The Best Hiking Pants for Women in 2024

Finding the right pair of women’s pants for outdoor activities is a notoriously difficult task. Too stretchy, not stretchy enough, high-waisted, low-waisted, cinched ankles or roll-ups, it’s not easy to wade through all the options.

After researching dozens of the best women’s hiking pants on the market today, we chose 16 models from popular brands to test. Our lead tester, Miya Tsudome, tried each of them personally, taking them on local hikes in southern California, on exposed trails and through prickly desert plants, and on mountain switchbacks with river crossings and bug exposure. 

During testing, we considered comfort, durability, and freedom of movement. We also looked at value, style, and clever features. Having specific metrics allowed us to objectively compare different models of pants to see where they excelled and fell short. After several months of researching the newest pants and putting them to the test, we narrowed down the best options for different uses, in categories such as versatility, durability, and budget. 

Luckily, we’re seeing an expanding list of hiking pants for women. And while there isn’t a single hiking pant to suit every woman, we’ve broken the list into useful categories to help you find the best fit.

Don’t forget to check out our buyer’s guide and frequently asked questions for helpful tips, and have a look at our comparison chart to help steer your decision-making.

Editor’s Note: We refreshed this article on April 13, 2024, identifying a new best overall pick, the Outdoor Research Ferrossi Pant. We’ve also added two new products– the REI Co-op Trailmade Pants, a new budget-friendly option, and the Outdoor Afro + REI Co-op Trail Pants, a collaboration celebrating inclusion in outdoor recreation.

The Best Hiking Pants for Women in 2024

Women’s Hiking Pants Comparison Chart

How We Tested Women’s Hiking Pants

Here at GearJunkie, we are dedicated athletes, outdoor hobbyists, and all-around adventure aficionados. In other words, we do it all, and we know what it’s like to want your clothing to be able to keep up.

We’ve been reviewing hiking pants for this guide since July 2020, and each year we carefully research the best hiking pants on the market to review. In this latest iteration, our testers spent over a year researching which models to test, and put those hiking pants through the wringer. From rocky trails in the Pacific Northwest, to the desert sagebrush and alpine mountains of Bishop, Calif., we ensured that each pair was worn over several miles in varying terrain and conditions to see how they measured up to one another. 

Contributor Rebecca Ross is a hiking and backpacking enthusiast. She’s hiked all over the Pacific Northwest, often combined with climbing objectives. An American Alpine Club grant recipient, she’s no stranger to international climbing expeditions.

Our other tester and editor, Miya Tsudome, is also an avid hiking enthusiast and former guide for the Yosemite Mountain School, and can often be found going deep into the High Sierra mountains in her backyard of Bishop, Calif. She’s used and destroyed plenty of pants bushwhacking her way to remote crags and shimmying up granite chimneys.

Assessing each of these pants with objective metrics such as material, versatility, mobility, weatherproofing, and additional features, Miya and Rebecca were able to write an informed buyer’s guide full of useful information. Their combined experience and knowledge — plus their overall intuition on what a great pair of hiking pants should look and feel like — will hopefully help you find the best pair for your next adventure.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Hiking Pants

This guide focuses on the best hiking pants on the market that boast durability over the long run. Check out our guide to the best leggings if you want more suggestions for activewear to match all your adventures. Also, if you’re looking for male-specific models, check out our guide on the Best Hiking Pants for men.

Material

Do you plan to hike only in warm summer months or do you plan to hike all year round in fluctuating weather? Do you like a lot of stretch in your pants or are you looking for something more waterproof and durable? These questions are important to keep in mind when choosing hiking pants, which come in all types of materials these days. 

Most all hiking pants are made of a blend of synthetic materials. In our lineup, nylon, polyester, and spandex (elastane) are heavily featured. This ensures they have qualities that make them breathable or weather-resistant, as well as stretchy to keep you comfortable on the trail.

Pants made primarily of polyester, like the Kuhl Freeflex Rollup Pants and Fjallraven Keb Curved Trousers, are typically more breathable with high moisture-wicking abilities and medium stretch. 

Pants that are primarily made of nylon, like the Patagonia Quandary Pants, Prana Halle Hiking Pants, Columbia Saturday Trail Pant, and Coalatree Trailhead Pants are tougher than pants made primarily of polyester, making them the better choice if durability is of concern.

Lastly, pants with a higher level of elastane, like the Coalatree Trailhead Pants, or naturally, any leggings like the Athleta Headlands Cargo Tights, will provide more stretch.

Choosing what type of fabric will best suit your needs is ultimately a matter of personal preference and comfort, as well as considering if you need durability or breathability based on the type of hiking you will be doing. If you are looking for even more breathability, you might want to choose pants that are made with extra ventilation features like on the Fjallraven Keb Curved Trousers. These heavy-duty hiking pants have side vents on each pant leg for when you need some extra help cooling down. 

