Looking for the perfect pair of women’s hiking pants? Check out our buyer’s guide, plus tips for choosing the right hiking pants for you.
As someone who’s hiked for over 20 years, who’s curvy and doesn’t have the stick-thin shape that so many hiking pants are designed to fit, I understand the struggle to find the perfect pair of pants that curve in all the right places, while skimming over other places.
My top tip when looking for hiking pants that you plan to wear in summer is to look for convertible hiking pants – that have a zipper so that they can easily transform into shorts.
I rarely hike in shorts since the weather changes so quickly in the mountains. And it can go from hot to stormy quickly, which is why I recommend convertible hiking pants.
I’ve got you covered. Here are my top choices of hiking pants for women for every type of hike.
Best Overall Women’s Hiking Pants
- THE NORTH FACE Plus Size Aphrodite Motion Pants
- Fjallraven Abisko Lite Trekking Trousers – Women’s
See more of our recommended best women’s hiking pants here.
Best Women’s Convertible Hiking Pants
In my opinion, the best women’s hiking pants are always convertible ones. It’s the #1 key feature I look for. I love the flexibility and knowing I’m covered even if the weather changes without having to bring shorts. I especially love them for multiday hikes like the Tour du Mont Blanc.
- Columbia Women’s Saturday Trail Ii Convertible Pant
- BALEAF Women’s Hiking Fleece-Lined Ski Pants
See more of our recommended women’s convertible hiking pants here.
Best Plus Size Hiking Pants
It wasn’t too many years ago that women’s hiking pants only came in small sizes. Plus size hiking pants were extremely difficult to find. Fortunately that’s FINALLY changed, as brands have recognized that women of all body shapes and sizes hike.
- THE NORTH FACE Plus Size Aphrodite Motion Pants
- ZERDOCEAN Women’s Plus Size Outdoor Active
See more of our recommended women’s plus size hiking pants here.
Best Women’s Hiking Pants for Hot Weather
- Mountain Hardwear Women’s Dynama/2
See more of our recommended women’s hiking pants here.
Related Reading: Women’s Hiking Gear
- 18 Best Hiking Shoes for Women For Happy Trails
- Best Hiking Boots for Women
- 14 Best Hiking Sandals for Women
- The Best Hiking Leggings for Women: Thermal, Pockets and More
- The Best Women’s Clothes for Hiking
- The Best Hiking Jackets for Men and Women
Best Softshell Pant for Alpine Adventures
- BALEAF Women’s Hiking Fleece-Lined Ski Pants
- Postropaky Womens Outdoor Snow Ski Pants
See more of our recommended women’s softshell hiking pants here.
Best Water Resistant Hiking Pants for Women
- Mountain Warehouse Pakka Kids Waterproof Rain Pants
- BenBoy Women’s Outdoor Waterproof Windproof
See more of our recommended women’s waterproof hiking pants here.
Best Budget Women’s Hiking Pants
If you’re a beginner hiker, prefer doing easy hikes or are on a budget, you don’t have to spend a fortune. However, I do recommend a higher quality pair of hiking pants if you’re doing a multi-day hike like our self-guided Tour du Mont Blanc where you want to ensure durability.
- Rdruko Women’s Hiking Cargo Pants Water-Resista
- BenBoy Women’s Outdoor Waterproof Windproof
See more of our recommended best women’s hiking pants here.
Women’s Hiking Pants vs Hiking Shorts vs Hiking Leggings: Which Should. You Choose?
Whether you should choose hiking pants, shorts or hiking leggings depends on the type of hike you’re doing. I love convertible hiking pants with a zipper that can easily convert into shorts. When you’re hiking in the mountains or doing long hikes, the weather can frequently change, so these provide the best of both worlds.
If you’re doing a shorter hike or hiking in an area where the weather is warm, then shorts are fine.
RE: hiking leggings versus hiking pants, this becomes more a matter of personal choice. There are many fans of hiking leggings as some hikers find that leggings are more comfortable.
In addition, if you’re plus size or curvy, you may find hiking leggings are more comfortable. Unfortunately, many less-than-perfect pants don’t fit curvy women well.
Hiking pants also tend to run in a limited size range and you may have difficulty finding your size. I don’t know why manufacturers think that only thin women with no curves hike when that’s definitely not the case!
If you’re hiking in colder weather, you can wear a thin pair of hiking leggings as a base layer under your hiking pants. This works well if you don’t have a pair of lined hiking pants.
The only three considerations in my opinion why that hiking pants are a better choice than hiking leggings are:
- if you’re hiking in an area with thorns or scratchy bushes. Pants are less likely to snag and provide better protection from abrasion.
- Hiking pants tend to provide more waterproof protection than hiking leggings. But you need to check since that’s not always the case.
- I also prefer hiking pants for multi-day hikes since they’re more flexible if you buy the convertible ones without you having to carry an extra pair.
5 Best Tips For Choosing Hiking Pants
The Journey Begins: Choosing Your Perfect Hiking Pants
Embarking on a hiking adventure? Let’s get started on picking the perfect pair for you! 🏞️
Tip #1: Choose Convertible Hiking Pants
Choose hiking pants that have a zipper so that they can easily turn into shorts – perfect for when the weather changes, as it often does in the mountains.
Tip #2: Material Matters
First things first, the material. Choose nylon and polyester for durability and quick drying. Look for spandex for a bit of stretch. 💪
Tip #3: Fit and Comfort
Fit and comfort are crucial. Ensure your pants don’t restrict movement and have a comfortable waistband. Try moving around in them and squatting to ensure that you can easily move. 🧘♀️
Tip #4: Weather Readiness
Weather can be unpredictable. Opt for water-resistant and UPF-protected hiking pants to stay dry and protected. 🌦️
Tip #5: Extra Features to Consider
Additional features can enhance your hiking experience. Think zippered pockets to easily access your phone without losing it, or gusseted crotches. 🎒
Now you’re ready to choose the perfect hiking pants for your adventures.
Now you have our top recommendations and know which key features to look for when buying hiking pants for women.
