Black Diamond Pursuit Pant Review
The Black Diamond Pursuit Pants ($149) strike a middle ground between lightweight summer hiking pants and more protective softshells. They’re breathable and comfortable enough for warm-weather hiking and backpacking, yet durable and streamlined enough to inspire confidence while scrambling through slot canyons and rocky terrain. The lightly brushed fabric feels noticeably softer and more natural than many nylon hiking pants, and the trim, performance-oriented fit works especially well for technical movement without feeling restrictive. While the waist snaps are a bit fiddly and the hand pockets could benefit from zippers, the Pursuit stands out as a versatile hiking pant that could play double duty for climbing and casual use, too.
Comfort & Mobility
Durability
Breathability
Weather Resistance
Features
Sustainability
Category
Light/midweight
Materials
96% nylon, 4% elastane
Weight
10.6 oz.
Waist
Snap/fly
Pros
Cons
Black Diamond Pursuit
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Hiking Pants.
The Black Diamond Pursuit Pants deliver excellent comfort, thanks largely to their lightweight construction and well-executed fit. The fabric has a lightly brushed interior that avoids the slick, plasticky feel common in many nylon hiking pants, instead feeling soft and natural against the skin. While the material itself offers only a modest amount of stretch—using 4% elastane compared to stretch-heavy models like the Outdoor Research Ferrosi with 14%—the pants still move exceptionally well. Rather than relying purely on stretchy fabric, Black Diamond leaned on thoughtful articulation and patterning to maintain mobility.
I wore the Pursuit Pants throughout a spring season of hiking and backpacking in Utah’s San Rafael Swell, including slot canyon routes filled with scrambling over boulders, squeezing through tight slots, and high-stepping up dry falls. Even during more awkward climbing-style movements, the pants never felt restrictive. Compared to the Patagonia Terravia Trail Pants, which I tested alongside the Pursuit, the Black Diamond has a more tapered, performance-oriented cut that feels better suited to technical hiking and scrambling, even if it’s slightly less stretchy overall. That said, the Pursuit is clearly designed more around breathability and mobility than weather protection or rugged alpine use.
I found the Pursuit’s waistband to be particularly comfortable. I wore the pants under a lightweight pack paired with an Arcade belt and barely noticed them throughout the day. The thin, low-profile design doesn’t bunch or create pressure points, and the brushed interior adds a subtle touch of softness against the skin.
Over two months of spring testing—including multiple backpacking trips and numerous day hikes—the Black Diamond Pursuit Pants proved impressively durable for such a lightweight hiking pant. Most of my use took place in desert terrain, where the pants were constantly brushing against abrasive sandstone, squeezing through slot canyons, and pushing through prickly vegetation. Despite all of that abuse, the fabric still looks nearly new, with no noticeable damage, thinning, or signs of excessive wear.
The lightweight nylon fabric strikes a nice balance between durability and mobility. It slides cleanly past brush and rocky outcrops without snagging easily, which helped the pants feel more confidence-inspiring than some thinner or stretchier hiking models I’ve tested. The overall construction also feels solid throughout: The zippers operated smoothly and reliably during testing, and even the small waist snaps continued to function flawlessly. For such a lightweight and breathable piece, the Pursuit Pants punch above their weight in durability. And if you plan to subject your pants to a lot of abuse, check out the Pursuit Hybrid Pants, which feature the same design but add ripstop nylon reinforcements at the knees, seat, and cuffs.
I tested the Black Diamond Pursuit Pants during multi-day backpacking trips and day hikes throughout Utah’s canyon country, where conditions ranged from sunny days in the 60s and 70s Fahrenheit to a cooler, drizzly day in the low 50s. Across those conditions, the Pursuit struck a nice balance between airflow and protection. The lightweight fabric breathes well, and the mesh-lined pockets subtly improve ventilation during movement. On a few especially exposed hikes, I found myself appreciating the pants as much for sun protection as for hiking performance—they stayed surprisingly airy and cool while still offering full leg coverage.
