# The 6 Best Hiking Shorts for Women on Amazon in 2026 > Best hiking shorts for women in 2026: a zip cargo, a 9-inch cargo, a ripstop short, a trail short, a below-knee pair and a stretch short on Amazon. Guide: https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-hiking-shorts-for-women/ · Updated 2026-10-13 · By TwelveTabs · Search it live: https://twelvetabs.com/?q=hiking%20shorts%20women&guide=best-hiking-shorts-for-women As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases. Our picks are independently researched, written by TwelveTabs AI and never sponsored. Prices and ratings change often: see the guide for today's. ## The top picks - **A zip-pocket cargo short with a drawstring waist:** SANTINY Women's Hiking Cargo Shorts with 4 Zipper Pockets. A cargo short whose listing describes quick-dry, water-resistant fabric, a drawstring elastic waist, four zipper pockets and UPF 50+, with Amazon's #1 Best Seller badge in women's hiking shorts. - **A longer 9-inch cargo short with five zip pockets:** Hugut Women's Lightweight Hiking Cargo Shorts with Zipper Pockets, 9 Inch. A cargo short whose listing describes a 9-inch inseam, five zipper pockets and a water-repellent finish, and which Amazon marks as Amazon's Choice. - **A short ripstop pair built for hiking:** CRZ YOGA Mid Waisted Split Hiking Shorts 4 Inch. A short whose listing says it is designed for hiking, with lightweight ripstop fabric, a 4-inch inseam, two zipper pockets and a side pocket. - **A brand-name trail short with a curvy fit:** Eddie Bauer Women's Rainier Short. A short whose listing describes a nylon and spandex blend, a StormRepel water-repellent finish, UPF 50 sun protection and a Slightly Curvy Fit. - **A below-knee pair for more coverage:** baleaf Women's Hiking Shorts Below Knee Quick Dry Capris. A below-knee short whose listing describes UPF 50+ fabric, 4-way stretch, a water-resistant finish and three pockets, one of them a zippered side pocket. - **A stretchy high-waist short with the shortest inseam:** Willit Women's Hiking Athletic Shorts with Pockets, 2.5 Inch. A short whose listing describes an 80 percent nylon, 20 percent spandex fabric with 4-way stretch, a high waist, a 2.5-inch inseam and two front hand pockets, marked Amazon's Choice. Our top pick is the **[SANTINY Hiking Cargo Shorts](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-hiking-shorts-for-women/#pick-1)**. We read 120 Amazon result cards for "hiking shorts women", compared 11 contenders on their own pages, and kept the six whose pages describe a hiking or outdoor short and whose feedback is about that product. This one carries Amazon's #1 Best Seller badge in women's hiking shorts, with four zipper pockets and a drawstring waist. The rest are picked by length and feel. The **[Hugut Cargo Shorts](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-hiking-shorts-for-women/#pick-2)** have a 9-inch inseam and five zipper pockets. The **[CRZ YOGA Split Hiking Shorts](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-hiking-shorts-for-women/#pick-3)** are a short ripstop pair. The **[Eddie Bauer Rainier Short](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-hiking-shorts-for-women/#pick-4)** is a brand-name trail short. The **[baleaf Below Knee Hiking Shorts](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-hiking-shorts-for-women/#pick-5)** give more coverage, and the **[Willit 2.5 Inch Shorts](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-hiking-shorts-for-women/#pick-6)** are the shortest and stretchiest. ## How to choose hiking shorts for women Matador Network and Where We Went Next say what to look at. - **Check the length.** Matador Network says women's hiking shorts often have longer inseams than other shorts, to guard against chafing and bunching. Where We Went Next says a longer inseam gives more coverage and a shorter one gives more freedom of movement. Our picks run from the [Willit 2.5 Inch Shorts](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-hiking-shorts-for-women/#pick-6) to the [baleaf Below Knee Hiking Shorts](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-hiking-shorts-for-women/#pick-5). - **Look at the fabric.** Where We Went Next says to look for lightweight nylon or polyester that wicks moisture, and says cotton holds sweat. Matador Network adds that hiking shorts may have a water-repellent coating or built-in sun protection. The [Eddie Bauer Rainier Short](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-hiking-shorts-for-women/#pick-4) and [baleaf Below Knee Hiking Shorts](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-hiking-shorts-for-women/#pick-5) list both. - **Check the waistband and pockets.