Coalatree Trailhead Pants Review
When I was planning my month-long road trip through Central Asia, I decided to pack very light. In fact, I wanted to bring only one bag, embracing so-called “one bag travel” and seeing this part of the world with little luggage to haul around.
Well, when you’re only traveling with one bag for a whole month, you’ve got to be efficient. Efficiency makes travel a little less stressful.
Functionality is as important as efficiency, though, when you’re traveling the world. There might mountains to climb and horses to ride, with few washing machines in between. You’ll spill food and drinks on your pants, get caught in rainstorms and go swimming, and you’ve got to put them back on the next day. There will be restaurants, old churches, and new friends–so you don’t want to look like a slob. You should be able to sleep in your pants, too, without being uncomfortable.
Is that too much to ask?
Well, I didn’t think so.
I wanted travel clothing that could do it all, without me ever worrying about what was next.
I’d eyed the few pairs of travel worthy pants in my closet (Vuori joggers and REI hiking pants, specifically) with some reservation. “Are you up for this?” I’d asked. None seemed too eager.
My favorite Vuori joggers are cotton. I loved them in dry Mexico, but I didn’t go hiking in Mexico. I didn’t ride horses or go days without a shower, either. Cotton tends to stink if it’s given the chance. Another pair of Vuori joggers (the Meta Jogger) are far less functional than advertised, and quite thick. They’re a bit more athleisure than adventure, and much more comfortable in cool weather.
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan were going to be hot. And stinky. And I wouldn’t be showering and doing laundry every night.
I’ve got some older REI hiking pants, but they too fell short of my needs. They’ve got a button and belt loops, after all. If your favorite travel pants still have a buckle and belt loops, you’ve got some things to learn. Like less is more, buttons can fall off, and even nice hiking belts aren’t comfortable on trains and planes. I’ve worn these pants on warm hikes, too, and they were a bit sweaty.
In short, I simply wasn’t confident in any of my current lineup of travel pants.
Well, I did a bit of research (maybe like you’re doing now) and came across a pair of pants with a review that caught my eye…
Why I Bought Coalatree Trailhead Pants
Firstly, I don’t buy adventure gear that’s not highly reviewed. A couple hundred reviews, usually, is what I look for. Well, the Trailhead Pants have thousands of 5 star reviews and are very highly rated. That’s a big deal for me.
All those reviews (I’ve screenshotted some of my favorites on this page) checked the first box for me: social proof. People are wearing the pants, loving them, and happy enough to write about it.
I found lots of the reviews helpful. They talk about hiking, traveling, rock climbing exploring…everything fun & outdoors, basically.
As a travel and hiking enthusiast, here’s all the reasons I wanted to try Coalatree Trailhead Pants (backed up by their many happy customers’ reviews)…
Pros & Cons of Coalatree Trailhead Pants
Let’s call these the pros of Coalatree’s popular adventure and hiking pants. Yes, these are all the things that drew my attention, suited my needs, and ultimately proved to be perfect for my kind of adventures. Should you try the Trailhead Pants? Read these pros and you tell me!
I’ll leave some cons sprinkled in here as well. Not everything about the pants is perfect, after all. So here’s my honest feedback about the Coalatree Trailhead Pants features…
1. Stink-proof, antimicrobial fabric
As a hiker, I love my ever-popular Darn Tough socks. One reason adventure lovers appreciate merino wool hiking socks is that they don’t smell after a long hike (or many long hikes…). Seriously, they make gear that naturally doesn’t smell and kills bacteria!
Merino wool is a popular option (Smartwool, Darn Tough, and Woolly have all embraced these natural fibers), but Coalatree uses another. Wool pants wouldn’t be super practical, I guess. Here’s the thing: the Trailhead Pants don’t identify their stink-proof technology on the product page, but most other Coalatree products (like my Baseline Midlayer) have named recycled coffee grounds as the magical ingredient.
I’ve seen this used by other brands, too.
While your Trailhead Pants won’t smell like a cup of delicious coffee in the morning, they won’t smell like much at all. These were the only pants I brought for a 28 day road trip through Central Asia, and they only got washed twice. Never ever did they smell, even with all kinds of adventurous activities, like hiking and horseback riding.
I did sniff test on all sorts of gear on that adventure (my Darn Tough socks and Woolly underwear passed with flying colors, too). I was pretty relieved how none of the clothing I brought smelled bad, even after weeks without washing. Shout out to merino wool and recycled coffee grounds!
2. Breathable for all climates
I’ve visited dry & rural Mexico, tropical Caribbean islands, and diverse Central Asia. I live in humid, hot North Carolina and I love frigid winter hiking. You know what all these have in common? They all require different clothing choices.
