The 6 Best Hiking Shorts for Women
If you are looking for the best hiking pants for hiking in warm weather, hiking shorts are perfect for you! The best hiking shorts are comfortable, stretchy, durable, and moisture-wicking. This guide reviews everything you need to know to find the best hiking shorts, including the best hiking shorts for women and what to consider when looking for the best hiking shorts!
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The Best Hiking Shorts for Women
REI Co-op Swiftland Shorts - 5” Inseam
Pros:
Breathable
Stretchy
Comfortable
Cons:
Lack of variety in colors
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The REI Co-op Swiftland Shorts are some of the best hiking shorts for women and! These hiking shorts are versatile, so you can use them on the trail or while working out or running. They are moisture-wicking, breathable, stretchy, and very comfortable.
The REI Co-op Swiftland Shorts have a 4-way stretch polyester fabric sewn with flat seams, allowing you to move freely on the trail. They also have a built-in liner that helps wick moisture while you are hiking and adds comfort. They are some of the most comfortable hiking shorts I have ever worn! The REI Co-op Swiftland Shorts also have a double elastic waistband that adds extra comfort while on the trail. There are also two hand pockets and one small zippered pocket. The REI Co-op Swiftland Shorts are some of the best hiking shorts for women!
REI Co-op Sahara Bermuda Shorts - 9” Inseam
Pros:
Durable water repellent finish
Breathable
Stretchy
Adjustable waistband
Comfortable
UPF 50
Cons:
Waistband can be hard to find the correct size
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The REI Co-op Sahara Bermuda Shorts are among the best hiking shorts for women because they are lightweight, durable, stretchy, and water-resistant. The 9-inch length is perfect for those who are looking for longer hiking shorts that are still above the knee, and it helps prevent chafing.
The REI Co-op Sahara Bermuda Shorts have breathable nylon that is durable and stretchy, allowing you to move freely on the trail. The nylon also has a durable water repellent (DWR) finish that provides water resistance. The hiking shorts have many pockets, including two hand pockets, two back pockets, and two zippered pockets, allowing you to store essential items. The waistband on the REI Co-op Sahara Bermuda Shorts has an adjustable webbed belt, allowing you to find the perfect fit. On top of all of those features, the hiking shorts have UPF 50+ sun protection. The REI Co-op Sahara Shorts are some of the best hiking shorts for women!
KUHL Freeflex Cargo Shorts - 10” Inseam
Pros:
Stretchy
Comfortable
Breathable
Adjustable waistband
Cons:
Sizing can be hard to find
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The KUHL Freeflex Cargo Shorts are some of the best hiking shorts for women because they are stretchy, comfortable, and durable. The 10-inch length is perfect for those looking for a longer fit in their hiking shorts, and it helps prevent chafing.
The KUHL Freeflex Cargo Shorts are extra soft and stretchy, allowing you to move freely and comfortably on the trail. The KUHL Freeflex Cargo Shorts have an adjustable waistband with an internal drawcord, allowing you to find the perfect fit. These hiking shorts are looser-fitting than the others mentioned, which is great for those who don’t like tight shorts. The KUHL Freeflex Cargo Shorts are among the best hiking shorts!
Patagonia Multi Trails Shorts - 5.5” Inseam
Pros:
Durable water repellent finish
Breathable
Stretchy
Adjustable waistband
Comfortable
Cons:
No pockets
Waistband can run large
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The Patagonia Multi Trails Shorts are among the best hiking shorts for women because they are versatile. Although they are technically running shorts, these lightweight, comfortable, and water-resistant shorts are excellent for hiking, too. The 5.5-inch length is perfect for those looking for shorts that are not too short and not too long.
The Patagonia Multi Trails Shorts have a recycled polyester/spandex blend that is comfortable and breathable, allowing you to move freely and comfortably on the trail. The polyester liner is moisture-wicking and has a HeiQ Fresh durable odor control. The hiking shorts also have a side vent that provides extra mobility and breathability. The Patagonia Multi Trails Shorts have a durable water repellent (DWR) finish that provides water-resistance. The waistband has a drawcord, so you can adjust it as needed for your comfort, and a zipper pocket in the back. The Patagonia Multi Trails Shorts are some of the best hiking shorts!
