Embark On Breathtaking Hiking Trails With the Best Women’s Hiking Shorts

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Are you an adventurer who just loves to explore new trails and paths, or even someone who is considering going on a hiking trip on your next holiday? When planning to embark on your favorite trail, nothing can come close to the comfort and breathability that hiking shorts provide. They offer a solid dose of functionality, versatility, and flair to keep you cool, breezy, and chic.

With so many options, it's hard to choose the right hiking shorts based on your needs and wants. Therefore, to help you make this decision with ease, you can check this list of the top women's hiking shorts of 2024. These shorts are ranked based on factors such as durability, moisture-wicking ability, functional storage, and similar features that need consideration. Let’s dive in!

Our Favorite Women's Hiking Short of 2024

Willit Yoga Lounge Shorts  —  Best Overall

Get trail-ready with our favorite yoga lounge shorts from Willit, featuring stretchable, ultra-soft, and lightweight fabric for a comfortable hike each time. These shorts are the epitome of durability and performance, featuring quick-drying fabric for a smooth cool feel you'd love to experience in the summers. The 2.5-inch side pockets in these shorts are great for safely storing small essentials like cash, cards, and keys.

Their wide waistband will make sliding them on feel like a breeze, and the adjustable drawstring will give you the ‌hold you require. These shorts are made from 80% nylon that wicks away any moisture and comes in a variety of colors to choose from. These hiking shorts are the best overall for their amazing breathability and moisture-wicking properties.

Pros

  • Light, breathable and soft fabric
  • Flatlock stitching for chafe-free wear
  • Adequate storage space

Cons

  • Slightly short length

Santiny Hiking Cargo Shorts  —  Most Quick-Drying

The Santiny Hiking Cargo Shorts are the perfect true-to-size hiking shorts catering to various colors and size needs. The lightweight, 8-inch inseam Bermuda shorts provide adequate coverage. They allow safe traveling with one’s favorite essentials thanks to their two zipper side pockets and two further zipper cargo pockets. These weather-friendly hiking shorts protect you from UV rays for a skin-friendly hiking experience.

The hiking shorts encompass 94% polyester: a quick-drying, water-resistant fabric ideal for summers. It also has moisture repelling features to provide a fresh feel all day long. When fully wet, these shorts may take time to dry. Still, people prefer these shorts for the custom fit the adjustable drawstrings offer and the 360-degree elastic waist that prevents any pressure marks on the body.

Pros

  • Zippered pockets keep valuables safe
  • Stretch woven fabric for comfort
  • 50+ UV protection factor

Cons

  • Polyester fabric is less breathable

Baleaf 5-inch Athletic Shorts  —  Best Functionality

Another lightweight hiking shorts providing just the right fusion of functionality is the Baleaf Athletic Shorts. This nylon-spandex fabric blend helps to keep away moisture and stay dry even on the most extreme hiking adventures. It also comes with a four-way stretch fabric, so you don't hold back while performing your favorite activities.

Having two zipped side pockets and two zippered back pockets provides various storage options for keeping essentials. Its elastic waistband with drawstring is not merely for a comfortable hold but also provides a customized fit depending on your waist size and activity. They are also weather-friendly shorts that give the owner a breezy feel, ventilation, and UV ray protection against extreme heat and weather.

Pros

  • Quick-drying, 90% nylon fabric
  • Adjustable, elastic drawstring
  • Large capacity zipper pockets

Cons

  • Slightly see-through fabric

Little Donkey Andy Shorts  —  Most Versatile

The Little Donkey Andy Shorts hit all the right notes with versatility, durability, and functionality. Perfect for various activities such as cycling, hiking, workout, and even fishing, you can feel relaxed and protected in these breathable and light shorts like nothing else. These hiking shorts are made with nylon and contain a moisture-wicking tendency at an advanced level for keeping you dry on the go.

