For years, I was convinced that hiking shorts or sports shorts were the best choice for long days on the trail. That changed when I started trekking in the Montane Terra Route Pants. These technical hiking trousers quickly became one of my most trusted pieces of kit for mountain walking, scrambling, trekking and unpredictable UK weather.
The Montane Terra Route Pants are tough, comfortable and impressively versatile. They offer excellent stretch for steep climbs and rough terrain, while the wind, water and abrasion-resistant construction gives far more protection than standard lightweight walking trousers. They are not fully waterproof, but for fast-moving hikes, multi-day treks and changeable mountain conditions, they strike a brilliant balance between comfort, breathability, durability and weather resistance.
In this Montane Terra Route Pants review, I’ll cover the key specs, features, fit, comfort, long-term durability, strengths, weaknesses and whether these hiking trousers are still worth buying now that newer Montane Terra Pants, Terra Lite Pants and Terra XT Pants are available.
Field Note: This guide contains affiliate links. If you purchase gear through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend equipment I have personally mountain-tested and trust.
Montane Terra Route Pants Review: Introduction
I first bought the Montane Terra Pants before my Annapurna Adventure, and since then, they have cemented themselves in my Hiking and Trekking Packing Lists. For me, these are my go-to hiking trousers over the last few years. I chose the Terra Route initially due to the added stretch, durability and suitability for trekking and scrambling over the standard Terra Pants. Montane Terra Lite has since replaced the Terra Routes with a similar design. The thigh pocket is still present, but a zipped rear pocket has been added. The material has changed to a Vector Lite fabric, which is only 280g!
The original Montane Terra Route were not as popular as the standard Terra due to the higher price, but where higher rated for all-around mountain abilities. There was a Women’s version of the Terra Route, which has now been replaced by the Women’s Terra Stretch Pant, offering the same performance style. The main difference to the Montane Terra Pant is the stripped-back style and no full-length zip, but the Route gains a thigh pocket.
Montane Terra Route Pants Key Specs
- Product Type Technical hiking and trekking trousers
- Fabric Granite Stretch nylon double weave
- Weather Protection Wind resistant, water resistant and quick drying
- Weight Approx. 450g
- Best Use Hiking, trekking, scrambling and 3-season mountain use
- Current Alternatives Montane Terra Pants, Terra Lite Pants or Terra XT Pants
Montane Terra Pants Review Overview
Montane’s Terra Route Pants are designed for 3-season all-mountain use, such as hiking, trekking, scrambling or more leisurely activities. Using durable Granite Stretch Fabric with a PFC-free DWR treatment gives water, wind and abrasion resistance with great stretch (it’s in the name)! These combinations provide excellent all-day comfort and freedom of movement for tough terrain. The trousers have multiple ways to keep the waist adjusted with a belt, stud and button.
The Terra Route pants have a zipped lower and a volume adjuster to accommodate larger boots. A versatile softshell trouser is ideal for summer scrambles to shoulder season treks. The Terra Route were offered in regular, long and short lengths in either Black, Oak Green or Slate colours. Montane markets these as ideal for high trekking challenges, I agree with, but I add that they offer such great comfort, they serve everyday activities excellently.
Key Features
- PFC-free DWR Treatment – The popular DWR treatment offers good water resistance for showers
- Microfleece Lined Waistband – Adds to the comfort around the waist and next to the skin, plus adds some warmth. It helps to seal in escaping heat whilst also managing excess moisture.
- Granite Stretch Fabric – A tough and stretchy material is perfect for mountain conditions
- Zipped Fly with Press Snap & Button Closure – A great way to double-secure the waist with the belt
- Zipped Thigh Pocket – On a diagonal, this zip makes up for the lack of a rear pocket
- Zipped Volume Adjustable Lower Legs with a gaiter hook – Helps getting on and off with boots or hiking shoes on. The Gaiter hook is a useful feature for wet weather conditions.
- Removable Webbing Belt – A plastic, robust traditional clip belt that is comfortable around the waist
- Two Mesh Lined Hand Pockets with YKK Zips – High-quality zips with soft meshed pockets to keep hands warm and out of the cold.
- Additional Press Stud Ankle Adjustment – The double stud options around the ankle might be my favourite feature, which offers a tapered and slim look. Most trousers I tried looked baggy, but the trimmed ankle look is great and keeps the material close to the leg.
