I'll be the fourth hiker to affirm that pleat style don't make no difference but LENGTH will beat you sensless if you're doing any extended hiking with a hemline below the top of your knee. Been there, done that, it hurts.

I hike in my 16 ounce kilts from time to time but around here the scrub brush is so low to the ground its not a worry.

Bottom line, any pleat you like, but get the length correct or you'll be in repetative pain.

Ron