REI Co-op Trailmade Amphib Shorts - 4” Inseam
Pros:
Moisture-wicking
Durable
Stretchy
Comfortable
Adjustable waistband
Cons:
Not flattering
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The REI Co-op Trailmade Amphib Shorts are some of the best hiking shorts for women because they are durable, stretchy, moisture-wicking, and comfortable. The 4-inch length is perfect for those looking for a shorter fit in their hiking shorts.
The REI Co-op Trailmade Amphib Shorts have a moisture-wicking, stretchy, and durable nylan/spandex blend. The hiking shorts also are mid-rise, which is a comfortable fit for hiking. One of the best features of the hiking shorts is the number of pockets it has. There are two patch back pockets, two hand pockets, and two thigh pockets. The REI Co-op Trailmade Amphib Shorts are among the best hiking shorts for women!
Patagonia Strider Shorts - 3.5” Inseam
Pros:
Durable water repellent finish
Breathable
Stretchy
Adjustable waistband
Comfortable
Cons:
Can run small
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The Patagonia Strider Shorts are among the best hiking shorts for women with a shorter fit. Although they are running shorts, these ultralight, versatile, and moisture-wicking shorts are excellent for hiking, too! The 3.5-inch length is perfect for those looking for a shorter fit in their hiking shorts.
The Patagonia Strider Shorts have a polyester fabric that is stretchy and comfortable and has a durable water repellent (DWR) finish. The polyester crepe liner is moisture-wicking and has Polygiene permanent odor control. The Patagonia Strider Shorts are quick-drying, so you don’t have to worry about sweat or water building up as you hike. They also have a drawcord in the waistband, so you can adjust to your comfort as needed. There is a small pocket on the back that is perfect for holding a phone or key. The Patagonia Strider Shorts are some of the best hiking shorts for women!
Hiking Shorts for Women Features
Material
The material of hiking shorts dictates the durability, breathability, and mobility of the shorts. Below is a list of the common materials of the best hiking shorts for women.
Spandex (also known as Elastane) is stretchy, breathable, and moisture-wicking.
Nylon retains heat well and provides stretch and breathability but is not as breathable as Spandex.
Polyester is very breathable and wicks moisture well but is not as stretchy as Spandex and Nylon.
Breathability and Mobility
Two of the most important things to consider when looking for the best hiking shorts are their breathability and mobility. Hiking shorts should be moisture-wicking, breathable, and stretchy. All of the best hiking shorts for women are stretchy and wick moisture, allowing you to move freely on the trail and not worry about the hiking shorts retaining sweat.
Durability
The best hiking shorts for women will be durable to withstand what the trail may throw at you. The durability of the hiking shorts depends on the construction and material. Durability is essential, especially if you will be hiking in a rocky area or going on a backpacking trip. The most durable shorts are hiking shorts that have a similar material to traditional hiking pants.
Length
The best hiking shorts come in many different lengths, usually between 3 inches and 9 inches. For those who like a shorter-fitting pair of hiking shorts that fit like running shorts, the 3-5 inches will work great for you. For those who want a longer-fitting pair of hiking shorts, the 6-9 inches will work great for you. There are many different lengths and styles for the best hiking shorts for women, so I highly recommend trying different types to figure out what is most comfortable for you!
Waistband
Finding hiking shorts with a comfortable waistband is essential. There are a few different types, including high rise, mid-rise, and adjustable. Most of the best hiking shorts for women are mid-rise, which provide a comfortable fit for hiking because they are not too high or too low. Most hiking shorts that fit like running shorts will have an adjustable waistband with a drawcord. The drawcord allows you to adjust the hiking shorts as needed for your comfort. Some hiking shorts that are similar to traditional hiking pants fit like a regular pair of pants with a button and zipper, while others have an adjustable waistband.
Pockets
Some of the best hiking shorts have pockets, which are great to use to store things you want to access, including your phone or map. Although having pockets on hiking shorts is not critical, and they are a personal preference and a nice feature to have!
If you are looking for the best hiking shorts, this guide is a great place to start! It provides everything you need to know, including the best hiking shorts for women and what to consider when buying them.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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