Our preferred hiking shorts are comfy, breathable, quick-drying, and have large/secure pockets
What makes the best hiking shorts varies significantly based on personal preference, body shape, and how you intend to use them. However, a number of traits stand out to us as appealing to all hikers and backpackers. They are as follows: comfortable, breathable, durable, quick-drying, good-looking, movement-friendly, and having ample, deep, and secure pocket storage. For the most part, all of the shorts in this guide exhibit those traits.
However, it’s exceedingly difficult to find a perfect pair of shorts that embodies all of those traits while also offering your body a perfect fit and matching your exact storage and intended use preferences (will you be bushwhacking? Will you go into town after? Will you be running and hiking? etc.) The best shorts for one person may not be the best for another. There is no one best pair, despite whatever you might read on the internet.
Therefore, this buyer’s guide attempts highlight to the best hiking shorts based on universally desirable performance features. We won’t speak much to fit because that’s simply too subjective. But for context, our typical use case for hiking shorts is as follows: walking 10-20 miles per day on-trail in warm weather, carrying a backpack, and pocketing a phone, tube of sunscreen, lip balm, and hiker wallet with a few cards and cash. If that sounds like you, then we think you’ll like these shorts!
And while you’re here, make sure not to miss our guides to the best hiking socks, trail running shorts, trail running pants, hiking pants, rain kilts, men’s long boxers, or hiking shoes!
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Cover Photo of Patagonia Multi Trails by Simon Pratt
Quick Picks for Best Hiking Shorts
- Best Overall: Patagonia Multi Trails
- Editor’s Choice: Path Projects Graves PX Relaxed
- Top Pick: REI Co-op Active Pursuit
- Best Women’s Cargo: KUHL FreeFlex Cargo
- Best Men’s Cargo: REI Co-op Sahara Cargo
- Thru-Hiker Favorite: Patagonia Baggies
Path Projects Graves PX by Simon Pratt
Comparison Table for the Best Hiking Shorts
Mobile users rotate device for full width table view
| Shorts | Weight (oz) | Price ($) | Pockets | Waist |
| Patagonia Multi Trails | 4.0 | 79/69 | 3 | Elastic + Drawcord |
| Path Projects Graves PX | 5.7 | 68 | 3 | Elastic + Drawcord |
| REI Co-op Active Pursuit | 6.3 | 50 | 3 |
Elastic + Drawcord
|
| KUHL Freeflex Cargo | 8.5 | 89 | 6 |
Snap, Zipper Fly, Belt Loops
|
| REI Co-op Sahara Cargo | 8.0 | 59 | 6 |
Button, Zipper Fly, Belt Loops
|
| Patagonia Baggies | 7.2 | 69 | 3 |
Elastic + Drawcord
|
Best Hiking Shorts
Patagonia Multi Trails Shorts
Patagonia Multi Trails are the best overall shorts for men, women, and kids because they’re extremely comfy, airy, stretchy, and have secure zipper hand pockets. This pair is designed for running as much as hiking, so the fabric is thinner with a much sportier “activewear feel,” than traditional nylon cargo shorts. Other features include the snap back pocket and elastic drawstring waistband. They’re available in multiple inseam lengths; we recommend choosing the shorter option since it allows for better airflow. Biggest drawback is that these are lined shorts; so cut out the liner for best results. No built-in liner underwear will ever fit or perform as well as your preferred standalone option, and keeping it means you have to change underwear in order to change out of the shorts.
- Weight: 4.0 oz (our measurement)
- Price: $79 M’s | $69 W’s
- Pockets: 2 zippered hand, 1 snap rear
- Material: 90% recycled polyester, 10% Spandex
- Inseam: 8″ M’s | 5″ W’s
- Built-In Liner: Yes
- Waist: Elastic band with internal drawstring
- Pros: Very stretchy. Very breathable. Sustainable. Zippered pockets. Comfiest.
- Cons: No side thigh pockets. Cut out the liner. High spandex content slows dry time.
Editor’s Choice
Path Projects Graves PX Relaxed
The Path Projects Graves PX are my personal favorite running and hiking shorts, though they’re only available in a men’s cut. They perform well thanks to the combination of zippered hand pockets, a relaxed airy fit, large side notch, and highly durable quick-dry fabric. The 100% polyester Toray PrimeFlex dries faster, smells better, snags less, sags less, and lasts longer than Spandex blend alternatives. I’m particularly keen on the elastic plus drawstring waistband combo, and the slightly stretchy mesh hand pockets which hold a phone in place well without bouncing around. Drawbacks to this design are its men’s only fit (though my partner with curvy hips can easily fit them), unusual pull-downward-to-close zipper track, and the fact that the fabric could be a bit thinner/lighter.
