The Finest Climbing Pants for Ladies in 2024

Finding the best pair of women’s hiking pants is notoriously difficult. Too stretchy, not stretchy enough, high-waisted, low-waisted, cinched ankles, or roll-ups — it’s not easy to wade through all the options.

After researching dozens of the best hiking pants for women on the market today, we chose to test over 20 models. Our lead tester, Miya Tsudome, tried each of them personally, taking them on local hikes in southern California, on exposed trails and through prickly desert plants, and on mountain switchbacks with river crossings and bug exposure. We considered comfort, durability, freedom of movement, value, style, and features to bring you this list of our top 13 choices. Whether you want the top performance of our overall favorite, the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants, or the lower price tag of the REI Co-op Trailmade Pants, our top budget-friendly option, we have you covered.

For more information, check out our buyer’s guide, comparison chart, and price and value summary.

Editor’s Note: We refreshed this article on November 1, 2024, by adding the KÜHL Trekr Kapri Pants, a price and value discussion, and comparisons within our reviews to help steer your decision-making.

The Best Hiking Pants for Women in 2024

Women’s Hiking Pants Comparison Chart

How We Tested the Best Women’s Hiking Pants

Our Testing Process & Grounds

Here at GearJunkie, we are dedicated athletes, outdoor hobbyists, and all-around adventure aficionados. In other words, we do it all, and we know what it’s like to want your clothing to be able to keep up.

We’ve been reviewing hiking pants for this guide since July 2020, and each year, we carefully research the best hiking pants on the market to review. In this latest iteration, we spent over a year researching which models to test and putting those hiking pants through the wringer.

From rocky trails in the Pacific Northwest to the desert sagebrush and alpine mountains of Bishop, Calif., we ensured that each pair was worn over several miles in varying terrain and conditions to see how they measured up to one another. 

Our Expert Testers

Lead tester Miya Tsudome is an avid hiking enthusiast and former guide for the Yosemite Mountain School. She can often be found going deep into the High Sierra mountains in her backyard of Bishop, Calif., bushwhacking her way to remote crags and shimmying up granite chimneys, using and destroying plenty of pants.

Assessing each of these pants with objective metrics such as material, versatility, mobility, weatherproofing, and additional features, Miya was able to write an informed buyer’s guide full of useful information. Her experience and knowledge — plus her overall intuition on what a great pair of hiking pants should look and feel like — will hopefully help you find the best pair for your next adventure.

While pants are critical to your comfort and performance on the trail, what you wear on your feet also plays a huge part. Check out our guides to the best women’s hiking boots and the best women’s hiking shoes to find your next pair of kicks.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Hiking Pants

This guide focuses on the best hiking pants on the market that boast durability over the long run. Check out our guide to the best leggings if you want more suggestions for activewear to match all your adventures. Also, if you’re looking for male-specific models, check out our guide on the Best Hiking Pants for men.

Material

Do you plan to hike only in warm summer months or do you plan to hike all year round in fluctuating weather? Do you like a lot of stretch in your pants or are you looking for something more waterproof and durable? These questions are important to keep in mind when choosing hiking pants, which come in all types of materials these days. 

Most hiking pants are made of a blend of synthetic materials. In our lineup, nylon, polyester, and spandex (elastane) are heavily featured. This ensures they are breathable or weather-resistant and stretchy to keep you comfortable on the trail.

Pants made primarily of polyester, like the KÜHL Freeflex Rollup Pants and Fjällräven Keb Curved Trousers, are typically more breathable with high moisture-wicking abilities and medium stretch. 

Pants that are primarily made of nylon, like the Patagonia Quandary Pants and prAna Halle Hiking Pants, are tougher than pants made primarily of polyester, making them the better choice if durability is of concern.

Lastly, pants with a higher level of elastane, like the Athleta Headlands Cargo Tights, will provide more stretch.

Choosing what type of fabric will best suit your needs is ultimately a matter of personal preference and comfort, as well as considering whether you need durability or breathability based on the type of hiking you will be doing. If you are looking for even more breathability, you might want to choose pants that are made with extra ventilation features, like the Fjällräven Keb Curved Trousers. These heavy-duty hiking pants have side vents on each pant leg for when you need some extra help cooling down. 

Also, since pants are adding additional features to safeguard you from the sun — look for pants with UPF protection like the Outdoor Research Ferrosis, which are rated at 50+ UPF!

Pant Length & Versatility

Hiking pants typically come in three main options: full-length, convertible, and roll-up.

Full-length pants are a great option for complete leg protection, even in the summer. Most of the pants on our list are considered full-length like the Gnara Go There or the REI Co-op Trailmade Pants.

Convertible pants — like the REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Hiking Pants turn into shorts with a quick unzip of the leg. Pants like this give you the versatility to regulate your temperature and comfort on the trail and don’t look totally dorky, which is a bonus in our books. They’re a great option for variable weather and multiday hikes where you want more options and less gear to pack.

And somewhere between full-length and convertible lie roll-up pants similar to Patagonia’s Quandary Pants or the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants. Such pants have a tab, button, or drawcord that secures the cuff when rolled up.

We are also big proponents of ankle-length pants that don’t require you to roll the cuff, like the Mountain Hardwear Women’s Dynama or the KÜHL Trekr Kapri Pants. Not only can this be a style preference, but it also allows you to wear hiking boots with ankle cuffs without having to make any alterations to your pants, which can be a bonus for some.

