Best Hiking Pants for Women in 2024
Finding the perfect pair of women’s hiking pants can be a challenge.
With so many options available, it’s tough to know which ones offer the best combination of comfort, durability, and functionality.
After months of research and testing, we’ve compiled a list of the best hiking pants for women, designed to meet various needs and preferences.
Why Finding the Best Hiking Pants Matters
Hiking pants need to be more than just comfortable; they must also be durable, flexible, and equipped with features that enhance your outdoor experience.
Whether you prefer high-waisted, low-waisted, cinched ankles, or roll-ups, our guide will help you find the perfect pair.
Our Testing Methodology
We tested 16 models from popular brands, evaluating them on local hikes in southern California, exposed trails, prickly desert plants, mountain switchbacks, river crossings, and bug exposure.
Our lead tester, Miya Tsudome, personally tried each pair, assessing comfort, durability, freedom of movement, value, style, and clever features.
Best Hiking Pants for Women in 2024
Best Durable: Cotopaxi Women’s Salto Ripstop Pant
- Why We Love It: The ripstop fabric feels thick and protective against the elements.
- What to Consider: The sizes aren’t the most inclusive.
Cotopaxi’s Salto Ripstop Pants are ultra-durable, made with ripstop cotton, nylon, and elastane. The fabric blend has extra reinforcement to protect against tears.
After three months of testing, we appreciated the thicker material, making these pants suitable for gardening or camping. They feature an adjustable drawstring waist and cuffed ankles for a customized fit.
However, they only come in one leg length, which may be too short for taller individuals.
The Details: XS to XL | Cotton, nylon, elastane
Best for Mountaineering: Helly Hansen Brona Pants
- Why We Love It: The pants have technical features designed for intense treks.
- What to Consider: These are water-resistant, not waterproof, so they may not stand up well to rainstorms.
Helly Hansen’s Brona Softshell Pants are perfect for avid hikers and mountain climbers.
They feature boot hooks on the front ankles, four-way stretch fabric reinforced in the knees, and a gusseted inseam for superior mobility.
The DWR finish and boot clips kept our legs and feet dry during winter hikes.
These pants run true to size with a drawstring adjustable waist and various pockets for storage. They also look great for casual outings.
The Details: XS to XL | Polyamide, elastane | Water-resistant
Best Splurge: Arc’teryx Gamma LT Pants
- Why We Love It: We deemed the bottoms worth the higher price due to high-quality materials and special features.
- What to Consider: The drawstring cords at the ankles hang a bit low and could get caught.
Arc’teryx Gamma LT Pants are the priciest pair we tested but surpassed our expectations for quality and functionality.
Designed for all-season use, the pants boast fabric that is ultra-protective with a water- and wind-resistant finish that still allows air to pass through in warmer weather.
The slim-fitting pants run true to size and feature adjustable hems at the ankle with drawstring cords. They also have various pockets with and without zippers.
The Details: 00 to 16 (short, regular, tall) | Fortius DW 2.0 | Water-resistant
Most Versatile: prAna Women’s Halle Straight Pant
- Why We Love It: The straight-legged shape and sleek fabric make the pants perfect for activities beyond just hiking.
- What to Consider: The pants run a bit large.
Prana Halle Straight Pants are incredibly versatile, suitable for hiking, biking, golfing, lounging, and walking the dog.
The sleek nylon material allows a full range of motion, stretching in all the right places for rigorous activities.
After washing the pants multiple times, they retained their original shape and softness.
They have plenty of stretch, so if you normally size up, we recommend staying true to size for an optimal fit.
The Details: 00 to 16 (short, regular, tall) | Nylon, elastane | UPF 50+ | Water-resistant
Best Trail-to-Town Hiking Pants for Women: Mountain Hardwear Women’s Dynama Ankle
- Why We Love It: Affordable, stretchy waistband, lightweight, comfortable, and flattering fit.
- What to Consider: May be prone to snags and tears.
Mountain Hardwear Women’s Dynama Pants are perfect for both style and function.
Their lightweight nylon and spandex blend is stretchy and soft, providing easy mobility on steep hikes.
A durable water-repellent finish offers protection against moisture and stains, and the fabric provides UPF 50+ for sun protection.
We loved wearing these pants for rock climbing and received compliments when out and about.
The Details: XS to XL | 94% nylon, 6% elastane | UPF 50+ | Water-resistant
Best of the Rest: Gnara Go There Pants
- Why We Love It: Innovative zipper design, high-waisted, large pockets.
- What to Consider: Very pricey, fabric is on the heavier side.
Gnara Go There Pants are a standout for women who love the outdoors but hate finding a private spot to “go” while hiking.
The GoFly zipper technology lets you pee without pulling your pants down, which is a lifesaver for those who often wear climbing harnesses or trek in areas where privacy is scarce.
Made from a blend of nylon and spandex, these pants are comfortable and flattering.
However, they are heavier than typical hiking pants and priced at $168.
The Details: XS to XL | 93% nylon, 7% spandex
Columbia Saturday Trail Pant
- Why We Love It: Great price, articulated knees and gusset, UPF 50 protection, water- and stain-resistant.
- What to Consider: Pockets poorly designed, not enough functional pockets.
Columbia Saturday Trail Pants offer excellent value, durability, and comfort.
The two-way stretch and gusset make high-stepping or scrambling a breeze.
The Omni-Shield and Omni-Shade finish ward off harmful sun rays and repel unwanted water and stains. These pants have a lot to offer for a reasonable price.
However, items easily fall out of slanted front pockets, and there’s only one small zippered pocket.
The Details: XS to XL | 96% nylon, 4% elastane | UPF 50 | Water-resistant
Tips for Buying Women’s Hiking Pants
Think About What Features You’ll Need
Hiking pants are designed with more technical features than average bottoms.
Look for deep, zippered pockets, boot straps, key rings, or insulation.
Mountaineers or rock climbers should also look for pants designed with harness compatibility.
Pay Attention to Material
Pants specifically designed for hiking should be made with durable materials to ward off the elements.
Nylon is often more durable than polyester but is also heavier.
Specialized materials like Cordura offer superior durability for activities like mountaineering and climbing.
Look for wind, water, and abrasion resistance, as well as UPF protection.
Look at Rise and Fit
Hiking pants vary in waist rise with adjustable features like a utility belt or drawstring tie.
Some pants won’t have adjustable features like elastic waistbands or button closures.
Not all hiking pants come in various leg lengths, so be sure to check the inseam before purchasing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of hiking pants as opposed to yoga pants, track pants, or other athletic bottoms?
Hiking pants generally have more technical features compared to other athletic pants. Boot straps, harness compatibility, and adjustable waist and ankle hems are all helpful for hikers. The material is also more durable with performance fabric that is wind- and water-resistant, and boasts UPF protection.
Do you need different hiking pants for different seasons?
For casual hikers, a pair of lightweight pants will likely suffice for spring, summer, or fall. Winter hikers should opt for insulated hiking pants for extra warmth or layer underneath all-season pants. Zip-off pants can be transformed into shorts for the summer.
Is UPF fabric important?
UPF sun protection built into the fabric reduces the effects of harmful rays. Most hiking pants have UPF 50+, which is helpful for hiking in climates with harmful rays. It’s ultimately a personal choice as to whether it makes or breaks a pair of hiking pants.
By following this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to find the best hiking pants for women that suit your needs and preferences.
Happy trails!
