Last Updated on 01/03/2022
Montane Terra Pants Review
This Montane Terra Pants Review has been a long time coming because I have been wearing them for years now. They are my go-to choice for lightweight hiking trousers which are breathable for summer and perfect for layering up in winter. Made from a combination of TACTEL fabric with TEFLON surface finish and reinforced CORDURA patches on the bum, knees, and ankles.
The Montane Terra Pants are extremely rugged and hard-wearing for such lightweight hiking trousers. For more Montane gear reviews, check out our Medusa 32 Backpack and Montane Direct Ascent Jacket articles.
Features

- Weight: 330g / 11.6 oz (size medium)
- Men’s and Women’s: Yes
- Wind and water-resistant
- Fast-drying TACTEL fabric
- Reinforced CORDURA bum, knees, and inner ankle/heel
- Active cut with high lift crotch for an excellent fit
- Part-elasticated waist with button/zipper fly closure
- Webbing belt with low profile buckle
- Two large zipped mesh-lined front pockets
- Zipped pull out security pocket big enough for credit cards, car keys, and some cash
- Mesh-lined thigh vents with low profile zips
- Articulated knee for hiking and climbing
- Ankle zips and 2 press studs for an adjustable width
- UPF 40+ sun protection
- Colours: Ivy / black, Graphite / black (Main image), Black / black, Ink / ink

Why I Chose the Montane Terra Hiking Pants
I was looking for a lightweight pair of hiking pants for a long-distance hike and backpacking trip. I wanted lightweight, toughness, and adjustability with a balance between protection and breathability. The Montane Terra Pants tick all these boxes. Offering great flexibility and comfort, they allow full freedom of movement when lifting your knees up high. Montane’s reputation is very good and has not slipped since the company started working with serious mountain professionals over 21 years ago.
Lightweight and Comfortable
Made from TACTEL material, which is lightweight, soft like cotton, and doesn’t rustle against itself. The Montane Terra are incredibly comfortable and easy to wear. At just 330g or 11.6 oz, the Montane Terra Pants are also lightweight and pack down smaller than a pair of socks (just about). The part elasticated waistband means that you don’t necessarily need a belt, but the one included is pretty useful so you might as well keep it on.
Good Fit for Hiking and Bouldering
The Montane Terra Pants are obviously tailored towards hikers. The active cut is ideal for the challenges and repetitive leg movements of long-distance hiking. High-rising crotch allows you to get your knees up high when you need to and avoids the fabric bunching up. There is no stretch in the standard version, but the articulated or pre-bent knees do compensate for this somewhat.
You can get a stretch version here. The lower zips allow you to put them on without taking your hiking boots off and the button poppers let you tighten up the ankles for low-cut hiking shoes. Overall they are very comfortable and give you great freedom of movement without being too baggy.
Adjustable and Breathable
Often labeled as technical hiking pants, the Montane Terra’s provide an excellent fit as well as having built-in adjustability. The webbing belt is ultra-lightweight and low profile so can be worn under a harness. The ankles have 2 press stud levels to give you open, medium, or close-fitting options. You can also control the breathability of the pants with the thigh-high air vents which is such an underrated feature in most hiking pants. You can further increase breathability by opening the 1/4 length lower zips while keeping the press studs closed. I love a good breeze!
Tough and Durable
The 110g/m² lightweight nylon TACTEL is super tough and able to put up with an endless barrage of hard wear and tear. No matter how many times you scuff, scrape, snag, or catch your Terra Pants on rough or sharp objects, it never seems to leave a mark. I have managed to put a tiny hole in one pair thanks to some barbed wire but that small hole has never gotten bigger or compromised the strength.
The reinforced panels of Cordura material on the seat, knees, and ankles are essential for any long-distance hike or heavy usage over time. They protect the points that are at the most risk of being damaged, without feeling any different or heavier than the purely TACTEL fabric areas.
Wind and Water Resistant Hiking Pants
Montane Terra Pants are great for a wide range of temperatures when you are being active outdoors. They are windproof to a decent degree and the TEFLON surface finish helps water to bead off. If you are expecting cold windy weather you might want to put a base layer underneath. This helps you stay warm while retaining good breathability. If you are in a constant downpour you are going to want some waterproof trousers over the top of these.
Fast Drying Hiking Pants
If your Montane Hiking Pants get wet then so long as you can get out of the rain, they will dry using your body heat. Water seems to evaporate out of them very fast and any mud or dirt will just brush off. You can roll them up to your thigh for shallow river crossings or in extremely hot weather you can get them wet knowing that they will be dry for 30 minutes. The Montane Terra’s make one of the best hiking pants for lightweight backpacking because you don’t need to wash them too often or pay for dryer tokens.
Overall Thoughts
Montane Terra Pants are hard-wearing, lightweight, and resistant to all kinds of weather and abuse on the trail. They are perfect for hiking, camping, and demanding outdoor environments where your trousers are constantly in contact with rocks, the ground, and thick brush. Using super tough and lightweight materials you can hike in hot weather as well as stay resistant to wind and rain. The zippered air vents are very welcome both on hot days hiking and on a night when you need to zip up.
The low-profile belt and active cut fitting, are pretty good for rock climbing and are able to accommodate a harness. That being said, they are generally better suited for hiking, bouldering, and everyday use. I have been using mine hard for years now and they have still got lots of life left in them. They are lightweight and compact for taking backpacking as well as looking and feeling great – which is why I wear them all the time!
The Montane Terra Pants are also available in heavyweight (Super Terra Pants), stretch (Terra Stretch Pants), and two styles of shorts (Terra Shorts / Terra Alpine Shorts).
How much are they?

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