The best hiking shorts reviewed (2023)

The sun is shining and it’s time to ditch full-length trousers in favour of walking shorts. Not sure what to look for? Let us help you out…

Photos of hikers wearing hiking shorts

by Ben Weeks |
Updated on

When the hills are drenched in golden sunlight, it’s time to free your knees, so ditch the walking trousers and reach for a pair of lightweight, comfy, stretchy and breathable hiking shorts.

By and large, most of us prefer to indulge in our wanderlust when the weather is warmer. Hiking from April through to October can get quite tasty in the northern hemisphere when the wind drops and the sun shines.

Hiker in the Lake District in summer wearing hiking shorts
©Live For The Outdoors

Our shortlist

Craghoppers Kiwi Pro Shorts - Best in Test

Sprayway Compass Short - Best Value

The North Face Class V Ripstop Shorts – Best for everyday use

Berghaus Senke Stretch Short - Best for versatility

Montane Terra Shorts - Best lightweight hiking shorts

Rab Torque Mountain Shorts - Best for durability and mountain use

Patagonia Quandary Shorts 10” - Highly recommended

BAM Summit Cloughton Belted Walking Shorts - Best for sustainability

Smartwool Men’s 8” Short – Best Ultralight shorts

Salewa Alpine Hemp Cargo Shorts – Highly recommended

Just like their full-length counterparts, walking shorts vary in construction, weight, fit, and price, amongst other factors. Here, you will find our favourite walking shorts that each bear a certain strong point, be it value, lightness, or durability, for example.

The best hiking shorts in detail

Best in Test

Description

Craghoppers’ Kiwi range of legwear is somewhat iconic – with over 7 million pairs of the trousers

Pros

  • Recycled materials
  • Durability
  • Proven design

Cons

  • Second heaviest on test
  • Pockets not mesh-lined

Best value

Description

If some of the other pairs in this roundup seem too pricey for you, the Sprayway Compass is a

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Stretchy
  • Comfortable
  • Breathable

Cons

  • Fit might not suit all body shapes

Best for everyday use

Description

These stretchy and stylish shorts offer excellent freedom of movement and great ventilation. With

Pros

  • Adjustable fit
  • Great ventilation
  • Innovative pocket design

Cons

  • Not as durable as other choices

Best for versatility

Description

Described by Berghaus as “go anywhere, do anything shorts”, the versatile Senke Stretch Shorts are

Pros

  • Good price
  • Elasticated waistband
  • Comfort
  • Running-style design

Cons

  • No belt loops
  • No-frills design

Best lightweight hiking shorts

Montane Terra Shorts
Price: £60.00

montane.com

Description

A summer version of Montane’s popular Terra Pants trousers, these shorts are ultralight,

Pros

  • Ultralight
  • Well-priced
  • All-round performance

Cons

  • No belt loops
  • No-frills design

Best for durability and mountain use

Description

The shorts version of Rab’s best-selling Torque Mountain Pants trousers, the Torque Mountain

Pros

  • Good size options
  • Stretchiness
  • Freedom of movement
  • Comfort
  • Durability

Cons

  • Heaviest pair on test

Highly recommended

Description

These shorts tick all the boxes. They are comfortable and stretchy, with first-rate features and

Pros

  • Sustainable
  • Well-made
  • Good features and performance

Cons

  • Not the lightest
  • Drawcord has limited effectiveness

Best for sustainability

Description

BAM is a clothing brand that produces bamboo clothing. Its Summit Cloughton Belted Walking Shorts

Pros

  • Great eco credentials
  • Easily adjustable
  • Spacious pockets

Cons

  • No direct women's equivalent

Best ultralight shorts

Smartwool Men’s 8” Short
Price: £57.56 (was £63.95)

www.alpinetrek.co.uk

Description

While all of the other pairs in this round-up could accurately be described as traditional-style

Pros

  • Incredibly light
  • Very breathable
  • Superb comfort

Cons

  • Quite flimsy

Highly recommended

Salewa Alpine hemp Cargo shorts
Price: £77.99

Description

Why does Salewa use hemp as a raw material in its textiles? According to the Dolomites-based

Pros

  • Good all-round performance
  • Mountain-ready design
  • Stylish

Cons

  • Priciest on the list
  • No hand warmer pockets

What to look for in hiking shorts

Female hiker wearing hiking shorts looking out over hilltops
©Live For The Outdoors

Length: Longer length shorts provide your thighs with a little more protection but may not be as agile for scrambling. Short shorts are less restrictive, but the look isn’t to everybody’s tastes. The lengths of shorts are categorised by inseam length, which is the distance between the crotch and the hem.

Fit: A comfy, non-restrictive fit around the waist and legs is absolutely crucial. With an elasticated waist, the fit will be more forgiving. If not it’s more important that the size is spot-on. Also consider whether you prefer baggier, more ventilated legs, or a slimmer, more athletic fit.

Waistband options: Most hiking shorts feature belt loops, meaning you can use a belt (usually sold separately) to fine-tune the fit around your waist. Some shorts have more elasticated waistbands for an adjustable fit, while others have integrated belts. Shorts are commonly closed around the waist using a press stud, snap or flat button.

Pockets: Do you just need a small pocket in which to keep change for an ice cream, or cavernous pouches for a map and guidebook? Large cargo pockets will add weight to shorts but may provide useful storage.

Fabric: Hiking shorts are usually made from nylon or polyester – materials that provide a good balance between weight, durability, moisture wicking, protection and breathability. Using recycled nylon and polyester helps improve sustainability. Some brands use natural fibres like bamboo or hemp to increase comfort and sustainability further.

Stretch: Many shorts fabrics are also blended with elastane (also called spandex or Lycra) for added stretch. It improves freedom of movement, makes a closer fit and increases comfort. Two-way stretch fabrics stretch either vertically or horizontally. Four-way stretch fabrics stretch in both ways, crosswise and lengthwise.

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