The Best Hiking Shorts in 2023, Tested by Outdoor Editors

<p><strong><a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/style/g36633905/best-amazon-mens-shorts/” target=”_blank”>Best Men’s Shorts on Amazon</a> | <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/style/g36097646/mens-gym-shorts/” target=”_blank”>Best Men’s Gym Shorts</a> | <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/technology-gear/g29503936/hiking-essentials/” target=”_blank”>Best Hiking Essentials</a> | <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/trending-news/a19538395/best-hiking-boots/” target=”_blank”>Best Hiking Boots</a> | <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/technology-gear/g29860360/best-hiking-backpacks/” target=”_blank”>Best Hiking Backpacks</a> | <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/g26286782/best-running-shorts/” target=”_blank”>Best Running Shorts</a></strong></p><hr><h2 class=”body-h2″>What to Look for</h2><p>Aside from showing off those shapely calves, a good pair of hiking shorts need to check a few basic boxes in terms of functionality. Whether you’re looking at one of our favorites in the list below or considering another pair that didn’t make the cut, here are the main criteria we look for in the best hiking shorts. </p><p><strong><em>Read more: <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/technology-gear/a43807148/our-expertise-mens-health-product-reviews/” target=”_blank”>How Men’s Health Tests and Reviews Products</a></em></strong></p><h3 class=”body-h3″>Freedom of Movement</h3><p>Hiking shorts are active garments, and as such, hiking shorts should move with you as you hike rather than bunching up or constricting your stride. Constrictive shorts lead to discomfort and chafing in short order, so they should be avoided at all costs. We look for two main things in this regard: Roomy cuts and stretchy fabrics. </p><p>Both approaches are a means to the same end: Giving your legs the ability to articulate over big climbs and steep decents. </p><p>A roomy cut with wide leg openings and ample room in the “cockpit” does this by simply staying out of the way. These cuts can look and feel more like the cringe-worthy cargo shorts of the late 90’s though, which is why most outfitters have started incorporating stretch fabric into their designs. </p><p>We generally prefer shorts with a little added stretch (Spandex, elastane, etc.) as they can get away with much more streamlined and casual cuts without sacrificing too much in terms of storage or durability. Hiking shorts can be expensive, so opting for a pair you’ll happily wear around town means extra bang for your buck when you’re not out on the trail. </p><h3 class=”body-h3″>Breathability</h3><p>As is the case with any active pursuit, hiking makes you sweat. This is particularly true in the warmer months, which is why hiking shorts deserve a seat at the table to begin with. </p><p>Generally speaking, this means you’ll want to avoid cotton shorts at all costs. Cotton fabric absorbs and holds moisture rather than wicking it off your skin and evaporating it into the air, which leads to heavy, wet, and all-around uncomfortable miles out on the trail. </p><p>We always prefer our hiking shorts to be made from either nylon or polyester, as both materials make for lighter and more breathable garments. We’ll also note that both nylon and polyester are much tougher when sewn in rip-stop patterns, which alternate between thinner and thicker yarns to minimizes rips, tears, and other typical wardrobe malfunctions associated with scrambling over rocks or bushwhacking through abrasive underbrush. </p><h3 class=”body-h3″>Fast-Drying</h3><p>As far as we’re concerned, the prototypical warm-weather hike always involves a body of water of some kind. Maybe that’s a quick splash in a trailside stream to cool off or an afternoon spent lounging in your favorite backwoods swimming hole, but whatever the case, you shouldn’t be scared to get your shorts wet. </p><p>To this end we prefer our hiking shorts (like the <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/style/a19522980/best-mens-bathing-suits/” target=”_blank”>best men’s swim trunks</a>) to be as fast-drying as possible, as this helps to keep you comfortable on the move, be it from normal perspiration or intentional submersion. A good pair of hiking shorts takes minutes, not hours, to go from wet to dry, which means you shouldn’t ever need to save room for a swimsuit in your hiking pack. </p><h3 class=”body-h3″>Storage and Organization</h3><p>Hiking shorts need pockets, plain and simple. Day hike or thru-hike, most of us carry a handful of items along with us any time we go exploring, and having multiple secure places to stash your quick-access essentials is a crucial feature of any good pair of hiking shorts. </p><p>Personally, we take the “more the merrier” approach when it comes to pockets. Being able to separate big items like your phone and <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/technology-gear/g19548477/best-wallets/” target=”_blank”>wallet</a> from smaller quick-access essentials like lip-balm, snacks, and a <a href=”https://www.menshealth.com/trending-news/a19536522/best-pocket-knives-reviews/” target=”_blank”>pocket knife</a> saves you time and effort over stopping to scrounge around in your pack every time you need something.</p><p>Ideally we like at least one of the major pockets on our shorts to be secured as well, be it by buttons, zippers, or just overhanging flaps. If you think losing your phone or car keys at home is bad, try finding them somewhere on a five mile trail in the middle of nowhere. </p>” />