pants vs capris in Dolomites in late June

If you are going to be hiking then long pants would be a better option than capris, for protecting your legs on trails. My hiking pants are lightweight and quick dry and would be just as comfortable heat-wise as capris, and at least one pair looks a bit like slacks so they'd work for a conference situation too. Unfortunately there is no way to predict the weather until a few days out, so you may need to have options and make last minute choices.

I was uncomfortably chilly up on the Alpe di Siusi last summer in my Eddie Bauer nylon slacks. It was rather windy, and I very much regretted not having worn my merino-wool under layer. I am cold-natured, but I wouldn't recommend capris.

Thanks for feedback. I had expected to wear pants to Alpe di Suisi as I know it is at high elevation. I just wasn’t sure about other places. I hardly wear pants in Florida so I am sure that is part of my issue. But will go shopping for another pair of pants!!

I do have a merino wool shirt, cashmere sweater, a vest, buff (which I tried out in Chicago and love) and light weight gloves. And a rain coat. So hopefully will be ok on Alpe di Suisi.

Since you're going shopping anyway..... There are a lot of pants out there that can be converted from full-length to capris. You could have the best of both worlds in one pair of pants. Here's some examples:

https://www.rei.com/product/228736/kuhl-trekr-pants-womens

https://www.rei.com/product/228735/kuhl-freeflex-roll-up-pants-womens

https://www.duluthtrading.com/s/DTC/womens-dry-on-the-fly-slim-leg-pants-46703.html?color=INK

Adding another... I have 2 pairs of these; I love them! https://www.titlenine.com/p/hiking-pants-women-clamber-recycled/230994.html

You will be fine with the two pair of pants you mentioned. When we were there in late June 2019 it was hotter than hades and shorts were the order of the day for our hikes.

My regular mountain hiking travel kit for that time of year is a a pair of lightweight hiking shorts for daily use that can be washed at night as need be. I then add a pair of Lululemon lightweight trainer hiking pants (license to train is the model) that can over the shorts if need be or worn separate if there is a colder day. I used to bring full water resistant rain pants, but have never needed them in 30 years of hiking and backpacking all over the world (granted, I avoid rainforests in monsoon season). Honestly, if it is raining that much why the heck would you want to be out at altitude????

For dressier evening wear, a nice pair of regular pants that you would wear to the seminar should be fine.

DebVT Thanks for the recommendations! I think I will start by visiting REI. There is one about 45 minutes from me but I have only gone once (to buy hiking boots). I have a dress from Title Nine that I love but of course it doesn't fit the way pants do.

jasonindenver- thanks for the input and recommendation of another brand. I don't go looking for rain but have learned from sorry experience that cotton is not the way to go. Went hiking on Mt. Etna and it poured. My cotton ankle pants were soaked and I was miserable!

Hi, Beth. You can search on REI’s website to see what is in stock for a particular store. You might want to check first before driving all that way, just in case they don’t have what you’re looking for.

There are other brands besides the Kuhl ones (tho I love Kuhl pants). I think PraNa might have a roll-up on one, maybe an REI store brand too. Just do a dive into their hiking pants online.

You can also order from their website, deliver to your home, and return in the store if they don’t work for you.

Good luck!!

Here is a vote for always traveling with a pair of silk long john pants -- they take up no weight or space but can make all the difference under slacks when it is unexpectedly chilly and they don't overheat.

Would you have room in your suitcase for a casual short-sleeved summer dress for the conference in Athens? And you could also wear it while sightseeing in Athens. We were in Athens in late May in 2022, and it was very, very hot. In the 90's.

What the other Janet said, but for me it's Cuddl duds long pants.

I too agree about getting a summer dress for Athens. It tends to be really hot in Athens in summer. Last year, and the year before, we transited through Athens before and after our island stays and it was 38c when we landed on June 6. The temperature didn’t waver much from that during that entire June.

DebVT-I think I will just go to REI and see what they have. I like being able to try things on--I am smaller proportionately through my hips than waist so sometimes a bit of a challenge. I look best in pants that have some give at waist so fit my hips.

kmkwoo & jonrossjan-I have a travel summer dress I hope to take. I have been in Athens once before and it was beastly. And it was early June and not July.

janettravels44 & janet- You both may right but I am going to take my chances and use my space for a dress I have taken to Europe several times. The Athleta pants I already own were reviewed in a list of top hiking pants with the con of being too warm for summer. So hoping will be enough for any chilly weather we face.