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The Best Hiking Pants for Women in 2024

After months on the trail, we found the best hiking pants for women. Our carefully curated list will help you narrow in on the best hiking pants for your trail-blazing excursions.

Women's Hiking Pants(Photo/Miya Tsudome)
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Finding the right pair of women’s pants for outdoor activities is a notoriously difficult task. Too stretchy, not stretchy enough, high-waisted, low-waisted, cinched ankles or roll-ups, it’s not easy to wade through all the options.

Researching dozens of the best women’s hiking pants on the market today, we chose 14 models from popular brands to put to the test. Our lead tester, Miya Tsudome, tried each of them personally, taking them on local hikes in southern California, on exposed trails and through prickly desert plants, and on mountain switchbacks with river crossings and bug exposure. 

During testing, we considered comfort, durability, and freedom of movement. We also looked at value, style, and clever features. Having specific metrics allowed us to compare different models of pants objectively to see where they excelled and where they fell short. After several months of researching the newest pants and putting them to the test, we narrowed down the best options for different uses, in categories such as versatility, durability, and budget. 

Luckily, we’re seeing an expanding list of hiking pants for women. And while there isn’t a single hiking pant to suit every woman, we’ve broken the list into useful categories to help you find the best fit.

Don’t forget to check out our buyer’s guide and frequently asked questions for helpful tips, and have a look at our comparison chart to help steer your decision-making.

Editor’s Note: We refreshed this article on December 22, 2023, adding additional details about our testing practices, and ensuring each existing pant is in stock and up-to-date.

The Best Hiking Pants for Women in 2024


Best Overall Hiking Pants for Women

Patagonia Quandary Pants

Specs

  • Weight 10 oz.
  • Fabric 96% nylon, 4% spandex, DWR treatment
  • Inseam 32"
Product Badge The Best Hiking Pants for Women in 2024

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • UPF 40 sun protection
  • Perfect for women with curves
  • Repellent finish to fend off light rain

Cons

  • Shallow pockets
Best Budget Hiking Pants for Women

Columbia Saturday Trail Pant

Specs

  • Weight 11.2 oz.
  • Fabric 96% nylon, 4% elastane
  • Inseam 29.5", 32", or 34.5"
The Best Hiking Pants for Women in 2024

Pros

  • Great price
  • Articulated knees and gusset
  • UPF 50 protection
  • Water- and stain-resistant

Cons

  • Pockets poorly designed
  • Not enough functional pockets
Runner-Up Best Hiking Pants for Women

Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants

Specs

  • Weight 9.5 oz.
  • Fabric 86% nylon, 14% spandex, DWR finish (46% recycled materials)
  • Inseam 31"
The Best Hiking Pants for Women in 2024

Pros

  • Lightweight and stretchy
  • UPF 50 sun protection
  • Mid-rise waist for harness and backpack compatibility

Cons

  • Light material means pockets can get bulky
  • Not as durable as some thicker pants in our lineup
Best Women's Hiking Pants for Versatility

Kuhl Freeflex Roll-up Pant

Specs

  • Weight 4.5 oz./sq. yd.
  • Fabric 50% polyester, 50% new polyester
  • Inseam 32"
The Best Hiking Pants for Women in 2024

Pros

  • UPF 50+
  • Quick-drying
  • Water-resistant
  • Moisture-wicking
  • Roll-up pant leg

Cons

  • Costly
  • Shallow pockets
Most Durable Hiking Pants for Women

Fjallraven Keb Curved Trousers

Specs

  • Weight 1 lb. 3 oz.
  • Fabric 65% polyester, 35% cotton
  • Inseam 32"
The Best Hiking Pants for Women in 2024

Pros

  • Reinforced areas
  • Ventilation for warm weather
  • Layering capabilities

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Heavy
Best Women's Hiking Pants for Comfort

Coalatree Trailhead Pants

Specs

  • Weight 10.9 oz.
  • Fabric 88% nylon, 12% spandex
  • Inseam 29”
The Best Hiking Pants for Women in 2024

Pros

  • Incredible comfort
  • DRW finish wards off water and stains
  • Anti-microbial properties

Cons

  • Pesky ankle leg ties
Best Leggings for Hiking

Athleta Headlands Cargo II Tight

Specs

  • Weight Unavailable
  • Fabric 91% recycled nylon, 9% spandex
  • Inseam 26", 28", or 31"
The Best Hiking Pants for Women in 2024

Pros

  • UPF 50+
  • Durable fabric resistant to snagging
  • Durable water repellent
  • Six secure-zip pockets

