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Lightweight and breathable fishing pants go a long way when fishing in the tropics. They keep the sun off your legs, protect you from brush, and have ample storage for essential gear. Columbia’s PFG Pro Guide Pants are the most feature-rich pants the brand offers, designed with flats fishing in mind. On our trip to Belize, these were a staple in our wardrobe. Follow along as we break down the features that made this pair of pants a crew favorite.
Columbia PFG Pro Guide Pants
Materials
100% Nylon
MSRP
$130
UPF Rating
50
Sizes
28 to 44 (men's)
Pros
- Great pocket layout
- Lightweight and moisture wicking
- Drawstring keeps pants secure without a belt
Cons
- One of the more expensive pieces of gear we used
The PFG Pro Guide Pants from Columbia are designed to be the brand’s most technical pair of fishing pants. This means they’re packed with features tailored to saltwater anglers. These 100% nylon fishing pants feature Omni-Shade, Omni-Freeze, and Omni-Shield technologies. In addition, a number of hidden features like built-in reflectors, a drawcord, ample storage pockets, and synchable ankle cuffs are designed with every fishing scenario in mind. The Pro Guide Pants retail for $130 and are available in a variety of sizes.
How We Tested
We tested these pants throughout our trip to Belize. Starting with sightfishing off a panga and ending with shallow-water wet wading, we truly put these pants through everything. The dense mangroves and sharp coral edges were the perfect testing grounds to see just how these pants held up to the harshest conditions.
On The Water Results
The biggest issue many have with technical fishing pants is their lack of breathability. While pants give you more coverage, many opt for a pair of shorts for their added ventilation. However, Columbia’s full nylon fabric paired with Omni-Freeze technology makes this a breathable garment that is comfortable even in the tropics. On multiple long days of wet-wading and standing on the bow of a boat, we had no issues staying cool and comfortable—something we can’t say about other pants.
One of our favorite features of the Pro Guide Pants was the Omni-Shield technology. Essentially, this aids in repelling water and stains. This means errant boat spray rolls off the pants and stains from wet wading, like mud, wash out easily. When you’re investing in a premium pair of pants, knowing that they’ll stay looking like new is a nice touch.
Like most of Columbia’s PFG line, the Pro Guide Pants have a UPF 50 rating. When wet wading on the flats, this means your calves stay protected, even on the hottest days. This solves the issue of sunscreen washing off when wet wading with shorts.
Rounding out these pants are a number of truly technical features anglers will be happy to have. The pants come with both belt loops and a drawstring to keep them secured to your waist. They also feature micro reflectors, so others can see you, especially near dawn or dusk. The last feature worth noting is synchable ankle strings. This allows you to hike up the pants and secure them in place, which is especially important when wet wading.
Our Final Say
Columbia’s PFG Pro Guide Pants are designed with technical fishing in mind. The lightweight and breathable feel paired with countless angling features make these pants right at home when flats fishing the tropics. Throughout all of Coast 2 Coast, these pants were a staple of our outwear, protecting us against the elements and keeping us comfortable while doing so.