Best hiking pants and leggings for women
Hiking pants have a harder job than they look. They need to stretch when you step up onto a boulder, shrug off brambles and sharp rock, carry a phone where the hip belt won’t press it into your hip, and fit your legs. A pant sold in only one length is too long for some of us and too short for others.
We compared the manufacturers’ specifications (fabric, stretch, weight, inseam lengths, sun protection and pockets) with the long-term notes of three tester sites: OutdoorGearLab, Treeline Review and CleverHiker. We have not worn these pants on the trail ourselves yet. Every figure below comes from the brand’s own product page unless we name another source.
Quick picks
| Use | Pant | Fabric | Inseams | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants | Nylon with 14% spandex | 29, 31, 34 in | Light, very stretchy, three lengths and plus sizes |
| Trail to town | prAna Halle Straight Pant II | Recycled nylon with 5% elastane | 30 in regular, plus short and tall | Classic look, abrasion-resistant fabric |
| Budget | Columbia Saturday Trail Stretch Pant | Nylon with 4% elastane | 32 in regular, plus short and long | Roll-up legs, water-repellent fabric, UPF 50 |
How we compared them
We judged each pant on the criteria below, using the manufacturer’s specifications. Where a figure is not published, or the sources disagree, the table says “Not listed” instead of guessing.
| Pant | Fabric | Weight | Inseams | Sizes | UPF | Pockets | Insect treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants | 86% nylon (46% recycled), 14% spandex | 9.0 oz (255 g) | 29, 31, 34 in (74, 79, 86 cm) | 0–16; plus 16W–24W | 50+ | 5: 2 hand, zip hip, zip back, open back | None listed |
| prAna Halle Straight Pant II | 95% recycled nylon, 5% elastane; PFAS-free DWR | Not listed | 30 in (76 cm) regular; short and tall Not listed | Not listed | 50+ | 2 hip, coin, zip side-seam, 2 flap back | None listed |
| KÜHL Freeflex Roll-Up Pant | Polyester and stretch polyester; PFC-free water-resistant finish | Not listed | 28, 30, 32, 34 in (71, 76, 81, 86 cm) | 0–16 | 50+ | 6, with snap-closed back and thigh pockets | None listed |
| Columbia Saturday Trail Stretch Pant | 96% nylon, 4% elastane; Omni-Shield repellent | Not listed | 32 in (81 cm) regular; short and long Not listed | Not listed | 50 | Includes a zip security pocket | None listed |
| Fjällräven Abisko Trekking Tights HD | 70% recycled polyester, 30% elastane; knee and seat panels with aramid | 9.3 oz (265 g), size S | Not listed | XXS–XXL | Not listed | 2 thigh: 1 zip, 1 envelope | None listed |
- Stretch: more spandex or elastane means more freedom on high steps and scrambles, but stretchy fabrics tend to pill and snag faster.
- Abrasion resistance: tighter-woven nylon and reinforced panels survive granite, brush and sitting on rocks longer.
- Pockets that work with a pack: hand pockets sit under a hip belt. A zip thigh or side pocket keeps your phone reachable and out of the way.
- Inseam lengths: a pant offered in short, regular and tall (or more) is far more likely to fit without hemming.
- UPF: a rated fabric is reliable sun protection, unlike sunscreen that sweats off.
- Insect treatment: none of these pants is sold pre-treated. See the tick section below.
The pants
Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants: best overall
The Ferrosi Pants are the pant the three tester sites agree on most. OutdoorGearLab gives them its top award, and CleverHiker and Treeline Review both recommend them. The fabric is a thin, stretchy nylon ripstop that Outdoor Research describes as water and wind resistant, abrasion resistant and UPF 50+. They have articulated knees, a drawcord waist and drawcord cuffs you can cinch above your boots.
Fit is the other strength. Outdoor Research sells three inseams and a separate plus-size version (16W to 24W), and Treeline Review picked the Ferrosi as its best plus-size pant. If you want zip-off legs, there is also a Ferrosi Convertible Pant at 10.6 oz (301 g).
- Good: light; excellent stretch; dries fast; three lengths and plus sizes.
- Watch out: CleverHiker found the fabric pills from brush contact; OutdoorGearLab found the cut trim through the thighs.
- Best for: most hikers, from summer day hikes to scrambles.
prAna Halle Straight Pant II: best from trail to town
The Halle Straight Pant II is the second version of prAna’s Halle. It uses prAna’s ReZion fabric, a recycled nylon blend that prAna describes as abrasion-resistant, with a PFAS-free water-repellent finish and UPF 50+. Articulated knees give it room to move, and it looks like regular straight-leg pants at a café after the hike.
OutdoorGearLab named it its pick for work to trail. Its pocket layout includes an invisible-zip pocket on the right side seam, which is the one to use for your phone.
- Good: all-day comfort; classic look; durable recycled fabric.
