Best Hiking Pants For Women
The Best Hiking Pants to Hit the Trail In This Spring
A pair of basic black fitness capris will perform OK on a casual hike, but you're going to need something more specific when hitting the trail for a serious trek. Lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics with built-in sun protection are something to scout out, as are stretchy materials that won't rip if you find yourself sliding down some rocks. While Earth tones are the default color of choice, there is still a lot of variety to be had amongst hiking bottoms — keep reading to check out a few of the options!
If you want a pair of hiking pants that can take you from trail to street, check out the Columbia Just Right Straight Leg Woven Pant ($58). The slimmer fit gives a more stylish look, but this water-resistant pair from Columbia still has all the technical features you'd want from a hiking pant, like two-way stretch and quick-dry technology.
On hot days, only a pair of capris will do. The lightweight, moisture-wicking REI Stretch Capri Pants ($55) has built-in UPF sun protection to make sure you don't come home with lobster-red legs.
While laughable to outsiders, convertible pants are a mainstay amongst outdoor enthusiasts. (I mean, one pair to take you from chilly Fall hikes into Summer with just a zip? Yes please!) The Monarch Convertible Pant from Prana ($78) is wrinkle free, which also makes it a great travel pant.
While this isn't the right choice for a multiday backcountry hike, the Athleta Oasis Skort ($64) is a nice alternative to a pair of shorts when a day hike is calling. It's more than just a feminine fashion statement, too: moisture-wicking with CoolMax technology, the Oasis skort is also made with built-in UPF 50+ sun protection.
Made from durable nylon ripstop, go ahead and let a few branches graze you while wearing The North Face Horizon Tempest Pants (starting at $55) — these things are built to last. Hike started out misty and chilly, but it's drying out by midafternoon? Lucky for you, the Tempest pants roll up into a pair of capris.
On an incredibly hot day, hiking in shorts can make all the difference. That's where the Lole Nile 2 Walk Short ($75) comes in. Wrinkle free with tons of pockets, these shorts are stretchy, moisture-wicking, and are made using bamboo charcoal, a natural anti-odor material.
You can't get more classic than the look of the Mountain Hardwear Yuma Pant ($70), but it's also one of the best performing pants out there. Made with four-way stretch, UPF 50+ sun protection, and lightweight nylon, these will survive several days on the trail and then some.