Best Hiking Shorts for Backpacking and Thru-Hiking 2026

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I’ve worn hiking shorts across all three Triple Crown trails and through more than 30 years of backpacking, from desert thru-hikes to humid jungle trails where everything stays wet for days. This guide is for backpackers and thru-hikers who want shorts that are light, quick drying, and tough enough to last a long trail, not casual trail-to-town fashion.

As a former outdoor retail store manager and an independent gear tester, I judge shorts on weight, breathability, durability, and how they handle real days of sweat, sand, and creek crossings. When the weather is cooler, a good pair of Convertible Hiking Pants or high-quality Hiking Pants are good alternatives to hiking shorts and are preferred by some people. Others like to wear a pair of Base Layers under their shorts when the weather cools down.

My current top pick for 2026 is the Prana Stretch Zion Shorts, with the Patagonia Baggies as the cult favourite for fast-and-light hikers. The main trade-off to understand is durability versus weight: rugged shorts last longer but breathe and pack worse. For how I research and field-test gear, see the Gear Review Policy.

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Quick Picks – Best Hiking Shorts

• Best overall: Prana Stretch Zion Shorts – durable stretch nylon, built-in belt, and the best all-round balance of comfort and longevity.
• Best ultralight: Patagonia Strider Pro – a sub-4 oz running short that doubles as a fast-and-light thru-hiking short when you want to shave every gram.
• Best for thru-hiking: Patagonia Baggies – a cult favourite with long-distance hikers for their quick-drying fabric and in-and-out-of-water versatility.
• Best sustainable: Patagonia Quandary – recycled nylon/spandex blend, Fair Trade sewn, with the polish you expect from Patagonia.
• Best lightweight stretch: Outdoor Research Ferrosi – stretch-woven softshell fabric that moves with you and shrugs off scrambling and brush.
• Best running/hiking hybrid: Patagonia Multi Trails – designed for running but light and breathable enough for trail days when you want minimal short.
• Best cargo: Columbia Silver Ridge – recycled polyester with the extra storage some hikers still want on trail.
• Best durable/rugged: Kuhl Renegade Rock – burlier fabric and build for rocky, abrasive trails where lighter shorts wear through.
• Best budget for thru-hiking: REI Co-op Active Pursuits Shorts – comfortable, light, and good value for hikers who want a cheap pair that still goes the distance.
• Best budget cargo: REI Co-op Sahara Cargo – affordable storage-friendly option that competitors rate as a top money-saver.

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How We Tested

The lightweight hiking shorts in this guide are researched and, where possible, field-tested by an experienced long-distance hiker and former outdoor store manager. Across thru-hikes, shoulder-season trips, and backpacking trips, I judge hiking shorts on weight, breathability, drying time, durability, comfort, pockets, and value for serious backpacking. Some of the items were supplied by the manufacturer and some items were purchased by the author for this review. For more on how we research and review gear, see the BikeHikeSafari Gear Review Policy.

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Hiking Shorts Comparison Table

Brand	Material	Weight	UPF Rating
Prana Stretch Zion Shorts	95% recycled nylon, 5% elastane	Not Specified	50
Patagonia Strider Pro	90% polyester , 10% spandex	3.8 oz	50
Patagonia Baggies	100% recycled nylon	7.2 oz	50
Patagonia Quandary Shorts	96% recycled nylon, 4% spandex	7.5 oz	50
Outdoor Research Ferrosi Short	46% Recycled Nylon, 40% Nylon, 14% spandex	12 oz	50
Patagonia Multi Trails Short	90% recycled polyester, 10% spandex	5.2 oz	50
Columbia Silver Ridge Shorts	100% recycled polyester	Not Specified	50
Kuhl Renegade Rock Shorts	95% nylon, 5% spandex	8.5 oz	50
REI Co-op Active Pursuits Shorts	86% polyester, 14% spandex	5.1 oz	50
REI Co-op Sahara Cargo Short	96% recycled nylon, 4% spandex	8 oz	50

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Best Shorts for Hiking 2026 – Detailed Reviews

This is my top pick, the stretch nylon takes a beating and keeps moving with you on big climbs and scrambles, which is why it survives long trails where lighter shorts wear through. I love the built-in belt, which makes it very adjustable as your weight shifts over a thru-hike.

