Baleaf Laureate Hiking Pants Review

Bottom Line

The Baleaf Laureate is one of our favorite women’s hiking pants thanks to their comfortable design, mesh pockets that double as air vents, and surprising durability, all at an extremely affordable price! The Baleaf pants are incredibly versatile at a fraction of the cost of the other pants in our lineup. After using them on day hikes, short river runs, and backpacking trips, we found that they were one of our go-to pairs of pants. We even used them on overgrown trails and were pleased at how well they held up.

That’s not to say they are perfect in every way – the pockets could be better thought out, and they will wet out quickly in poor weather. However, the price is hard to beat, and a respectable performance in our tests and in the field proves that these pants offer a ton of value.

How We Tested

We tested the Baleaf Laureate pants on several different backpacking trips. The first took us to the Juniper Mesa and Apache Creek wilderness areas of Arizona. The second had us hiking in brushier trail conditions in the eastern Superstition Wilderness. We also frequently wore these pants on day hikes and road trips.

Comfort & Mobility

Multiple adjustment points, stretchy material, and a tailored fit are factors that contribute to the Baleaf Laureate’s average comfort ranking. During testing, we measured how high we could lift each leg while wearing these pants. We averaged 22.5 inches from the floor to the top of the knee, which puts the Baleaf pants in the middle of the pack. 

In the field, we found them to be easy to move in, even when climbing over trees and pushing through bushes. The tailored cut feels a bit sporty, and the cinches found at the ankles and waist help with overall fit. We didn’t find them to be the most flattering, but they are cozy and comfortable to sleep in. Overall, there are some pairs of pants that are more comfortable and better looking than the Baleaf, but we still would wear them over other clothing options when given the choice.

Durability

The Baleaf Laureate pants are surprisingly durable: they successfully withstood cat’s claw and barbed wire fences during field testing. We wore them on several backpacking trips in Arizona. The first trip was more tame with a mix of road and trails. On the second trip to the eastern side of the Superstition Mountains, we put the Baleaf pants through the ringer. They withstood hiking through overgrown manzanita bushes and cat’s claw with only two or three pulled threads to show for it.

We were especially impressed with how the Baleaf pants stood up to sharp objects. While trying to follow a faint trail in the Superstitions, we caught a hem on some barbed wire. Despite a bit of pulling, the pants didn’t rip open or develop any holes. There was a second incident with barbed wire fencing on a different trip with the same results. Overall, they performed better than many pants that cost over two times as much, which says a lot about the value they offer.

Breathability

Mesh pockets and a respectable drying time are big advantages of the Baleaf Laureate pants, though we wish that they had a slightly looser fitting design. From a technical aspect, these features help make the Baleaf one of the more breathable models that we tested.

While hiking on a warm day in central Arizona, we realized that empty pockets could essentially be turned into large vents. Both of the hip pockets have a mesh lining, so when they are left open, they let air circulate. The fabric of these pants has an average drying time, which increases the breathability as well. On an afternoon packrafting trip it is no surprise that the Baleaf pants got wet. Fortunately, they were mostly dry after the short 15-minute drive home.

The closer cut of the pants does mean that there is less room for air flow when the pockets are closed. Initially, we had our concerns about the breathability of these pants. However, we had the opportunity to test these pants on a hot afternoon in the Superstitions, and we never felt sweaty, even on steep climbs. 

Features

We love the waist tie and ankle cinches found on the Baleaf Laureate pants, but wish that the pockets had better usability. As part of our side-by-side comparison process, we counted the number of pockets each pair of pants in our lineup has. We also checked to make sure that a smartphone fits inside each pocket without pulling out. When looking at the Baleaf pants, we found that there are four pockets. The number of pockets is about average for a pair of women’s hiking pants. We like that all of the pockets have zippers to better secure electronics and other items, such as snacks.

Another pro was that the zippers are easy to open and close. The downside is that all of the pockets could be larger, and the addition of another leg pocket would be helpful for right-handed users. Trying to place a phone in the left leg pocket was difficult at best during testing. The hip-level pockets were a bit too narrow to be comfortable with a phone inside. While we hiked for multiple days with a phone in that pocket, it impeded movement a bit.

A big win for the Baleaf pants is the easy-to-use waist tie and ankle cinches. Between the elastic waistband and drawstring, we didn’t experience any problems with these pants falling down while hiking. The ankle cinches have small plastic spring cord locks, which are helpful for keeping the legs up when crossing streams. 

Weather Resistance

Our least favorite feature of the Baleaf Laureate is the lack of weather resistance. We spritzed the pants with water from a spray bottle, and it only took two squirts for them to wet out completely. This performance ranked towards the bottom of our lineup of women’s hiking pants and is not ideal for hiking in wet conditions. 

The testing conditions in the field were predominantly dry, desert, which meant that we did not get rained on while using them. They were well suited to that type of environment due to their breathability and durability. However, when we went rafting in them and dunked them for the breathability test, we confirmed that they do become wet rather quickly. 

For buyers, that means that these pants are a good choice for dry conditions or those in which they will be paired with rain pants. They even work well with rain gear due to the higher hem on the pants legs and the ankle cinch. Those looking for pants that can repel water, such as a hardshell, would do well to keep looking for something else.

Should You Buy the Baleaf Laureate Hiking Pants?

After using these pants on multiple backpacking trips, we discovered that they actually make a fantastic choice for the average outdoor enthusiast who wants a versatile pair of pants. They do great in warm, brushy conditions and can be used for various activities like rafting or road trips. The one situation we would not recommend them for is use in misty or wet conditions unless they are paired with rain pants. 

What Other Hiking Pants Should You Consider?

Still not sure these are the right pants for you? Check out some other women’s hiking pants that we tested below.

REI Trailmade Review: Another budget buy option, the Trailmade pants have more of a traditional hiking look and better pockets. They also trade a faster drying time for lowered durability. Overall, though, both pants ended up with similar rankings after testing.

KUHL Freeflex Roll-Up Review: We really love the Freeflex pants for their versatility, though they do cost a bit more than the Baleaf pants. The Freelex makes a great choice for those who value many buttoned pockets and incredible durability.

Athleta Trekkie Jogger Review: If comfort is a primary concern, then be sure to check out the Athleta Trekkie pants. They are incredibly easy to move in with a loose-fitting design. That said, they take a very long time to dry and have a similar pocket situation to the Baleaf pants.