Lightweight trail running pants with zipper hand pockets
Ditch those tights and choose lightweight trail running pants with zipper hand pockets instead! Pants are superior to tights because they are looser and comfier, can be pulled on quickly over shorts, feel less sweaty, and are less affected by conductive and convective heat loss. They’re also great for hiking! Store a pair in your pack for cool weather and you won’t regret it – all of these models weigh less than 10 oz
To be even more specific, we only recommend trail running pants with zipper hand pockets because it guarantees that contents will never fall out. We know that you probably won’t store valuables in your hand pockets while running because of bounce. But you might pop a phone in there while taking a break, driving, stretching, refilling water, or resting – all semi-horizontal positions that increase the likelihood of contents slipping out. Never let that happen in the backcountry; always choose zipper pockets!
While you’re here, don’t miss our guides for running shorts, trail runners, running hats, and running packs.
Cover photo: Salomon SHAKEout CORE Pants
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Lightweight Trail Running Pants with Zipper Hand Pockets
- Editor’s Choice: Path Projects Killam PX
- Best to Pack: Salomon SHAKEout Core Pants
- Comfiest: Janji Atlas Multi Pants
- Best Pockets: Janji Transit Tech Pants
- Most Breathable: Nike Stride Knit Pants
- Best Budget: Willit Lightweight Joggers
Janji Transit Tech Pants in Patagonia
Comparing Trail Running Pants
| Model | Price ($) | Weight (oz) (Men’s M) | Fabric | Pockets |
| Salomon SHAKEout | 100 | 6.1 | 100% poly |
2 zip hand
|
| Janji Transit Tech | 94 | 7.1 | 88% poly, 12% spandex |
2 zip hand, 1 zip hip
|
| Nike Stride Knit | 95 | 7.5 | 100% polyester |
2 zip hand 1 zip rear
|
| Path Projects Killam PX | 118 | 8.9 | 100% poly |
2 zip hand, 3 zip rear
|
| Janji Atlas Multi | 134 | 8.9 | 77% nylon, 23% spandex |
2 zip hand, 1 zip rear, waist pouches
|
| Willit Lightweight | 30 | 8.5 | 95% poly, 5% spandex |
2 zip hand, 2 thigh, 1 zip rear
|
Path Projects Killam PX Trail Running Pants
The Path Projects Killam PX have the best fabric of any trail running pants we tested – Toray PrimeFlex. The 100% polyester with 4-way mechanical stretch is more durable, more breathable, more water-resistant, quicker drying, and less absorbent than competing fabrics made with elastic/Spandex.
The zippered hand pockets are secure, bounce-resistant, and check all of the necessary boxes, despite having an unusual reverse pull direction. That being said, they’re not perfect – Path Projects is a menswear brand that does not offer a women’s fit.
- Price: $98
- Weight: 8.9 oz (Men’s Med)
- Fabric: 100% Polyester
- Pockets: 2 zip hand, 3 zip rear
- Pros: 4-way mechanical stretch. Most durable, quickest drying. Good looking. Great waistband. Antimicrobial. Ankle zips.
- Cons: Men’s only. Could be lighter. Inverted zipper direction on hand pockets. Mesh pocket liner has ripping potential. Ankle zips add weight but aren’t quite long enough.
Salomon SHAKEout CORE Pants
As a stowed pair of ultralight trail running pants to carry in your pack and replace shorts when temps drop or wind picks up, we highly recommend the Salomon SHAKEout Core. These duds weigh less than any other pair we’ve tested, while still offering dual zippered hand pockets, though we wouldn’t mind slightly larger zipper pulls. The 100% poly fabric is mechanically stretchy without Spandex, meaning quicker-than-average dry time, though they aren’t super stretchy. Perhaps the biggest drawback is that they’re only available in black for both men and women, which makes them a poor choice for use as a sun protection layer. That’s because the dark fabric will absorb extra heat and make you even warmer. Fit runs true to size.
- Price: $100
- Weight: 6.1 oz (Men’s Med)
- Fabric: 100% Polyester
- Pockets: 2 zip hand
- Pros: Ultralight and packable. Zipper hand pockets. Mechanical stretch. Good elastic drawstring waistband. Nice cuffs.