** Where We Went Next says to look for a waistband that is adjustable or stretchy to avoid chafing. Matador Network says hiking shorts often have larger pockets that hold a phone or snack bar. The [SANTINY](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-hiking-shorts-for-women/#pick-1) and [Hugut](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-hiking-shorts-for-women/#pick-2) shorts have drawstring waists and zipper pockets. - **Pick shorts or pants for the trail.** Matador Network says pants are worth wearing on rough or poorly kept trails, in buggy areas or in strong sun with little shade. All six of our picks are shorts. **Watch for this:** the search "hiking shorts women" also returns running shorts, biker shorts, swim shorts and capri pants. We dropped those unless their own page is written for hiking. ## Our picks in detail ### 1. SANTINY Hiking Cargo Shorts: best zip-pocket cargo short **Why it made the list** - Its listing describes quick-dry, water-resistant fabric and UPF 50+. - It lists a drawstring elastic waist, two zipper side pockets and two zipper cargo pockets. - Amazon's feedback summary says it is comfortable, dries quickly and has plenty of deep zip pockets. - Amazon shows a #1 Best Seller badge for it in women's hiking shorts. **Drawbacks** - Amazon's feedback summary says sizing is mixed, with some saying it runs a little large. - The listing names golf, fishing and running as uses too, so it is a general outdoor short. **Watch for this:** this page lists 5, 7 and 9 inch lengths and several colors under one rating total. The page opened on the 7-inch listing. **Skip it if** you want more length. Try the [Hugut Cargo Shorts](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-hiking-shorts-for-women/#pick-2). ### 2. Hugut Cargo Shorts: best longer cargo short **Why it made the list** - Its listing describes a 9-inch inseam, five zipper pockets and a water-repellent finish. - Amazon's feedback summary says the length sits just above the knee and the fabric is lightweight. - Amazon's feedback summary says it is comfortable, with an elastic drawstring waist, and dries quickly. - Amazon marks it as Amazon's Choice. **Drawbacks** - Critical comments say the cut is tapered at the back and the sizing is off. **Skip it if** you want a shorter pair. Try the [CRZ YOGA Split Hiking Shorts](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-hiking-shorts-for-women/#pick-3). ### 3. CRZ YOGA Split Hiking Shorts: best short ripstop pair **Why it made the list** - Its listing says it is designed for hiking, with lightweight ripstop fabric that is quick-drying and stretchy. - It has a 4-inch inseam, two zipper pockets, a side pocket and a net pocket. - Amazon's feedback summary says it is comfortable and true to size, and calls the value great. **Drawbacks** - One critical comment says it runs big, with a wide leg opening. - One comment dislikes the mesh loop at the back, which can pucker. **Skip it if** you want more coverage. Try the [baleaf Below Knee Hiking Shorts](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-hiking-shorts-for-women/#pick-5). ### 4. Eddie Bauer Rainier Short: best brand-name trail short **Why it made the list** - Its listing describes a lightweight nylon and spandex blend, a StormRepel water-repellent finish and UPF 50 sun protection. - It lists a Slightly Curvy Fit that sits below the natural waist, with front slash pockets and a zip cargo pocket. - Amazon's feedback summary says customers like the quality and fit and that it does not ride up. **Drawbacks** - Amazon's feedback summary says some wish it had back pockets. - One critical comment says the wrong style arrived twice. **Watch for this:** this page is one color of a line that comes in several, and the rating can cover more than one. **Skip it if** you want several zip pockets. Try the [SANTINY Hiking Cargo Shorts](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-hiking-shorts-for-women/#pick-1). ### 5. baleaf Below Knee Hiking Shorts: best for more coverage **Why it made the list** - Its listing describes a below-knee length, UPF 50+ fabric, 4-way stretch and a water-resistant finish. - It lists two front pockets and a zippered side pocket. - Amazon's feedback summary says it is lightweight, dries quickly and is comfortable in heat. **Drawbacks** - Amazon's feedback summary says sizing is mixed, with some saying it runs small. - One comment says it is looser at the hips and legs than the model photo suggests. **Skip it if** you want actual shorts. Try the [Hugut Cargo Shorts](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-hiking-shorts-for-women/#pick-2). ### 6. Willit 2.5 Inch Shorts: best short, stretchy pair **Why it made the list** - Its listing describes 4-way stretch nylon and spandex fabric, a high waist with an adjustable drawcord and flatlock stitching. - Amazon's feedback summary says it works for hiking, working out and errands, and calls the fit flattering. - Amazon marks it as Amazon's Choice. **Drawbacks** - Critical comments say it pilled after two washes and that it runs small. - It has two front hand pockets and no zips, and its listing says walking and light hiking. **Skip it if** you want zip pockets and more length. Try the [SANTINY Hiking Cargo Shorts](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-hiking-shorts-for-women/#pick-1). ## What we left out, and why We read 120 result cards across two pages of "hiking shorts women". 