I’d confidently wear the Pursuit Pants in temperatures ranging from about 40 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. They feel especially well-suited to mild shoulder-season hiking but can flex comfortably into moderate summer temperatures as well. That said, for truly hot-weather hiking—when I’d debate between lightweight pants and shorts—they start to feel a little warm compared to more summer-focused options. The Pursuit isn’t quite as airy as REI Co-op’s summer-weight Trailmade Pants, and it also runs slightly warmer than the Patagonia Terravia Trail Pants. Some of that comes down to the fit: The Pursuit has a more tapered, athletic cut that feels less breezy than roomier hiking pants.
Overall, the Pursuit strikes a nice middle ground for hikers who want one lightweight pant that can handle a wide range of fair-weather conditions without leaning too far into either hot-weather minimalism or softshell-style protection.
The Black Diamond Pursuit Pants offer enough weather resistance for fair-weather hiking and the occasional passing shower, but they’re clearly not designed for sustained wet conditions. I tested them during a backpacking trip in Utah’s Cedar Mesa region, where temperatures hovered in the 50s with intermittent light rain. Water initially beaded on the DWR-treated fabric, but it didn’t take long before moisture began absorbing into the material. Thankfully, the rain never intensified enough to fully soak through, but it was clear that prolonged precipitation would eventually overwhelm the fabric.
The good news is that the lightweight material dries quickly, which helps offset the limited water resistance. Compared to burlier softshell hiking pants, the Pursuit feels much more focused on breathability and comfort than outright weather protection. I’d trust them through brief drizzles or uncertain forecasts where you might want to skip bringing full rain pants, especially in warmer temperatures where getting a little damp wouldn’t be a major issue. But if sustained rain were in the forecast, I’d personally want something more protective, like the Arc’teryx Gamma or Outdoor Research Cirque Lite.
Outside of precipitation, the Pursuit handles mild wind quite well. During warm, breezy hikes in Utah’s San Rafael Swell, the pants blocked light-to-moderate gusts effectively without feeling overly warm or stuffy. Again, they’re not as protective as a true softshell pant, but the wind resistance feels appropriate for a lightweight hiking pant built for mild conditions.
The Black Diamond Pursuit Pants come with a fairly functional feature set, highlighted by a surprisingly versatile pocket layout. In total, the pants feature six pockets: two standard hand pockets, two zippered rear pockets, and two thigh pockets. The hand pockets work well for quick-access items like keys or chapstick, though I did find myself wishing they had zipper closures for more secure storage while hiking or scrambling. The rear zip pockets are roomy enough for a wallet, debit card, or smartphone, while the thigh pockets ended up being more useful than I initially expected. One is a discreet zippered pocket that I mostly used for smaller items like a pen, while the open-top pocket worked well for stashing sunglasses on the move. Altogether, the layout offers much of the utility I normally look for in cargo pockets without adding unnecessary bulk. All of the pockets also feature mesh linings, which subtly improve ventilation in warm conditions.
The ankle drawcords are another well-executed feature, allowing the cuffs to cinch securely around boots or stay out of the way while scrambling and climbing. The waistband, on the other hand, feels a bit more divisive. My pair of Pursuit Pants features two small snap buttons at the waist, and I found them somewhat fiddly to operate with regular-sized fingers. The placement of the snaps also means they can interfere with each other while fastening. I mostly got used to the setup over time, and I can appreciate the redundancy and low-profile feel it provides, but it’s still a somewhat unusual design choice that may not feel especially intuitive at first. Editor’s note: The Pursuit pants on Black Diamond’s website feature just one snap at the waist, suggesting a potential difference between the sample we tested and the production model.
