Best Women’s Hiking Pants for Hiking and Backpacking (2026)
Wearing Columbia Women’s Hiking Pants in Yosemite National Park
Whether you’re heading out for a day hike or going on a backpacking trip, finding the right pair of women’s hiking pants can make a big difference. Hiking pants vary a lot in terms of fit, style, fabric, and performance, and what works for one person might not work for someone else. Comfort, mobility, and durability all matter, especially when you’re hiking all day.
After hiking thousands of miles over the past six years, including thru-hikes of the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and countless hikes in Washington State, I’ve tested a wide range of women’s hiking pants in all kinds of conditions. There are so many options out there, so I want to help you narrow down your search.
This post doesn’t include every single hiking pant out there, just the best women’s hiking pants for hiking and backpacking that I’ve personally worn, tested, and recommend. In this post, I share my go-to hiking pants, plus a few honorable mentions for specific conditions like cold weather, rain, and windy days. As with any piece of hiking and backpacking gear, the best hiking pants ultimately come down to personal preference and what works best for you.
Table of Contents:
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What to Look for in Women’s Hiking Pants
When looking for the best women’s pants for hiking or backpacking, here are some things I consider and look for:
Pants vs. Leggings: I love hiking in both pants and leggings and the choice between the two really comes down to personal preference. Leggings are nice because you can easily layer rain pants over them and they don’t catch on anything. Hiking pants are great because you can layer base layers or shorts under them. I mostly consider how I want to layer when backpacking because I try to take as few pieces of clothing as possible. Leggings don’t typically have pockets (and if they do they are very small), whereas hiking pants can have more pockets. Hiking pants are a bit more “airy” whereas leggings cling to you. So again, it just comes down to what you prefer.
Durability: Choosing hiking pants that are durable is essential. When hiking, you are brushing up against plants and rocks all the time, so it’s important to choose a high-quality pant that will last you years of hiking and won’t rip on your first hike.
Breathability: When hiking, you typically work up a sweat quickly and it’s easy to feel warm fast, so choosing breathable hiking pants is important so you can feel comfortable your entire hike.
Inseam Length: I recommend looking for pants that come in multiple inseam lengths so you can choose the length that best fits your height so they aren’t too long or too short.
For more hiking and backpacking gear and clothing guides, check out my posts on the best women’s hiking shoes and boots, best women’s hiking shorts, backpacking gear guide, what to wear and bring day hiking guide, and my outdoorsy gift guide.
Best Women's Hiking Pants for Hiking & Backpacking
Quick Details:
Fit: Relaxed and straight-leg
Inseam Options: Short (29”), Regular (31”), Long (33”) – I’m 5’4” and I wear a regular length (but I have long legs for my height)
Rise: High-rise
Stretch: Yes, these have moderate stretch (but not too stretchy)
Water Resistance: Water-repellent
Durability: Very durable
UPF Rating: 50+
Pockets: Lots of pockets! Has pockets big enough to hold a phone.
Adjustability: Waist is adjustable
The prAna Women’s Stretch Zion Cargo Pants are some of my favorite hiking pants – I now have these in a couple colors because I like them so much! They’re super durable and very comfortable. I love the fit, that you can adjust the waist easily, and that they come in multiple inseam lengths. Plus, these hiking pants have lots of pockets, which a lot of women’s pants lack.
Where to Buy prAna Stretch Zion Cargo Pants: REI • Backcountry
Quick Details:
Fit: Slim and straight-leg
Inseam Options: Short (29”), Regular (31”), Tall (34”) – I’m 5’4” and I wear a regular length (but I have long legs for my height)
Rise: Mid-rise
Stretch: Moderate stretch
Water Resistance: Water-resistant
Durability: Very durable
Pockets: Has two zippered pockets - they’re mid-sized and can fit my iPhone 17 pro
Adjustability: Has a built-in belt and ankle cinches
The Arc’teryx Women’s Gamma Pants have been my go-to hiking pants for the past couple of years. These are an investment, but I really love them and these might be my favorite hiking pants. I love the fit and the material. These pants are more water-resistant than some of the other options I list here, but still are breathable. I highly recommend Arc’teryx’s Women’s Gamma Pants for hiking and backpacking - I love these so much I want them in another color!
