6 Best Kids Hiking Shorts For Summer That Last Season After Season
Discover the 6 best kids’ summer hiking shorts engineered for durability. Our review highlights top picks that stand up to trail wear season after season.
The sun is beating down on the trail, and you’re an hour from the waterfall you promised. One kid is complaining their shorts are "too scratchy," while the other just took a slide down a dusty embankment, testing the limits of cheap cotton fabric. Finding the right gear for young hikers is a constant battle between what fits, what they’ll actually wear, and what won’t fall apart after three adventures. A good pair of hiking shorts can make the difference between a happy memory and a full-blown trail meltdown.
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Choosing Durable Shorts for Young Adventurers
Kids are tougher on gear than any thru-hiker. They crawl over logs, slide down rocks, and wade through creeks without a second thought. Their shorts need to be more than just small versions of adult apparel; they need to be built for this specific brand of enthusiastic destruction. The key is looking for materials that can handle abuse. This usually means synthetic fabrics like nylon or polyester, often woven into a "ripstop" pattern (look for the little grid pattern in the fabric) that prevents small tears from becoming huge rips.
Look beyond the main fabric to the features that truly matter for a growing adventurer. An adjustable waistband is non-negotiable. Whether it’s an internal elastic button system or a simple built-in belt, it allows you to buy a size with room to grow, extending the life of the shorts for more than one season. Pockets are also more than just a style choice; they are treasure chests for interesting rocks, feathers, and snacks. Finally, a fabric with a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating of 30 or higher adds a crucial layer of sun protection on exposed trails, giving you one less thing to worry about.
Patagonia Baggies: The All-Around Classic Short
If there’s one piece of kids’ gear that has achieved legendary status, it’s the Patagonia Baggies. You see them everywhere from the playground to high mountain lakes for a reason: they are simple, incredibly tough, and ready for anything. Their design is rooted in versatility, making them the perfect choice for a day hike that you know will end with a spontaneous swim. They are the definition of a "one and done" short for summer fun.
Made from 100% recycled nylon with a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish, Baggies shed light rain and dry astonishingly fast after a full submersion. The internal mesh liner and simple elastic waistband are comfortable and fuss-free. While they might not be the most breathable option for a scorching hot desert hike, their ability to transition seamlessly from trail to water is unmatched. The real testament to their value is how often they get passed down from an older sibling to a younger one, looking almost as good as new.
REI Co-op Sahara Shorts for Sun Protection & Value
When your summer plans involve long days above treeline or hikes through sun-drenched canyons, sun protection becomes a top priority. This is where the REI Co-op Sahara Shorts excel. They are purpose-built for exposure, prioritizing a high UPF 50+ rating to shield sensitive skin from harsh UV rays. This focus makes them an outstanding choice for families who frequent sunny, open environments.
The Sahara shorts are crafted from a lightweight, stretchy, and breathable fabric that feels great against the skin on hot, sweaty days. This is a comfort-first design. The trade-off for that lightweight feel is that they may not withstand the same level of rock-scrambling abrasion as a heavier-duty short. However, for most trail conditions, their durability is more than adequate. As with most REI Co-op branded gear, they hit a fantastic balance of performance and price, making them an accessible and smart investment for family adventures.
The North Face Class V for Trail-to-Water Fun
Think of The North Face Class V shorts as another top contender in the "hike-and-swim" category. They are built for days that revolve around water, whether it’s a paddle trip down a lazy river or a hike along a creek with plenty of splashy crossings. They offer a slightly different feel and feature set than the Baggies, giving parents a fantastic alternative for amphibious adventures.
The secret to their performance is The North Face’s FlashDry fabric, which is engineered to wick moisture aggressively and dry in a hurry. This is a huge plus for kids who can’t resist a puddle. The material has a soft handfeel and offers just enough stretch for easy movement on the trail. With a UPF 50+ rating and a simple pull-on design, they check all the boxes for a safe, comfortable, and low-maintenance summer short that can handle getting soaked and be dry by the time you’re back at the car.
