The Best Hiking Shorts of 2026

The Nike ACG hiking shorts for women offer the perfect length and fit for every trail lover. These shorts are wide on the leg, long, and stretchy, making them ideal for every body type. Their comfortable high-waisted fit and adjustable drawcord keeps them snug on your waist.

What’s more, these shorts include a loop to attach your hiking essentials and secure hand pockets to store your phone, snacks, and more.

These flowy summer shorts are made from ripstop stretch cotton, meaning they’re durable and let you move freely. They’re both functional and stylish, making them ideal for both summer hikes and lifestyle activities. They have easy-to-access zip pockets, where you can place items like chapstick or keys, and a high-rise adjustable belt.

Buy these shorts one size up if you prefer a supple, boyfriend fit or in your normal size if you don’t.

If you need a pair of shorts that you can wear to a casual lunch as well as on an exposed ridge, these versatile hiking shorts may be perfect for you. Many reviewers even own these shorts in multiple pairs because of how much they love them for their comfort, easy fit, and abrasion resistance.

What’s more, these shorts are water repellant and have UPF 50+ protection. Plus, they come with secure cargo pockets and are made of a lightweight and stretchy fabric.

These hiking shorts will make your hot hikes feel more bearable with their lightweight and stretchy components that allow you to move freely up the mountain. According to customers, they have a very comfortable and classic fit. Plus, they’re designed with Columbia’s Omni-Shade technology to protect your skin from harmful sunlight and Omni-Shield technology to shield your shorts from rain and stains. What's more, these shorts come with zippered pockets to hold your small essentials.

Built for performance, these versatile hiking and running shorts are great for everyday use. Reviewers wear them for a wide variety of activities, from rock climbing and day hiking to road running. Many also describe them as being both comfortable and lightweight.

These shorts also provide sun protection, include a quick-drying fabric, and are made of all-recycled polyester. They even have mesh front pockets, secure velcro back pockets, and a no-scratch elastic waistband.

These standard hiking shorts are ideal for leisurely hikes in any summer weather condition. They have water-resistant properties that let them dry shortly after light drizzling rain or if you’re sweating on a humid day. They’re made with FlashDry technology, which is The North Face’s name for the feature that helps them stay cool and dry quickly.

These shorts also have hand pockets, a belt and belt loop, and zip side pockets. Many reviewers say they run small, so we recommend going one size up.