While I had no problem pairing the pants with a slim Arcade belt, some hikers will likely prefer a built-in belt instead. Thankfully, the Pursuit’s waistband is streamlined enough that adding a low-profile belt didn’t create excess bulk or discomfort under a pack hipbelt. Still, I generally appreciate built-in belts on hiking pants simply because they eliminate the need to think about bringing another piece of gear.
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Longevity
Choosing durable outdoor gear and keeping it in use for longer is one of the best ways to reduce environmental impact. Our proprietary longevity rating assesses factors like overall build quality, materials, fabric denier, component durability, and real-world performance. A green check indicates that we expect the product to be long-lasting relative to its peers, a yellow check mark indicates average longevity, and a red X indicates a product that may have a limited lifespan.
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are prevalent in outdoor gear, with nylon, polyester, wool, and down among the most common, but the composition varies widely. A green check mark indicates the product is made with a substantial amount of recycled materials (100% recycled or the core fabric that makes up most of the product is recycled), a yellow check means it contains a moderate to small amount of recycled materials, while a red X means there are no recycled materials in the product.
Bluesign Approved
Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile management system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A green check mark indicates a product is either a Bluesign Product (contains at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and 20-30% Bluesign-approved accessories) or features a significant amount of Bluesign-approved materials. A yellow check mark means it uses some Bluesign-approved materials but less than the aforementioned category, and a red X means there are no Bluesign-approved materials in the product.
PFAS-Free DWR
Durable water-repellent (DWR) finishes can contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These highly persistent “forever chemicals” are used in outdoor gear for their strong resistance to water, oil, and heat, but are linked to environmental contamination and a range of health concerns. A green check mark indicates the product uses a PFAS-free DWR, while a red X means the DWR contains PFAS.
Responsible Manufacturing
This criterion evaluates a brand’s commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing environmental impact through certifications and programs like Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and the Fair Labor Association, while also recognizing brands that manufacture primarily in the U.S. or Europe under strict labor and environmental regulations. A green check mark indicates a brand meets our responsible manufacturing criteria, while a red X means it does not.
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Packaging can add significant waste to outdoor gear purchases, so many brands work to reduce its impact by using recycled materials, incorporating Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, and minimizing plastic and paper use. A green check mark indicates a brand uses recycled or reduced materials across all of its packaging, a yellow check indicates moderate or limited use of recycled or reduced packaging, and a red X indicates the brand does not make either of these efforts.
Repair Services
Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption, though programs vary widely. Some brands offer comprehensive repairs for a range of issues, while others provide limited or no repair support. A green check mark indicates a robust repair program, a yellow check mark indicates limited repair services, and a red X indicates the brand does not offer repair services.
Resale and/or Recycling Services
Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation longer and out of landfills, ranging from trade-in resale platforms that offer store credit to take-back initiatives that recycle products at the end of their usable life. A green check mark indicates a brand offers both resale and recycling programs, a yellow check mark indicates it offers one or the two, and a red X indicates it offers neither.
Carbon Footprint Tracking
This criterion evaluates whether a brand measures, reports, and works to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. A green check mark indicates a brand publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions data, sets clearly defined reduction targets, and uses established tracking frameworks such as Higg or The Change Climate Project. A yellow check mark indicates the brand tracks emissions and outlines reduction goals but provides limited data, lacks science-based verification, or does not clearly report progress. A red X indicates the brand does not appear to track greenhouse gas emissions or provides so little information that its efforts cannot be verified.
Annual Impact Report
Annual impact reports provide transparency and accountability by outlining a brand’s sustainability efforts across areas such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water use, supply chains, and packaging. A green check mark indicates a brand publishes a detailed, brand-specific impact report that closely aligns with our sustainability criteria and leaves little room for ambiguity. A yellow check indicates a brand provides some relevant sustainability reporting but lacks detail in key areas or is covered only briefly within a parent company report. A red X indicates a brand does not regularly publish an impact report.
