Hiking Pants
Hiking pants are an important purchase because they must serve a lot of purposes and still be comfortable. In addition to keeping you warm and dry, they should be breathable, durable, tear resistant, provide sun protection, and be roomy enough so you can fit a pair of long underwear underneath in colder conditions.
As discussed in Layering, in colder climates and in the mountains you’ll need long underwear, a Base Layer. Base Layer pants generally only need to be worn in fall and winter months, depending on where you live.
Women’s Hiking Pants Shopping Tips:
- Decide what features you really need. If you hike in hot, dry climates, you’ll want to make sure your pants are breathable. Likewise, if you’re in colder, wetter climates, you’ll want a pair that is less breathable and provides some water repellancy (you’ll still need rain pants for downpours).
- Make sure your hiking pants can be worn with layers. You’ll want to be able to wear your hiking pants over a pair of long underwear, and underneath a pair of rainpants. When that sudden downpour comes and it is time to zip on your rain pants, they better fit over your hiking pants!
- Convertible hiking pants or not? Decide if you need pants that convert to shorts or capris, or neither. There are lots of options on the market: zip off legs so you can quickly switch to hiking shorts, button up capris so you can cool off on hot summer hikes, and regular old hiking pants that are just pants. Are you going to be hiking near poison ivy or oak? Are you going to be in mosquito country? Then you probably don’t need hiking shorts.
- UPF sun protection. Hiking pants with a UPF rating will have a tighter fabric weave, so will provide better protection from harmful sun exposure. Learn more about the importance of UPF ratings and what it means.
- Look for pants that have lots of pockets. There is always chapstick, sunscreen, snacks, cameras, and all sorts of gear that we want to keep handy. Having pockets in your hiking pants sure help make it easy to have the important items readily accessible.
- Find pants that fit you! What is the point of buying hiking pants that aren’t comfortable? Plus, don’t you want to look cute hiking on the trail?
Womens Hiking Pants
Hiking Lady’s Favorite Women’s Hiking Pants:
Base Layer Bottoms
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Women’s Smartwool Lightweight Bottoms (Long Underwear): These are the highest end long underwear I’ve tried, and work exactly as advertised: they help your body maintain a comfortable temperature, they are made of fine merino wool (so are “wicking”), are very soft, and easy to take care of (machine washable). I also use them as PJs in my sleeping bag on camping and backpacking trips. |
Women’s Hiking Pants
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The North Face Women’s Paramount Porter Convertible Pant: These 3-in-1 pants, shorts, and capris, made by North Face, can be on the expensive side, but they’ll last forever! The fit is great because it provides for a nice straight leg look and boot cut bottom. They come in 3 lengths: short, regular, and long. The pockets on the front are stylish (though not that useful), but because the pockets are up front and not on the sides of the thighs, it doesn’t accentuate any excess curves many of us ladies have! They’re made of thick nylon fabric, so if you like to hike near prickly bushes or abrasive rocks, they’re a perfect choice. Plus, they have built in sun protection (UPF 30) and look great when converted to capris! |
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The North Face Women’s Horizon Utility Pant: If you like to hike in the summer or in hot conditions, but don’t want bushes scraping at your skin, these pants are great. They’re of a lighter weight nylon than the North Face Paramount Porter pants, and the waist a lower rise. The other difference is that they don’t convert into shorts, but they are convertible into capris. The only drawback is if you do a lot of backpacking, these are hip hugger pants and your pack tends to rest right at the waistband of these pants. |
I’m not a hiking lady, but I do wear pants when I hike. Or shorts. The pants I usually wear are the REI convertibles (because they’re inexpensive, and they make the green I need sometimes). I like the fit, they layer well, though I’ve never zipped the lower section off. The thing about nylon pants is they tend to feel grimy once they’ve been worn all day. I usually can’t wait to get home and change into some cotton – same goes for shirts, and skivvies. I’ve been looking for a balance between nylon and natural fibers for the trails. Any suggestions? Anyone?
Hi San Diego Hiker,
I understand completely! Have you tried Icebreaker wool fabrics? They are really soft… very pricey but they feel a lot better than a polyester t-shirt!
Actually, I’m a big fan of merino wool, my socks, liners, top base layers, and now, bottom are all merino. It works just great, feels great, and I grab new pieces when I see a sale. So, the synthetics aren’t so bad if there is merino underneath, but San Diego is San Diego and a wool base layer isn’t often appropriate. I guess some cotton, or mixed, pants are worth a try. Thanks.
I have a pair of prAna hiking pants that are 97% nylon, 3% spandex and they are a bit softer feeling than my 100% nylon North Face pants. Patagonia pants generally have some spandex too, and their nylon is woven. It feels softer, but like Icebreaker, it’s pricey!
As far as base layers, for moderately priced options that are lightweight, I like the REI base layers. They are polyester/spandex blend.
If you are looking for a combination of nylon and natural fibers, take a look at Fjäll Räven. They make these hiking pants, made of G-1000 fabric. It’s basically a combination of cotton and polyester.
It makes for a very comfortable and durable set of trousers.
You probably will only find it in Northern Europe (Scandinavia, Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany), but it is worth a try to fit one if you ever visit.
Thanks for the tip, Jacco!
I am a “pear” shape. I have round hips, but yet quite short. All hiking pants are too long for my size. Any tips or suggestions – since most hiking pants aren’t meant to be hemmed.
Hi there! Hemming hiking pants isn’t an issue as long as they don’t have zippers at the bottom. The North Face makes a few in petite sizes, which may help in your situation. The Paramount Porter pants come in Petite at REI. Also the Horizon pants have a very generous fit compared to others, so they may work for you. I own 2 pair and hemmed them both because I’m short too!
Hope that helps!
I actually prefer to forgo pockets and hike in running tights. I feel like I have a better range of motion and it pretty well eliminates any sort of chafing issues. And, practicality aside, I think I look better in them.
Hi Nikki,
Thanks for the comment. I just can’t live without my pockets! Good point about eliminating any sort of chafing issues. Happy trails!