- Watch out: OutdoorGearLab found it less water-resistant than the Ferrosi and its pockets less secure for a phone. prAna does not publish a weight; OutdoorGearLab measured 11.2 oz (318 g) in a size 6.
- Best for: travel and hikers who want one pant for the trail and the rest of the day.
Columbia Saturday Trail Stretch Pant: best budget pick
The Saturday Trail Stretch Pant covers the basics for less. Columbia lists its Omni-Shield finish, which repels rain and stains, Omni-Shade UPF 50, articulated knees, a gusset, roll-up legs and a zip security pocket. The fit is body-skimming, with two-way stretch.
Treeline Review liked it as a budget option and points out that Columbia sells it in plus sizes too.
- Good: affordable; water- and stain-repellent; roll-up legs.
- Watch out: Treeline Review found it runs small and has no phone pocket, so check the size chart and consider sizing up.
- Best for: new hikers and anyone who wants a capable pant without a big spend.
Pants or leggings?
Choose woven hiking pants when the trail is overgrown, rocky or tick country. Woven nylon resists thorns and abrasion better, sheds wind and light rain, and gives you UPF-rated coverage. Choose leggings for cool days on well-kept trails, when comfort and freedom of movement matter most.
How to get the fit right
- Know your inseam. Measure a pant that fits from the crotch seam to the hem. Outdoor Research and KÜHL publish inseams for each length; buy the one closest to yours.
- Leave room for the knee. Do a deep lunge and a high step in the fitting room. If the fabric pulls across the thighs or the waist drops, size up or try another cut.
- Check pockets with your pack on. Hand pockets disappear under a hip belt. You want at least one zip pocket on the thigh or side seam.
- Plan for ticks. None of these pants is sold with an insect treatment. Tuck pant legs into socks in tick country, and if you want permethrin-treated clothing, follow the product label carefully. Check yourself for ticks after every hike.
FAQ
What should I look for if I’m petite or tall? Look for brands that sell several inseams. Of the pants here, the KÜHL Freeflex Roll-Up comes in four lengths and the Outdoor Research Ferrosi in three.
Are convertible pants worth it? They help when mornings are cold and afternoons hot. The trade-off is extra zippers at the thigh. Roll-up pants like the KÜHL and Columbia are a lighter, simpler alternative.
Do hiking pants keep out rain? No. Water-repellent finishes shed light showers and dry quickly, but for steady rain you need rain pants over them.
Worth a look elsewhere
These are not sold on Amazon US in the version we compared, but they appear in the tester comparisons we used. We do not earn a commission on these links.
- REI Co-op Trailmade Pants: OutdoorGearLab’s Best Buy, sold in petite, regular and tall lengths. OutdoorGearLab found the fabric thin and the button loose.
- REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants: OutdoorGearLab and CleverHiker both picked it as their best convertible; OutdoorGearLab noted you can zip the legs off without removing your boots.
KÜHL Freeflex Roll-Up Pant: best roll-up for hot days
The Freeflex Roll-Up Pant rolls up to a capri and holds there with a snap, which is handy on hot climbs and stream crossings. KÜHL lists a water-resistant finish made without PFCs, UPF 50+ and six pockets, with snap closures on the back and thigh pockets so things stay put. The cut is mid-rise at the front and higher at the back, fitted through the hip and thigh with a relaxed leg.
It has the widest choice of lengths here, four inseams. Treeline Review named it its best roll-up pant, and CleverHiker gave it its award for features.
- Good: soft fabric; lots of secure pockets; four inseam lengths.
- Watch out: Treeline Review found it heavy and mentions problems with the snap button; CleverHiker notes limited weather resistance.
- Best for: warm-weather hiking and anyone who struggles to find the right length.
Fjällräven Abisko Trekking Tights HD: best hiking leggings
The Abisko Trekking Tights HD are leggings built for rough ground. The main fabric is a double-knit recycled polyester with 30% elastane, and the knees and seat are reinforced with a tougher blend that includes aramid. They have a high waistband with an inside drawstring and two angled thigh pockets, one zipped and one with an envelope closure.
CleverHiker named them the most durable leggings in its comparison.
- Good: legging comfort with real reinforcement; secure thigh pockets; sizes from XXS to XXL.
- Watch out: CleverHiker found them expensive, warm in summer and short on ankle protection. Leggings also leave more skin exposed to ticks and brush than a woven pant.
- Best for: cool-weather hikes, rocky terrain and hikers who simply prefer leggings.
Our verdict
If you want one pant for most trails, start with the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants. If finding the right length is your problem, the KÜHL Freeflex Roll-Up comes in four inseams. If you prefer leggings, the Fjällräven Abisko Trekking Tights HD are the tough option. Pair them with the right footwear from our hiking boots guide, and if you’re heading out for a long day, see our guide to female urination devices.