- Weight: 5.7 oz
- Price: $68
- Pockets: 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered rear
- Material: 100% polyester
- Inseam: 5″ or 7″
- Waist: Elastic band with internal drawstring
- Pros: Quick dry. Mechanical stretch. Zippered hand pockets. Great looking. Good waistband. Tall notch. Really nice Toray brand fabric. Pockets hold phone without bouncing much. Durable.
- Cons: Upside down side-zipper direction; small opening bites hands. Men’s-only. Their version of relaxed is more of a standard fit. A bit heavy.
REI Co-op Active Pursuit Shorts
The unisex REI Co-op Active Pursuits with 6″ inseam are a comfy, stretchy, affordable pair with snap-closure hand pockets and a bonus zipper side pocket, all of which can safely store essentials without impeding your stride. The nylon Spandex blend fabric is highly stretchy and blurs the line between running and hiking shorts. The elastic-plus-drawcord waistband is comfy and gives a nicely customizable fit. These shorts are as versatile as they are comfortable. Drawbacks are that the snap closure pockets could/should be more secure, they don’t dry particularly fast, and the fabric could be a bit lighter.
- Weight: 6.3 oz
- Price: $50
- Pockets: 2 snap hand, 1 zip inner hand
- Material: 90% recycled nylon, 10% Spandex
- Inseam: 6″ unisex
- Built-In Liner: No
- Waist: Elastic band with static internal drawstring
- Pros: Very stretchy. Airy. Side slit. Secure pockets. Comfy. Good value. Good durability.
- Cons: Snap pockets could be more secure. On the heavy side.
Best Women’s Cargo Hiking Shorts
Kuhl FreeFlex Cargo
For traditional women’s cargo hiking shorts, we recommend the Kuhl FreeFlex. This 10″ inseam length pair is notable for immaculate user reviews, having six pockets, and a high performance yet soft and comfy 100% polyester fabric. The material is mechanically stretchy without the use of Spandex, meaning faster dry time, better breathability, and better smelling. It also doesn’t stretch out as much and won’t get saggy looking. Drawbacks to this design are that longer inseam lengths reduce air flow, and can run a bit hot. It is best paired with a belt.
A shorter non-cargo version is also available.
- Weight: 8.5 oz
- Price: $89
- Pockets: 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered rear
- Material: 100% polyester
- Inseam: 10″
- Waist: Button closure and belt loops.
- Pros: Best-in-class pockets. Comfy. Durable. Quick Dry.
- Cons: Expensive. Long inseam decreases air flow.
Best Men’s Cargo Hiking Shorts
REI Co-op Sahara Cargo Shorts
For an affordable pair of men’s cargo hiking shorts that checks all of the boxes, we recommend REI Co-op Sahara. This pair features six pockets for all of your storage needs, including two thigh, two hand, and two rear. The nylon/spandex fabric blend is cool, light, and quick drying, pretty much exactly what you’d expect. Notable drawbacks are the unusually narrow belt loops, which may not be able to accommodate wider, stiffer, leather belts. And of course, the fact that its 9″ inseam gets less air flow than sportier 5″ inseam running shorts.
- Weight: 8 oz
- Price: $60
- Pockets: 2 slash cut hand, 2 rear, 2 cargo
- Material: 96% nylon, 4% spandex
- Inseam: 9″
- Waist: Elasticized half waistband on rear with belt loops and button closure zipper fly
- Pros: Good pockets. Good value. Alan’s choice.
- Cons: Inexcusably narrow belt loops. Not particularly stretchy or sporty.
Thru-Hiking Favorite
Patagonia Baggies
Thru-hikers love Patagonia Baggies because they’re loose and airy, very quick drying, indestructible, and have the deepest hand pockets of all time. Technically speaking, they were designed to be board shorts, but work just as well for hiking too. The Baggies magic is derived from a 100% woven nylon fabric. The lack of Spandex helps to them to dry quickly and smell better, since they absorb less moisture. It also boosts durability since they never snag, sag, or rip. While the lack of stretch slightly impairs movement and is definitely a drawback, the short inseam and very loose fits helps compensate while also boosting airflow. Other drawbacks include the need to remove liners from the men’s model, and a lackluster waistband which would be benefit from twice as much elastic surface area.
- Weight: 7.2 oz (M) 4.9 (W)
- Price: $69
- Pockets: 2 hand, 1 back (M’s only)
- Material: 100% recycled nylon
- Inseam: 5″ base model for M & W, variations available
- Pros: Exceptionally deep pockets. Indestructible fabric. Quick-drying. Breezy. Eco-friendly. Fun prints.
- Cons: M’s liner needs to be cut out. Bad waist band. Pockets can be too deep. No stretch.
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