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Too thick for warm weather
Best of the Rest

prAna Halle II Hiking Pants

Specs

  • Weight Unavailable
  • Fabric 95% nylon/5% elastane
  • Inseam 30", 32", or 34"
The Best Hiking Pants for Women in 2024

Pros

  • Breathable
  • Lightweight
  • Higher rise waist
  • DWR finish

Cons

  • Could be less durable than previous version

Patagonia Skyline Traveler Pants

Specs

  • Weight 9.4 oz.
  • Fabric 88% nylon, 12% spandex
  • Inseam 27"
The Best Hiking Pants for Women in 2024

Pros

  • Flattering style
  • Versatile pant
  • DWR finish

Cons

  • Restrictive in some areas

Mountain Hardwear Women’s Dynama/2 Ankle

Specs

  • Weight Unavailable
  • Fabric 94% nylon, 6% elastane
  • Inseam 28"
The Best Hiking Pants for Women in 2024

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Stretchy waistband
  • Lightweight
  • Comfortable and flattering fit

Cons

  • May be prone to snags and tears

Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights HD

Specs

  • Weight 9.35 oz.
  • Fabric 71% recycled polyester, 29% elastane
  • Inseam N/A
The Best Hiking Pants for Women in 2024

Pros

  • Reinforced high-wear areas
  • Functional pockets
  • Made from recycled materials

Cons

  • Pricey

prAna Kanab Pants

Specs

  • Weight 5.6 oz
  • Fabric 62% organically grown cotton, 36% nylon, 2% spandex
  • Inseam 29”
The Best Hiking Pants for Women in 2024

Pros

  • Wide, stretchy waistband
  • Made of breathable organic cotton

Cons

  • Not water resistant

First Lite Alturas Guide Pants

Specs

  • Weight 14 oz
  • Fabric Durable nylon with DWR
  • Inseam Varies by size
The Best Hiking Pants for Women in 2024

Pros

  • Zipped pockets that secure items
  • Breathable for hot hikes
  • Long-lasting

Cons

  • Not stylish for around town
  • Expensive

The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 Pants

Specs

  • Weight Unavailable
  • Fabric 95% nylon/5% elastane
  • Inseam 32 inches
The Best Hiking Pants for Women in 2024

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Wide, comfortable waistband
  • Cinchable pant legs

Cons

  • Not the most durable

Women’s Hiking Pants Comparison Chart

Hiking PantPriceWeightFabricInseam
Patagonia Quandary Pants$8910 oz.96% nylon, 4% spandex32″
Columbia Saturday Trail Pant$7011.2 oz.96% nylon, 4% elastane29.5″, 32″, or 34.5″
Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants$999.5 oz.86% nylon, 14% spandex, DWR finish 31”
Kuhl Freeflex Roll-up Pant$994.5 oz./sq. yd50% polyester, 50% new polyester32″
Fjallraven Keb Curved Trousers$2351 lb., 3 oz.65% polyester, 35% cotton32″
Coalatree Trailhead Pants$9910.9 oz.88% nylon, 12% spandex29”
Athleta Headlands Cargo Tight$119Unavailable91% recycled nylon, 9% spandex26″, 28″, or 31″
prAna Halle II Hiking Pants$95Unavailable95% recycled nylon/5% elastane30″, 32″, or 34″
Patagonia Skyline Traveler Pants$999.4 oz.88% nylon, 12% spandex27″
Mountain Hardwear Women’s Dynama/2 Ankle$85Unavailable94% nylon, 6% elastane28″
Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights HD$1759.35 oz.71% recycled polyester, 29% elastane29″
prAna Kanab Pants$895.6 oz.62% organically grown cotton, 36% nylon, 2% spandex29”
First Lite Alturas Guide Pants$14514 oz.Durable nylon with DWRVaries by size
The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 pants$80Unavailable95% nylon / 5% elastane32”
Lightweight hiking pants are ideal for hot summer treks; (photo/Matt Granger)

How We Tested Women’s Hiking Pants

Here at GearJunkie, we are dedicated athletes, outdoor hobbyists, and all-around adventure aficionados. In other words, we do it all, and we know what it’s like to want your clothing to be able to keep up.

We’ve been reviewing hiking pants for this guide since July 2020, and each year we carefully research the best hiking pants on the market to review. In this latest iteration, our testers spent over a year researching which models to test, and put those hiking pants through the wringer. From rocky trails in the Pacific Northwest, to the desert sagebrush and alpine mountains of Bishop, Calif., we ensured that each pair was worn over several miles in varying terrain and conditions to see how they measured up to one another. 

Contributor Rebecca Ross is a hiking and backpacking enthusiast. She’s hiked all over the Pacific Northwest, often combined with climbing objectives. An American Alpine Club grant recipient, she’s no stranger to international climbing expeditions.

