The Best Hiking Pants for Women, According to Customer Reviews

While shorts may seem logical for summer hikes or warm-climate treks, you might actually want to reach for a pair of hiking pants instead. Hiking pants can defend your legs against the sun, weather, and even natural hazards on the trail — think getting scratched by bushes or bitten by bugs. And thanks to fabric technology and other neat features, you won't feel constricted or overheated.

When shopping for the best hiking pants for women, you should consider options made of stretchy materials that are highly breathable, quick-drying, and water-resistant, since you might be walking through streams or could get caught in an unexpected rain shower. They should also be lightweight, durable and rip-resistant, and shed dirt easily — especially if you plan to wear them on multi-day outings. Keep an eye out for features such as built-in UPF sun protection, inner snaps at the knees to convert them from full-length trousers to capris, and drawcords at the ankles to customize the fit and keep ticks and other critters out.

The great news is that the best hiking pants for women combine function, comfort, durability, and style, making them versatile bottoms you can wear on the trail, to lunch, while traveling, or running errands. Below, shop the best hiking pants for women, according to customer reviews.

The Best Hiking Pants for Women You Can Buy Online:

Best Overall: Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants
Most Versatile: Vuori Ripstop Pant
Best Water-Resistant Pair: Athleta Headlands Hybrid Cargo Tight
Best Convertible Pair: Columbia Saturday Trail Pant Pants
Most Comfortable: Cotopaxi Baja Pant
Best for Traveling: Prana Halle Straight
Best Value: Baleaf Hiking Cargo Pants
Best Cropped Pair: Mountain Hardwear Dynama 2 Ankle Pant
Most Flattering: The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 Pant

Best Overall: Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants

BUY IT, $18

What You'll Love: With 92 percent of reviewers giving these pants four or five stars on Amazon, these are some of the best lightweight hiking pants with women's sizing. The lightweight bottoms are made with two-way stretch fabric and a durable water-repellent finish to move with you while offering protection from light rain or splashes from streams. Plus, they also feature built-in UPF sun protection, have cargo pockets to stash your essentials, and can easily pack down into a backpack for multi-day trips.

Customers Say: "These hiking pants were the best purchase I made for my 2 week Belize adventure," wrote one reviewer. "I was worried about the fit because I have a big booty with a smaller waist, but, the stretchy material had no problem fitting over my hips."

Most Versatile: Vuori Ripstop Pant

BUY IT, $18

What You'll Love: Rock these versatile pants hiking and literally everywhere else. They have two-way stretch so you can scramble freely over rocks and an abrasion-resistant fabric that ensures they won't rip or tear as you slide over fallen trees or pass by thorny bushes. The five-pocket design gives you lots of storage space and the modern, slim fit with the relaxed leg is flattering and comfortable. Choose from five earthy colorways, including army green, charcoal, and copper.

Customers Say: "I did a 10-mile hike and these pants worked out perfectly," noted a shopper. "At one point we had to cross a small river and some water splashed and wet the bottom, and though these aren't 100 percent waterproof they dried very quickly."

Best Water-Resistant Pair: Athleta Headlands Hybrid Cargo Tight

Headlands-Hybrid-Cargo-II-Tight — Courtesy of Athleta.

BUY IT, $18

What You'll Love: These high-performance hiking pants are also made with recycled fabric, so you can feel good about your purchase. The stretchy fabric won't hinder your movements, since it's designed to withstand nicks and tears, packable to save space, and water-resistant to keep you dry in wet conditions. Not to mention, six secure zip pockets keep all your necessities safe on the trail and in town.

Customers Say: "This is my third pair of these wonderful pants!!" wrote one customer. "My uniform! I love them as they look so streamlined and professional but have a pocket for my phone if I don't have my purse and can go with flats sneakers or boots."

Best Convertible Pair: Columbia Saturday Trail Pant Pants

BUY IT, $18

What You'll Love: Reviewers love these pants so much, many noted that they own multiple pairs. They're stain-resistant, repel water and moisture, and feature built-in UPF sun protection — everything you should consider when shopping for a durable hiking pant. Also nice? They have pockets for storing your essentials and roll-up legs that convert to capris when you start to heat up.