Also, since pants are adding additional features to safeguard you from the sun — look for pants with UPF protection like the Outdoor Research Ferrosi which is rated at 50+ UPF!

Pant Length & Versatility

Hiking pants typically come in three main options: full-length, convertible, and roll-up.

Full-length pants are a great option for complete leg protection, even in the summer. Most of the pants on our list are considered full-length like the Patagonia Skyline Traveler Pants or the Columbia Saturday Trail Pant.

Convertible pants — none are shown in our list — are a 2-in-1 packaged deal. They can be worn as shorts or pants, as the legs zip off. They’re a great option for variable weather and multiday hikes where you want more options and less gear to pack. They don’t get as many style points but are functional and versatile if that’s what you’re looking for. 

And somewhere between full-length and convertible lie roll-up pants similar to Patagonia’s Quandary pants or the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants. Such pants have a tab, button, or drawcord that secures the cuff when rolled up.

Some of our testers are also big proponents of ankle-length pants that don’t require you to roll the cuff, like the Mountain Hardwear Women’s Dynama/2 Ankle. Not only can this be a style preference, but also it allows you to wear hiking boots with ankle cuffs without having to make any alterations to your pants, which can be a bonus for some.

Mobility

Being able to move freely is a major hallmark of the best hiking pants. Whether running down the trail or scrambling up a rocky patch, you don’t want your pants restricting your movement. This is where design features like a gusseted crotch, articulated knees, and stretchy materials prove useful.

The female shape can be tough to fit, but there are more options now than ever before, and some pants, like the Outdoor Afro + REI Co-op Trail Pants accommodate a variety of body shapes and sizes. Some brands like Fjallraven offer curvy and straight fits, while others have added plus-size technical options. And because every body is shaped differently, it can be helpful to try on a few pairs before buying to ensure a snug (but comfortable) fit.

When it comes to trekking-specific leggings, like our favorite pick, Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights HD they can often be slightly tighter and less forgiving than typical yoga pants but are more durable and often reinforced to aid in longevity on the trail.

Features

Hiking pants come in all shapes and sizes, and some features like the type of waist closure or size and the number of pockets can help you decide what kind of pants you’ll like the best. 

Pockets can be helpful when accessing items quickly while out on the trail. Often, hiking pants will have front and back pockets, like we noted on the REI Co-op Trailmade Pants. Pants with more versatility will provide a zippered pocket on the thigh for added security.

Since we like to stay on the move, we prefer pants with deep pockets that fit our phones or snacks and, ideally ones that zip. When it comes to pockets that are not functional for our needs, they tend to make it on our cons list.

The Fjallraven Keb Curved Trousers have an impressive amount of pockets, with two hand pockets plus two deep pockets on each leg, and even an interior mesh pocket. We also really appreciate when leggings feature pockets, and that’s one of the main reasons the Athleta Headlands Cargo Tights and the Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights made it onto our list.

You’ll also have to decide what type of waist closure you’re looking for in a hiking pant. Most traditional hiking pants feature a zipper and button closure, like the Outdoor Research Ferrosi, Patagonia Quandary, Prana Halle II, Kuhl Freeflex, and Columbia Saturday Trail Pant. These types of pants also all come with belt loops, so you can dial in a precise fit.

The Coalatree Trailhead pants feature a cinched waistband with a drawcord for a more casual, rather than technical, look. For some, the stretchy waistband of leggings might be more appealing. These fit snugly under a backpacking backpack’s waist belt, and won’t be prone to any snagging or bunching like button-closure pants might. 

Weather Protection

A DWR (durable waterproof repellent) coating is used on most hiking pants. It doesn’t make pants completely waterproof but adds enough protection to keep you dry on dewy mornings or in light showers.

The Coalatree Trailhead Pants and Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants provide a DWR finish for unexpected rain, but we don’t recommend wearing them as all-weather pants. Instead, you would want something designed to take on more precipitation like the Columbia Saturday Trail Pant with Omni-Shield for repelling stains and water. However, if you wish to have total waterproof protection — rain pants layered over hiking pants will do the trick.

It’s worth mentioning that DWR coatings wear out over time, so you’ll want to treat heavily used hiking pants for optimal performance. Nikwax Softshell Proof Wash-In is an easy way to keep your pants repelling water year after year.

Additional Features for Hiking Pants

The little extras can really make or break a good pair of pants. Some of the features available are well-positioned cargo pockets, zippered pockets, cooling vents, belt loops, and built-in belts. These boost a pant’s useability and function on long treks, and help with organization and overall comfort as the miles grind by.

Additional features we like are stain resistance and anti-microbial properties for fewer washes, protection from abrasions to keep your pants lasting through rugged terrain, and even designated waist loops designed to keep items handy. Whether you want these or not depends on your personal hiking plans and style.

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