6 Best Shorts For Beginner Hikers That Prioritize All-Day Comfort
Comfort is key for new hikers. Our guide reviews the 6 best shorts, focusing on stretch, moisture-wicking, and fit for an enjoyable day on the trail.
You’re an hour into a beautiful summer hike, but the sun is beating down and your denim cutoffs are starting to feel like a damp, heavy trap. The seam is rubbing your thigh raw, and every upward step is a restricted, sweaty effort. This is the moment every new hiker realizes that what you wear on your legs matters just as much as what you wear on your feet. Choosing the right pair of hiking shorts isn’t about looking the part; it’s about unlocking a level of comfort that allows you to focus on the trail ahead, not the gear holding you back.
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Key Features for Your First Pair of Hiking Shorts
When you’re staring at a wall of options, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Let’s cut through the noise and focus on what truly makes a great hiking short for a beginner. The single most important factor is the material. Look for synthetics like nylon or polyester, often blended with spandex or elastane for stretch. Unlike cotton, which absorbs sweat and stays wet, these materials wick moisture away from your skin to keep you dry and prevent chafing.
Next, consider mobility. A gusseted crotch—an extra diamond-shaped panel of fabric—and four-way stretch material allow for a full range of motion when you’re stepping over logs or scrambling up a steep section of trail. Durability is another piece of the puzzle. You don’t need bombproof shorts for your first few hikes, but a ripstop weave can prevent a small snag from becoming a huge tear. Finally, pay attention to the waistband. A flat, comfortable waistband, maybe with an integrated belt, will feel much better under a backpack’s hip belt than a bulky button and zipper.
Patagonia Baggies Shorts for Versatile Trail Use
If you want one pair of shorts that can handle a dusty trail, a dip in an alpine lake, and a stop for a post-hike burger, the Patagonia Baggies are an iconic choice. Made from quick-drying, 100% recycled nylon with a durable water repellent (DWR) finish, they are built for amphibious adventures. Their simplicity is their greatest strength; they are lightweight, unpretentious, and ready for anything.
The Baggies have a relaxed fit and a shorter inseam (typically 5" or 7"), which provides excellent freedom of movement and ventilation on hot days. They feature an elastic waistband with a simple drawstring and deep mesh pockets that drain instantly. While they lack the zippered security pockets or technical stretch of other models, their do-it-all nature makes them a perfect, low-fuss entry point for hikers who value versatility above all else.
prAna Stretch Zion II for Unrestricted Movement
Imagine you’re on a trail that suddenly requires you to use your hands, pulling yourself up and over large boulders. This is where the prAna Stretch Zion II shorts truly shine. Built with prAna’s legendary ReZion fabric, these shorts offer incredible four-way stretch that moves with you, never against you. A gusseted crotch and ventilated inseam further enhance this feeling of unrestricted freedom.
Beyond the amazing stretch, the Zion II is packed with thoughtful trail features. The DWR finish sheds light moisture, the fabric boasts a UPF 50+ rating for sun protection, and the low-profile integrated belt is easy to adjust and sits comfortably under a pack’s hip belt. These shorts represent a step up in technical performance, ideal for the beginner who plans to tackle more varied and challenging terrain from the start.
REI Co-op Sahara Amphib for All-Around Value
For the hiker who wants a dedicated, trail-worthy short without a premium price tag, the REI Co-op Sahara Amphib is a fantastic starting point. It expertly balances essential features, comfort, and cost, delivering performance that punches well above its weight. The lightweight, stretchy nylon blend dries quickly and has a water-repellent finish, making it another great option for hikes that might involve a creek crossing or a swim.
The Sahara Amphib is a workhorse. It offers a comfortable elastic waistband with a built-in belt, ample pocket space for snacks and a phone, and a fit that works for a wide range of body types. It may not have the best-in-class stretch of the prAna Zion or the bomber durability of a KÜHL, but it provides more than enough performance for 90% of day hikes and weekend trips, making it an unbeatable value.
Outdoor Research Ferrosi for Breathable Comfort
On those hot, humid days where the air feels thick and every movement makes you sweat, the Outdoor Research Ferrosi shorts are a game-changer. The Ferrosi fabric is legendary in the outdoor world for its supreme breathability and lightweight feel. It’s soft, incredibly stretchy, and feels almost like you’re wearing nothing at all, allowing air to move freely and keep you cool.
This focus on breathable comfort comes with a tradeoff. The lightweight fabric is not as abrasion-resistant as heavier materials, so it’s best suited for on-trail hiking rather than extensive bushwhacking or sharp, rocky scrambles. However, for most beginner and intermediate hikers sticking to established paths in warm climates, the Ferrosi’s comfort is unmatched. It’s the short you’ll reach for when the forecast calls for heat.
KÜHL Renegade Shorts for Rugged Durability
If your hiking style is a bit more… rugged, and you tend to be hard on your gear, the KÜHL Renegade Shorts are built to take a beating. Constructed from KÜHL’s DURALUX fabric, a softshell material that is both soft to the touch and highly resistant to abrasion, these shorts can handle sitting on granite slabs and scraping past thorny bushes without showing wear. They are the choice for off-trail exploration or mountain environments where durability is paramount.
Despite their toughness, the Renegade shorts don’t sacrifice mobility. They feature significant stretch, a gusseted crotch, and KÜHL’s signature articulated design for a superior fit that moves with you. With eight total pockets, you’ll never run out of places to stash small items. This durability comes with a slight weight penalty, but for hikers who prioritize gear that lasts, it’s a worthy investment.
Columbia Silver Ridge for Sun Protection & Pockets
For long, exposed hikes above the treeline or through sun-drenched canyons, sun protection becomes a critical feature. The Columbia Silver Ridge Cargo Short excels here, featuring Omni-Shade UPF 50 fabric that blocks harmful UVA and UVB rays. The material is also treated with Omni-Wick technology, which actively pulls moisture away from your skin to speed up evaporation and keep you comfortable.
True to their "cargo" name, these shorts are a favorite for hikers who love having plenty of storage. Multiple pockets, including a zippered security pocket and hook-and-loop closure cargo pockets, ensure your essentials are secure and accessible. With a classic fit and an included belt, the Silver Ridge is a practical, protective, and widely available option that has served as a reliable first hiking short for countless adventurers.
Choosing the Right Inseam and Fit for Your Body
The technical features of a short mean nothing if it doesn’t fit you properly. The first decision is inseam length. Shorter inseams (5-7 inches) offer the best ventilation and range of motion, but provide less protection from the sun, scrapes, and insects. Longer inseams (9-11 inches) offer more coverage but can feel restrictive to some hikers, especially on steep climbs. There is no right answer; it’s a matter of personal preference and trail conditions.
Fit is equally important. An athletic fit will be closer to the body, while a relaxed fit will be looser and more airy. The goal is to find a fit that prevents chafing, which is the enemy of any happy hike. Before you buy, try the shorts on and, if possible, buckle a backpack hip belt over them. This simple test will immediately reveal if the waistband, button, or belt loops will dig in and cause painful hot spots after a few miles on the trail.
Ultimately, the best hiking short is the one you forget you’re wearing. Don’t get paralyzed by the pursuit of the "perfect" gear. Any of these options will serve you infinitely better than a pair of old gym shorts or jeans. Pick a pair that feels good, fits your budget, and get outside—the trail is waiting.
