5 women's hiking pants that will keep you cool all summer

Some outdoor buffs have "arsenals" or backpacks or skis. No matter where they're hiking, they have the perfect gear for the occasion.

Do you know what I have an arsenal of? Hiking pants.

Because pants matter, OK? Next to boots, hiking pants probably have the greatest potential to torpedo your trip if they're scratchy, chafing, or uncomfortable.

I've blogged before about choosing the best hiking pants for winter. But now that the seasons are changing, here's the rundown on my favorite women's hiking pants for the humid, sweaty summer months.

A note to the dudes

Guys, apologies if you feel left out. I chose to focus on women, because when it comes to finding high-performance hiking pants, we have a much harder time and fewer choices! However, if you would like to know more about men's hiking pants, please let me know in the comments. I'm pretty sure we can get a guest poster in here to do the deed.

So let's dive in. Here are five kinds of women's hiking pants to have at the ready this summer:

1. 3/4-length leggings with pockets

Disclosure: I received free product from Vie Active in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Leggings and yoga pants are extremely comfortable to hike in. And with a growing number featuring pockets, they're more practical than ever for the outdoors.

Another benefit of leggings is that they help to eliminate chafing between the thighs for women who struggle with this (raises hand).

Durability can be an issue with some leggings, so avoid taking them rock scrambling or bushwhacking through thick vegetation. One of our Facebook Group members says she also avoids wearing them in the desert, as the prickly plants can poke holes in them. If you must do this, slip your rain pants on over them for a bit of extra protection.

When shopping for hiking leggings, look for:

• Soft synthetic fabrics (no cotton)

• Flat seams

• Real pockets (not a finger-sized dent for a key)

• Balance of durability v. coolness and breathability

• Capri and 3/4 length leggings are best for hot summer days, while longer styles offer a bit of extra warmth in early and late summer.

I recently tested this Lili 3/4 legging from Vie Active and found it to be soft, breathable and ideal for on-trail hiking in summer. The pockets are so generous and deep, I felt 100 percent confident doing cartwheels with an iPhone tucked inside! Starting in June 2019, Vie Active leggings will be available in extended sizes (up to 3x).

To check these leggings out for yourself, visit Vie Active and enter code ADVENTURE20 at checkout to get 20% off full-price items.

2. Hiking shorts and with pockets

When you're hiking on a really hot, humid day, shorts feel just wonderful! As you can see in these photos from our Mt. Olympus climb, we were so glad we wore shorts on the steamy approach through the rain forests of Washington State.

It's sometimes hard to remember that hiking shorts are even an option here in Colorado, because we have so few hot days in the Rockies. However, I've gotten in the habit of carrying a pair in my backpack on every summer hike. If the day really heats up, I'll slip behind a rock and change into them. They really boost my morale.

The downside of shorts is that they leave your legs exposed. This can be a problem if you need to bushwhack through thick vegetation or if you are hiking in areas with Lyme disease. Be sure to apply plenty of sunscreen (and also bug repellant, if needed).

Shorts can also be a liability if you're hiking on snow. If you posthole, the late-season corn snow will scratch you bloody. So during May and June in Colorado, I'll sometimes wear my gaiters with my shorts. It looks a little funny, but it gets the job done.

When shopping for hiking shorts, look for:

• Nylon or soft shell fabric (no cotton)

• Real pockets. Zippered pockets are a nice feature if you're going to be scrambling around.

• The right length (shorter shorts are cooler, longer ones offer more sun protection)

• A comfy waistband (bring your pack along and try it on to make sure they play nicely together)

• Another option for women who are prone to chafing: I am totally hooked on 2-in-1 athletic shorts with integrated tights. They don't always have pockets, but the extra comfort may be worth it to some of you!

These Arc'teryx Creston Shorts get great reviews for fit, comfort, and pockets.

These Brooks Rep 2-in-1 Shorts are very similar to what I currently hike in.

3. Convertible hiking pants

I was working at Eastern Mountain Sports when convertible hiking pants hit the market back in the 90s. In my mind, they totally geeky and unsexy. I used to call them the "birth control pants" and judge people who bought them. (Forgive me. I was 22 and much more shallow.)

But I just had to wear convertibles for one summer to see their benefits. Two decades and eight pairs later, I'm a total believer. It definitely helps that these pants — especially the women's styles — have gotten a lot cuter over the years!

