6 Best Shorts For Sun Protection That Keep You Cool on Exposed Trails

The sun beats down on the exposed ridgeline, with miles of trail still ahead and not a single tree for shade. You feel the heat radiating off the dusty path, and you know that without the right gear, this beautiful day could quickly turn into a lesson in sunburn and overheating. Choosing the right hiking shorts is about more than just style; it’s a critical decision for comfort, safety, and endurance when the sun is relentless.

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Why UPF and Breathability Matter in Hiking Shorts

When you’re slogging up a sunny switchback, two fabric properties become your best friends: UPF and breathability. UPF, or Ultraviolet Protection Factor, measures how much UV radiation a fabric allows to reach your skin. A UPF 50 rating, for example, blocks 98% of the sun’s rays, offering far more reliable protection than sunscreen that can sweat off.

Think of breathability as your gear’s built-in air conditioning. It allows water vapor (your sweat) to escape, which is the primary way your body cools itself. Highly breathable shorts prevent that swampy, clammy feeling on hot days, reducing the risk of chafing and keeping you comfortable mile after mile.

The classic trade-off used to be that high-UPF fabrics were dense and not very breathable. Thankfully, modern textile technology has largely solved this. Today’s best hiking shorts use engineered weaves and lightweight synthetic blends to deliver excellent sun protection without trapping heat, giving you the best of both worlds.

Outdoor Research Ferrosi for Maximum Breathability

Imagine a humid, mid-summer hike where the air feels thick enough to swim through. This is where the Outdoor Research Ferrosi shorts shine. Their legendary softshell fabric is incredibly lightweight and air-permeable, making them feel like you’re barely wearing anything at all.

The Ferrosi’s blend of nylon and spandex provides fantastic four-way stretch, moving with you effortlessly whether you’re taking a high step over a fallen log or scrambling up a short rock face. Despite their airy feel, they boast a UPF 50+ rating, ensuring your skin is protected even when you feel the breeze.

The trade-off for this supreme comfort and breathability is a slight dip in ruggedness. While durable enough for thousands of on-trail miles, they won’t stand up to serious bushwhacking or constant abrasion against sharp granite quite like some heavier-duty options. For most hikers, though, their performance in the heat is a worthy compromise.

Patagonia Quandary Shorts for All-Around Versatility

You need one pair of shorts for the weekend: a morning hike, an afternoon dip in the river, and a casual evening at the local brewery. The Patagonia Quandary is the answer. It strikes an exceptional balance between trail performance and everyday wearability, making it a true quiver-of-one.

Made from a lightweight, stretchy blend of recycled nylon and spandex, the Quandary shorts are comfortable, quick-drying, and treated with a durable water repellent (DWR) finish to shed light moisture. Their UPF 40+ rating provides solid sun protection for most conditions, and the gusseted crotch ensures you have the mobility for any trail obstacle.

The Quandary isn’t the absolute lightest or the most indestructible short on this list. Instead, its strength lies in its versatility. With a clean design and practical pocket layout, it never looks out of place, making it a perfect choice for adventure travel or for hikers who want gear that serves them both on and off the trail.

Arc’teryx Gamma Quick Dry for Technical Terrain

Picture yourself navigating an exposed, technical scramble in the high alpine, where precise footwork and total freedom of movement are non-negotiable. The Arc’teryx Gamma Quick Dry is built for exactly these moments. It’s a piece of performance equipment designed for mountain athletes.

The magic is in the TerraTex™ stretch nylon fabric and the meticulous, articulated patterning. These shorts are engineered to disappear, never binding or restricting your movement during high steps or delicate balancing acts. They also offer top-tier UPF 50+ protection and, as the name implies, dry exceptionally fast after a sudden downpour or a sweaty ascent.

This level of technical performance comes at a premium price. For casual day hikes on well-maintained trails, the Gamma might be overkill. But for mountaineers, climbers, and serious trekkers who demand the most from their gear in challenging terrain, the investment in comfort and mobility is often worth it.

prAna Stretch Zion II for Unmatched Durability

If your hikes often involve scraping past thorny bushes, sitting on rough granite slabs, or even a bit of impromptu climbing, you need shorts that can take a beating. The prAna Stretch Zion II is a legend in the outdoor world for one primary reason: its incredible durability.

The updated ReZion™ fabric is a tough, abrasion-resistant blend that feels practically indestructible, yet it still offers ample stretch for comfortable movement. This is the short you choose when you know the trail is going to fight back. A UPF 50+ rating and a PFC-free DWR finish round out a feature set built for rugged, long-term use.

This toughness comes with a bit of extra weight and bulk. The Stretch Zion II is not the most breathable or lightweight option, making it less ideal for scorching, humid climates. But if your priority is a workhorse short that will last for years of hard use, nothing else on the trail comes close.

Columbia Silver Ridge for Dedicated Sun Protection

You’re planning a multi-day trek through a desert canyon or a long walk along a sun-blasted coastline. In these environments, sun protection isn’t just a feature—it’s the entire point. The Columbia Silver Ridge Cargo short is a focused tool for this exact job.

Its main purpose is to shield you from the sun, and it does so with Columbia’s Omni-Shade™ UPF 50 fabric. The lightweight ripstop nylon is designed to wick moisture and keep you as cool as possible in dry heat. It’s a no-frills, highly effective sun-blocking machine.

The Silver Ridge is an incredible value, but it makes compromises to hit that price point. The fit is more traditional and less athletic, and the fabric lacks the soft feel and stretch of more premium shorts. However, for hikers on a budget who need reliable, dedicated sun protection above all else, it’s an unbeatable choice.

REI Co-op Trailmade for Amphibious Adventures

Your ideal hike includes a mandatory stop at a waterfall or alpine lake for a mid-day swim. The REI Co-op Trailmade shorts are built for these kinds of "surf and turf" adventures. They are designed to transition seamlessly from trail to water and back again.

The lightweight polyester fabric has a UPF 50 rating, crucial for days spent near water where reflected sunlight intensifies UV exposure. More importantly, the material sheds water and dries in a flash, so you won’t be hiking in soggy shorts for hours after your swim. The mesh pocket bags allow water to drain instantly.

While perfectly capable for most day hikes, the Trailmade’s simpler construction isn’t as robust as more technical, rock-focused shorts. But for hikers who prioritize versatility, water-readiness, and a great price, these shorts are a fantastic option for summer fun.

Key Features: Inseam, Fabric, and Pocket Design

When choosing your shorts, three details make all the difference: inseam, fabric, and pockets. Getting these right for your needs will elevate your trail comfort significantly. Don’t just grab the first pair you see; consider how these elements match your hiking style.

Inseam length is a personal choice that balances coverage and freedom.

• Shorter Inseams (5-7 inches): Offer maximum ventilation and range of motion. Ideal for trail running or for hikers who don’t mind less coverage.
• Longer Inseams (9-11 inches): Provide more sun protection and shield your thighs from brush or scrapes. This is a great choice for desert hiking or overgrown trails.

Fabric is the heart of the short. Most are a blend of nylon for durability, spandex for stretch, and sometimes polyester for its quick-drying properties. A higher spandex content (10% or more) means excellent stretch, while a tough nylon weave signals durability. Pockets should be functional, not just present. A zippered thigh pocket is invaluable for securing a phone or map, while deep, mesh-lined hand pockets are great for ventilation and quick drainage after a creek crossing.

Ultimately, the perfect pair of shorts is the one that keeps you comfortable enough to stay out longer and explore further. Don’t get paralyzed by the specs; focus on what matters for the trails you love to hike. Find a pair that protects you from the sun, lets you move freely, and then get outside and put some miles on them.