- Pre-articulated knees – The design and stitch of the fabrics help the freedom of movement
Montane Terra Series Explained: Which Terra Trouser Should You Buy?
The Montane hiking trousers family include the Terra range, which has become one of the best-known hiking trouser families in the UK because it covers everything from lightweight walking trousers to rugged mountain pants. The key difference between the models is how much you prioritise weight, stretch, durability, weather resistance and technical mountain features.
The original Montane Terra Pants remain the classic all-round option. Montane describes them as lightweight, breathable and durable mountain trousers for walking, hiking, climbing and trekking, built with cotton-feel TACTEL® nylon, CORDURA® rip-stop reinforcements and PFC-free DWR for wind and water resistance. [us.montane.com]
Montane Terra Pants — Best All-Round Hiking Trouser
The standard Montane Terra Pants are the safest choice for most hikers. They are designed for walking, hiking, trekking, hill days and general mountain use. They are lighter and more breathable than heavy softshell trousers but tougher than casual walking trousers.
They use TACTEL® nylon for the main body and CORDURA® rip-stop reinforcements on high-wear areas such as the knees, seat and instep, which makes them a strong choice for long-term durability. Choose the Montane Terra Pants if you want:
- A proven 3-season hiking trouser
- Good wind and water resistance
- Better durability than lightweight travel trousers
- Ventilation for warmer climbs
- A regular fit that works for walking, trekking and general mountain use
They are probably the best current choice for readers who want a direct, reliable replacement for classic Terra-style performance without going too light or too heavy.
Montane Terra Lite Pants — Best Lightweight Warm-Weather Option
The Montane Terra Lite Pants are the lighter, more packable version of the Terra family. They are designed for all-day trekking in warmer conditions and use Vector Lite fabric, which is described as lightweight, fast drying and breathable in hot or humid weather. [trailrunnerstore.com]
The Terra Lite Pants weigh around 285g, use a 94% nylon and 6% elastane fabric blend, include two-way stretch, and feature a PFC-free DWR treatment for light water resistance. Choose the Montane Terra Lite Pants if you want:
- The lightest Terra hiking trouser
- Better comfort in hot weather
- Fast-drying fabric for summer trekking
- A more packable pair of trousers for travel
- A technical trouser that still feels airy and flexible
For most summer hikers, backpackers and travellers, the Terra Lite is probably the most comfortable modern alternative to the Terra Route if you loved the mobility and stripped-back feel of the Route version.
Montane Terra XT Pants — Best Rugged Technical Mountain Trouser
The Montane Terra XT Pants are the tougher, more technical option in the range. They are designed for mountaineering, scrambling and rough mountain terrain rather than simple walking paths. John Lewis describes the Terra XT as Montane’s most rugged technical mountain pant, designed for mountaineering, scrambling and everything in between, using Granite and Granite Hydro fabrics.
Outdoor Action also describes the Terra XT as Montane’s most rugged and technical trousers, built with reinforced seat, knee and instep panels, articulated knees, thigh pockets, ventilation and ankle adjustments for hiking, walking, mountaineering and trekking. Choose the Montane Terra XT Pants if you want:
- Maximum durability in the Terra range
- More protection for scrambling and mountaineering
- Reinforced panels for rough rock and heavy use
- Better cold-weather mountain performance
- More technical pockets and boot-focused features
The trade-off is weight and warmth. The Terra XT is more protective but less airy than the Terra Lite or standard Terra Pants. For summer hiking, it may feel overbuilt; for rough mountain days, winter hillwalking and rocky terrain, it makes far more sense.
Montane Terra Stretch Trousers — Best For Mobility And Flexible Movement
The Montane Terra Stretch Trousers are aimed at hikers who want more freedom of movement than a traditional walking trouser. The women’s Terra Stretch version is described as a durable 4-way stretch trouser for hiking and walking.
OpticsPlanet describes the women’s Terra Stretch as a multi-activity mountain trouser using Raptor Flex 4-way stretch fabric with CORDURA rip-stop instep reinforcement, designed for hiking, hill walking and multi-day mountain missions. Choose the Montane Terra Stretch Trousers if you want:
- More stretch and mobility than the standard Terra Pants
- A better option for high steps, scrambling and steep terrain
- A comfortable fit for long days moving fast
- A technical trouser that feels less restrictive
For readers who liked the Terra Route because of its stretch and mountain mobility, the Terra Stretch line is especially relevant. It is arguably the closest option in spirit for hikers who prioritise movement over maximum reinforcement.
