Choosing the right hiking pants can feel overwhelming with countless brands and styles available. After extensive research and real-world testing across numerous pairs, I’m here to offer clarity, especially if you’re considering the Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants. This in-depth review will help you decide if they are the perfect fit for your outdoor pursuits.
Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants: Quick Overview
Image: Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants product shot showcasing the design and features.
Retail Price (MSRP): $90
Weight: 12.2 oz (for size 32/30)
Material Composition: 94% Nylon, 6% Elastane
The Upsides:
- Athletic Cut: Offers a comfortable range of motion without being too tight.
- Ample Storage: Features multiple pockets for carrying essentials.
- Convenient Zip Pockets: Side zippered pockets add extra secure storage.
The Downsides:
- Slightly Loose Fit: May feel a bit baggy in the hip and lower leg area for some.
- Durability Concerns: Button durability might be a potential weak point.
The Verdict:
The Eddie Bauer Guide Pro pants stand out as a solid, lightweight hiking pant with a relaxed athletic fit. Constructed from quality materials, they are well-suited for a wide range of outdoor activities. Comfort is a highlight, thanks to their looser cut which avoids any restrictive feeling. While this looser fit might not appeal to everyone, it’s a significant advantage for those with larger thighs or who simply prefer a less snug pant.
The fabric blend ensures breathability, durability, and a welcome degree of stretch. A standout feature is the generous pocket configuration, including practical zippered side pockets for secure storage. In summary, the Eddie Bauer Guide Pro pants represent excellent value, performing admirably in diverse conditions and particularly appealing to hikers who favor a more relaxed, athletic fit.
Performance Breakdown: Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants
When evaluating hiking pants, several factors come into play. Seasonal changes dictate whether you need lighter, more breathable options or heavier, warmer ones. Key features like belt loops, pockets, and attachment points are important. However, paramount are comfort and freedom of movement. Restrictive pants can significantly hinder your experience in the backcountry.
Comfort and Mobility
In terms of comfort, the Guide Pro pants perform admirably. Their athletic fit provides ample room in the seat and thighs, tapering gradually down the leg. However, it’s worth noting that the “athletic fit” leans towards a looser feel compared to many standard athletic pants, especially around the hips and from the knees down.
For me, this looser fit wasn’t a drawback to comfort. In fact, after numerous hikes, I appreciated the extra room which made layering base layers or fleece underneath effortless in colder conditions. While some might find the fit too relaxed, others will find this looseness a major benefit, particularly for layering and unrestricted movement.
Regarding mobility, these pants truly excel. They offer complete freedom of motion, allowing for steep ascents and navigating rocky terrain without any restriction. The Eddie Bauer Guide Pro pants passed the squat test with flying colors – I experienced zero binding or tightness even in a full squat position.
Overall, the Guide Pro pants are comfortable and non-restrictive. If you prefer a slightly more relaxed athletic fit in your hiking pants, these are definitely worth considering.
Image: A hiker wearing Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants on a trail, showcasing their fit and outdoor use.
Versatility and Style
These hiking pants are quite versatile. The fabric composition, a blend of 94% nylon and 6% elastane, contributes to good ventilation, durability, and stretch for dynamic movement on the trail.
The Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants feature a slightly lower rise and a relaxed fit through the seat, with a looser cut from the knee to the ankle. While I generally prefer a more tailored fit, I found this looser style quite functional. It provided sufficient room around my waist and hips without feeling too baggy in those areas. The only slight excess fabric was around the ankles, but this was a minor point.
In general, the Guide Pro Pants are an excellent choice for a wide spectrum of outdoor activities. They are ideal for warmer summer days, spring, and fall hiking. They are well-suited for both multi-day backpacking trips and shorter day hikes.
However, their versatility has limits. The Eddie Bauer Guide Pro pants don’t offer significant warmth or wind protection due to the lightweight and breathable nature of the fabric. In colder or windy conditions, carrying rain pants for an extra layer of protection is essential.