Columbia Silver Ridge III for Hot, Sunny Climates
Heading out for a hike in the humid forests of the Southeast or the dry heat of the Southwest? The Columbia Silver Ridge III shorts are engineered specifically for these challenging conditions. They are a pure hiking short, designed from the ground up to manage heat, sweat, and sun, making them a top pick for the hottest days of the year.
Two key technologies define the Silver Ridge line. The first is Omni-Wick, a fabric treatment that actively pulls moisture away from the skin to the surface of the shorts where it can evaporate quickly, creating a cooling effect. The second is Omni-Shade UPF 50, which provides excellent sun blocking. The lightweight ripstop nylon is airy and breathable, and the integrated adjustable waistband ensures a perfect fit as kids grow. These aren’t your go-to swim shorts, but for pure trail performance in the heat, they are tough to beat.
Outdoor Research Ferrosi for Unrestricted Movement
For the kid who treats every trail like a personal gymnastics course, freedom of movement is everything. The Outdoor Research Ferrosi shorts are built for exactly that. They are the ideal choice for young hikers who love to scramble, climb, and leap, offering a level of stretch and comfort that more rigid shorts simply can’t match. If your child complains about restrictive clothing, these are the shorts to try.
The Ferrosi fabric is legendary in the outdoor world. It’s a woven softshell material that is incredibly lightweight, breathable, and weather-resistant, but its main selling point is its incredible stretch. It moves and flexes with the body, eliminating any binding or pulling during high-step maneuvers or while climbing over downed trees. This unparalleled comfort might come at a slight cost in ultimate abrasion resistance compared to a canvas-style short, but for dynamic activities, the Ferrosi’s performance is in a class of its own.
KUHL Krux Shorts: The Most Abrasion-Resistant Pick
Some kids are just exceptionally hard on their gear. If your young hiker regularly comes home with torn knees and shredded seams, you need a short that prioritizes durability above all else. The KUHL Krux shorts are built for exactly this scenario. They are the workhorses of the kids’ hiking short world, designed to stand up to sharp rocks, rough bark, and endless slides down dirt hills.
KUHL is known for its burly, proprietary fabric blends that often have a more substantial, canvas-like feel. The Krux shorts are a prime example, using a tough yet comfortable cotton/nylon mix that resists tearing and abrasion. This rugged build means they might be a bit heavier and less quick-drying than other options on this list. But when your primary concern is buying a short that will survive the season (and maybe the next), the Krux is the most reliable choice. They are an investment in peace of mind for parents of the most rugged adventurers.
Care Tips to Make Their Hiking Shorts Last Longer
Even the toughest shorts benefit from a little TLC. Taking proper care of technical apparel not only extends its lifespan, saving you money, but also maintains its performance features like water resistance and breathability. It’s also a great opportunity to teach young hikers how to be responsible for the gear that keeps them safe and comfortable outside.
Follow a few simple steps after each trip. First, shake out or brush off all the loose dirt, sand, and pine needles before they go into the wash. Wash them in cold water on a gentle cycle with a performance-oriented detergent (or just less of your regular detergent). Crucially, avoid fabric softeners and dryer sheets, as their waxy residues can clog the pores of the fabric and ruin its moisture-wicking and quick-drying properties.
Whenever possible, hang the shorts to air dry. This is gentler on the fabric, seams, and any DWR coatings than the high heat of a machine dryer. For small rips and tears, a piece of tenacious gear tape can make a trailside or at-home repair in minutes, keeping the shorts in service and out of a landfill. A little care goes a long way in making a good pair of shorts last for season after season.
In the end, the perfect pair of shorts is the one your kid will happily wear on a long, hot day. Don’t get lost in the details. Pick the option that best matches your climate and your child’s trail habits, and then focus on what really matters: getting outside, making memories, and finding plenty of cool rocks for those pockets.