If it’s hot and humid (Puerto Rico and North Carolina, I’m looking at you), you might opt for Trailhead Shorts (guys | ladies) instead. But literally everywhere else (including dry Mexico, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan), Coalatree Trailhead Pants are clear winners.
Worldwide travel isn’t always friendly to shorts, even when it’s hot. Aside from local cultural considerations, pants tend to feel more secure (deeper pockets). If I’ve got a phone, wallet, and passport in my pockets, I like pants better than shorts.
For long trips overseas and hiking in a variety of conditions, pants are simply more versatile and more dependable than shorts.
The Trailhead pants have proven quite breathable and comfortable in lots of different places. For me, Uzbekistan was the ultimate test. It was hot there, especially in Khiva, and my Coalatree Trailhead Pants were the only bottoms I wore outside. I never felt too hot or sweaty in these ultimate travel pants.
3. Water resistant and stain proof
When water hits Coalatree Trailhead Pants, it beads up and rolls off. It’s pretty cool (and useful). That’s called water resistant.
Water resistant is much better than waterproof. Because waterproof isn’t breathable. Waterproof gear holds in heat and makes you all sweaty. So we don’t want waterproof gear for adventures, unless there’s snow involved.
Water resistant gear sheds moisture that it comes into contact with, and it dries quickly. So whether it’s raining or you spill horse milk on your pants on the side of the road in Kyrgyzstan, Coalatree Trailhead Pants will let that rain or horse milk roll right off. You’ll be dry, your pants won’t be stained, and you’ll be happy on your way.
Coalatree uses both phrases on their website: water resistant and waterproof. But truly, the pants aren’t waterproof. Your legs will get wet in a heavy rainstorm. But again, that’s okay. That’s what you want: pants that shed water and dry very quickly.
When we drove through mud to get to Kel Suu (an alpine lake in Kyrgysztan close to the Chinese border), we got stuck as I was taking a video out the window. As the car’s wheels spun, a gentle mud bath ensued for everyone in the car. My Trailhead Pants wiped clean and didn’t stink! And that mountain mud stunk.
After a month in Central Asia, I’m very confident that the Trailhead Pants are comfortable in wet conditions. I brought them home with no scuffs, no stains, and no visible wear. Very happy with these pants.
4. Deep pockets that make a pillow
Okay, we’ll loop back to the pillow thing in just a second. I’m big on deep pockets when I’m traveling. I don’t want anything sticking out of my pockets when I’m traveling. These pants have two very deep pockets on the front and two regular pockets on the back. One of these back pockets have a Velcro closure, too.
But I want to focus on those deep, wonderful front pockets. With those, you can safely and comfortably explore cities with a phone, wallet, passport, and GoPro. That’s what I’ve always got on me, anyway. I like to wear a fanny pack when I travel, but I don’t always need to with these pants. They just hold a lot!
Packable into a pillow
Like many of Coalatree’s products, these pants can be shoved into their own deep, front pocket to form a pillow. I use my Baseline Midlayer jacket instead because it’s softer, but still pretty neat how light and packable the Trailhead Pants are.
5. Stretchy with drawstrings
I’m not getting on a plane or a train with pants that need a belt. Belts aren’t comfortable. It’s science, probably. But the Trailhead Pants are stretchy at the waist and have durable drawstrings to keep them secure and comfy. You’ll never need a belt with these pants, even though they’ve got belt loops.
At the waist, these are supremely comfortable pants. They fit like your favorite Vuori joggers and perform like high-end performance hiking pants (which they are, I guess).
Four-way stretch for any activity
If you’re into rock climbing, the four-way stretch build (nylon and spandex) of these pants gives you amazing range of motion. It’s great for overall comfort, too. For long car rides, hiking up big mountains, or climbing a giant rock wall for fun (can’t relate), these pants are stretchy in every direction.
Four-way stretch is a pretty popular phrase used in performance clothing, but Coalatree turned it up a notch with these pants. I’ve never worn something so stretchy and comfy.
Coalatree Trailhead Pants go wherever you want to go, and they move with you every step of the way.
6. …and ankle cinch drawstrings
Both ankles on the Coalatree Trailhead Pants have their own drawstrings. So if you’re crossing a stream, splashing through city puddles, or just want to let your calves feel the breeze, you can cinch the pants into capris, very comfortably. I never knew I wanted ankle drawstrings, but now I like them (mostly).
7. Durable ripstop fabric
Coalatree Trailhead Pants fabric is mostly ripstop nylon. It feels like thin, breathable parachute material. Or fancy backpacking hammock material. But it’s got something else to it, too. Because it’s airy and light, it’s soft, and it’s stretchy.
I don’t know how textile manufacturing works, but whoever built these pants should get an award.
