Seeing as you live in Ak. I would think a quick drying synthetic mountaineering pant would be a good choice combined w/gaiters. I have been using Mammut pants w/ Outdoor Research Croc gaiters for several years now and I think they are great. Modern climbing/outdoor gear has come along way. Light, tough stretchy synthetic fabrics are the way to go and absorb no water and are wind and water resistant while being breathable.
mike r
Did you never hike through devils club with a synthetic. It's much much worse than briars down south.
