Short answer: The best hiking shorts for most people have a 7–9 inch inseam, a lightweight nylon or polyester fabric with some stretch (never cotton), at least one zippered pocket for your phone or keys, and a flat, low-profile waistband that sits comfortably under a backpack hipbelt. Everything else — liner or no liner, cargo pockets, belt loops — comes down to how and where you hike. Here's how to work through each decision.
What inseam length is best for hiking shorts?
Inseam is the measurement from the crotch seam to the bottom hem, and it's the first thing to get right because it affects both mobility and protection.
| Inseam | Best for | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| 5–6" | Trail running, fast hiking in extreme heat | Maximum airflow and stride freedom, but little thigh protection from brush, sun, or rock when scrambling |
| 7–9" | General hiking, travel, everyday wear | The versatile middle ground — covers most of the thigh when seated, still cool and unrestricted |
| 10–12" | Bushwhacking, desert hiking, anyone who wants knee-adjacent coverage | More sun and scratch protection, but warmer and can catch on the knee when high-stepping |
If you're buying one pair to do everything, go 7–9 inches. A quick test: sit down in them. If the hem rides up past mid-thigh and the fabric pulls tight across your quads, size up or choose a longer inseam.
What fabric should hiking shorts be made of?
Skip cotton entirely. Cotton absorbs many times its weight in sweat, dries slowly, and wet fabric between your legs is the fastest route to chafing. What you want instead:
- Nylon — the workhorse of hiking shorts. Strong for its weight, abrasion-resistant, and quick-drying. Ripstop nylon adds tear resistance for off-trail use.
- Polyester — dries even faster than nylon and holds less water, though it's slightly less durable against abrasion. Common in lighter "athletic" style shorts.
- Added elastane (2–10%) — a small amount of stretch fiber makes a big difference when you're high-stepping over logs or scrambling. Look for "stretch" or "4-way stretch" in the description.
- DWR coating — a durable water repellent finish makes light rain and creek splashes bead off instead of soaking in. Useful, not essential.
Weight matters too: fabrics in the 120–180 gsm range feel airy in summer heat, while heavier 200+ gsm fabrics survive granite and brush better. Match the fabric to the terrain, not the marketing.
How many pockets do hiking shorts actually need?
Pocket count is where shorts marketing gets silly. You don't need eight pockets; you need the right three or four:
- One zippered pocket, minimum. This is non-negotiable. Open hand pockets dump your phone and car keys the first time you sit on a rock or glissade down a slope. A zip pocket on the thigh or rear keeps valuables secure and, if placed on the thigh, reachable while wearing a pack.
- Standard hand pockets with deep bags, so items don't lever out when you sit.
- A cargo pocket is genuinely useful for a map, snack bar, or gloves — things you want fast without stopping. Flap or zip closures both work; elastic-topped open cargo pockets lose things.
If you hike with trekking poles, thigh pockets beat rear pockets — you can reach them without breaking stride. Our Men's 5-Pocket Hiking Cargo Shorts follow exactly this layout: five pockets with zip security where it counts, in a lightweight quick-dry weave with a 7" inseam — right in the middle of the range above.
What fit details matter most on the trail?
Three things separate shorts that disappear on your body from shorts you fidget with all day:
- Waistband under a hipbelt. Bulky snaps, thick belts, and stacked seams at the waist create pressure points under a backpack hipbelt. Look for flat internal drawcords, low-profile buttons, or elastic panels.
- Gusseted crotch. A diamond-shaped panel where the four seams would normally meet. It removes the pressure point, adds durability, and dramatically improves range of motion for step-ups.
- Liner or no liner? Built-in mesh liners mean you can skip underwear and cut chafing — great for hot, sweaty hikes, and they double as swim shorts. The downside: you can't swap the liner when it's dirty on multi-day trips. Unlined shorts plus good synthetic or merino boxer briefs are more versatile for backpacking.
When should you choose pants instead?
Shorts win in heat, but pants are the better call for dense brush, tick-heavy areas, intense sun exposure at altitude, or cold mornings. Many hikers carry lightweight pants and wear shorts, or simply pick based on the forecast — we cover that decision in depth in our guide to hiking pants vs. shorts in summer, and you can browse the full range in the pants collection. If your trails involve overgrown sections, a pair of quick-dry cargo pants earns its place in the pack.
Do you need to spend $70+ on hiking shorts?
No. Hiking shorts are one of the simplest technical garments to make well — the performance comes from the fabric (nylon/polyester, stretch, DWR) and the pattern (gusset, pocket placement), not a logo. Premium trail shorts and budget ones often share the same construction, so judge the spec sheet rather than the price tag. Our men's lightweight quick-dry cargo shorts pair a DWR-treated quick-dry weave with 4-way stretch and zip pockets, and the women's zip-pocket trail shorts follow the same brief. Both sit in the breathable summer hiking collection alongside the rest of the warm-weather lineup.
Quick checklist before you buy
- 7–9" inseam unless you have a specific reason to go shorter or longer
- Nylon or polyester with a touch of stretch — no cotton
- At least one zippered pocket
- Flat waistband that won't dig under a hipbelt
- Sit-down test: no pulling across the thighs, hem stays at a comfortable height
Frequently asked questions
Are cotton shorts okay for short, easy hikes?
For a flat one-hour walk in dry weather, you'll survive. But cotton stays wet once you sweat, and wet fabric causes chafing and discomfort fast. Since quick-dry shorts now cost about the same as cotton ones, there's little reason to compromise.
What's the best inseam for hiking shorts?
7–9 inches suits most hikers — enough coverage for sitting on rocks and sun protection, without restricting your stride. Go shorter for running-style hikes in heat, longer for brushy or exposed terrain.
Should hiking shorts have a liner?
Liners help with chafing on hot day hikes and let shorts double as swimwear. For multi-day backpacking, unlined shorts plus a change of synthetic underwear are more hygienic and versatile.
How should hiking shorts fit?
Snug but not tight at the waist without a belt, room to lift your knee to hip height without the fabric pulling, and a hem that doesn't ride up excessively when seated. If you're between sizes, size up — a drawcord can take in a loose waist, but nothing fixes tight thighs.