Tester: 5’10”; 32” waist
Size tested: 32
I’m consistently a men’s medium or 32-inch waist in hiking pants, and the size 32 Pursuit Pants fit me perfectly. The fit strikes a nice middle ground: trim and performance-oriented without ever feeling tight or restrictive. I wouldn’t describe them as especially relaxed or roomy, but they also never crossed into feeling uncomfortably slim. The pant legs fall cleanly to the lower ankle without bunching over shoes, giving the Pursuit a streamlined feel compared to baggier hiking pants and making it easier to see foot placements during high steps, stemming, and rocky scrambling. Overall, the fit feels purpose-built for active movement and technical hiking rather than casual lounging or oversized layering.
Patagonia Terravia Trail ($139): Stretchier and More Summer-Focused
The Patagonia Terravia Trail Pants occupy a similar lightweight hiking niche as the Pursuit, but feel stretchier and airier overall thanks to a slightly thinner fabric and a much higher elastane content (15% versus the Pursuit’s 4%). It also comes in a wider range of sizes, including both short (30”) and regular (32”) inseams, making it easier for more hikers to dial in their fit. The zippered hand pockets are another advantage over the Pursuit, as is Patagonia’s slightly more refined build quality and attention to detail. For $10 less, we think the Terravia Trail is the better choice for hot-weather hiking and all-day comfort in warm conditions, but the Pursuit feels a bit more comfortable and versatile once temperatures dip into the 40s and 50s Fahrenheit. For a deeper dive, read our Terravia Trail review.
Black Diamond Alpine Light ($149): Calling All Climbers
Compared to the Pursuit, the Black Diamond Alpine Light Pants feel noticeably more climbing-oriented. The Alpine Light uses a much stretchier fabric blend (85% nylon, 15% elastane), giving it a more flexible and softshell-like feel during high steps, stemming, and technical movement. It also includes a built-in belt system, which some hikers and climbers will strongly prefer over the Pursuit’s simpler waistband setup. Finally, the Alpine Light’s harness-compatible zippered hand pockets and a horizontal zip thigh pocket function a lot better when worn with a harness. Overall, the Alpine Light feels more purpose-built for climbing and technical mountain use, while the Pursuit leans more toward versatile hiking, backpacking, and everyday trail comfort. For more, read our review of the Black Diamond Alpine Light.
Climbing-centric Black Diamond goes hiking with their Pursuit Pants, which strike a versatile middle ground between airy summer hiking pants and more protective softshells. They’re not as stretchy as many designs, but the articulated fit keeps mobility high.
Comfort & Mobility
Durability
Breathability
Weather Resistance
Features
Sustainability
The Terravia Trail is Patagonia's technical hiking pant, leveling up from the Quandary with stretchier fabric and more secure storage. It's highly mobile, lightweight, and surprisingly durable—a great option for fair-weather hikers who ask a lot from their gear.
Comfort & Mobility
Durability
Breathability
Weather Resistance
Features
Sustainability
The Alpine Light offers a Goldilocks combination of fabric weight and stretch for fair-weather hikers. However, the pant lacks a refined finish, and the material is not particularly durable. For the price, it’s not a long-lasting option.
Comfort & Mobility
Durability
Breathability
Weather Resistance
Features
Sustainability
Is the Pursuit for You?
The Black Diamond Pursuit Pants are an excellent fit for hikers and backpackers who prioritize mobility, comfort, and all-around versatility in mild to moderately warm conditions. Their lightweight feel, athletic fit, and thoughtful articulation make them especially well-suited to scrambling-heavy hikes where bulkier or baggier hiking pants can get in the way. They also strike a nice middle ground between ultra-airy summer hiking pants and more protective softshells, making them a strong “one pant” option for shoulder-season use and fair-weather adventures.
Go for it if you want a lightweight but not overly airy pant for mild shoulder-season and summer hiking, or a pant that’s versatile for hiking, climbing, and casual wear.
Pass on it if you prioritize maximum stretch, true softshell weather protection, or an ultra-breezy hot-weather hiking pant.
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