Customers Say: "Love these pants!" wrote one reviewer. "Got my first pair and wore them all over Southeast Asia in high temps when sun and bugs warranted covering legs much of the time. An added bonus is that you can easily roll them up, and there's a snap fixture inside (that you don't feel) that will fasten to a well-disguised snap on the outside, transforming them to capris. Also, the side zipper pocket is great for stowing small items like a key, credit card, or money. They fit and wear well. I practically wore my first pair out I wore them so much. So bought another identical pair. They are casual and roomy enough to wear on demanding hikes, yet not too casual to wear with a blazer or dressy top and sandals. All around versatile pant."

Most Comfortable: Cotopaxi Baja Pant

BUY IT, $18

What You'll Love: While they might not resemble a typical hiking pant, customers rave about this minimalistic legging-pant hybrid that can be worn on the trail, plane, or as an everyday option. Made of durable, weather-resistant, four-way stretch, the super-soft pants deliver on function and style. A concealed, side seam zip pocket provides a place for you to stash credit cards, IDs, and your passport, while the smooth, low-profile spandex waistband sits comfortably against your skin, so you can easily clip your daypack or hip belt around your waist with no interference.

Customers Say: "I took these on an Italian hiking trip," shared a customer. "Even the guide asked me about them and considered getting the men's version. They are comfortable, lightweight, packable, and have just that slight bit of stylishness to take them above the ordinary travel/activewear pant."

Best for Traveling: Prana Halle Straight

BUY IT, $18

What You'll Love: A favorite among hikers, bikers, and everyone in between, these pants are made of a stretchy material that easily moves with you, quick-drying technology to keep you cool and comfy, UPF 50+ to protect you from the sun, and wrinkle-resistant fabric so they maintain their shape on the trail and while packed in your bag. As an added bonus, there are hidden snaps at the knees, so that you can wear them as full-length trousers or roll them up into capris for more airflow in hot climates.

Customers Say: "My workhorse pants! I have eight or so pairs of these pants," reported a shopper. "I am a wildlife photographer, and they are the ONLY pants I wear in the field. The fit is comfortable and flattering, there are plenty of pockets, and I love that I can roll them up when I am shooting shorebirds or in marshes and have to wade out in the water or mud. Mine get put to the test with frequent abuse and washings and they never fail."

Best Value: Baleaf Hiking Cargo Pants

BUY IT, $18

What You'll Love: Equally cute and functional, these are some of the best pants women on a budget can buy. They're lightweight, breathable, water-resistant, quick-drying, and have built-in UPF protection, making them ideal for warm-weather excursions. Another feature (particularly great for muggy summer days) is the adjustable cord lock around the cuff of the pants to keep bugs out during hikes. Also worth noting: These bottoms will fit a variety of body types, as one reviewer mentioned that these were the only hiking pants they found that accommodated their curves.

Customers Say: "I wore these for a week-long camping trip in Utah," wrote a fan. "We were tent camping and hiking every day. These pants were comfortable and held up great- especially since they were the only pants I wore during the day, every day."

Best Cropped Pair: Mountain Hardwear Dynama 2 Ankle Pant

best hiking pants mountain hardwear — BACKCOUNTRY

BUY IT, $18

What You'll Love: If you're interested in a pair of cropped pants (and not a roll-up style trouser), opt for these hiking pants. They are made with super stretchy fabric, wick away water and moisture, and boast a zippered pocket to keep your valuables safe. Plus, they'll look just as chic at dinner at the end of the day, as they will in all your Instagram photos on the trail.

Customers Say: "I've worn these climbing, hiking, on steamy hot days, and in the rain. So far, they've been some of my favorite pants," shared one reviewer. "They've even been complimented in social situations. They're cute, comfy, breathable, and dry quickly."

Most Flattering: The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 Pant

BUY IT, $18

What You'll Love: These hiking pants from The North Face check all the boxes: durable, lightweight, quick-drying, and stretchy. They have drawcords at the waist and ankles for a more personalized fit (and to keep bugs at bay) and pockets to stash your belongings. And, unlike other boxier pants, these have a tailored fit that hugs your body in a flattering, comfy way.

Customers Say: "Went on the search for the perfect hiking pant and found these at a retail store but purchased on Amazon to get them in a short inseam," wrote a customer. "They are the best! They're crazy soft and stretchy, super comfortable. I'm a pretty sweaty person, especially when I'm hiking, so I usually wear shorts but wanted the extra bug and sun protection of pants. I was worried pants would make me even more overheated, but these were great. They breathe super well and dry super fast."

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