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The Best Hiking Shorts

When the hiking gets hot, slip on a pair of these hardworking heroes.

man wearing mission workshop asp black shorts Mission Workshop

By Hayley Helms

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Hiking, as a discipline, demands certain things from its followers: fortitude, tenacity, quick-thinking and the ability to go without cell service for many, many miles. Disciples, in turn, demand much from their hiking gear, particularly shorts. They need to be quick-drying, in the event of a water crossing, rains storm or the inability to resist jumping into an alpine lake. Shorts need to be durable, able to stand up to scrambling up rough boulders, slipping and falling down muddy trails or rubbing against a pack all day. The ideal short combines just enough stretch, breathable fabric and sun protection to keep you comfortable after mile one, mile five, mile 10.

When it comes to the humble hiking short, or the humble hiker, no two are the same. Each person will have their own tastes, desires and adventures to go on. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best in the biz: so you can peruse at length, and find the perfect short for you.

Pros

  • Comes in a wide selection of colorways
  • Contains recycled content

Cons

  • Reviews say the material is a stiff compared to predecessor

When it comes to picking a hiking short, things need to be just right, or you’ll be in discomfort for the whole excursion. Prana’s Stretch Zion II hits all the right notes, with some new-and-improved sustainability to boot. On top of the new ReZion fabric, which is made with a whopping 95-percent recycled nylon, the hikers feature a concealed zip pocket with key loop, four-way stretch, abrasion resistance and a UPF 50+ rating.

The Stretch Zion II also features moisture wicking properties (a must on hot days) as well as an adjustable webbed waistband for customizable comfort. If you’re looking for one pair to do it all, pick up a pair or two of these.

Pros

  • Crafted at a Fair Trade certified facility
  • Quick-drying

Cons

  • Cost-prohibitive for infrequent hikers

There’s an old adage that says, “You get what you pay for.” And with Arc’teryx, this always rings true. Although the brand’s outerwear and apparel consistently rank higher on the price scale than its competitors, throwing down the extra bucks is always worth it. Case in point: the Lefroy Short. Built to perform in warm weather and on long trails, the technical short is made with Arc’teryx’s proprietary fabric, Aequora AirPerm, which combines nylon’s durability with elastane’s stretch to result in a short that dries quickly, resists abrasion and outperforms its competitors.

With a trim fit, low weight and low-profile adjustable waistband, the Lefroy is inconspicuous enough that once you put them on, you’ll forget they’re there. Now that’s comfort.

Pros

  • Affordable price point
  • Roomy fit

Cons

  • Lacks the technical accolades of other competitors

Columbia is well-known for its affordable pricepoint and quality to match, and these low-key cargo shorts carry on that tradition. The Silver Ridge is available in an array of neutral tones, and features moisture wicking fabric, UPF 50 protection and the easily accessible (and deep) pockets that held cargo shorts stand out from the crowd. If you’re looking for unpretentious utility, this is the short for you.

Pros

  • Fabric is soft and durable
  • Price point is decent

Cons

  • Don't have the pocket storage of a traditional hiking short

Never considered hiking in trunks? If you’ve ever been on trails in a humid, hot climate, or hiked to that secret waterfall that hasn’t been discovered by the Instagram hordes yet, you’ll know just how wet things can get. That’s why we like a solid trunk in our hiking lineup, and there’s really no way to beat this pick from Florence MarineX. It’s low key, got four-way stretch, buttery soft fabric, and if that isn’t enough, maybe this will convince you: Our tester has worn them for almost 300 days straight (excluding snow days) and they still look brand-new.

Pros

  • Unique fabric
  • Comfortable fit

Cons

  • Pricey

Mission Workshop started off as a bike-centric brand in San Francisco, and have slowly expanded their lineup to include everyday and active-friendly picks that stand the test of time. This short combines the high-quality construction and performance of MW’s ASP Short with a stretch-woven fabric developed exclusively for the brand by Italian textile mill Mectex.

Featuring a unique collab-branded belt, thoughtful details including a key loop built into the left pocket and velcro closure on the back pocket and proudly made in the USA, these are not your average hiking shorts.

Pros

  • Classic, no frills design
  • Cool color options

Cons

  • No UPF rating

There’s nothing like a classic hiking short, is there? The kind that you can picture your dad wearing in an old photo, that are still stylish today (in a gorpcore kind of way). Topo Designs scratches the itch for a no-frills, all-fun short with their Dirt design. It’s got a relaxed fit, organic cotton and just enough detail to be interesting, the Dirt short is meant for hikes, camping trips and everything in-between. The garment-dyed, midweight stretch canvas will move in all the ways you need it to, and as the name suggests, will stand up to a little dirt.

Pros

  • Shorter length is great for hotter hikes
  • Very stretchy

Cons

  • Not as durable as other fabrics

Hiking shorts have the tendency to be a bit stiff. If you’re looking for a slinkier, more athletic feel, check out Vuori’s do-everything short. The Kore is made with recycled polyester, so it’s got a silkier feel than many of the other shorts on this list; plus, the 5-inch inseam hits mid-thigh, giving an athletic look to the shorts. And, there’s a plus when you lean toward an active short like this: the built in liner keeps things breathable, fresh and just where you want them.

Pros

  • Technical and environmentally friendly
  • Over 10 colorways to choose from

Cons

  • Often sold out due to high demand

Editor’s Note: For Spring 2023, Patagonia has improved the fit of this classic style, as well as added new colorways to choose from. You can check out the collection here.

When you want to be active, but you also want to support the planet, there’s one brand to turn to: Patagonia. The leader of the environmental charge is dedicated to infusing as much recycled and sustainable material into their products as possible, and the Baggies are no exception.

A classic style that’s been in the Patagonia lineup since 1982, and 2022’s version combines classic style with modern attributes, like NetPlus, which is 100% post-consumer recycled nylon made from recycled fishing nets to help reduce ocean plastic pollution. On top of innovative fabric, these Baggies also include an elastic waistband with internal drawstring, vertical side pockets with mesh corners for water drainage and a quick-dry black mesh liner.