Women’s Hiking Pants Don’t Have to Suck—Shop Our Picks

You don’t need a totally separate wardrobe to hit the trails (it’s possible your leggings will work just fine). But for extra protection from the elements, the best hiking pants— bottoms designed to weather wear and tear from the great outdoors—are worth the investment.

Usually made from tough, abrasion-resistant materials and tailored with extra room to layer over heavy boots, hiking pants can get a bad rap for feeling stiff and looking frumpy. But newer brands like Hikerkind and Outdoor Voices (and even some industry standards like Patagonia and Eddie Bauer) are now putting out comfy, good-looking bottoms for the trails. We’re talking sleek joggers, high-waisted cargo pants, throwback-style convertible pants, and even a pair you don’t need to pull down when you pee. Again, you don’t need to overhaul your closet to enjoy a little nature walk. But if you spend a lot of time outside, the best hiking pants will level up your jaunts.

Our top picks

1. Most Comfortable: Patagonia Caliza Rock Pants, $109
2. Best for Trail-to-Town Days: Hikerkind 8 Pocket Pants 01, $198
3. Best for Cold Weather: Kuhl Klash Pant, $139
4. Best Convertible: Outdoor Voices RecTrek Zip-Off Pant, $138
5. Best Rain Pants: Eddie Bauer Cloud Cap Stretch Rain Pants, $129
6. Most Useful Design: Gnara Go There Pant, $168
7. Best Budget Pick: REI Sahara Convertible Pants, $90

Shop the best hiking pants

Don’t spend your next hike dealing with a pinchy waistband or sweating under thick fabric. Check out our favorite hiking pants for pretty much any outdoor excursion, including SELF Outdoor Award winners and a bunch of trail-tested pairs that our team can vouch for.

Most Comfortable: Patagonia Caliza Rock Pants

“These pants are so clearly made for the outdoors, but don’t feel like it when I put them on,” according to one SELF staffer. Their exterior is rough (“a little like wind pants,” she says), but the interior is soft and brushed. “It adds a bit of warmth that comes in handy, especially during late fall weather,” she adds. The waistband is wide, with no closures or adjustment features—our staffer had hers taken in for a more secure fit. It lays flat and smooth against your torso, a major plus if you’re wearing a pack with a hip belt.

Our staffer likes her Calizas for rock climbing and hikes where she doesn’t need to keep a lot of items on her person (they only have two drop-in pockets, and if you try to stash heavy items inside, they can drag the pants down). Their stretchy, pull-on design also makes them a solid option for long travel days.

Best for Trail-to-Town Days: Hikerkind 8 Pocket Pants 01

It’s rare for a pair of pants to work equally well for day hikes, climbing sessions, and errands around Brooklyn, but one SELF writer says Hikerkind’s 8 Pocket Pants can do all that and more. “They’re breathable and stretchy where it counts, but still sturdy and well-made,” she says. “At first I thought the multitude of pockets was a gimmick, but all eight of them are truly functional and keep all my valuables handy.” And with their refined cargo style and high-cut waist, they look like any other pair of barrel-leg jeans you’d wear on a coffee run.

Best for Cold Weather: Kuhl Klash Pant

A warm, brushed lining and tough exterior makes the Klash softshell pants from expert-approved brand Kuhl great for chilly days. They’re water-, wind-, and abrasion-resistant, with gusseted ankle cuffs that can expand to accommodate high-cut winter boots.

For a lighter-weight option from the same brand, Ingrid Johnson, a product specialist at REI, recommends the Freeflex Roll-Up Pants. They have internal buttons that let you turn them into capris by cuffing the bottom hems.

Best Convertible: Outdoor Voices RecTrek Zip-Off Pant

For maximum versatility, the RecTrek Zip-Off Pant is another SELF staffer favorite. Our writer received her pair from OV over two years ago and still wears them year-round—after all, it’s pants, capris, and shorts in one tidy package.

“These are high-waisted hiking pants that stay! in! place!” she says, noting that the belt (which is inside the waistband but can be removed) cinches and fastens flat without digging in. “Their fabric is tough, but not heavy or stiff, which allows me to move freely without worrying about grazing my legs,” she adds.

When the temperatures start to rise, she can zip the legs off and enter shorts mode, where their hem stops around the mid-thigh. “These are key pants for those days where the weather can’t seem to make up its mind,” she says. “I’ve started and ended the day in RecTrek pants, but have spent the afternoon in RecTrek shorts.”

Best Rain Pants: Eddie Bauer Cloud Cap Stretch Rain Pants

With sealed, waterproof seams and a durable water repellent (DWR) coating, the Cloud Cap Stretch Rain Pants from Eddie Bauer will keep you nice and dry when things get soggy. They won an Outdoor Award in 2022 for their effective waterproofing and unique cut: A lot of rain pants are so baggy, they feel heavy and unwieldy, but these are a little more form-fitting. You can still layer underneath them without feeling like you’re wearing trash bags on your legs—and you can adjust the cuffs to fit snugly around your ankles.

Most Useful Design: Gnara Go There Pant

“Not only are these some of the comfiest, most functional outdoor pants in my wardrobe, but they also allow me to easily answer nature’s call while out in, well, nature,” our senior commerce writer wrote in her review of the Gnara (formerly SheFly) Go There Pant. It features a second zipper directly behind the fly that opens the pants from the crotch to the backside. If you sit to pee, that means you don’t have to pull down your pants, underpants, and any other layers to relieve yourself: Just unzip, squat, pull your underpants to the side (unless you choose to go commando), and go. The second zipper is lined, yet low-profile—our writer says it didn’t add any bulk to the pants or catch on her underwear.

Even if you aren’t worried about peeing in the great outdoors, these are still a great pair of hiking pants. They’re high-waisted, stretchy, and durable—plus, they have adjustable cords at the waist and ankles.

Best Budget Pick: REI Sahara Convertible Pants

Johnson also likes the convertible version of REI Co-Op’s Sahara Pants, especially if you’re looking for lightweight bottoms that clock in under $100. Quick-drying and made with a DWR coating, they’re ready for both sweat and rain, and they zip off at the knee to turn into hiking shorts when the heat starts to rise. There are also vertical zippers at the ankle cuffs, so you can switch to shorts without having to take off your boots.

What should you look for in a good pair of hiking pants?

The right pants will be comfortable and functional. Keeping these tips in mind while you shop will make finding them that much easier.

Related:

• The Best Hiking Boots for Plantar Fasciitis, Approved by Podiatrists
• Hiking Gear Under $50 That SELF Editors Swear By
• 12 Toasty Base Layers That Experts and Editors Love

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