Montane Terra Mission Pants — Best For Colder Mountain Days
The Montane Terra Mission Pants sit more towards the colder-weather and mountain-use end of the Terra family. Montane’s own product video describes them as one of its best-selling winter mountain pants, while the video details double-weave Granite Thermal fabric, moisture-wicking performance, insulation properties, reinforced knees, mesh-lined pockets and thigh ventilation. Choose the Montane Terra Mission Pants if you want:
- A warmer mountain trouser
- Better cold-weather comfort than lightweight Terra models
- Extra durability for winter hiking and mountaineering
- A trouser that works for long mountain days in lower temperatures
The Terra Mission is not the best choice for hot summer hiking, but it makes sense for shoulder-season treks, colder UK mountain days and winter walking where a Terra Lite would feel too thin.
Simple Buying Advice For Technical Hiking Trousers
If you want one easy recommendation, use this:
- Best all-rounder: Montane Terra Pants
- Best lightweight summer option: Montane Terra Lite Pants
- Best rugged mountain option: Montane Terra XT Pants
- Best stretch and mobility option: Montane Terra Stretch Trousers
- Best colder-weather option: Montane Terra Mission Pants
For people looking for technical hiking trousers, the main decision is whether you want lightweight breathability or rugged protection. The Terra Lite is better for warm-weather trekking and travel, while the Terra XT is better for scrambling, rough mountain ground and colder conditions. The standard Terra Pants sit in the middle and remain the best choice for most hikers who want one durable trouser for walking, trekking and general mountain use.
Where this jacket earned its keep
I don’t review gear out of a box. Read the full destination guides where the Rab Microlight Alpine provided critical warmth from the high-altitude Himalayas to the Arctic Circle.
Montane Terra Pants: Strengths
- Durability- High abrasion resistance, thanks to the Granite fabric, means these trousers can take a beating. I’ve used these while doing Via Ferrata in the Dolomites with close scraps along the rock faces without any damage. Over the 4 years of owning, the Montanes have barely worn and look good as new!
- Water Resistance & Quick Drying- The DWR is known for beading water off the fabric in showers and light rain. And Montane, using a PFC-free DWR adds to the sustainability credentials. If the rain does get heavier briefly, then the fast drying properties mean even without sunshine, the trousers will dry quickly!
- Comfort & Adjustability- A key selling point is the comfort. I often use these casually as well as trust them for travel between treks or the mountains. They feel great next to the skin, and the additional stretch adds to that cosiness. There is enough stretch to put a base layer on in winter conditions, such as in Iceland or trekking at altitude.
- Breathability – Ventilation is a strong point of the Montane Terra Pant series without needing additional vents. They don’t get too hot or sweaty next to the skin.
- Mobility – The Granite Stretch 2-way weave offers great freedom of movement and stretches with ease when scrambling up mountains. They served great when doing some rock climbing in the Peak District and Via Ferrata in the Dolomites, where flexibility was needed. I didn’t feel any restriction of movement when taking a leap or straddling a gulley.
- Versatile- Designed to be 3-season mountain use, it is perfect for a range of outdoor activities. Also, it can have base layers under for winter weather for added warmth.
- Affordable – A subjective one at almost £100 RRP, but the performance is comparable to more expensive products such as Arcteryx or Fjallraven,
- Lightweight- By being under 500g, these lightweight trousers roll up small to help with packability when trekking. It is lightweight enough for warm weather hiking (under 20°C) and breathes well.
- Wind Resistance and Sun protection – The Granite Stretch fabric helps block the wind and has UFP 40+ sun protection.
Montane Terra Route Pants: Weaknesses
- Not Fully Waterproof – DWR treatment protects effectively against light rain but will soak through for downpours. A fully waterproof over-trouser is advised as an outer layer. The only benefit is that they are very quick to dry.
- Stretch for Climbing – These have great articulation for hiking and scrambling, but for more flexible movements for climbing, the Terra Route Trousers are limited. The Granit Stretch fabric has its limits and does not restrict the legs for fast hiking on steep terrain, so rock climbing or bouldering would be too much.