- Cons: Only available in black colorway making it a poor choice for hot weather sun protection. Could have more stretch.
Janji Atlas Multi Pants
Janji Atlas Multi are the stretchiest pair of trail running pants in our round up, which is both a blessing and a curse. No other pair is better for lunging and high stepping, and they’re overall extremely comfortable. The downside is that this is due to a very high Spandex composition of 23%. Spandex is relatively heavy, slows dry time, and increases smelliness. The weight specifically makes worse than other pairs in this guide for stashing in a pack or vest to pull on as temps drop. We do note the use of elongated ankle zips that make on off much easier over shoes.
- Price: $134
- Weight : 8.9 oz (Men’s Med)
- Fabric: 77% Recycled Nylon, 23% Spandex
- Pockets: 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered center back, assorted waist pouches
- Pros: Zippered pockets. Very stretchy. Elongated ankle zips pull on over shoes.
- Cons: Runs small. Slower drying. Kind of heavy to carry in a running pack. Small zipper pulls.
Janji Transit Tech Pants
The Janji Transit Tech are lightweight, stretchy, surprisingly durable, and come with one of the best pocket configurations in the biz. That is, in addition to two zippered hand pockets, they also get a side hip pocket on the right side.
This pocket is so obviously excellent and useful that we’re forced to ask, why not both sides? Unlike a thigh pocket, the hip pocket is situated immediately behind the hand pocket, which gives extra capacity without placing it lower down the leg where it becomes prone to bounce and sway and you move. They’re also great looking and made with recycled materials. They would have benefited from a slightly looser fit, and a less aggressively tapered lower leg. Size up if in between, or a full size if you prefer a more relaxed fit.
- Price: $94
- Weight : 7.1 oz (Men’s Med)
- Fabric: 88% Recycled Polyester, 12% Spandex
- Pockets: 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered side hip
- Pros: Zippered pockets. Unique hip pocket. Stretchy. Durable. Weather resistant. UPF 50
- Cons: Runs small. Average breathability. Overly-tapered lower leg. Small zipper pulls.
Nike Dri-FIT Stride Knit
Nike Dri-FIT Stride Knit are made of a knit polyester to encourage air flow, which makes them unique within the category. Conversely, all of the other pairs of zipper pocket running pants in this round-up are made of tightly woven polyester, which is far less breathable. Hold it up and you can easily see light coming through. On top of that, the inside is soft and lightly gridded, a combination which is both comfortable, moisture wicking, and quick drying.
But there are drawbacks. For starters, these are trim fitting joggers, so expect short inseam length and sizing up if you’re in between. While the pockets are made of a static fabric without bounce (which is effective while running), we did find them to be quite shallow; when left unzipped, items were highly likely to fall out while seated. We also look forward to the addition of a women’s version, a shame that it does not currently exist.
- Price: $95
- Weight: 7.5 oz
- Fabric: 100% Polyester
- Pockets: 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered rear
- Pros: Soft and highly breathable. Quick drying. Ankle zips. Comfy.
- Cons: No Women’s version. Shallow pockets. Lower than average durability. No stretch on the vertical axis. Runs trim.
Willit Lightweight Joggers
The Willit Lightweight Joggers are the first pair of trail running pants we’ve tested with hiking-pants-style cargo pockets, ultimately yielding more storage optionality than any other option in the category. The 95% polyester, 5% spandex blend is soft, lightly stretchy, comfy to wear, and UPF 50 rated. The elastic waistband is secure without using the drawstring.
All in all, a really sweet and actually quite innovative design, despite being cheaply manufactured by an offshores “Amazon Brand.” As such, our biggest concern about this pair is with regard to durability, longevity of the stitches, and potential for a blown out pocket. But hard to argue with the value!
- Price: $30
- Weight: 8.5 oz
- Fabric: 95% Polyester, 5% Spandex
- Pockets: 2 zippered hand, 2 thigh, 1 zippered rear
- Pros: Affordable. More pocket storage than any other pair. UPF 50.
- Cons: Cheaply made by an Amazon brand. Thigh pockets make them worse for running (but better for hiking). Stitching durability. Runs small.
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