Not only is hiking great exercise, but it can also be a great way to relax, unwind, and connect with nature. Whether you're planning a trip to the mountains on a summer day or you're going to go trekking up a snowy mountain in the winter, a pair of hiking pants will allow you to move around as comfortably as possible while shielding you from whatever weather conditions you'll be facing.
Due to the sheer variety of hiking pants made for women, it can be difficult to single out which is the best match for you and your trip. So, we did the research and came up with a few top picks. Our 10 best list is championed by Outdoor Research's Ferrosi hiking pants made of a hybrid ripstop nylon and spandex fabric that allows for maximum movement. Check out the rest of our selections and give our buyer's guide a read while you're at it. It has important information about how to choose the perfect pair of pants for your next hike.
We picked our 10 best products based on the following guidelines:
To see the detailed breakdown behind these guidelines, check out the Buying Guide below.
Image | ![]() Outdoor Research | ![]() The North Face | ![]() Baleaf | ![]() Hiauspor | ![]() Mountain Equipment Company | ![]() Rdruko | Columbia | ![]() Patagonia | ![]() Mier | ![]() Eddie Bauer |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Ferrosi Pant | Paramount Hybrid High-Rise Tight | Lightweight Jogger Hiking Pants | Convertible Hiking Pants | Terrena Stretch Pants | Fleece-Lined Hiking Pants | Saturday Trail II Knee Pants | Pack Out Tights | Quick-Dry Lightweight Tactical Hiking Pants | First Ascent Guide Capris |
Features | Best All-Around Hiking Pants | Best Stretchy and Tight Hiking Pants With Zippered Pockets | Best Casual Hiking Pants | Best Versatile Hiking Pants That Can Be Worn Three Different Ways | Best Roll Up Hiking Pants With Articulated Knees | Best Fleece-Lined Pants for Cold, Snowy Hikes | Best Straight-Legged Capris for Hot Weather Hiking | Best Hiking Leggings That'll Keep You Warm | Best Straight Leg Hiking Pants | Best Capri Pants With A Water-Repellent Finish |
Price | $79.95 | $69.99 | $33.99 | $38.99 | $79.95 | $41.99 | $50.00 | $89.00 | $55.99 | $49.00 |
Style | Mid rise pants | Skinny fit | Joggers | Convertible pants | Roll-up pants | Straight pants | Capri pants | Leggings | Straight pants | Capri pants |
Sizes | 0-14, short-long | XS-2XL | XS-2XL | XS-2XL | 0-18, short-long | XS-2XL | 2-24 | XS-XXL | 2-16 | 0-20, petite-tall |
Colors available | 8 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 5 |
Material | Nylon, Spandex | Polyester, elastane, nylon | Nylon, Spandex | Polyester, Spandex | Nylon, Spandex | Polyester, Spandex, fleece | Nylon, elastane | Polyester, Spandex | Nylon, Spandex | Nylon, Spandex |
Best for | Hiking, climbing, other outdoor activities | Hot weather hiking with full-length protection | Hiking and walking around town | Hiking in variable weather conditions | Everyday hikes | Cold weather hiking | Hiking in hot weather on open trails | Colder hikes requiring full mobility | Hiking with large boots or in layers | Hiking in hot weather with clear trails |
Features | Fleece-lined band, inner drawstring at waist and ankles, water-resistant | 4 zippered pockets | Drawstring closure, 5 pockets, UPF 50+ protection | Zip-off legs, 5 pockets, UPF 50+ protection | 5 pockets, UPF 50+ protection, button and tab roll-up loops | Fleece lining, 4 pockets | Security pocket, mesh pocket bags, UPF 50 protection, leg hem cinches | 3 pockets, reinforced gusset | 4-way ripstop fabric, 6 pockets | 2 pockets, bungee hems, UPF 50+ protection |
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This curated list features a unique array of hiking pants, from loose and breathable pants to figure-hugging leggings that offer great mobility. We made our choices based on the points listed in the buying guide below, as well as reviewer comments when available.
