Hi folks.

Search suggests it's been a while since this has been asked...

I'm looking to lighten my load in terms of pants for summer time hiking. I hike exclusively in the north-east US so summer hiking means mostly in the shaded woods and mostly on trail. Below treeline, it get buggy and humid. Above treeline, it can get cold, wet and very windy.

I hike in shorts all the time in summer unless bugs or cold wind (above treeline) force me into pants.

I also have huge size 13/14 feet, so pull on wind pants are not an option as they require me to take shoes/boots on and off.

I'm considering either convertible pants (perhaps backed up by a rain kilt) or full zip water-proof breathable pants (e.g. Precip).

I'm a huge fan of side zip pants for their ability to ventilate from the top. I have heavy side zips and side zip XC warm up pants that I use all the time in the colder months. But, I'm afraid that unlined super light WP/B side zip pants will be too restrictive and too clamy over bare legs.

I'm wondering what others are using in the north-east and elsewhere.

Thanks

I can explain why I like the convertibles, but only have experience with pull on WP/B to compare against them. I too, like wearing shorts most of the time, but at night, and for protection from bugs, plants, etc. the long pants excel. I spend a lot of time bushwhacking off trails in NE and having the option to add the legs back on has been invaluable. On one trip last August, my wife and I had gone up Glastonbury Mt. in Vt., spent the night at the fire tower, and intended to make a loop off the AT on a side trail, finishing with a bushwhack using the old logging roads of the area.
By noon the next day it was in the 80's and humid, so shorts were great until we reached an impenetrable piece of second growth forest that could only be traveled by going down the remnants of an old logging track. The logging track was almost a solid mile of stinging nettle that still mananged to bite a little here and there through the fabric. If you live and hike in the northeast (they're found elsewhere, too) you've probably experienced them, so you know the pain involved. I can cite other instances with clouds of mosquitos, ripping through the brambles, spruce and juniper thickets, and rock scree scrambles where lots of blood was averted. As you said getting up above tree line can get windy and chill and the pant legs help. That said, other long pants could have served, but the convertibles were the only pants I brought due to low weight, quick drying, the pant legs are carried right in cargo pockets on the shorts, where i also have a map and a snack, and they are quick to change without removing shoes. In the northeast, half the time they're wet and muddy and not dealing with them is a plus.
I have several pairs of pull on WP/B pants from TNF and Sierra Design, but I only use them in the cold shoulder seasons and as winter overpants, now. I can see the virtue of the full zips, but as you stated they are clammy in the heat and add a little carry weight. I found the convertibles good for plane travel and using on trips in the west. The temp drops in the mountains and desert at night warrant putting the legs back on, rather than carrying a second garment. On longer trips, I carry a light pair of shorts as a back up. I'm sure you'll find some people have a passionate dislike of the convertibles, but I've found them to be very utilitarian. In the colder months, the WP/B are more wind reistant, so therefore , warmer. By the way, I use a tarp/poncho for rain gear. If I'm forced to wear the legs in the rain, as I said- they dry quickly and don't feel all that bad wet. So, that's my opinion and why, though I'm very interested to hear tales and opinions of the full zips.

There are many kinds of pants with full zips, or quarter zips - I have rain pants with a full zip up the side, and big feet to boot. One pair is Event - very breathable and without the undercoating of polyurethane, so not uncomfortable.

I've had to hike someone out a day early when it started to snow in the middle of summer, and he hadn't brought anything other than shorts. He started to shiver and needed to spend half a day in the sleeping bag. Wasn't going to watch him go hypothermic hiking in the snow. I wont' go without a base layer to sleep in (keeps the bag/quilt clean) so always have something just in case the day temps drop.

Bluefish, very helpful. Thanks. My biggest concern is staying warm enough above treeline but I suppose I could drag along my pull on old montbells for trips up high.

Lori, can you tell more about the eVent pants? Normal fabric next to skin? Brand?

Event is the fabric. They are REI brand.

http://eventfabrics.com/

If you like convertibles for this purpose, They are a good way to keep the load down, especially if you can find a pair you like.

Honestly, I used to try, but I really never did find ones that I liked - I'm one of these people that the zippers bother - so I normally crawl around these days in quick drying full pants. - and if it's colder with a layer of synthetic long underwear under them.

I'm also one of those people who typically does *not* take rain pants. I take them in the winter if I'm going to be digging in snow. the rest of the year it's quick dry, and I do take goretex gaiters. So for me, between a rain poncho (which will cover my lap) and gaiters, I stay pretty good in the rain even without full on pants.

Having said that, the only way to really know is to try a few things and see what really works for you in the field, based on what you're doing.