In warmer weather, while breathable, they can feel a bit warm. The looser fit below the knees allows for rolling them up, though they lack cinch cords to secure them above the knee, causing them to occasionally fall down.
Image: Close-up of the button closure on Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants, highlighting the slight fraying issue.
Durability
The Eddie Bauer Guide Pro pants generally exhibit good durability for their weight. My only minor concern is the button closure. After only a few uses, the button became noticeably loose, and the surrounding fabric began to fray. Aside from this, the pants have held up well to typical trail wear and tear. While I haven’t subjected them to extreme durability tests yet, they have easily withstood several hikes on groomed trails without any scuffs or damage to the main fabric.
Breathability
Given their lightweight construction, it’s not surprising that these hiking pants offer good ventilation during activity. The Eddie Bauer Guide Pro pants aren’t the absolute most breathable pants available, but they perform well in moderate temperatures. In very hot conditions, you might experience some warmth and may want to roll up the legs. However, without cinch cords, they tend to slip down.
Weight
Weighing in at approximately 12 ounces, the Guide Pro hiking pants are indeed lightweight. I never felt weighed down by these pants, even on longer hikes. Despite their light weight, the nylon fabric maintains a decent level of durability.
Image: Water beading on the surface of Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants, demonstrating their water-resistant properties.
Weather Resistance
Eddie Bauer’s Guide Pro hiking pants effectively repel water thanks to a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish. While I haven’t worn them in a downpour, a spray test showed water beading up and rolling off as expected. I also sprayed the pants with water for five minutes, and they continued to repel moisture through multiple simulated showers with minimal saturation. Five minutes is generally ample time to put on rain gear in a heavy downpour.
Furthermore, these pants boast a 50+ UPF rating, blocking all but 1/50th of ultraviolet rays. Notably, 50+ UPF is the highest possible rating for clothing, making these pants a valuable addition for sun protection.
Image: Pockets on Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants, highlighting the number and placement of storage options.
Features
These pants are well-featured. They offer a total of six pockets: two front hand pockets, two back pockets with Velcro closures, and two deep side zip pockets. All pockets are functional and deep enough to accommodate a six-inch cell phone. I found the zippered side pockets particularly useful for securely storing my phone.
The Eddie Bauer Guide Pro pants don’t include an integrated drawstring or belt but do feature belt loops, allowing you to add a belt if desired. I found the belt loops to be well-sized and compatible with my Arcade belt. I’ve encountered issues with Arcade belts fitting through smaller belt loops in the past, but these pants accommodated it perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Wash Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants? Eddie Bauer recommends machine washing cold on a delicate cycle with similar colors. Avoid bleach and fabric softeners. Tumble dry on low and remove promptly. A cool iron can be used if needed.
Are Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants True to Size? Yes, in my experience, they are true to size and maintain their sizing after washing.
Hiking Pant Alternatives to Consider
While the Guide Pro pants excel in versatility and comfort, their slightly looser fit, especially in the lower legs and waist, might not be for everyone. If you prefer a closer fit, Eddie Bauer offers a slim fit version of the Guide Pro pants which provides a slimmer profile from waist to ankle. For hotter conditions, the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants are a lighter and more breathable alternative. For colder weather, the REI Activator 3.0 Pants offer more warmth. If you need pants suitable for both trail and everyday wear, consider the Kuhl Deceptr Pants.
Final Verdict: Should You Purchase Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants?
Overall, the Guide Pro Pants are an excellent value for their price point. Finding them on sale makes them an even more compelling purchase. They deliver versatility, comfort, and mobility – all essential qualities for outdoor adventures. The only potential drawbacks are the slightly loose fit, which is subjective, and the button durability, which might warrant reinforcement to prevent issues on the trail. However, these minor points are outweighed by the overall performance and value offered by the Eddie Bauer Guide Pro pants, making them a highly recommended option for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.
