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It’s officially hiking-in-shorts weather! In fact, all summer long you’ll rarely find us playing outside in anything else. We don’t like clingy fabric (which means breathable sun shirts only on our upper halves), prefer to feel the breeze on our skin, and don’t mind applying a little sunscreen for the easy-breezy feeling shorts provide on the trail. But a perfect pair can be hard to find, especially if you want a more sustainable pair from a brand that puts Earth first. Fortunately, we put several pairs to the test to help you find the ideal pair for you. Here are 5 of the best sustainable hiking shorts for women we’ve found.
Outdoor Research Ferrosi Shorts
For shorts that are light and loose, can handle land- and water-based adventures, and are comfy to boot, look no further than the Ferrosi shorts from Outdoor Research. They are stretchy but durable, lightweight but protective. In fact, the ripstop nylon feels like it’s going to stand up to plenty of grabby brush, log sits, and technical butt scoots over rough rock. But they’re also breathable, easy to pull off and on, and don’t look out-of-place at the farmers markets as well as on the trail.
The high-waisted shorts have a 5″ inseam and an elastic waistband with a lockable webbing belt to really dial in the perfect fit. The legs are on the loose, wide side, but in a trendy way, not an overly baggy way. The hand pockets are nice and deep and one of the back pockets has a zipper so you can securely stash small items. They’re available in plus sizes up to 4XL (with a 9″ inseam) and a 7″ inseam if you prefer a traditional zipper fly and belt loops. We’ll be grabbing these for hot weather hikes, ultralight backpacking, float trips, you name it all summer long.
How it’s sustainable: Bluesign approved 46% Recycled Nylon, durable, inclusive sizing.
Sizes and colors available: Sizes XS-4XL, four neutrals (plus last season’s brights)
Pros
- Front and back pockets
- Stretchy
- Comfortable
- Loose and light
- Multiple colors available
- Inclusive sizing
Cons
- Look a bit baggy on smaller legs/frames
Topo Designs Dirt Shorts
Cotten gets a bad wrap in the outdoor industry. But if you read or watch what we have to say about hiking in cotton, you know it absolutely can have its place on the trail. Especially in warm dry weather (but not cold and wet or hot and wet), especially for short hikes or close-to-home adventures. And for that, we love the Topo Designs Dirt Shorts.
They’re made of a dense and durable organic cotton, and while the material itself doesn’t stretch, the high-rise waistband is elastic (with a tie) and the shorts are roomy enough to allow ample freedom of movement. They’ve stood up to both travel and trail adventures for at least a full season and show little signs of wear despite the fact that they became our go-to everyday shorts in addition to easy hiking shorts. In fact, that’s part of why we love them so much: we can feel good about limiting the amount of synthetics we wear on a day-to-day basis (as well as the microplastics produced by washing synthetics) but the Dirt Shorts are still capable enough for off-road adventures, making them an excellent do-it-all piece of apparel.
How it’s sustainable: Made of organic cotton, Fair Trade Certified, garment-dyed to reduce water, durable.
Sizes and colors available: Sizes XS-XL, 10 colors.
Pros
- Available in multiple colors
- Stylish
- Durable
- Made of natural materials
- Multifunctional
Cons
- Not water repellant
- Doesn’t wick sweat
Gnara Go There Shorts
You know we’re obsessed with Gnara, so it should come as no surprise that these shorts are a favorite when it comes to hiking. Not familiar with the brand yet? Allow us to enlighten you: they’re hiking shorts for women with an extra zipper you can open so you can pee outside with your pants ON! Yup, there’s a hidden zipper that extends between your legs from beneath the traditional fly all the way to the back waistband. That means you can go to the bathroom outdoors without exposing your entire undercarriage (potentially to a surprised group of Scouts…).
These award-winning shorts make the outdoors feel more welcoming and equitable for all, especially those who squat to pee, and we’re obsessed. But that’s also because they’re comfy, look great on, have lots of stretch, plenty of pockets, and all the features you want in hiking shorts, including a drawstring in the waist. They’re on the thick side, so we prefer them for warm, not brutally hot, adventures, but they can’t be beat for convenience. They are high-waisted and the legs are a smidge on the wide side. Fit runs large, so size down if you’re on the line.
How it’s sustainable: Ultra durable, small brand, inclusive sizing. Full disclosure: current shorts are not yet PFAS-free, but future production runs will be.
Sizes and colors available: Sizes 00-22, four colors.
Pros
- Available in multiple colors
- Designed for women
- Easy to pee outdoors
- Lots of pockets
- Durable
- Most size inclusive
Cons
- Thick fabric feels clingy in really hot temps
Coalatree Trailhead Shorts
When we can only bring along one pair of shorts, whether we’re traveling, road tripping, or hiking, we often turn to the Coalatree Trailhead shorts. They have all the performance chops of more technical-looking apparel, but look good enough to wear around town and in day-to-day life, too. We’ve worn them paired with everything from a button-up for casual city exploration to crop tops on hot hikes to tees to grab lunch with friends. They’re highly versatile.
They’re water resistant, durable, and supremely stretchy. The we haven’t snagged or punctured ripstop nylon over several seasons of wear and they’re comfy to boot. The legs are a bit on the wide and loose side, but in a trendy way. The pockets are ultra deep, there are two back pockets, and while the fly is just for looks (there’s no actual zipper), the stretchy waistband with a drawstring was perfectly functional and easy to use.
How it’s sustainable: Made of 88% Bluesign approved nylon, durable, antimicrobial so you can wash them less.
Sizes and colors available: Sizes XS-XL, five neutral colors.
Pros
- Stretchy fabric
- Multi-functional
- Large pockets
- Elastic waistband
- Multiple colors available
Cons
- Fit won’t appeal to everyone
Astral Kinisi Short
We love a lightweight, breathable, durable short when it’s really hot out. And the Kinisi short is just the thing. The first apparel to launch from kayak-centric brand Astral, these shorts bridge the divide between active and everyday beautifully. No, they’re not as good at wicking sweat or drying super fast as a pair of shorts made entirely out of polyester, but they do feel way nicer on your skin, are soft and flexible, and can hold their own on the trail or in town.
Made of what Astral calls “performance hemp,” these shorts are a combination of hemp and recycled polyester. And they’re as light and breathable as can be. They don’t have much stretch (except for a touch in the drawstring waistband), but they fit loosely, so it was never an issue whether hiking or hoofing it around town. We were happy to tackle a few miles on a hot day in these shorts AND wear them to hang with friends, go out to lunch, or stroll around an outdoor festival afterward. They don’t have extra small or very large sizes available, unfortunately. As reference, a size small was quite baggy on me and had to be cinched a lot.
How it’s sustainable: Made of sustainable and renewable hemp and recycled polyester.
Sizes and colors available: Sizes S-XL, three neutrals.
Pros
- Light
- Breathable
- Made partially of natural fibers
- Lots of pockets
- Drawstring waist for the perfect fit
Cons
- Available in limited colors
- Not size inclusive
Bottom Line: Hiking Shorts for Women
If you need new hiking shorts, one of these should do the trick nicely wether you’re looking for something more performance-oriented or town-to-trail approved. Did we help you figure out which ones might be right for you? Let us know or ask more questions in the comments. And remember, buy less, buy quality, and enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Wander on.
