Hiking pants haven’t always been stylish. Given the rugged activities and natural elements these trousers are built to endure, technical specs have historically been prioritized over cute patterns and pretty colorways. As such, I’m always on the lookout for “recleisure” pieces that feel more runway than they do REI, so I can feel, and look, my best on my outdoor adventures. Even better if those pieces are multifunctional since I’ve found this helps me to avoid overconsumption and get creative when putting new outfits together with old pieces.
My new favorite hiking companion ticks off all these boxes and more. Seniq’s Trailmix Pants ($148) translate so well from trail to trendy that they have earned a forever home in my closet. Keep reading for my full review and why everyone should have a trail buddy like the Trailmixes.
About Seniq
Seniq was launched in March of 2024 by friends and co-founders, Madison Hilson and Valentina Thompson. Thanks to previous experience at outdoor brands like Backcountry and Outdoor Voices, the duo set out to create trend-forward outdoor apparel that looked good *and* held up in the Great Outdoors. Designed for “technical elegance,” per Seniq’s website, the brand’s core offerings (a backless tank, cropped convertible jacket, hiking shorts, and hiking pants) allow women to take to the trails in an effortlessly chic way.
The Seniq Trailmix Pants: My review
What I love
When I received my Trailmix Pants, I almost couldn’t tell that they were intended for hiking, which I loved. Unlike other baggy cargos and convertible pants that can make me feel beyond dorky, the muted mossy colorway of my new Trailmixes was so gorgeous that I started planning my happy hour outfit for the evening around them. I love how slim and tapered they are to give me a tailored fit, even when sized up from my typical Small to Medium. I also love that they are technically convertible, swapping traditional zip-off legs for ankle cinches that turn the trousers into parachute pants. For the evening, I cinched the ankles and paired them with a floral tie-front top and dainty black flip-flops. Despite the loose fit and low-rise, baggy look, I still felt ultra-feminine in them.
Even though they don’t look like hiking pants, they work just as great on the trail, too. Made from a cooling, lightweight nylon twill, these pants are breathable, moisture-wicking, and abrasion-resistant, which eliminates any fear of chafing. I typically opt for shorts while hiking in the summertime and transitional temps, but I’ve fully converted to the pant-leg life thanks to the UPF 50+ rating that protects against the sun and ample coverage from bugs. And there are so. many. pockets! Zip pockets, snap cargo-style pockets, even a mesh pocket inside of one of the pockets to ensure small items like car keys and Airpods have a designated spot. For shorter hikes and strolls, you can probably skip the pack altogether, there’s that much storage in these things.
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What I don’t love
Although they’re perfect to me, the Seniq Trailmix pants might not be perfect for everyone. After short periods of wear, I noticed that the adjustable belt at the waistband didn’t always stay in place to where I had tightened it. This may have been because I sized up, but I’d recommend staying true to size for the most effective fit while hiking to avoid fidgeting with a loose belt.
The emphasis on breathability that these pants bring to the trails makes them perfect for summer hikes, but I foresee them not being the best option for fall and winter outings due to the lack of insulation. Last, the $148 price tag is quite expensive (albeit comparable to other technical hiking pants found in gear shops).
Final thoughts
If you’re going to splurge on a pair of hiking pants, you might as well opt for a pair that is multifunctional enough to go far beyond outdoor adventures. Seniq’s Trailmix pants took me from the hiking trail to happy hour in a way that made me feel edgy and on-trend in both settings—how many hiking pants can do that?!
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