Best Hiking Shorts of 2022 - Best Hiking Shorts for Men and Women for Warm Weather
You're looking for hiking shorts but aren't sure where to start. Stores are packed with different types of shorts offering a wide array of features and styles. How do you choose? After searching for the perfect hiking shorts online for hiking in the summer and fall months, these are our five top picks.
Hiking and trekking are great ways to have fresh air. If you have already chosen your brand-new mountain boots, you shouldn't forget the shorts. Every hiker can benefit from using great trail shorts with plenty of side pockets.
High-quality hiking shorts are hard to come by. When we started to search for our favorite brands, we found there was a lack of quality information about the best hiking gear on the market. We decided to take action and provide this list of the best hiking options available. Wherever you want to hit the rails, you're sure to find the right hiking shorts on this list.
How We Choose the Best Hiking Shorts
Hiking shorts are the perfect choice for summer, whether you're hiking or just enjoying a day out in the mountains. They offer comfort and flexibility, while also providing protection from insects and the sun's harmful UV rays.
When it comes to choosing the best shorts, there are a few things to consider. These days, there are so many options when it comes to hiking shorts that it can be difficult to find one that suits your needs. And if you’re someone who spends a lot of time outdoors, then finding the right pair of shorts is essential.
We know how hard it can be to find the perfect pair of hiking shorts, especially if you’re not sure what you should look for in them. That’s why we create this guide: to help you find what you need and get back out on the trail as quickly as possible!
Here are some things we took into consideration when choosing our top picks
Functionality - Hiking shorts need to be functional. They need to be able to keep up with whatever activity they're designed for while also being comfortable enough that they won't distract from your experience or cause discomfort during long hikes or other outdoor activities. They need to protect you from the elements, keep you cool, and provide enough hand pockets for your essential equipment.
Durability - Hiking shorts should be able to withstand all types of weather conditions without becoming damaged or falling apart too easily. They should also last longer than other types of garments so that they don't need replacing right away after purchase (or maybe even for years).
Comfort - They should be comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even on hot days or when walking up and down the mountainside.
Measurements - When choosing hiking shorts, it's important that they fit properly so they don't create chafing or discomfort while on the trail. That's why it's important to measure your waist and inseam before purchasing any new clothing items. The most common sizing is men's small through large; women's sizes typically run from 0 through 12. It's also important to take into account how much room you need for movement when selecting a size.
Materials - Hiking shorts are typically made from either nylon or polyester/spandex blends. Nylon shorts are more durable than polyester but not as breathable as polyester/spandex blends. Polyester/spandex blends are more breathable than nylon but less durable -- this makes them ideal for hot summer days when hiking in warmer climates where bugs aren't a problem. Nylon spandex blends are a good compromise between the two types, and some manufacturers offer a polyester spandex blend with added UV protection to help block out sun rays.
UNIONBAY Men's Survivor Belted Cargo Short - Overall Best Budget Hiking Shorts

Why we love it
The UNIONBAY Men's Survivor Belted Cargo Shorts are an essential part of your summer wardrobe. These men's shorts are made from 100% cotton with a classic cargo style and a D-ring belt to keep them secure. These hiking shorts come with oversized pockets, which are perfect for storing your phone, wallet, and other essentials.
These Unionbay men's hiking and backpacking shorts feature a waistband that has been designed to allow you to adjust it depending on your style preference. The pockets have been given extra room so that you can easily fit in all of your personal belongings without having to worry about them falling out. These pants have a button closure that makes it easy for you to take them off and put them on whenever you want to wear them.
The UNIONBAY Men's Survivor Belted Cargo Shorts are available in different sizes ranging from small through extra large so that you can find the perfect fit for yourself! There are many different colors available such as black, brown, khaki green, and grey so that you can select a color that matches well with any outfit that you plan on wearing these pants with!
What you should know
The UNIONBAY Men's Survivor Belted Cargo Shorts are relaxed-fit cargo shorts designed to be used with a belt. The perfect addition to your casual wardrobe, these packable shorts have four pockets for storage and two cargo pockets for quick access to your phone or keys. These shorts are made from 100% cotton, ensuring that it is durable and comfortable to wear.
For the active man who wants comfort and style, the Unionbay Men's Survivor Belted Cargo Shorts are great. This pair of shorts features a relaxed fit, included belt, and a regular length 11" Inseam short that sits just above or at your knee.
The cotton material is comfortable to wear while you're on the go and easy to clean when it comes time to wash them. The material is also durable enough to withstand any outdoor activity without getting damaged by abrasions or tears.
SANTINY Women's Hiking Cargo Shorts - Overall Best Hiking Shorts For Women