It suits 3-season backpacking, desert trails, and rugged terrain where durability matters more than shaving grams. It is not the lightest or fastest-drying option here, so on hot, wet jungle trails you may prefer the Baggies or Strider Pro.

Trade-off: more durable and more comfortable than ultralight options, but heavier and slower to dry.

Best for: thru-hikers who want one tough, comfortable pair that lasts a whole trail.

The Strider Pro is the under 4 oz ultralight pick. It is quick drying, and the built-in liner means you can skip separate underwear on trail. While many hikers love the liner, I must admit I’m not a fan, so it is the first thing I cut out, not just on these shorts but all shorts. It is technically a running short, but plenty of thru-hikers run their whole trail in shorts like this.

It suits fast-and-light hikers, hot and humid trails, and anyone counting grams. The short inseam and minimal fabric give the least durability and coverage of anything here, so it is a poor match for scrambling or off-trail brush.

Trade-off: unbeatable weight and dry time, but minimal durability and coverage.

Best for: ultralight thru-hikers and hot-weather miles where every gram counts.

The Baggies are a cult favourite with lightweight hikers and backpackers, and for good reason. They are light, dry fast, and are ideal for wearing in and out of the water, which makes them a strong pick for trails with frequent creek crossings or swimming holes. They are also Fair Trade sewn.

They suit fast-and-light hikers, hot-weather thru-hikes, and anyone who treats their hiking short as a swim short too. There is a large choice of colors including some funky prints in both the male and female versions that will make you stand out on the trail. The looser cut and shorter inseam are less protective on brushy or abrasive trails than the Zion or Ferrosi.

Trade-off: superb weight and dry time, but less coverage and durability for rugged terrain.

Best for: ultralight and hot-weather backpackers who want one short for trail and water.

The Quandary is my best sustainable pick. It is made from a blend of recycled nylon which is made from fishing nets and spandex, is Fair Trade sewn, and comes as both Men’s and Women’s hiking shorts. It carries the all-round quality you expect from Patagonia, with a comfortable fit and reliable quick-dry performance.

It suits hikers who want a versatile 3-season short with lower environmental impact and a clean look on and off trail.

Trade-off: well-rounded and sustainable, but neither the lightest nor the most rugged option here.

Best for: hikers who want one do-it-all short with a sustainability edge.

The Ferrosi uses OR’s stretch-woven softshell fabric, which is why it is my pick for the best lightweight stretchy short. It moves with you on high steps and scrambles and shrugs off light brush better than thinner shorts, while staying breathable enough for warm days.

It suits alpine approaches, scrambling, and mixed terrain where you want stretch and a bit of wind resistance. It is not the fastest to dry, so it is less ideal for constant water crossings than the Baggies. The fit of the update version of the shorts seem different, if you loved the old model you may not like this one. They come in 7 inch and 10 inch inseams for the men and 5 inch and 7 inch for the women, I prefer the 7 inch.

Trade-off: great mobility and light abrasion resistance, but slower drying than pure quick-dry shorts.

Best for: hikers who want one stretchy, do-everything short for technical terrain.

Technically the Multi Trails were designed for running, not hiking, but they can be used for either activity. They are light and breathable with a built-in liner, which makes them a good minimalist short for fast trail days and hot weather.

They suit fast-and-light hikers and runners who want one short for both. As with most running-style shorts, durability and coverage are lower than a dedicated hiking short like the Zion. hey come in 6 inch and 8 inch inseam, I prefer the 6 inch.

Trade-off: light and breathable, but less durable and protective.

Best for: hikers who also run and want a single light short.

The Silver Ridge Cargo is my best cargo pick for hikers who still want extra storage on trail. It is made from 100% recycled polyester and dries reasonably well. There are belt loops on the shorts but no integrated belt and no stretch waist, so the fit is less adjustable than the Zion.

It suits day hikers and travellers who like cargo storage and sun protection. The cargo styling and lack of stretch waist make it less of a true ultralight thru-hiking short.

Trade-off: useful storage and recycled fabric, but heavier and less adjustable than stretch shorts.

Best for: hikers who want cargo pockets and don’t mind the extra bulk.

The Renegade Rock is my best rugged pick for rocky, abrasive trails where lighter shorts wear through. The fabric is burlier and the build is solid, so these are the shorts I’d reach for on sharp granite and bushwhacking days. The Kuhl Renegade Convertible Hiking Shorts are my favorite Convertible Hiking Pants. So it is fitting that the stand-alone shorts are also on the list.