24 were sponsored and we skipped them. The other 96 were organic listings, many of them running shorts, biker shorts, swim shorts and the same shorts in another size or color. We narrowed them to 11 contenders, read each product's own Amazon page and kept six. Five were left out: - **Columbia Sandy River Short II.** Its page has far fewer ratings than the others, so its feedback is a small sample, and Amazon's feedback summary says the fit is mixed. - **MAGCOMSEN Women's Hiking Shorts, 8 Inch.** A zip-pocket short like the [SANTINY](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-hiking-shorts-for-women/#pick-1) and [Hugut](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-hiking-shorts-for-women/#pick-2) picks, and its page shows free delivery only on qualifying orders over a set amount. - **Women's Hiking Cargo Shorts with 4 Pockets (zsenoxaxi).** A zip-pocket cargo short like our first two picks, and its page shows free delivery only on qualifying orders over a set amount. - **G Gradual Women's 13 Inch Long Hiking Shorts.** A knee-length pair like the [baleaf](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-hiking-shorts-for-women/#pick-5), and Amazon's feedback summary says some find the material too thin. - **Viodia 7/9/11 Inch Hiking Cargo Shorts.** Its page showed no Amazon feedback summary, so we could not check what its feedback says. No Wirecutter page appeared in Google's top 20 for this phrase, so there is no Wirecutter pick in the comparison table. ## Questions people ask ### What are the best hiking shorts for women? For most people, the [SANTINY Hiking Cargo Shorts](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-hiking-shorts-for-women/#pick-1), which carry Amazon's #1 Best Seller badge in women's hiking shorts. For more length, the [Hugut Cargo Shorts](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-hiking-shorts-for-women/#pick-2) have a 9-inch inseam. ### How long should hiking shorts be? Matador Network says women's hiking shorts are often longer than other shorts to guard against chafing and bunching, and Where We Went Next says a longer inseam gives more coverage while a shorter one gives more freedom. The [Willit 2.5 Inch Shorts](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-hiking-shorts-for-women/#pick-6) are our shortest and the [baleaf](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-hiking-shorts-for-women/#pick-5) pair is our longest. ### Should you wear hiking shorts or hiking pants? Matador Network says pants are worth wearing on rough or poorly kept trails, where there are a lot of bugs, or in strong sun with little shade. Our picks are all shorts. ### What fabric is best for hiking shorts? Where We Went Next says lightweight nylon or polyester that wicks moisture, and says cotton holds sweat. The [Eddie Bauer Rainier Short](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-hiking-shorts-for-women/#pick-4) and the [Willit 2.5 Inch Shorts](https://twelvetabs.com/reviews/best-hiking-shorts-for-women/#pick-6) both list a nylon and spandex blend. ### How did TwelveTabs choose these hiking shorts? TwelveTabs, our AI shopping agent, compared Amazon's results for "hiking shorts women", read the pages of 11 contenders and named six picks, as of October 13, 2026. We checked the background against Matador Network and Where We Went Next. AI wrote this guide from that research. To see what it picks today, run the search yourself with the button on this page. ## How we researched On October 13, 2026 we read the first two pages of Amazon's results for “hiking shorts women”: 120 result cards, 96 of them organic listings. AI compared them, read the Amazon pages of 11 contenders and named six picks. AI wrote this guide from that research. Listings change: we read them on October 13, 2026, and a color, size or seller may differ today. Many of these pages cover several lengths and colors under one rating total, so a rating describes the line and not the exact version shown. Fabric and sun-protection lines are the makers' own wording on Amazon, not the label on the garment. ### Sources - [Matador Network: The best women's hiking shorts](https://matadornetwork.com/read/best-womens-hiking-shorts/) - [Where We Went Next: The best hiking shorts for women](https://wherewewentnext.com/hiking-shorts-women/)