The Best Women’s Hiking Pants
What makes a good pair of women’s hiking pants?
You want pants that blend durability with flexibility, allowing you to scramble over rocks or slide under branches without a second thought. Breathability is key, ensuring you stay cool when the sun's beating down or warm when the wind picks up. Look for features like reinforced knees and water-resistant fabric to keep you protected in rugged terrain and unpredictable weather. And let's not forget pockets – the more, the merrier! They should be strategically placed for easy access to essentials like snacks, maps, or your phone. Ultimately, a great pair of hiking pants is like a reliable hiking buddy, supporting you every step of the way on your outdoor adventures. You might not think that hiking pants would be a polarizing subject but are you team pants or team leggings? Straight leg or joggers? Zippers or no zippers? With so many options it can be hard to decide which pants to wear hiking and backpacking. Depending on where you’re hiking, what season your hiking in, and how much protection you need can dictate which pants you choose. Here I will try and give you a nice variety to choose from with some of my personal favorites. These pants are non-technical pants suitable for late-spring to early fall weather.
1) Athleta Rainier Jogger
Athleta makes a ton of pants that would be great for hiking, including joggers, leggings and straight leg pants. I really like wearing joggers when I’m hiking, they are a little roomier than leggings, so my buns aren’t on full display. (If you have great buns, I’m jealous). To me joggers are a more transitional pant, noe one is going to look at you and think “she just through-hiked the pct” like a traditional hiking pant. So, they are great if you are going for a drink after a long hike or just running some errands around town. Joggers also tend to have more pockets than leggings and the tapered legs keep things close, so they don’t snag on branches. These Athleta joggers are made with nylon and lycra, so they are lightweight with some stretch.
Pros:
Lots of pockets with zippers
Moisture wicking and quick drying material
Thick, flat waistband keeps everything nice and snug
Sizes up to a 3X
Cons:
Not suitable for hot weather
No waistband drawstring
2) Patagonia Caliza Rock Pants
The Patagonia Caliza Rock pants are marketed for rock climbing but they also make great hiking pants. Cotton (97%) pants with a bit of spandex (3%) for a bit of stretch makes them both durable and breathable. As always Patagonia ensures you’re always making a sustainable choice with organic, regenerative cotton and made by appropriately compensated workers. The bottom cuffs have snaps on them so they can be adjusted to your preferred length. They also have deeper pockets which is handy.
Pros:
Adjustable bottom cuff with snaps
Comes in multiple colors up to a size 22
Four-way stretch for maximum mobility
Cons:
Might run a little short on taller people
3) MEC Terrena Stretch Pants
Sometimes you need pants that can give you full coverage, for instance if you are worried about ticks or mosquitos, you can’t have your ankles exposed. These MEC straight leg pants are a thicker, more durable than the other choices like leggings or joggers. These pants come down past the ankle but can be rolled up to capris if you get hot. They also have a waist drawstring which I like as sometimes your pants can get stretched out after multiple days of wear. The waist is more of a midrise fit and some reviewers mention that the sizing runs a little small so make sure you try on a few different sizes to get your perfect fit. These pants also have a water-repellent coating so when the rain hits you don’t have to scramble for different pants.
Pros:
Water repellant finish
UPF 50 for sun protection
Convert into capris
Extended sizes available up to size 24
Cons:
Can run small
Midrise waist might not be to everyone’s liking
4) Alder Go Explore Essential Pant
Alder is a women-owned Canadian company that is passionate about making inclusive outdoor clothing. It’s very refreshing to see true inclusive sizing because hiking is for all bodies! One of their hiking pants options, at the time of this post they were the most affordable at $60 CAD! These pants come in more non-traditional colors which is refreshing, sometimes you want to branch out from black and grey. One tip I learned was that sometimes you want your clothing to be noticed on the trail so if you get lost, people will remember you and give rescuers hints as to where you were! They have a nice flat, stretchy waistband with a drawstring which I love, and pockets.
Pros:
Amazing size range up to 6X
Adjustable bottom hem and waist drawstring
Lots of pockets
Lightweight and stretchy (86% nylon & 14% spandex)
Cons:
Sale items are final sale
Ankle drawstring is a bit long when cinched
5) Old Navy High-Waisted Powersoft Leggings
I have done many hikes in a good ole pair of Old Navy leggings. The fabric is nice and soft and I like the high-waisted compression that these leggings give. They come in a ton of colors and different lengths so you will be sure to find ones that you like. They also have extended sizing so you shouldn’t have a hard time finding the perfect pair for you. I personally prefer the 7/8 length as it prevents any bunching above my shoes.
Pro:
Comes in multiple colors, sizes and lengths
Most affordable choice
Moisture-wicking material
Some models have pockets
Cons:
Polyester fabric might not be the most breathable
Compression can feel a little binding
There are so many great options for hiking pants these days with companies focusing on fit and expanding size ranges. Sustainability also seems to be more important as most of these pants are made partially from recycled materials. Whatever you style preference there is a pant out there for you! If you are looking for hiking shirts to complete your outfit, check out my post about the best women’s hiking shirts!