Durability wise, I did some serious slipping and sliding on my behind when I was in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The terrain was rough and I went into some pretty steep, rocky areas.
No complaints! My pants held up well through a month of heavy use and little washing.
8. Coalatree is eco-friendly
I believe that Coalatree cares about the environment and sustainability. This page on their site details their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. I like their reuse of materials, waterless dying, and focus on green facilities. In fact, their partner who produces the Trailhead Pants built a wetland on location to encourage biodiversity and create more green space.
Some people call it “greenwashing” when brands advertise their eco-friendly practices, but I like when small brands show off how they’re being more responsible for generations of outdoor lovers to come.
Buy it for life
Coalatree products (I’ve got the Trailhead Pants and Baseline Midlayer jacket) pass my buy it for life test. They’re durable, multifunctional, and they reduce the amount of clothing I need for adventures. The materials are high quality, resistant to wear, and uber comfortable.
I always try to buy things I’ll never need to replace, and I trust my Coalatree products will be in my travel and hiking bag for years to come. For my whole life? Well, one can dream. For many, many adventures? Guaranteed.
Wear and wear again
Just like Darn Tough tells you not to wash your socks after every wear, you certainly do not need to wash these pants each time you wear them. I wore them for one month in hot, dusty, rugged Central Asia and only washed them twice. They never smelled. I wore them every day: hiking, horseback riding, and exploring old cities.
These pants are great for daily wear around your house and community. Do you own smell test! Don’t wash them for a week or two and see how they feel and smell. You’ll be surprised.
When we put our plastic clothing (yes, these pants are made of plastic–like most performance clothing) in the washing machine, microplastics are flushed into our residential water systems. In short, while it might not be popular, the less we wash our clothes, the better. It makes our clothing last longer, it decreases the amount of microplastics in the environment, and it uses less resources.
Less water usage, less soap purchased, and less plastic floating around out there in the world.
Affordability
Coalatree products are affordable. Even ~$100 for a pair of adventure pants or a jacket isn’t unreasonable. They’re built with quality, recycled materials that don’t stink, after all. One pair of pants will last for years, and you can wear them for weeks (or longer…) at a time.
Go ahead. Drop a little bit of money on your new favorite adventure pants. You won’t regret it.
The Ultimate Test: One Bag Travel
My ultimate test for loving a piece of gear is if I still like it after a long trip. When I travel, I prefer to only bring my GR2 backpack, traveling super light. It’s just a simplicity preference.
I bought the Coalatree Trailhead Pants right before a month-long road trip through Central Asia. I was looking for stink-free gear that would perform well in lots of different situations. These were the only pants I brought.
The trip was amazing. Thanks for asking.
And I fully stand by these pants. They are the ultimate adventure pant. I paid for them with my own money, and I’d buy them again. If you travel, hike, climb rocks, lounge around the house, run errands, and more…these pants can do it all. Over and over again. Without washing, if needed.
They’re light, breathable, available in lots of cool colors, and come in different sizes to fit every body shape.
Do yourself a favor. Trust my experience with the pants. They’re ready for whatever you can throw at them.
Common Trailhead Pants Questions
You might have some questions about the Trailhead Pants. I did when I found them. Starting with…
Should I buy regular or slim fit?
I’m 6 feet and weigh 190 lbs. I tried slim, they’re not for me. If you’re a guy or gal with some meat on your bones, get the regular fit. Slim fit wasn’t waaay off for me, but they were too tight for traveling comfortably (or bending over). Many reviews talk about wearing both slim and regular for different occasions. Most of those were written by ladies.
Coalatree has a nice size chart, which worked perfect for me. I just didn’t notice it until after I’d ordered slim. I never got to try skinny jeans, so I figured this was my chance. But slim (according to the size chart), is a good bit more narrow than regular. Measure yourself! The size chart is pretty specific.
Regular is a little more airy, slim is a bit more defining.
Are Coalatree’s Trailhead Pants good for rock climbing?
Yes, these are awesome rock climbing pants. I’m a very casual rock climber, but they’ve got a thumbs up from me. In fact, they’re good for most athletic activities that require pants. You can hike, bike, and rock climb in them. They’re stretchy, soft, and stink-free. Perfect for reaching uncomfortably with your feet for narrow little rocks.
Can ladies wear Trailhead Pants?
Coalatree Trailhead Pants are true unisex pants. There are 12 sizes available between the slim and regular fit. Check the reviews for lots of examples of both guys and ladies rocking these adventure pants. I’ll be getting my wife a pair soon!
Which color should I get?
They’re all rad. I have grey because they match my green Baseline Midlayer. Maybe one day I’ll buy something more fun.
Written by George at pinetreepoet.com