Their four-way stretch is an added benefit these shorts provide, enduring enhanced movements. The flatlock stitching feature provides a chafe-free experience. These shorts also come with two front pockets for bagging essentials and two laser-cutting zippered side pockets for securing valuables on the trail.

Pros

  • Advanced moisture wicking
  • Seamless laser cutting zippered pockets
  • Breathable fabric for easy ventilation

Cons

  • No UV protection

BMJL Running Shorts  —  Top Stylish

Wearing the BMJL Running Shorts will turn countless heads towards you with their stylish elastic high waist. These shorts do not merely look good but also provide durability and comfort owing to their smooth, soft and breathable fabric. Featuring an open tulip cut bottom calls for a more noticeable booty area fitting and makes for ample legroom. Multiple sizes and color options cater to all sizes.

These shorts come with one side zipper pocket and have enough room to store your smartphone up to 6.5 inches. The fabric is high quality, featuring a mix of polyester and spandex. It also boasts a 30% lighter fabric quality than standard fabric, which means the material is durable, super soft, ultra stretchable, and doesn't roll up.

Pros

  • Durable and anti-wrinkle
  • Doesn't roll up during vigorous activity
  • Multiple sizes and colors to choose from

Cons

  • Doesn't have a drawstring

Buying Guide: Women's Hiking Shorts

Anyone planning to go on a hiking trip must invest in a pair of hiking shorts that provide them with all the features that will make their adventures comfortable and fun. This buying guide is for all the action lovers out there to make shopping for your hiking shorts easy as a breeze.

What Is the Most Suitable Material for Hiking Shorts?

A pair of hiking shorts can determine the extent to which one feels comfortable in their trail journey. Most hiking shorts are made of either nylon or polyester. These materials offer several benefits that make them an excellent choice for these types of clothing, such as being lightweight, breathable, durable, and also possessing moisture-wicking tendencies. Besides this, many hiking shorts add a percentage of spandex material for improved stretchability, freedom of movement, and a sense of style.

Factors To Consider When Buying Hiking Shorts

Durability

The most promising hiking shorts can handle brutal abuse and last you years. Durable designs are ‌thicker and protect from abrasions during your trail journey. Nylon and polyester provide you with this durability and are our top picks in this category.

Storage options

Functional storage is a prime aspect when deciding upon any pair of hiking shorts. Keys, smartphones, and a wallet are some essential items to keep in your pockets. Pockets with zippers are more secure and, therefore, more preferable. Since smartphones are a necessary item when traveling, make sure you choose hiking shorts that can safely store one for you.

Length

Choosing hiking shorts that are the right length according to your height is also essential. Typically measured by inseam, this is the measurement from the seam to the hem of the hiking shorts. Shorts that are longer ‌are better for protection against the sun and prevent your legs from getting scratched on a hiking trail. If you are looking for greater ventilation and breathability for the summer days, ‌choose to buy shorts that are shorter. It all comes down to a matter of ‌preference.

Fitting and size

A pressing concern for many hikers is fitting and size when buying a pair of hiking shorts, especially when shopping online. To curb this issue, hiking shorts manufacturers are increasingly using advanced technology, stretchable fabrics, and similar features that accommodate people of various sizes and needs. Elastic waistbands, drawstrings, and gussets are some features that offer better flexibility and motion. Check the sizing chart on the brand’s website and select the one that is most suited to you.

Quick-drying features

Scorching weather and hiking trails imply increased perspiration and dampening. Better yet, a trail might offer a tempting lake or stream that seems too good to pass without taking a dip. For these reasons, hiking shorts must be made from a material that has quick-drying tendencies. Cotton material is the worst in drying, while nylon bags as the quick-drying fabric.

UV rating to protect from the sun’s rays

You know how damaging ultraviolet rays can be to cause skin cancer. Because of this reason, hiking shorts must have a good UV rating to protect our skin from UV rays. The best weather-friendly hiking shorts have a UV rating of 50+, while 20 is also considered a good rating.