed how long it took to dry. We tested all the pants simultaneously and in the same conditions to ensure our results would be comparable. The Patagonia pants took an extremely long time to dry. We also noticed these pants soaked up the water and remained sopping wet for over an hour. This is not ideal when hiking in cold, damp environments where a quick dry time can be a lifesaver. While testing these pants in more arid environments, we didn’t have any particular problems, but they also didn’t get wet. From a sweat standpoint, we didn’t find these pants to be any more or less hot to wear than any other pair of pants we tested. The looser fit helps with airflow.
Features
We appreciate that the Patagonia Happy Hike Pants offer usable features when compared to some of the other jogger-style pants on the market. Specifically, we found the hip pockets to be bigger and better shaped than some competitors. Our phone fit and stayed in these pockets while hiking without interfering with movement.
The other pockets on these pants were a bit more lackluster. When zipping them closed, it was difficult to get a modern smartphone to fit in either the leg or rear pocket. We also found the zipper on the side pocket hard to open and close due to its tiny teeth. Other features include an elastic waistband and ankles. Like other elastic waistbands, this one quickly stretched out, and we wish that there was a cinch or belt loops to help keep the pants from falling down.
Weather Resistance
The Happy Hike Pants would not be our first choice when looking for weather resistant pants. Because these pants are made for more casual use on the trails and at home, they do not have the qualities necessary to repel wind or water. When we tested these pants in our comparison testing, we spritzed them with water three times before they wet out. One apparent thing was that the water did not bead up nor roll down the pants. It just sat on the fabric before quickly soaking in. With this in mind, we would choose a different pair of pants or use rain pants in conjunction with the Happy Hike Pants if we are expecting inclement weather on the trail.
Should You Buy the Patagonia Happy Hike Pants?
We found these pants to be great when comfort is a priority, and one of their significant strengths is that you feel good wearing them around town. With that in mind, we would recommend these pants for folks who want a pair of pants that can be used in various scenarios, including on more casual hikes. These pants are not good for more technical adventures due to their lower durability, longer drying time, and lack of weather resistance.
What Other PANTS Should You Consider?
Mountain Hardwear Dynama 2/Ankle Review: We love how stylish and comfortable the Dyanama Pants are, making them a great alternative to the Happy Hike Pants. They are one of our first choices to wear around town because they feel good and look great. We have even worn them into the office. We found that the pockets on these pants are useless, but they dry more quickly than the Patagonia Pants.
Athleta Trekkie North Jogger Review: Like the Happy Hike Pants, these joggers have an elastic waistband and ankles, a loose fit, and relatively usable pockets. Also, like the Happy Hike Pants, they take a long time to dry. We appreciate that this model has zippers on the hip pockets and a drawstring at the waist.
Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants Review: While not a jogger, the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants strike a balance between a more technical pair of hiking pants and something that can be worn comfortably around town. We like that these pants dry more quickly than the Happy Hike Pants and have more pockets. They are comfortable to lounge around in but stylish enough to wear to work.
