October 8, 2024 – By Alex Magalhaes
If you’re a woman who loves hiking, you know how challenging it can be to find the right gear—especially the perfect hiking shorts. Despite the growing demand, there’s a noticeable gap in the market for shorts that are both functional and stylish. So, why is it so difficult to find quality hiking shorts for women, and what should you look for in a great pair?
Why Finding Hiking Shorts for Women Is Challenging
- Lack of Specific Design: Many outdoor brands still design their products with a “unisex” approach, often prioritizing men’s needs. Women’s bodies have unique needs, such as different hip structures and waist-to-hip ratios, making it crucial to have tailored designs.
- Limited Selection: Most outdoor retailers focus on jackets, shoes, and pants, while women’s hiking shorts often receive less attention. This can make finding the right pair a frustrating process.
- Seasonal Availability: Many stores treat hiking shorts as seasonal items, making it tough to find high-quality options once summer ends.
Why the Right-Hiking Shorts Matter
- Comfort: Hiking shorts should allow for a full range of motion without chafing or pinching, ensuring comfort on long trails.
- Temperature Regulation: The right fabric can keep you cool in hot weather or warm in cooler conditions, ensuring a more enjoyable hike.
- Durability: Hiking can be rough on clothing. The right shorts should be able to handle the wear and tear of rough trails without ripping or wearing out too quickly.
Best Materials for Hiking Shorts
- For Hot Weather: Nylon or polyester blends are ideal for their breathability and moisture-wicking properties. A bit of spandex adds stretch for ease of movement.
- For Cold Weather: Look for thicker materials like softshell fabric or lined polyester, which provide extra warmth while staying breathable.
- For Rainy Conditions: Opt for water-resistant or quick-drying synthetic blends with a durable water-repellent (DWR) coating to stay dry during unexpected showers.
- For All Seasons: Merino wool blends are great for regulating temperature, managing moisture, and resisting odors, making them perfect for multi-day hikes.
How Can Brands Improve?
The outdoor industry has an opportunity to bridge these gaps by prioritizing the design of women’s hiking shorts and understanding the specific needs of female hikers. Here are a few ways brands can improve:
- Focus on Fit and Functionality: Designing shorts that cater to a variety of body shapes and sizes will go a long way. Prioritizing comfort and functional features like stretchability, durable fabrics, and practical pockets is key.
- Expand Year-Round Offerings: Recognizing that hiking isn’t just a summer activity can help brands keep a steady stock of hiking shorts throughout the year.
- Inclusive Sizing: Offering a wider range of sizes that consider different body types can help make hiking shorts more accessible to a diverse group of women.
- Maintain a Balance Between Style and Utility: Creating stylish yet functional designs can appeal to those who want to look good while staying comfortable on the trail.
Best Hiking Shorts: Top Picks for Comfort and Durability
I was pleasantly surprised to find several brands that effectively address the common shortcomings often associated with women’s hiking shorts. Many outdoor enthusiasts frequently struggle with issues related to fit, comfort, and functionality, which can lead to frustration during their adventures. In this article, I aim to highlight lesser-known brands that not only offer stylish designs but also prioritize essential performance features such as moisture-wicking fabrics, ample storage, and sun protection. Learning about these brands was refreshing, as they are dedicated to meeting the specific needs of women hikers. By doing so, they make it easier for women to find shorts that enhance their outdoor experience rather than detract from it.
Check out these three recommended brands known for their quality women’s hiking shorts
- Women’s Lightweight Hugut Hiking Cargo Shorts
- Lightweight & Quick-Dry Fabric: Crafted from breathable, quick-dry, and water-resistant fabric to keep you cool and comfortable all day long.
- Adjustable Elastic Waistband: Features a 360-degree elastic waistband with an adjustable drawstring for a custom fit that prevents pressure marks during hikes or workouts.
- Ample Storage: Equipped with five secure zipper pockets—two side pockets, two cargo pockets, and one rear pocket—deep enough for your phone, keys, wallet, and other essentials.
- Water Resistance & Sun Protection: Treated with durable water repellent (DWR) for light rain and stains, plus built-in UPF 50+ protection against harmful UV rays, ensuring safety during outdoor activities.
- Versatile Use: Ideal for a variety of activities, including hiking, camping, traveling, biking, fishing, rock climbing, kayaking, jogging, and everyday casual wear.
- These shorts combine functionality and comfort, making them a must-have for your outdoor adventures!
- Check out Hugut Cargo Shorts here.
2. Top-Rated Willit Women’s Cargo Shorts for Hiking: Comfort Meets Durability
- Experience ultimate comfort and functionality with the Willit Women’s Cargo Shorts, perfect for any adventure:
- Advanced Technology: Lightweight, breathable fabric wicks moisture away, keeping you dry. Features a durable water-repellent finish to repel light rain and stains.
- Sun Protection: UPF 50+ rating protects against harmful UVA/UVB rays, ensuring safety in the sun.
- Multi-Pockets: Two front zip pockets and two cargo pockets offer secure storage for your essentials.
- Elastic Waistband: High-waisted, stretchy waistband with drawstring for a comfortable, adjustable fit. Inseam length: 7″.
- Ideal for hiking, travel, jogging, or everyday wear, these shorts combine style with practicality for all your outdoor activities!
- Shop Willit Women’s Cargo Shorts here
3. Columbia Anytime Outdoor Shorts
- Materials: Polyester and elastane blend, featuring moisture-wicking and sun-protective properties.
- Why It’s Eco-Friendly: Columbia is working towards sustainability with improved material sourcing and production processes.
- Best For: Budget-conscious hikers or beginners.
- Find Columbia Anytime Outdoor Shorts here.
Conclusion: A Market Ready for Change
While finding the perfect pair of hiking shorts for women can feel like a daunting task, the demand is clear. Women are looking for hiking shorts that are designed with them in mind—ones that offer comfort, functionality, and style. As more brands start to recognize this need, there’s hope that the market will evolve to provide better options, making it easier for women to gear up and enjoy the trails. Until then, knowing what to look for and where to search can help women navigate the current challenges and find a pair of hiking shorts that meets their needs.
Ready to upgrade your hiking shorts? Check out these top-rated options from:
Check out Hugut Cargo Shorts here.
Shop Willit Women’s Shorts here.
Find Columbia Anytime Outdoor Shorts here.
Affiliate Disclosure: As an affiliate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases through links in this article, at no additional cost to you.