Mobility

Being able to move freely is a major hallmark of the best hiking pants. Whether running down the trail or scrambling up a rocky patch, you don’t want your pants restricting your movement. This is where design features like a gusseted crotch, articulated knees, and stretchy materials prove useful.

The female shape can be tough to fit, but there are more options now than ever before. Some options, like the Patagonia Quandary Pants, accommodate a variety of body shapes and sizes. Some brands, like Fjällräven, offer curvy and straight fits, while others have added plus-size technical options. And because every body is shaped differently, it can be helpful to try on a few pairs before buying to ensure a snug (but comfortable) fit.

When it comes to trekking-specific leggings, like our favorite pick, the Fjällräven Abisko Trekking Tights HD, they can often be slightly tighter and less forgiving than typical yoga pants but are more durable and often reinforced to aid in longevity on the trail.

Features

Hiking pants come in all shapes and sizes, and some features like the type of waist closure or size and the number of pockets can help you decide what kind of pants you’ll like the best. 

Pockets can be helpful when accessing items quickly while out on the trail. Often, hiking pants will have front and back pockets, like we noted on the REI Co-op Trailmade Pants. Pants with more versatility will provide a zippered pocket on the thigh for added security.

Since we like to stay on the move, we prefer pants with deep pockets that fit our phones or snacks and, ideally, zips. Pockets that are not functional for our needs tend to make it on our cons list.

The Fjällräven Keb Curved Trousers have an impressive number of pockets, with two hand pockets plus two deep pockets on each leg and even an interior mesh pocket. We also really appreciate it when leggings feature pockets, and that’s one of the main reasons the Athleta Headlands Cargo Tights and the Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights made it onto our list.

You’ll also have to decide what type of waist closure you’re looking for in a hiking pant. Most traditional hiking pants feature a zipper and button closure, like the Outdoor Research Ferrosi, Patagonia Quandary, prAna Halle II and KÜHL Freeflex. These types of pants also all come with belt loops, so you can dial in a precise fit.

The Go There pants feature an adjustable waistband that includes two smooth, elastic drawstrings inside to snug up the waist. They fit well under a hip belt. For some, the stretchy waistband of leggings might be more appealing. These also fit snugly under a backpacking backpack’s waist belt and won’t be prone to snagging or bunching like button-closure pants might. 

Weather Protection

Most hiking pants have a DWR (durable waterproof repellent) coating. This coating doesn’t make the pants completely waterproof, but it adds enough protection to keep you dry on dewy mornings or in light showers.

The Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants provide a DWR finish for unexpected rain, but we don’t recommend wearing them as all-weather pants. Instead, you would want something designed to take on more precipitation, like the Patagonia Quandary Pants. However, if you wish to have total waterproof protection — rain pants layered over hiking pants will do the trick.

It’s worth mentioning that DWR coatings wear out over time, so you’ll want to treat heavily used hiking pants for optimal performance. Nikwax Softshell Proof Wash-In is an easy way to keep your pants repelling water year after year.

Additional Features for Hiking Pants

The little extras can really make or break a good pair of pants. Some of the features available are well-positioned cargo pockets, zippered pockets, cooling vents, belt loops, and built-in belts. These boost useability and function on long treks, and help with organization and overall comfort as the miles grind by.

The Gnara Go There Pants have a unique feature: a second patented zipper that easily and efficiently lets women go to the bathroom outside without exposing themselves to the elements—or other trail users!

Additional features we like are stain resistance and anti-microbial properties for fewer washes, protection from abrasions to keep your pants lasting through rugged terrain, and even designated waist loops designed to keep items handy. Whether you want these or not depends on your personal hiking plans and style.

Price & Value

Hiking pants can cost anywhere between $70 and $250. The pants in our review fall mostly within that range, giving you a variety of options so you can find something that works best for your needs.

Budget

The cheapest pants in our review lie within the $70-$85 range. At this price point, you can guarantee a good hiking pant, but will sacrifice durability and any additional features. The best bang for your buck in our lineup is definitely the REI Co-op Trailmade Pants, which have a comfortable mid-rise, articulated knees, and even UPF 50+ protection. The Mountain Hardwear Dynama Ankle Pants are also a great choice, with a stretchy waistband, great mobility overall, and a stylish cut at the ankle. The material doesn’t feel as durable as others with a higher price tag.

Mid-Tier

Mid-tier hiking pants will typically be around the $85-$120 range. This is where a majority of hiking pants fall, and you’ll be able to find an excellent pair if you have this amount of money to spend. Our top pick, the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants, costs only $99. They have a comfortable, mid-rise waist, pinchable ankles, and both UPF and DWR protection. Plus, they’re made of ripstop nylon and come in cute colors. Need we say more?

The Patagonia Quandary Pants are another great mid-tier choice, with 5 pockets, a curved waistband, and UPF protection. They’re also made with post-consumer recycled materials. In this price range you’ll find pants with more features than the budget category, though the top-tier prices will be reserved for even more specialty attributes. 

Premium

The more premium hiking pants in our review fall between the $120-$250 range. These types of pants will typically be made with more durable materials or have specialty features not found in your average hiking pants. The Gnara Go There Pants ($168), which are made with womens-specific hiking needs in mind, are a great example of this. A zipper in the back of the pants allows you to use the bathroom without needing to strip down.

The Fjällräven Keb Curved Trousers ($240) have a ton of extra bells and whistles: zippered hip-to-knee ventilation openings, large buttoned pockets, and tons of other loops, hooks, and features. For the majority of our readers, mid-tier hiking pants will be just fine for your everyday hiking needs. But if you like a more technical pant, you can expect to pay more. 

Frequently Asked Questions