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When the temperature rises and humidity levels peak, nothing beats pulling on a pair of breathable and lightweight hiking shorts for comfort on the trail. Yet, as many women already know, historically, women’s hiking shorts have not always had the same high-performance features and functionality as men’s hiking shorts. While a colorful print or flattering silhouette is a good start, there are many more technical details that need to be added and boxes that need to be checked in order to make the cut.
A well-designed pair of women’s hiking shorts should provide plenty of flexibility, rugged durability, long-lasting comfort that won’t quit before you do, and pockets—lots and lots of pockets. With a keen eye for detail and high expectations for performance, we scoured the market to find the best women’s hiking shorts, by testing a wide range of high-tech materials, different fits, and styles to ensure they offer the freedom and function needed to log miles on the trail with ease.
So let those stems breathe and soak up the sun! These are the best women’s hiking shorts for warm weather strolls or sunny alpine adventures.
Field Mag's Top Picks:
- Best Lightweight: Mountain Hardwear Trailsender Short
- Most Comfortable: Kari Traa Ane Short
- Best for Trail to Town: Hikerkind Shorts 01
- Most Versatile: Patagonia Baggies
- Most Sustainable: Prana Halle E-Waist Shorts
- Most Comfortable: Bearded Goat Summit Shorts
- Best for Style & Function: Wondery Isabel Outdoor Shorts
- Best Hiking Short Tights: Fjallraven Abisko Short Tights
- Most Durable: Amundsen 5incher Field Shorts
- Most Flattering: Astrid Wild Ester Outdoor Shorts
- Best Waterproof Shorts: Topo Designs River Shorts
- Most Tech Features: Lululemon WovenAir Hiking Shorts
- Best High-Performance Shorts: Outdoor Research Ferrosi Shorts
- Best Coverage: Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Shorts
- Best Hiking Skort: Houdini Skort
The 15 Best Hiking Shorts for Women
Best Lightweight Women's Hiking Shorts: Mountain Hardwear Trailsender Short
To say these hiking shorts are lightweight is an understatement. The Trailsenders truly feel light as air, thanks to an ultralight ripstop material that is surprisingly soft and comfortable. A high waist with a stretchy elastane band fits and flatters many different body types, while the roomy pockets can hold more than meets the eye. Plus, the zippered pocket on wearer’s right is ideal for stowing valuable essentials like keys (and snacks!) during a day hike.
Size range: XS - XL
Price: $75 $39
Most Comfortable: Kari Traa Ane Hiking Short
A playful combination of color and patchwork-style patterns with the right tech for lasting comfort on the trail, the Ane Shorts channel the work hard, play hard spirit of Norwegian women’s activewear brand, Kari Traa. Lightweight and quick-drying fabric stays dry when things heat up, and an integrated belt in the elastic waist keeps everything in place even when you’ve reached peak intensity.
Size range: XS - XL
Price: $65
Best for Trail to Town: Hikerkind Shorts 01
One of the essential pieces in the New York-based outdoor brand’s hiking style systems, the Shorts 01 are ultra-soft and ultra-stretchy for long-lasting comfort that goes beyond the trail. Along with an elasticized waist to eliminate the pesky waist gap, a standout feature are the wide leg-openings that fit and flatter women of all sizes—not to mention, front pockets large enough to fit a smartphone, wallet, or trail map.
Size range: XS - 3XL
Price: $135
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Most Versatile: Patagonia Baggies
The always versatile Patagonia Baggie Shorts are a staple in any hiker’s closet. They’re made from durable, quick-drying 100% recycled nylon fabric that can tackle a sandy river crossing or a rocky scramble with ease. Roomy but not bulky, use the drawcord to customize the fit for all-day comfort. Available in two different inseam lengths and a wide range of colors and sizes.
Size range: XXS - XXL
Price: $59
Most Sustainable: Prana Halle E-Waist Shorts
Prana effortlessly blends together sustainability and performance in one good-looking, do-it-all hiking short. Built with stretch, durability, and sun protection, the Halle E-Waist Shorts have a PFAS-free Durable Water Repellent to keep moisture away without the use of toxic chemicals. It has a comfortable pull-on style, multiple pockets—including a zippered back pocket—and an extended range of sizes.
Size range: 0 - 14
Price: $75
Most Comfortable: Bearded Goat Summit Shorts
These best selling hiking shorts have a cult following for good reason. Not only are they uber-comfy and lightweight, but they have a flattering mid-rise that feels good and stays put when you’re on the move. Breathable and water-resistant, the ripstop material means they won’t snag or tear whether you’re bushwhacking or just sitting on a natural surface.
Size range: XS - XL
Price: $78
Best for Style & Function: Wondery Isabel Hiking Shorts
Made by women for women, Wondery puts a utilitarian twist on a classic pair of trail shorts inspired by their much-loved hiking pants, the Isabel 2.0 Outdoor Pants. A blend of cotton and spandex provides the freedom to move while abrasion-resistant fabric toughens them up for the trail. A cinched high-waist and built-in adjustable belt allows you to tailor the look and fit, with a flattering silhouette that looks just as good indoors and out.