Why we love it
These classic hiking shorts are a great addition to your wardrobe if you are looking for comfort, style, and versatility. It has a drawstring closure, two front pockets with zippers, and two rear pockets. The material is 94% Polyester, and 6% Spandex, so it will keep you cool in hot weather.
These shorts are perfect for travel because they pack easily into any suitcase or duffle bag for a day on the town or at the beach. They also make an excellent gift for any woman in your life who loves fashion but needs something that is both comfortable and stylish to wear during her travels.
The SANTINY Women's Hiking Cargo Shorts are a lightweight pair of shorts that are perfect for summer wear. These hiking pants have quick dry fabric, drawstring closure, and zippered pockets for added convenience.
The lightweight hiking pants come in an array of colors, including black, blue, khaki, and many more. They feature a drawstring closure at the waistband so you can tighten the shorts to a comfortable fit.
What you should know
Santiny Women's Hiking Cargo Shorts are made of lightweight and quick dry fabric, which makes them ideal for travel, hiking, camping, cycling, running, and other outdoor activities.
Made of lightweight breathable fabric that is water-resistant, these cargo shorts will keep you fresh and comfortable all day long. The elastic waistband and multiple pockets allow you to carry all your items with ease while keeping them secure.
The lightweight and comfortable fabric delivers a firm compression fit to keep you feeling fresh all day long. The elastic waistband with drawstring ensures a comfortable and secure fit, while the multi pockets make it easy to store your essentials on the go. The Santiny womens cargo shorts also feature UPF 50+ sun protection, which is ideal for outdoor activities in hot weather conditions.
These versatile shorts can be worn for many occasions, such as traveling or hiking. They also make a great gift idea for the active woman in your life!
XKTTAC Men's Outdoor Lightweight Stretchy Shorts For Hiking - Overall Best Lightweight Hiking Shorts

Why we love it
XKTTAC Men's Stretchy Shorts are made of high-quality material and durable stitching, making them wearable for many years to come. These shorts are lightweight, quick dry, and made of a stretchy material that is perfect for any outdoor activities like hiking, camping, traveling, and more. They are considered the best hiking and running short as well
The XKTTAC Men's Stretchy Shorts are the perfect addition to your wardrobe. They're made with 92% Polyester, 6% Spandex, and 2% Pvc fabric material, which allows you to move around freely. These shorts are ideal for hiking, tactical training, and camping. You can also wear these lightweight shorts for travel and everyday use.
The two front pockets are used to keep your belongings safe and secure. There are two front pockets as well as two thigh pockets that you can use to store additional items like your passport or ID card. The thigh pockets have zippers so you can secure your valuables and prevent them from falling out accidentally.
These tactical shorts come in multiple colors so you can choose one that best suits your style and personality!
What you should know
XKTTAC Men's Stretchy Shorts are crafted with a unique blend of polyester, spandex, and PVC. With this combination, you get a pair of shorts that is lightweight, breathable, and quick dry.
These shorts work well for hiking, backpacking, playing tennis, running, or any other sport activity. These shorts will keep you comfortable at all times.
These quality hiking shorts are constructed of a very stretchy material so that you can move freely without restrictions. The zipper closure allows you to adjust the waistband as per your comfort level.
These hiking shorts include 6 pockets on them where you can store your valuables like keys and money securely. These pockets are also designed in such a way that they don’t add extra weight to your legs so that you can move freely without any hindrance in your movement or speed while playing any sports activity like tennis or running.
The reflective design on these XKTTAC Men’s Stretchy Shorts adds safety during nighttime or early morning rides when visibility is low due to low or no light conditions.
Eddie Bauer Men's Guide Pro Shorts - Great Pair Of Hiking Shorts For Professional Hikers

Why we love it
You've got a soft spot for the great outdoors, but sometimes you need an extra layer of protection from the elements. These men's Guide Pro Shorts from Eddie Bauer are a lightweight option that are perfect for hot days in the sun.
Eddie Bauer Men's Guide Pro Shorts are made of 94% Nylon and 6% Spandex. The shorts have a zipper closure and a regular inseam of 12 inches.
These are active-fit shorts, so they’re designed to fit looser than traditional athletic shorts. The material is of good quality and doesn’t feel flimsy. The fabric also moves well with your body without restricting your movement.
The pockets on the front and back are deep enough to hold small necessities like keys or even your phone without worrying about them falling out easily.
What you should know
When it comes to the perfect summer hiking shorts, you want something that's lightweight, breathable, and comfortable. Eddie Bauer Men's Guide Pro Shorts are made from a quick-drying, two-way stretch fabric that is both soft and durable.
The Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Shorts are the perfect addition to your daily wardrobe. These shorts have a 2-way stretch fabric that gives them a comfortable fit and feel. In addition, they incorporate revolutionary Polygiene technology in the waistband to fight odor and keep you looking fresh all day long to make these shorts the perfect option for warm-weather hiking.
These shorts are made with bluesign-certified fabric which means they were made in an environmentally friendly way using chemicals and dyes that are safe for both people and the environment. They also feature patented Soil Release Finish which helps prevent staining from dirt, mud, or grass so you can wear them straight out of the washing machine without having to worry about stains!
Fjallraven Abisko Shorts - Best Overall Hiking Short For Water Sports

