Sunday, October 19, 2025

Duluth Buying and selling Co. Dry on the Fly Pants Assessment


An indication of the roll-up characteristic on the Duluth pants. -Photograph Credit score: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)

Backside Line

The Duluth Dry on the Fly pants have rapidly develop into considered one of our favourite pairs of ladies’s mountain climbing pants after thorough side-by-side and subject testing. We continually discover ourselves selecting these pants to put on on hikes, backpacking journeys, to the workplace, on canine walks, and for errands round city. 

Our tester even wore them to sheep herding classes with their canine. The primary causes they’re our new go-to are: they’ve essentially the most pockets of any pair of pants we examined, belt loops, and good sturdiness. It’s attainable to suit a pockets, canine waste baggage, cellphone, energy financial institution, and canine leashes in simply the hip pockets alone! 

Not the whole lot in regards to the Dry on the Fly is ideal. The cargo model and thicker cloth imply these pants aren’t fairly as light-weight and comfy to put on as among the joggers in our lineup. They may even should be paired with rain pants for something greater than a drizzle.

In relation to worth, the Dry on the Fly pants really feel moderately priced. As a result of they carried out so effectively in our exams and within the subject, they provide good worth for the value. We would definitely purchase these pants once more, and you’ll most likely discover us carrying them, whether or not out on the path or round city. 

How We Examined

The Dry on the Fly pants are so versatile that we wore them to our desk job, sheep herding classes, the lake, round city, and, in fact, out mountain climbing. Path testing concerned carrying them on a number of fall backpacking journeys in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, totally on well-maintained trails and tundra.

Fast Specs

duluth dry on the fly stock image in green

Duluth Dry on the Fly

Finest Pockets


CleverHiker Ranking:

4.7/5.0


Worth:

$90


Weight:

12 oz.


Inseam:

27.5


Match:

Bootcut


Cloth:

97% nylon, 3% spandex

Professionals

  • Quite a few safe pockets
  • Sturdy
  • Versatile
  • Belt loops
  • Roll-up ankle hems with snaps
  • Stretchy cloth is straightforward to maneuver in
  • Fast-drying

Cons

  • Dries slowly
  • Heavy
  • Not absolutely waterproof
  • Extra restrictive than joggers

A person wearing the Duluth pants and a backpack is walking across a bridge in the woods.
We liked carrying the Duluth pants on backpacking journeys. -Photograph Credit score: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)

Consolation & Mobility

The Duluth Dry on the Fly pants are snug to put on all day on the path and on the town, however they’ve a noticeable draw back in comparison with joggers. These pants match and really feel like cargo pants due to their quite a few pockets and thicker materials. 

Throughout side-by-side testing, we discovered that these options resulted in much less mobility. Whereas carrying these pants, our tester lifted their leg till they felt resistance. We have been then in a position to measure the gap from the bottom to the highest of the knee higher to check mobility to the opposite choices we examined. The Dry on the Fly pants had among the lowest heights measured for each legs. 

That mentioned, for on a regular basis use, we desire carrying the Duluth pants over slacks, denims, or different much less versatile choices. We discover them to be extra snug than most on a regular basis pants. Whereas backpacking within the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, we most well-liked different light-weight, minimalist pants in comparison with the dry-on-the-fly pants. Nevertheless, we don’t give it some thought if we’re day-hiking in these pants. If we hadn’t been testing a number of pants, we possible wouldn’t have observed. 

On the finish of the day, there are definitely extra snug choices. Nevertheless, it could be inaccurate to name the Duluth pants uncomfortable, and we nonetheless assume they make an incredible alternative on account of all the opposite options they bring about to the desk.

A person wearing the Duluth pants is wearing a backpack and standing next to a barb wire fence on a trail. They are surrounded by trees.
Testing the Duluth Dry on the Fly pants within the San Juan mountains. -Photograph Credit score: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)

Sturdiness

Thick nylon and well-constructed seams imply the Duluth Dry on the Fly is a stable alternative for sturdiness. We checked out sturdiness by performing each quantitative and qualitative exams. Our quantitative exams concerned rubbing the material from every pair of pants on tough bark and a pointy stick. We seemed for pulled threads, free seams, and indicators that the material could also be thinning. After placing the Dry on the Fly pants by way of this take a look at, we couldn’t discover any noticeable indicators of damage. 

Qualitative testing concerned carrying these pants on a number of hikes, on native walks, to work, at sheep herding classes, and round the home. When altering between different pants in our lineup and the Duluth pants on a backpacking journey, it was apparent that the fabric is a bit heavy. The general weight of the pants is 12 ounces, which is twice that of a few of our different favs we examined. 

Although this could contribute to a decrease consolation & mobility rating, it additionally implies that they’re extra sturdy. After carrying them everywhere in the entrance and backcountry, we couldn’t discover any considerable indicators of damage. With that in thoughts, they make an incredible alternative for hikers who want a sturdy pair of pants.

Close up of hands stretching the Duluth pants over a sharp stick.
The Duluth pants have a thick cloth. -Photograph Credit score: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)

Breathability

The thicker cloth of the Duluth Dry on the Fly pants ends in an extended drying time, however the rollup hems and mesh pockets enhance breathability. Throughout side-by-side testing, we dipped roughly two inches of the decrease leg into water, then set it out to dry with the opposite pants in our lineup. This allowed us to check drying instances in the identical circumstances. After we carried out this take a look at, the Duluth pants had a really comparable drying time to different heavier materials, traditional-style pants. The thicker materials takes longer to wick away moisture, and the 97% nylon soaks up extra moisture than among the different pants we examined. This resulted in additional water needing to evaporate off the pants, which provides to the dry time.

