So far the Kuhl Liberator or North Face Paramount are the front runners. Anyone have any experience with either of these? I have always stayed away due to the "cool" factor of the convertible pants. Call me shallow.
Don't have any experience with any of those, but one of my favorites that I own is the Lundhags Traverse. One of the most comfortable pants I have ever tried. http://www.lundhags.se/pants/#showProduct-2?id=16790
Vertx or Craghopper Craghopper reviewed: http://practicaltravelgear.com/craghoppers-travel-cargo-pants-have-it-all/ Vertx reviewed: http://www.militarymorons.com/gear/rpants.3.html#vertx3
Okay, I may be biased but I love the Boy Scout Switchbacks. They fit well and have cargo pockets on both sides. They also stand up to the beating that my boys and I give them out in the woods. I don't like much about the uniform as a whole, but the Switchbacks I love! Of course the fact my lovely wife works at the store and gets a discount may have a little to do with it.
Another vote for Vertx. I really like their lighter weight Phantom LT pants. If you have the cash, how about a pair of TAD Gear Amphibious Cargo Pants?
I really like Kuhl Renegades I have three pairs that i rotate through, i wear them almost every day. They are light, cool, and shed water pretty well (i believe that normal washing poweder/liquid will wreck the DWR coating pretty quickly though They dry quickly, and are ok when the weather gets a bit cooler. I have been on work trips at short notice where i have had to wash them in the shower and hang them up to dry overnight, and each time they were dry, or just a little damp around the ankles and waist (which drys very quickly with some body heat next to it)
I like work pants for hiking. I have some nylon cargos from Ironclad that are pretty decent, and harder wearing than ultralight stuff. I hear Santa just ordered Filson Whipcords, which may replace them in that duty. For summer, I have found good cotton like jeans or firehose pants to be good, despite cotton haters.