15 Best Hiking Shorts for Men and Women

There’s nothing worse than realizing all too late that your heavy hiking pants were not exactly made with warm summer days in mind. Whether you plan to hit up the world’s best hiking trails or just the hiking trails in your area this summer or set out on an epic journey along the Appalachian Trail, a pair of quality hiking shorts is a must for hot-weather hiking.

The best hiking shorts offer a delightful blend of durability, breathability, and enough freedom of movement to allow a full range of motion. Most even offer enough handy pockets for your keys, cell phone, wallet, and other essentials in case you want to set out without a backpack in tow.

You’ve come to the right place if you’re on the hunt for a collection of the best hiking shorts for a breathable, chafe-free adventure. We’ve rounded up the best hiking shorts for men and women alike for a variety of different budgets, needs, and body types.

TL:DR

• Best Overall: Patagonia Quandary Shorts (Men and Women)
• Best For Pockets: Columbia Silver Ridge (Men) and Sandy River (Women) 
• Most Comfortable: prAna Stretch Zion II (Men), prAna Halle II (Women) 
• Best For The Beach: Patagonia NetPlus Baggies (Men and Women) 
• Most Fashionable: Helly-Hansen Maridalen Hiking Shorts (Women and Men) 
• Best For Runners: Patagonia Nine Trails (Men and Women) 

1. Patagonia Quandary Shorts (Men and Women)

Price: $$

It’s not often you come across a pair of lightweight shorts that offer equal parts performance, style, and comfort. Yet this rare combination of features has made Patagonia’s Quandary Shorts one of the most popular choices on the market.

The men’s version of the Quandary Shorts is made from a stretch-woven blend of 95% nylon and 5% spandex, complete with a water-repellent finish. With a curved waistband and gusseted crotch, these bad boys offer a contoured fit with a full range of motion.

Patagonia scores major bonus points for offering the Quandary shorts in three different inseam lengths: 8″, 10″, or 12″. That way you can choose from full coverage protection against trigs and other scrape-y trail debris or enjoy a little extra knee breeze.

You can also choose from three different colors, each of which comes with both front and back double pocket space, as well as an extra zippered thigh pocket. With a classic fit and integrated belt loops, the men’s Quandary Shorts fit just right without being…