They suit rugged terrain, scrambling, and hikers who are hard on their gear. The trade-off is weight and pack size against the ultralight options here.

Trade-off: excellent durability, but heavier and bulkier than UL shorts.

Best for: hikers who prioritise toughness over grams.

In my experience, the Active Pursuits are very good value for money and best suited to someone wanting a budget pair of shorts that are comfortable. I used the previous model of these shorts too thru hike the PCT and most of the CDT. They are light and quick-drying enough for real backpacking, which makes them my best budget thru-hiking pick.

They suit hikers on a budget and first thru-hikes where you don’t want to spend big on shorts. You give up some of the durability and refinement of the prAna or OR options.

Trade-off: great price and comfort, but less long-haul durability.

Best for: budget-conscious thru-hikers.

The Sahara Cargo is my best budget cargo pick not only because of the great price but they give you ample cargo storage and decent quick-dry performance, which is hard to beat if you want pockets without spending much.

It suits day hikers and budget backpackers who want storage. As with most cargo shorts, it is heavier and less ultralight than the stretch options here.

Trade-off: cheap and practical, but heavier and less refined.

Best for: budget hikers who want cargo pockets.

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More Hiking Shorts

Here are more hiking shorts I am in the process of evaluating:

• Macpac Trekker Shorts: Great shorts only available in Australia and New Zealand
• Arc’teryx Norvan: Very shorts shorts that are very popular
• Soffe Dri Running Short: Soft and light fabric but very basic.

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Hiking Shorts Buyers Guide

Weight and Inseam Length

For thru-hiking, lighter is almost always better, and a shorter inseam (5–7 in) breathes and dries faster than a 10 in short. Longer inseams give more sun and brush protection but cost weight and breathability. Decide based on your trail: hot, open desert favours short and light; brushy or cold trails favour more coverage.

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Durability and Fabric

Think about your terrain first. Rocky, abrasive trails and off-trail travel call for tougher stretch-woven fabrics like the OR Ferrosi or Kuhl Renegade. Smooth, graded trails let you get away with lighter, thinner shorts. Stretch-woven nylon lasts longest; thin ripstop running fabric is lightest but wears faster.

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Drying Time and Breathability

If you’ll be wading or hiking in humid heat, quick-dry fabric is essential and a mesh liner or vents help a lot. A gusseted crotch improves airflow and freedom of movement. Quick-dry shorts like the Baggies and Strider Pro dry in minutes; heavier cargo shorts can stay damp for hours.

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Pockets and Waistband

Most hiking shorts have fewer pockets than pants. Zip pockets keep a phone, keys, and snacks secure so you stop less to dig in your pack. For the waistband, a partial or full elastic waist or an integrated belt (like the prAna Zion’s) flexes with you and won’t dig in as your weight changes over a long trail. A soft, brushed-lined waistband helps prevent chafing.

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Material and Sustainability

Every short on this list is synthetic, because synthetics outperform natural fibres for hiking shorts on weight, dry time, and durability. If you want lower impact, look for recycled nylon or polyester and Fair Trade sewn options like the Patagonia Quandary and Baggies.

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Price and Value

You can find usable hiking shorts for just over $10, but don’t expect top-tier durability or fabric. Spend a little more and a pair like the REI Trailmade or Active Pursuits will last far longer per dollar. Premium shorts ($75+) like the prAna Zion earn their price on a long trail through durability and comfort, but a budget pair is often the smart pick for a first thru-hike.

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Conclusion

Overall the Best Hiking Shorts for Backpacking in 2026 are:

• Best overall: Prana Stretch Zion Shorts
• Best ultralight: Patagonia Strider Pro
• Best for thru-hiking: Patagonia Baggies
• Best sustainable: Patagonia Quandary
• Best lightweight stretch: Outdoor Research Ferrosi
• Best running/hiking hybrid: Patagonia Multi Trails
• Best cargo: Columbia Silver Ridge
• Best durable/rugged: Kuhl Renegade Rock
• Best budget for thru-hiking: REI Co-op Active Pursuits Shorts
• Best budget cargo: REI Co-op Sahara Cargo

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Frequently Asked Questions

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