Size range: XS - 3XL
Price: $58
Best Hiking Short Tights: Fjallraven Abisko Short Tights
When you want a fitted and stretchy pair of shorts for the trail that won’t catch and tear (or worse, slowly become transparent), Fjallraven’s Abisko Short Tights deliver. Made to look and feel like bike shorts, these double-knitted hiking shorts have a super high-rise waist and plenty of durability to keep you going for miles. Recycled polyester and PFC-free moisture-wicking properties add a great element of sustainability that’s employed in much of their hiking gear, including their clever Dungaree Shorts which are made from leftover fabric.
Size range: XS - XL
Price: $90 $63
Most Durable: Amundsen 5incher Field Shorts
Rugged stretch Cordura paired with waxed cotton canvas reinforcements in high-abrasion areas make these utilitarian-inspired trail shorts the perfect companion to every friluftsliv adventure. Aptly called “field shorts”, they take style cues from classic workwear for extra strength where it counts. The waxed cotton canvas side pockets will patina over time according to how and where you use them for good-looking, functional shorts that tell a story.
Size range: XS - XL
Price: $169
Most Flattering: Astrid Wild Ester Outdoor Shorts
Few pairs of women’s hiking shorts can truly fit and flatter a wide array of body types without sacrificing functionality, but Astrid Wild’s Ester Outdoor Shorts nail it. Not only do they include petite and plus sizes, they are specifically designed with a stretchy waist to accommodate the “ever-changing female body” (amen!), knowing that it’s essential to adventure comfortably in all stages of life, no matter your physical shape or ability. Despite the emphasis on comfort, they are feature-rich and made to perform just as well as the best of ‘em thanks to a breathable and durable fabric in two nature-inspired colors.
Size range: 30 - 56 waist
Price: $159
Best Waterproof Shorts: Topo Designs River Shorts
Topo Design’s water-repellent, quick-drying River Shorts are ideal for watery adventures, yet packed with performance features that make them well-suited to a multi-day backpacking endeavor or casual day hike. Two-way stretch offers great range of motion with an integrated belt to keep them in place as you move. There’s no denying these versatile, athletic shorts simply look good whether you’re in the backcountry or at the bar.
Size range: S - XL
Price: $79 $48
Most Tech: Lululemon WovenAir High Rise Hiking Shorts
Fully-loaded and ready for anything, these lightweight trail shorts are kitted out with roomy cargo shorts pockets, zip pockets to hold valuables, an oversized belt loop to clip on keys, and a drawstring to ensure they stay put. The ultra high-rise fit has an elastic waistband (no digging in!) that’s balanced out with a 4” inch inseam and four-way stretch for total ease of movement.
Size range: 0 - 14
Price: $98
Best High-Performance Shorts: Outdoor Research Ferrosi Shorts
Designed with versatility in mind, yet still the perfect peak bagging apparel, these lightweight shorts are built with nearly every feature imaginable. From water, wind, and abrasion resistance to quick-dry performance, and even UPF 50+ sun protection, you’ll stay comfortable and covered on high alpine adventures or warm weather walks.
Size range: XS - XXL
Price: $79
Best Coverage: Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Shorts
For hikers who want length, but not Bermuda shorts-length, the Guide Pro Shorts offer plenty of coverage along with weather resistant tech to fend off water and harmful UV rays. Two-way stretch fabric allows you to hop, bound, and traverse trails with ease, while the secure zip cargo pockets safely stow your valuables.
Size range: 0 - 16
Price: $70
Best Hiking Skort:Houdini Skort
Who says you can’t send it in a skort, skirt, or dress? Houdini’s two-in-one, skirt and short hybrid is made for every active, outdoor pursuit from trail running to bouldering, and of course, hiking, with the functionality you need to crush it while looking ca-ute. A stretchy and quick-drying pair of shorts provide coverage underneath while the ultra-soft and ultra-lightweight skirt adds an element of style that won’t hold you back.
Size range: XXS - XL
Price: $110
What is the difference between hiking shorts and a regular pair of shorts?
Hiking shorts are designed with high-performance fabric and materials like ripstop nylon or merino wool that have technical features made to function better than an everyday pair of shorts in the outdoors.
What are the benefits of hiking shorts?
The main benefit of hiking shorts is to be provide lasting comfort and performance during outdoor activities like hiking and backpacking. As previously mentioned, they are designed for performance. This means, features such as four-way or two-way stretch fabric provide great range of motion and quick-drying or moisture-wicking properties will keep you cool and dry when you work up a sweat. Some other common attributes include ripstop nylon or abrasion resistance for durability, and a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish that makes them water-resistant.
Published 08-03-2023