Our other tester and editor, Miya Tsudome, is also an avid hiking enthusiast and former guide for the Yosemite Mountain School, and can often be found going deep into the High Sierra mountains in her backyard of Bishop, Calif. She’s used and destroyed plenty of pants bushwhacking her way to remote crags and shimmying up granite chimneys.

Assessing each of these pants with objective metrics such as material, versatility, mobility, weatherproofing, and additional features, Miya and Rebecca were able to write an informed buyer’s guide full of useful information. Their combined experience and knowledge — plus their overall intuition on what a great pair of hiking pants should look and feel like — will hopefully help you find the best pair for your next adventure.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Hiking Pants

This guide focuses on the best hiking pants on the market that boast durability over the long run. Check out our guide to the best leggings if you want more suggestions for activewear to match all your adventures. Also, if you’re looking for male-specific models, check out our guide on the Best Hiking Pants for men.

Material

Do you plan to hike only in warm summer months or do you plan to hike all year round in fluctuating weather? Do you like a lot of stretch in your pants or are you looking for something more waterproof and durable? These questions are important to keep in mind when choosing hiking pants, which come in all types of materials these days. 

Most all hiking pants are made of a blend of synthetic materials. In our lineup, nylon, polyester, and spandex (elastane) are heavily featured. This ensures they have qualities that make them breathable or weather-resistant, as well as stretchy to keep you comfortable on the trail.

Pants made primarily of polyester, like the Kuhl Freeflex Roll-up Pants and Fjallraven Keb Curved Trousers, are typically more breathable with high moisture-wicking abilities and medium stretch. 

Women's Hiking Pants
The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 pants are lightweight, mobile, and comfortable for any hiking trail; (photo/Miya Tsudome)

Pants that are primarily made of nylon, like the Patagonia Quandary Pants, Prana Halle Hiking Pants, Columbia Saturday Trail Pant, and Coalatree Trailhead Pants are tougher than pants made primarily of polyester, making them the better choice if durability is of concern.

Lastly, pants with a higher level of elastane, like the Coalatree Trailhead Pants, or naturally, any leggings like the Athleta Headlands Cargo Tights, will provide more stretch.

Choosing what type of fabric will best suit your needs is ultimately a matter of personal preference and comfort, as well as considering if you need durability or breathability based on the type of hiking you will be doing. If you are looking for even more breathability, you might want to choose pants that are made with extra ventilation features like on the Fjallraven Keb Curved Trousers. These heavy-duty hiking pants have side vents on each pant leg for when you need some extra help cooling down. 

Also, since pants are adding additional features to safeguard you from the sun — look for pants with UPF protection like the Outdoor Research Ferrosi which is rated at 50+ UPF!

Pant Length & Versatility

Hiking pants typically come in three main options: full-length, convertible, and roll-up.

Full-length pants are a great option for complete leg protection, even in the summer. Most of the pants on our list are considered full-length like the Patagonia Skyline Traveler Pants or the Columbia Saturday Trail Pant.

Women's Hiking Pants
The prAna Halle II can be cuffed at the ankle which is a nice feature; (photo/Miya Tsudome)

Convertible pants — none are shown in our list — are a 2-in-1 packaged deal. They can be worn as shorts or pants, as the legs zip off. They’re a great option for variable weather and multiday hikes where you want more options and less gear to pack. They don’t get as many style points but are functional and versatile if that’s what you’re looking for. 

And somewhere between full-length and convertible lie roll-up pants similar to Patagonia’s Quandary pants or the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants. Such pants have a tab, button, or drawcord that secures the cuff when rolled up.

Some of our testers are also big proponents of ankle-length pants that don’t require you to roll the cuff, like the Mountain Hardwear Women’s Dynama/2 Ankle. Not only can this be a style preference, but also it allows you to wear hiking boots with ankle cuffs without having to make any alterations to your pants, which can be a bonus for some.

Mobility

Being able to move freely is a major hallmark of the best hiking pants. Whether running down the trail or scrambling up a rocky patch, you don’t want your pants restricting your movement. This is where design features like a gusseted crotch, articulated knees, and stretchy materials prove useful.

The female shape can be tough to fit, but there are more options now than ever before. Some brands like Fjallraven offer curvy and straight fits, while others have added plus-size technical options. And because every body is shaped differently, it can be helpful to try on a few pairs before buying to ensure a snug (but comfortable) fit.

When it comes to trekking-specific leggings, like our favorite pick, Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights HD they can often be slightly tighter and less forgiving than typical yoga pants but are more durable and often reinforced to aid in longevity on the trail.

