The North Face Men’s Antora Hiking Pants are good value. They are lightweight and incorporate all the features you need to stay dry and comfortable while hiking.
Buying options:
Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Low price
- Lightweight with good mobility
- Two hand pockets
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Not as durable as more expensive jackets
- Doesn’t stay dry in heavy rain
See The North Face Men’s Antora Hiking Pants in more detail:
These are a good pair of basic, budget rain pants. They are made from North Face’s 2-layer DryVent material, which will keep you dry and comfortable in normal weather conditions. This is a lightweight material, so it is comfortable to wear and easy to pack down. In our opinion, The North Face Men’s Antora Hiking Pants are the best lightweight rain pants for men.
Compare to Similar Products:
Product | Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Pants | Marmot Minimalist Pant | Outdoor Research Helium Pant | Arc'teryx Beta AR Pant | Mamot PreCip Eco Pant Full Zip | The North Face Men's Antora Hiking Pants | Rab Downpour Eco Pant | Columbia Rebel Roamer | Showers Pass Transit |
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Our Award | Women's Performance | Women's Best Lightweight | Men's Performance | Women's Best Rain Pant for Hiking | Men's Best Value | Men's Best Cycling | |||
Waterproof Fabric | 2.5L Dry.Q Stretch Ripstop | 2.5L Gore-Tex with PacLite Technology | 2.5L Pertex Shield Diamond Fuse | Gore-Tex Pro | Nono Pro Eco | 2L DryVent Seam Sealed | Pertex Shield Membrane | Omni-Tech Waterproof/Breathable | Nylon |
Face Fabric | 100% Recycled Polyester | 100% Polyester | 30D 100& Nylon Ripstop | N40r-X Gore-Tex Pro | 100% Recycled Nylon Ripstop | 100% Recycled Nylon Ripstop with DWR Finish | Artex 3-Layer | 70D 100% Nylon | Artex 3-Layer |
Cost | $122.49 | $184.95 | $129.95 | Price not available | $59.99 | $97.00 | Price not available | $59.40 | Price not available |
Read our main guide: 9 Best Waterproof Rain Pants for Hiking
Analysis and Test Results
These hiking pants offer excellent value for a reasonable price. The fabric is only 2-layers, but it will protect you from rain and wind in normal conditions, although it may struggle in heavy downpours. The DryVent material offers decent breathability, although it has no vents. You also get two hand pockets, another feature many budget hiking pants don’t include. The material is lightweight, and the pants pack down well. The regular fit and articulated knees make these pants comfortable to wear and don’t restrict your movement. The ankle zips are calf length and allow the pants to be pulled on over hiking boots.
Performance Comparison
Water Resistance
North Face relies on its in-house designed polyurethane (PU) coating to provide most of the waterproofing. They say this coating is microporous and hydrophobic. So this 2-layer DryVent fabric has a PU coating on the inside and a DWR (durable water-repellent) coating on the outside. North Face doesn’t supply the waterproof ratings of 2-layer DryVent, but most independent testers give it a rating of 15,000 mm.
All the seams are taped, and there is a storm flap over the ankle zippers. While these hiking pants will struggle to cope with torrential rain and storms, they are more than capable of protecting you from the elements in regular weather conditions.
Breathability
North Face doesn’t publish data on the breathability of 2-layer DryVent, but independent testers give it a rating of 15,000 g/m2/24 hrs. This is average for waterproof pants and should keep you comfortable unless you are working really hard. There are no additional zips or vents to increase the breathability.
Comfort and Mobility
This is a category where these pants score highly. Because there is no membrane layer in the DryVent fabric, these pants are soft, flexible, and very comfortable to wear. Articulated knees also help to give an unrestricted range of movement. The waistband is elasticated and sits just above the hips, so these pants can be worn comfortably with a harness or a backpack’s waist strap.
Materials
The primary material that composes these pants is 2-layer DryVent. The face fabric is 100% recycled ripstop nylon. There is a PFC-free DWR coating on the outside. On the inside, there is a microporous, hydrophobic PU coating.
Durability
This is the drawback of the 2-layer DryVent fabric. Although it uses ripstop nylon, it is less durable than fabrics with a membrane bonded to the face material. However, if you are using these for hiking, they will cope fine with the normal wear and tear of walking a trail.
These pants are fully warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for two years. If there are any issues, North Face will either repair the pants without charge, replace them, or give you credit at their discretion.
Weight and Packability
Removing the membrane helps to make these waterproof pants very lightweight and flexible. This makes them easy to pack down. They do not come with a bag and do not seem designed to be stuffed into one of the pockets, although you could attempt to do so. The weight of The North Face Men’s Antora Hiking Pants is:
Men
4 oz / 113g
Women
6 oz / 170g
Features
Although these pants are a basic model at a lower price, they have all the features a hiker needs. There are ankle zips that open to the top of the calf to give you enough room to fit them over hiking boots. When the zippers are closed, there are storm flaps to make sure no rain leaks in. At the pants’ cuff, a Velcro strip secures the zip, but it can also be used to tighten the legs. This is a helpful feature, especially if you are wearing these pants on a bicycle. Having your pants’ cuff tight around your hiking boots is also preferable, as this prevents water, mud, or snow from splashing up inside.
The waist is elasticated with a drawcord that can be tightened to secure the pants and make sure they don’t fall down. At the back of the waistband in the middle, you will find a loop that is designed to make it easy to hang the pants on a hook.
Two pockets are a welcome feature often not seen on more expensive rain pants. These are located at hip height on the front of the pants. The opening is vertical, and there are storm flaps to protect the zippers. The pockets are a generous size.
Sustainability
North Face says, “Sustainability isn’t a side project. It’s central to everything we do. From designing recyclable products for the next adventure to protecting wild places for the next generation, we’re committed to exploration without compromise.” These pants are made from 100% recycled polyester, and the DWR is PFC-free. North Face also has a ‘Renewed’ service where pants can be traded in. If possible, they will be cleaned, repaired, and refurbished. If this is not possible, the pants will be recycled or donated.
Conclusion
These are a good pair of rain pants at a very reasonable price. They are more waterproof and breathable than the very basic models, and they have features such as pockets and adjustable cuffs that are often missing even on more expensive pants. The DryVent fabric is noticeably thinner, softer, and more flexible than the typical materials with membranes used for waterproof clothing. This makes these pants lightweight, comfortable to wear, and with an excellent range of movement.
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