Where to Buy Arc’teryx Gamma Pants: REI • Arc’teryx
REI Co-op’s Women’s Trailmade Hiking Pants collection offers a few different styles of pants, so you can choose the fit you prefer most:
Trailmade Pants: Standard fit, straight-leg, mid-rise
Trailmade Pull-On Pants: Standard fit, tapered/jogger style, mid-rise
Trailmade Relaxed Pants: Relaxed fit, jogger style, mid-rise
Trailmade Barrel Pants: Relaxed fit, wide leg, high-rise
Quick Details:
Inseam Options: Exact inseam length varies by style, but they come in Petite, Regular, and Long lengths (except for the Trailmade Relaxed Pants which only come in one length)
Stretch: Stretchy
Water Resistance: Water repellent (DWR)
Durability: Decently durable in my experience, but the fabric doesn’t feel quite as durable as the previous two options
Pockets: All styles have pockets
Adjustability: Waist-cinch or belt
REI Co-op’s Trailmade pants collection is great because it comes in different styles and fits, plus they usually come in a variety of colors. I like that they are both lightweight and durable. These hiking pants are very comfortable, and they’re great for hiking and backpacking.
Where to Buy REI Co-op Women’s Trailmade Pants: REI
Mountain Hardwear Women’s Dynama Pants
Quick Details:
Fit: Standard fit, tapered style
Inseam Options: 32” (only one inseam option)
Rise: Mid-rise
Stretch: Moderate stretch
Water Resistance: Durable water resistance (DWR)
UPF Rating: 50
Durability: Very durable
Pockets: Two large pockets
Adjustability: Internal waist drawcord, ankle-cinches
Mountain Hardware’s Women’s Dynama Pants are another great option for hiking and backpacking! They’re very durable and I also like the fit of these pants.
Where to Buy Mountain Hardwear Dynama Pants: REI • Backcountry
Quick Details:
Fit: Slim
Inseam Options: 21", 25", 28", 31" (I wear the 25”)
Rise: High-rise
Stretch: Very stretchy
Water Resistance: None
Durability: Pretty durable for leggings
Pockets: These leggings do come in a version with pockets, but I personally prefer the pocketless version.
Adjustability: None
The Lululemon Wunder Train leggings are my favorite leggings for hiking! They’re both durable and comfortable. I wore the same pair of leggings for over three years for hundreds of miles of hiking and backpacking. If you prefer to wear leggings while hiking, I highly recommend these!
Where to Buy Lululemon Wunder Train Leggings: Lululemon
Quick Details:
Fit: Regular-fit, wide-leg
Inseam Options: Short (28”), Regular (30"), Long (32")
Rise: Mid-rise
Stretch: Light stretch
Water Resistance: None
Durability: Decently durable, might not be as durable as some of the other options here
Pockets: Four pockets
Adjustability: Exterior drawcord adjustable waist
Columbia’s Women’s Chill Creek Cargo Pants have been one of my go-to pants this spring, whether I’m going on a hike or just exploring around town. I love the fit (wide-leg) and they are so comfortable! The fabric is also light and airy, making them perfect for warmer days while still providing protection from the sun.
Where to Buy Columbia Chill Creek Cargo Pants: Columbia
Quick Details:
Fit: Regular
Inseam Options: Short (29”), Regular (31"), Long (33") - I wear regular length
Rise: Mid-rise
Stretch: Light stretch
Water Resistance: Water-resistant
Durability: Very durable
UPF Rating: 50
Pockets: Two front pockets, two back pockets
Adjustability: Adjustable waist-belt
Columbia’s Brea Falls women’s hiking pants are a great budget-friendly women’s hiking pant option! I’ve worn these on numerous hikes in Washington State, and they were great in all sorts of conditions. It looks like this style might be discontinued, but a very similar style are the Skien Valley Cargo Pants (and they have more pockets)!
Where to Buy Columbia Brea Falls Pants: Columbia • Dick’s Sporting Goods
Where to Buy Columbia Skien Valley Cargo Pants: REI • Backcountry • Columbia
Women’s Hiking Pants Honorable Mentions
Rain Pants - REI Co-op Women’s XeroCloud Rain Pants
Wind Pants - Body Wrappers Ripstop Pants
Fleece-Lined Leggings - BALEAF Women's Fleece Lined Winter Leggings
Final Thoughts
Finding the best hiking pants for your next hike or outdoor adventure really comes down to comfort, coverage, and what feels best for you. I hope this guide helps you choose the best hiking pants for your next hike or backpacking trip!
About Me & Why You Can Trust My Women’s Hiking Pants Recommendations
Hi! I’m Erin! I’ve hiked over 8,000 miles, including the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Arizona Trail. I’ve done countless day hikes and backpacking trips, and have tried a lot of different hiking pants.
I’ve tested so many women’s hiking pants over the years, so I put together this guide to help make your own research easier. I hope it helps you find the best women’s hiking pants for your next adventure. Happy hiking!
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