Women's Hiking Pants
Leggings always provide great mobility being comprised mostly of spandex, such as the Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights HD seen here; (photo/Miya Tsudome)

Features

Hiking pants come in all shapes and sizes, and some features like the type of waist closure or size and the number of pockets can help you decide what kind of pants you’ll like the best. 

When out on the trail, pockets can be helpful when needing to access items quickly. Often you’ll see hiking pants with front and back pockets. Pants with more versatility will provide a zippered pocket on the thigh for added security.

Since we like to stay on the move, we prefer pants with deep pockets that fit our phones or snacks and, ideally ones that zip. When it comes to pockets that are not functional for our needs, they tend to make it on our cons list.

Women's Hiking Pants
Think about the features that you’ll need for your specific adventures before choosing your hiking pants; (photo/Miya Tsudome)

The Fjallraven Keb Curved Trousers have an impressive amount of pockets, with two hand pockets plus two deep pockets on each leg, and even an interior mesh pocket. We also really appreciate when leggings feature pockets, and that’s one of the main reasons the Athleta Headlands Cargo Tights and the Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights made it onto our list.

You’ll also have to decide what type of waist closure you’re looking for in a hiking pant. Most traditional hiking pants feature a zipper and button closure, like the Outdoor Research Ferrosi, Patagonia Quandary, Prana Halle II, Kuhl Freeflex, and Columbia Saturday Trail Pant. These types of pants also all come with belt loops, so you can dial in a precise fit.

The Coalatree Trailhead pants feature a cinched waistband with a drawcord for a more casual, rather than technical, look. For some, the stretchy waistband of leggings might be more appealing. These fit snugly under a backpacking backpack’s waist belt, and won’t be prone to any snagging or bunching like button-closure pants might. 

Women's Hiking Pants
We love the prAna Kanab pants for their wide, stretchy waistband; (photo/Miya Tsudome)

Weather Protection

A DWR (durable waterproof repellent) coating is used on most hiking pants. It doesn’t make pants completely waterproof but adds enough protection to keep you dry on dewy mornings or in light showers.

The Coalatree Trailhead Pants and Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants provide a DWR finish for unexpected rain, but we don’t recommend wearing them as all-weather pants. Instead, you would want something designed to take on more precipitation like the Columbia Saturday Trail Pant with Omni-Shield for repelling stains and water. However, if you wish to have total waterproof protection — rain pants layered over hiking pants will do the trick.

It’s worth mentioning that DWR coatings wear out over time, so you’ll want to treat heavily used hiking pants for optimal performance. Nikwax Softshell Proof Wash-In is an easy way to keep your pants repelling water year after year.

Women's Hiking Pants
Some pants are treated with a DWR finish for weather protection, while others focus on breathability; (photo/Miya Tsudome)

Additional Features for Hiking Pants

The little extras can really make or break a good pair of pants. Some of the features available are well-positioned cargo pockets, zippered pockets, cooling vents, belt loops, and built-in belts. These boost a pant’s useability and function on long treks, and help with organization and overall comfort as the miles grind by.

Additional features we like are stain resistance and anti-microbial properties for fewer washes, protection from abrasions to keep your pants lasting through rugged terrain, and even designated waist loops designed to keep items handy. Whether you want these or not depends on your personal hiking plans and style.

FAQ

What kind of pants are best for hiking?

The best hiking pants will vary from person to person. Big things to look for, though, are comfort, breathability, and the ability to dry quickly. If you plan to do a lot of winter or cold-weather hiking, you may want an insulated legging or room to layer long underwear underneath.

Are leggings good for hiking?

The last few years have seen an explosion in hiking leggings (and everyday leggings in general). We like them for a few reasons.

First, the flat waistband is comfortable underneath a pack. Hiking-specific leggings are made to be more durable, although that sometimes comes at the expense of breathability.

We also appreciate having a side-leg pocket for quick phone storage. Some leggings may not be as quick-drying as hiking pants or offer as many larger cargo-style pockets.

Do I really need hiking pants?

You can, of course, hike in darn near anything. And if it comes down to not hiking or hiking in less-than-perfect pants, we’d always choose hiking. That said, the best hiking pants offer increased comfort and utility on the trail.

If you’re just going for a quick outing, having the right pants is less important. If you’re backpacking for a week, the right pants could make or break your adventure.

What features should I look for in hiking pants?

The features we look for in a good pair of hiking pants are pockets that are ample in size, with bonus points for additional pockets with zippers to keep your items secure. Being able to cuff or cinch your pants is also a great addition, especially for those who are on the shorter side. Weather protection, whether UPF to guard against the sun or DWR finish to repel water make for a more versatile pant.

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