Out within the subject, the drying time didn’t really feel so lengthy. When the pants acquired moist crossing a creek, they have been principally dry by the point we acquired again to city after a 30-minute drive. The rollup characteristic helps to stop the hems from getting moist in addition to present extra airflow. Mixed with the mesh-lined hip pockets, we didn’t discover these pants to really feel overly scorching when sitting in full solar at excessive altitude or when strolling uphill. Total, they carried out higher than anticipated, although there are some higher selections out there for mountain climbing in scorching climates.

A close up of two hands holding the end of the Duluth pant leg under water in a stream.
We examined how rapidly every pair of pants dries by getting the underside 2-3 inches of every leg moist and timing how lengthy they took to dry. -Photograph Credit score: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)

Options

In relation to options, the Duluth Dry on the Fly pants set a really excessive bar certainly. We counted eight pockets on the Duluth pants, seven of that are massive sufficient to suit a cellphone. That is greater than another pair of pants we examined in our lineup, making these pants extraordinarily versatile. The small pocket has a zipper, which makes it an incredible place to retailer keys or different valuables when out mountain climbing. Envelope-style pockets on the decrease legs and rear are simple to entry, however safe. There’s even a bonus in-built pocket simply the right dimension for a smartphone on the precise leg. 

Our favourite characteristic of those pants must be the hip pockets. They’re among the largest on any pants we’ve examined. We have been in a position to match telephones, keys, poop baggage, wallets, and canine leashes in all of them on the similar time! They really feel very safe, and we by no means had a difficulty with telephones falling out, even when there wasn’t a lot in them. 

Except for pockets, we like having belt loops on these pants as a result of it makes them very safe. No want to fret about them falling down when the pockets are full. It’s one further factor to purchase and placed on, however to us, it’s price it to have a greater match. The roll-up and snap ankles are good for capri-mode. Total, we really feel Duluth has hit the mark on options, and these pants make a unbelievable alternative for many who worth the flexibility these options present.

Close up of two hands holding the rolled up Duluth pants cuff with the snap features shown prominently.
A detailed up of the snap on the roll-up characteristic of the Duluth pants. The surface snap is hidden underneath a chunk of cloth when not in use. -Photograph Credit score: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)

Climate Resistance

The Duluth Dry on the Fly pants are higher in a position to withstand moisture because of the thicker cloth, however are definitely not waterproof. We used a squirt bottle to spray every pair of pants on the thigh, then counted what number of squirts it took to trigger them to moist out. The Duluth pants resisted wetting out for about 4 squirts, which landed it barely above common. They didn’t instantly really feel moist the way in which among the thinner cloth pants did. Nevertheless, 4 squirts usually are not that many within the grand scheme of issues. 

In the true world, this interprets to being sufficient to withstand moisture when brushing up in opposition to a moist department or two. This additionally occurred to be our expertise when carrying the pants on a backpacking journey the day after a rainstorm. That mentioned, we’d advocate pairing the Duluth pants with rain pants if planning to make use of them in extraordinarily moist circumstances.

Close up of a hand using a squirt bottle to spray the thigh of the Duluth pants.
The Dry on the Fly pants don’t resist water for very lengthy. -Photograph Credit score: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)

Ought to You Purchase the Duluth Buying and selling Co. Dry on the Fly Pants?

The Duluth Dry on the Fly pants make an incredible all-around choice for hikers looking for a flexible pair of pants that can be utilized out on the path and round city. They’ve extra of the standard feel and look, however look good sufficient to put on at extra informal jobs.

We liked all of the pockets, each when backpacking and when out with our canine to hold all their issues. That mentioned, these in search of essentially the most snug choice could be higher off with a jogger.

A person wearing the Duluth pants is throwing a stick for a German Shepherd Dog in a mountain meadow.
Taking a fetch break on a backpacking journey whereas carrying the Dry on the Fly pants. -Photograph Credit score: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)

What Different Mountaineering Pants Ought to You Contemplate?

 If the Duluth Dry on the Fly isn’t fairly what you’re in search of, you’ll want to take a look at among the different mountain climbing pants in our greatest mountain climbing pants information.

Kuhl Freeflex Rollup Assessment: The Freeflex pants are one other considered one of our favorites for options, thanks to six purposeful pockets, rollup hems, and belt loops. Not like the Duluth pants, the Freeflex pants additionally embrace a waist tie. We discovered them to be simpler to maneuver in, however not as weather-resistant. 

prAna Halle Straight II Assessment: The Halle pants have the same reduce, cloth, and really feel to the Duluth pants, which makes them an incredible various. Not like the Duluth pants, the Halle pants are barely extra waterproof and simpler to maneuver in. Nevertheless, the Dry on the Fly pants are the higher alternative for pockets and sturdiness. 

Outside Analysis Ferrosi Assessment: The Ferrosi affords an incredible choice for many who need one thing extra waterproof and comfy. Just like the Duluth pants, we loved carrying these pants to the workplace and out on the path, and located ourselves repeatedly selecting these pants for a way snug they’re. That mentioned, they aren’t as sturdy and tablet simply. 

A person wearing the Duluth pants and a backpack is standing on a bridge in the woods looking at the camera.
Testing the Duluth Dry on the Fly pants within the subject. -Photograph Credit score: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)

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