If you like to hike in the summer or in hot conditions, but don’t want bushes scraping at your skin, these pants are great. Last year I picked up my first pair of North Face Horizon Utility pants, and I was hooked! (Now I own 3 pair!)
The Horizon Utility Pants are made of a lighter weight nylon than the North Face Paramount Porter pants, and the waist is a lower rise. The other difference is that they don’t convert into shorts, but they are convertible into capris.
The only drawback is if you do a lot of backpacking, these are hip hugger pants and your pack tends to rest right at the waistband of these pants. But for day hikes or hiking with a light pack, these are my favorite pick!
Also note that they tend to run a bit small – I went up 1 size and it fits great. My good friend Donna also bought a pair and she had to go up a size as well.
Update: The North Face has discontinued the Horizon Utility pants and has a comparable product called the Horizon Tempest pants. This new model has an internal pocket and is cut a bit baggier, so you may not need to go up 1 size.