Why we love it
The Fjallraven Men's Abisko Shorts are a great lightweight option for when you need a pair of shorts that can get wet without issue. Made from a blend of 60% polyester and 40% cotton, these shorts are comfortable and durable. The fabric is treated with a water-repellent finish that will keep you dry in light rain, but for heavy rain or snow, we recommend bringing along some rain pants.
These hiking pants offer a multi-pocket design that includes two zippered front pockets and two buttoned back pockets. These quick-drying shorts have a relaxed fit, which means they won't restrict your movement or cause discomfort as you move about. They also feature a belt-loop waistband to help adjust the fit as needed.
What you should know
The Fjallraven Men's Abisko Shorts are the perfect shorts to take on your next outdoor adventure. They're made from a lightweight, breathable fabric that will keep you cool while hiking or biking. These shorts are also functional and include two zip pockets and a key clip inside the waistband.
It has a relaxed fit so they're comfortable to wear no matter what the activity. They're made from a lightweight fabric that wicks away moisture and dries quickly so you don't have to worry about getting wet in even the wettest conditions.
The fabric is also super durable so you don't have to worry about it tearing on rocks or bushes during your hike. A button closure keeps them secure while you're out on the trail, but it also makes them easy to take off when you come back home at night!
Best Hiking Shorts FAQs
ARE GREAT HIKING SHORTS BREATHABLE?
Yes, although the breathability will vary depending on whether the pants are designed to be tight or loose-fitting. The reason for this is simple: you have to be able to get air around your legs. If you don't have an opening at the bottom of your pants, then you're going to end up with very constrictive shorts that will prevent you from getting much ventilation at all. The majority of hiking shorts are made from materials that allow for the flow of air through the material, but having loose openings at the end of the pant legs is simply more effective.
The best way to ensure that your shorts are able to breathe well is to make sure that they're made out of a material that isn't too thick or heavy. You'll want something light and thin so that there's not an excessive amount of fabric between your skin and the outside air.
WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR IN THE BEST HIKING SHORTS FOR MEN?
The comfortable hiking shorts are designed to be lightweight, breathable, and durable. They should also have a cut that's suitable for your body shape, so you're comfortable when you're on the move.
The first thing to look for is a material that lets sweat evaporate quickly so you don't get too hot and sweaty. Breathable fabrics like nylon or polyester are usually best for this purpose, although some models may use less breathable fabrics if they're mixed with moisture-wicking polyester or other materials.
Some hiking shorts are made with quick-drying polyester material, while others use cotton. Cotton is more absorbent than polyester but can take longer to dry in warm weather.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU NEED TO BUY HIKING SHORTS?
Hiking shorts are a great piece of clothing for anyone who enjoys the outdoors. They’re comfortable to wear and help keep you protected from the elements. But what is the lifespan of hiking shorts?
The lifespan of shorts depends on how well they are taken care of. If you wash them after each hike, then they should last for years. However, if you wear them every day and don't wash them as often, then they will wear out much faster and need to be replaced more often.
HOW ARE THE BEST CARGO HIKING SHORTS FOR WOMEN DESIGNED?
Women’s hiking shorts are designed to fit, move, and stretch with your body. They can be worn on the trail or around town, as they are incredibly comfortable and usually stylish. There are many different styles of hiking shorts available, so it is important to choose the right pair for you.
The best women's shorts should fit well and offer a high level of comfort. They should also provide plenty of storage space for essentials such as keys, money, credit cards, and a phone.
HOW DO YOU WASH YOUR FAVORITE HIKING SHORTS?
Hiking shorts are durable and easy to wash. You can machine wash them in cold water, but it is recommended that you hang dry them rather than putting them in the dryer.
If your shorts are made of nylon or polyester, you can use a gentle cycle and a mild detergent. If they are made of cotton, use a large amount of mild detergent and allow them to soak for about 15 minutes before washing.
Once the shorts have been washed and rinsed, you can spin them in the washer to remove excess water from them. Next, lay out your hiking shorts on a towel so that they can drip dry naturally. If you are worried about wrinkles, lay out your hiking pants on top of an ironing board and cover them with a thick towel underneath them so that moisture does not collect under your pants when they are drying.
Conclusion - Want to buy Hiking Shorts?
It's possible to find a pair of hiking shorts that offer adequate protection from the elements, are breathable and lightweight, come with pockets for storage, are affordable, and have an attractive design.
We hope that you were able to find hiking shorts that fit your needs. All that's left for you to do now is click on the buttons above to buy your new favorite hiking pants today!