$79.95
Style | Mid rise pants |
---|---|
Sizes | 0-14, short-long |
Colors available | 8 |
Material | Nylon, Spandex |
Best for | Hiking, climbing, other outdoor activities |
Features | Fleece-lined band, inner drawstring at waist and ankles, water-resistant |
$69.99
Style | Skinny fit |
---|---|
Sizes | XS-2XL |
Colors available | 3 |
Material | Polyester, elastane, nylon |
Best for | Hot weather hiking with full-length protection |
Features | 4 zippered pockets |
$33.99
Style | Joggers |
---|---|
Sizes | XS-2XL |
Colors available | 5 |
Material | Nylon, Spandex |
Best for | Hiking and walking around town |
Features | Drawstring closure, 5 pockets, UPF 50+ protection |
$38.99
Style | Convertible pants |
---|---|
Sizes | XS-2XL |
Colors available | 6 |
Material | Polyester, Spandex |
Best for | Hiking in variable weather conditions |
Features | Zip-off legs, 5 pockets, UPF 50+ protection |
$79.95
Style | Roll-up pants |
---|---|
Sizes | 0-18, short-long |
Colors available | 4 |
Material | Nylon, Spandex |
Best for | Everyday hikes |
Features | 5 pockets, UPF 50+ protection, button and tab roll-up loops |
$41.99
Style | Straight pants |
---|---|
Sizes | XS-2XL |
Colors available | 9 |
Material | Polyester, Spandex, fleece |
Best for | Cold weather hiking |
Features | Fleece lining, 4 pockets |
$50.00
Style | Capri pants |
---|---|
Sizes | 2-24 |
Colors available | 5 |
Material | Nylon, elastane |
Best for | Hiking in hot weather on open trails |
Features | Security pocket, mesh pocket bags, UPF 50 protection, leg hem cinches |
$89.00
Style | Leggings |
---|---|
Sizes | XS-XXL |
Colors available | 5 |
Material | Polyester, Spandex |
Best for | Colder hikes requiring full mobility |
Features | 3 pockets, reinforced gusset |
$55.99
Style | Straight pants |
---|---|
Sizes | 2-16 |
Colors available | 7 |
Material | Nylon, Spandex |
Best for | Hiking with large boots or in layers |
Features | 4-way ripstop fabric, 6 pockets |
$49.00
Style | Capri pants |
---|---|
Sizes | 0-20, petite-tall |
Colors available | 5 |
Material | Nylon, Spandex |
Best for | Hiking in hot weather with clear trails |
Features | 2 pockets, bungee hems, UPF 50+ protection |
Before buying just any pair of hiking pants, there are a few things you should look over beforehand. Look for a pair that's comfortable, allows you to move around, and offers protection from harsh weather conditions.
There are four main types of hiking pants: traditional long pants, leggings, convertibles, and roll-ups. Each one has its own set of pros and cons that you should consider depending on the weather, the season, and your personal fashion preferences.
Polyester is versatile, since it’s light enough for hot weather and can serve as a base layer in extra cold climates. It also has better insulating capabilities than nylon. Because of this, you may want to choose polyester if you will be hiking in a range of weather conditions.
However, if you will just be hiking in hot weather, then nylon may be the better option. Polyester is less durable than nylon. It can also give off an unpleasant smell when sweat gets on it.
If you want waterproof pants, you should look to buy rainpants. You can pull these on over your regular hiking clothes when needed. There are also water-resistant hiking pants, whose fabric is coated in water repellent.
Another feature to look out for is moisture wicking. When hiking in cold conditions, having pants that hold onto sweat can be dangerous when the retained moisture chills. That is why moisture retaining materials like cotton are rarely used in quality hiking pants.
If you find yourself climbing over stones, crawling up over tree roots, or otherwise scraping your legs on your hikes, having your pants made of ripstop fabric will help. Ripstop fabric is specially woven so that it is more durable and, as the name suggests, resistant to tearing.
Hiking pants come with different features depending on the environment and climate they’re designed for. Considering the conditions you will be hiking in and looking for a pair with suitable features will help ensure a smooth trip.
Pant length is also important when it comes to hiking. When hiking in warmer weather, you might want to grab a pair of shorts or capri length pants so that the wind will directly wick away any sweat. This is especially useful when hiking on clear trail paths with few to no obstructions in the way.
On the other hand, if you are hiking on a colder day, full length pants will keep you warm. Long pants will also protect you from any pests out in nature, such as ticks and mosquitos, and any wayward sticks, grasses, and plants.
For instance, added ventilation zips allow more air inside your pants, letting sweat evaporate fast. Some pants come with an inner drawstring to help adjust the size of the waistband and give more security.
Others come with extra pouches and pockets for maximum storage capacity. Some pants even come with articulated knees, so that the pants don't feel tight or rip as you climb over boulders and brush.
Looking to get the most of your outdoor excursions? Before you go on your next hike, you might want to check these clothes and accessories out!
If you want to see other women's hiking pants that are popular, check out Amazon's best-selling list of women's hiking pants.
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