Best Women’s Hiking Pants & Leggings of 2024

As many women know, finding a pair of hiking pants that fit well and perform well can be a frustrating task. There are so many different styles, brands, and fabrics to choose from.

To make your search easier, we’ve laid out this guide to the best women’s hiking pants that are comfortable to hike in and look good in a variety of different styles so you can go from the trail to town with ease.

We’re an all-women team of experienced hikers who understand the unique needs when selecting gear for outdoor adventures and whether you prefer to trek in full-length hiking pants, convertible pants with zip-off legs, capris pants that fall mid-calf, or simple leggings, there is something for every hiker on this list.

---

---

prAna Halle II

Most Versatile Women’s Hiking Pants

• What we like: numerous large pockets, zippered phone pocket, stretchy material that doesn’t snag easily, can roll up to become capris with snap

• What we don’t like: runs slightly large (consider ordering a size down), low rise waist fit

The prAna Halle Pant has become a very popular staple for many outdoor women and in 2022, an updated version was released, making it even better. The Halle Pant is now made from a recycled nylon performance fabric, making it incredibly durable and stretchy – plus more eco-friendly. The quick-dry material dries fast and is comfortable and easy to hike in.

There are five pockets to carry snacks and gear in and the cuffs roll up and snap into place for those warm days. The front pockets are deeper and more functional than the original version and include a zipper so you can keep valuables secure. They’ve also added an additional pocket on the left hip pocket (about the size of a credit card) which is good if you want somewhere to put your ID.

The Halle Pant also comes in several styles including straight leg, jogger, capri, and plus sizes. They fit just right, not too baggy and not too tight, and with a ton of styles and sizes available, this is one of the most versatile women’s hiking pants on the market.

Eddie Bauer Guide Pro

Best Hiking Pants for Going from the Trail to Town

• What we like: lightweight, packable, sustainable materials, stretchy material that doesn’t snag easily, water repellant finish

• What we don’t like: only two pockets

BFT’s Director, Linda, recently took the Eddie Bauer Women’s Guide Pro Pants on a camping and hiking trip to Yosemite and they’ve become a new favorite. They’re super comfortable and lightweight so they’ll keep you cool even in warm weather and they have the perfect amount of stretch to allow for all the mobility you’ll need – you could even wear them rock climbing.

There are no back pockets which gives these pants a more feminine look, and we also love that these hiking pants shed moisture and are made with bluesign® certified fabrics.

The North Face Aphrodite 2.0

BFT Reader Favorite

• What we like: fabric keeps you warm in cool temperatures and cool in warm temperatures, breathable & lightweight, stylish for trail-to-town, room to wear a base layer underneath in cold temperatures, great fit for curvy women

• What we don’t like: No UPF sun protection

The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 is a great women’s hiking pant option for those looking for something super comfortable and breathable. Using technical FlashDry XD™ fabric, these pants keep you cool and dry on the trail no matter what season. The fabric is also super durable, protecting your legs from trailside brush and helping to prevent those annoying rips and snags.

You can cinch the waistband and ankles to find your perfect fit, and these pants also come in a jogger and capri. These are also the #1 pick for women’s hiking pants from our BFT readers!

Full-length women’s hiking pants are a great option for pretty much every type of hiking from multi-day backpacking trips to local day hikes with friends. Even during warmer weather, full-length pants provide a layer of protection that will help prevent scratches from trailside brush, keep your legs from getting sunburned, and prevent bug bites.

Arc’teryx Gamma LT

Best Weather-Resistant Women’s Hiking Pants

• What we like: holds up well in wet & windy conditions, deep zippered pockets, adjustable string in the waistband, most water-resistant pant on our list

• What we don’t like: fabric pills with extended wear, no UPF protection, not breathable for sunny weather

I own the softshell Arc’teryx Gamma LT hiking pants and they are one of my favorite pairs of women’s hiking pants. They are relatively flattering and I can layer another baselayer underneath if I’m hiking in cold temperatures. I’ve tested them in rain and snow in Colorado, and while I wouldn’t say they are totally waterproof, they will keep you dry during short bursts of weather and are the next best thing vs. rain pants.

While the pants themselves aren’t too thick, they are durable and I don’t worry about them snagging if I’m sitting on sharp rocks and they also protect against the wind. I like the zippered pockets that are deep enough to store a snack in. The belt and waistband are comfortable and don’t dig into my waist. I wear an 8 and find them to be true to size.

REI Co-op Sahara Convertible

Best Convertible Women’s Hiking Pants

• What we like: can be zipped into shorts or capris (without removing your shoes!), large zippered cargo pocket, comfortable & practical, breathable in warm weather

• What we don’t like: pants run short and hit at the ankle vs. full length, doesn’t block the wind or provide much insulation on chilly hikes

REI’s Sahara Convertible Women’s Pant makes it easy to convert from hiking pants to hiking shorts in seconds. Made from stretchy, durable nylon fabric and designed for full mobility, these convertible pants are a great choice for multi-day backpacking adventures or longer hikes with variable temperatures and terrain. If temperatures are cooler or there is a lot of trailside brush, wear them as full-length pants. Or, if it’s hot and sunny out and the trail is clear, zip the legs off and convert them into shorts or capris!

One of the best features of these convertible hiking pants is that the zipper to convert the pants into shorts is color-coded on the right to make the reapplication of the lower legs much easier. Convertible hiking pants are also great to pack for travel since they are super versatile with varying lengths.

Columbia Saturday Trail II Knee Pants

Best Women’s Hiking Capris

• What we like: UPF sun protection, rain-resistant, stretchy material that is super comfortable

• What we don’t like: runs small (consider ordering a size up)

The quick-drying and super comfortable Columbia Saturday Trail II Knee Pant is a perfect companion on the trail. With UPF 50+ sun protection, a weather-resistant finish, and drawstrings at the knees to keep out dust and debris, we’ve found that this is one of the best – and most affordable – women’s hiking pants out there! Many reviewers note that the fit of these pants runs extremely small – we recommend ordering a size up to ensure the best fit.

Do you have a favorite pair of women’s hiking pants or leggings that works best for you? Let us know in the comments!