- Cargo Pockets – There are no rear pockets or cargo-style pockets. This means less storage available. Personally, I don’t use the thigh pocket and don’t like being weighed down, but for some users, this might not offer enough.
- Warmth & Winter Use – These 3-season trousers will struggle for winter hiking or any alpine activities. There is a light fleece lining, but this doesn’t add too much warmth.
Montane Terra Route Pants: Best Use Cases
The Montane Terra Pants Series have earned a reputation. They offer top-notch durability, comfort and mobility with an attractive style. They might not be the lightest or most breathable compared to other brands, but they have longevity on their side. I would choose these for Trekking, thru-hiking, or backpacking thanks to their versatility. The water resistance, quick drying and ventilation mean they are suitable for 3-season mountain users. And finally, thanks to the quality, they give long-term value for these technical hiking trousers. However, as mentioned, they are not suitable for heavy rain, winter use or for climbing.
Competitors Comparison
- Outdoor Research Ferrosi– My latest addition for a lighter hiking trouser with even higher breathability and super lightweight. Very comparable to the Terra Route, but feels less durable.
- Patagonia Quandary – A similar trouser with comfort, ventilation, and multi-functionality priority. They have a similar price tag and better sustainability. They are less focused on technical terrain.
- Arcteryx Gamma – The premium and up-market option are warmer and thicker than the Montane’s. They are more stylish and better suited to climbing with super abrasion resistance and 4-way stretch.
- Fjallraven Kerb – It’s an award-winning pair of trekking trousers with a stretch fabric that has less breathability and is much heavier. But offers more durability and protection with the thicker materials.
Kit Rankings
Final Verdict
The Montane Terra Route Pants are still one of the best hiking trousers I’ve used for trekking, scrambling and long mountain days. They deliver exactly what technical walking trousers should: all-day comfort, excellent mobility, strong abrasion resistance, reliable wind protection and enough water resistance for changeable conditions on the trail.
They are not fully waterproof, so I would still pair them with waterproof overtrousers in sustained rain. However, for most 3-season hiking and trekking, the Terra Route Pants offer a much better balance of breathability, durability and comfort than wearing waterproof trousers all day. After years of use, they have proven why the Montane Terra Pants range has such a strong reputation among hikers.
The only downside is that the Montane Terra Route Pants version is now harder to find. If you are buying new today, the closest options are the classic Montane Terra Pants for all-round hiking, the Montane Terra Lite Pants for lightweight warm-weather trekking, or the Montane Terra XT Pants if you want a tougher mountain trouser for colder, rougher or more technical terrain.
Overall, if you can still find the Montane Terra Route Pants at a good price, they are absolutely worth buying. They are durable, comfortable, versatile and genuinely built for the kind of hiking and trekking where shorts simply do not offer enough protection.
What is your favourite hiking trouser? Drop a comment below and share this review with another hiker or trekker looking for reliable mountain trousers.
FAQs
Are Montane Terra Route Pants still available?
The Montane Terra Route Pants are now difficult to find and appear to have been replaced by newer trousers in Montane’s Terra range. The closest current replacement is the Montane Terra Lite Pants for lightweight hiking and trekking, while the Terra XT Pants are the more rugged mountain option
What replaced the Montane Terra Route Pants?
The closest replacement for the Montane Terra Route Pants is the Montane Terra Lite Pants, which sit in the current Terra collection as a lightweight, fast-drying and packable trekking trouser. For tougher mountain use, the Montane Terra XT Pants are the more durable alternative.
Are Montane Terra Route Pants good for hiking?
Yes, the Montane Terra Route Pants are excellent hiking trousers for 3-season use. They are comfortable, durable, stretchy and protective enough for hiking, trekking, scrambling and long mountain days. Your long-term review also highlights their strong durability, comfort, mobility and weather resistance after years of use.
Are Montane Terra Route Pants waterproof?
No, the Montane Terra Route Pants are not fully waterproof. They use a PFC-free DWR treatment to shed light rain and resist showers, but they will eventually wet through in sustained heavy rain. For proper waterproof protection, pair them with waterproof overtrousers.
Are Montane Terra Route Pants good for scrambling?
Yes, the Montane Terra Route Pants work well for scrambling because they use stretchy, durable fabric with good freedom of movement. However, for more technical climbing or bigger mountaineering days, a more climbing-focused pair of trousers with greater stretch may be better.