Convertible hiking pants are especially convenient for the changing conditions of early and late summer. Here in the Colorado Rockies, a May day can start near freezing and soar to 70 degrees by the afternoon. So the ability to zip off the bottoms of your pants (without needing to go behind a rock to change) is a definitely plus.

Convertible hiking pants are also great for hikes that veer off trail. Put the legs on in the brush to protect yourself from scratches and bites and remove them again when you return to trail.

Convertible hiking pants do have a few downsides to be aware of:

• Unless your pant legs are extra wide or gusseted at the bottom, you will have to remove your boots to get them off.

• The zipper can sometimes cause chafing or irritation to your calf or knee. Often, a piece of first aid tape placed over the rough/pokey spot will solve the problem.

• It's also possible to lose the detached lower legs to your pants. Secure them in a zippered pocket of your pack, and don't let them blow away!

When shopping for convertible hiking pants, look for:

• Nylon or soft shell fabric (no cotton)

• Real pockets. Zippered pockets are a nice feature if you're going to be scrambling around.

• The right length (in both shorts and pants). Go for brands with tall and petite sizes if you need to!

• A comfy waistband (bring your pack along and try it on to make sure they play nicely together)

• Smooth seams that cover the zippers and prevent chafing.

• Color coded zippers are a nice feature that make it easy to tell the left lower leg from the right.

The REI Sahara Convertible Pant comes in a full range of sizes, including plus-size, tall, and petite. I'm a fan of the side cargo pockets and color-coded zippers.

4. Roll-up hiking pants

Roll-up hiking pants have similar benefits to convertibles. They allow you to adapt to changing conditions and terrain by transforming your hiking pants into capris or knee pants.

With roll-up hiking pants, there are no scratchy zippers or spare parts to lose. Also, you can go from pants to capris without removing your boots, which saves time and hassle.

The downside of roll-up hiking pants is that they don't go as short as convertible pants. This makes them warmer and more ideal for early and late season hikes than the blazing dog days of summer.

When shopping for roll-up hiking pants, look for:

• Lightweight synthetic blend fabric (no cotton).

• Real pockets. Zippered pockets are a nice feature if you're going to be scrambling around.

• The right length. Check fit with the legs both rolled and unrolled. When rolled up, will the pants be short enough to cool you off? Shorter women may want to look into brands that offer petite sizes.

• A comfy waistband (bring your pack along and try it on to make sure they play nicely together).

Once again, REI offers the widest range of sizes in this category. Check out the Kornati Roll-Up Pant in regular, plus, tall, and petite sizes.

5. Hiking skirt, skort, or dress

Hiking in a dress? Yes, it may sound a little precious. I used to think it was something women only did on Instagram to get attention.

But then I tried it. And now I'm a believer!

I've blogged before about the benefits of down skirts for winter hiking. But let me assure you, hiking skirts and dresses are also great for really hot and humid days. Feeling the breeze on your entire leg — not just your calf that is sticking out of your roll-up pant — is magic.

Skirts also feel healthier to me in humid weather. There's just more ventilation going on in the nether regions, if you know what I mean.

Finally, skirts are super comfy and probably the least constricting of the hiking garments.

Rock scrambling in a hiking skirt? Yes you can! Just choose a model with integrated shorts, also known as a skort. A hiking skort is also a great choice if you are prone to chafing in the inner thigh area.

Like all hiking bottoms, skirts have their downsides. They aren't ideal for bushwhacking through the scratchy brush or post-holing in snow. And like hiking shorts, they offer minimal protection from sun, mosquitoes, ticks, leeches, etc. So always assess the trail and conditions before skirting up.

When shopping for a hiking skirt, look for:

• Soft, synthetic fabric with a bit of stretch (no cotton)

• Real pockets. Zippered pockets are a nice feature if you're going to be scrambling around.

• The right length and cut. The skirt should give you plenty of room to move without getting underfoot when you scramble or step up on a rock.

• A comfy waistband (bring your pack along and try it on to make sure they play nicely together). Dresses have the advantage of having no waist band.

I'm surprised I've gotten this far into a post about pants without mentioning Kuhl. Their shorts and pants are beautifully cut and packed with features, like the zippered pockets in this Kuhl Harmony Skort. My only beef with Kuhl: I really wish they had a better range of sizes!

Additional tips for summer hiking pants

• Test your hiking pants on a shorter outing before taking them on an extended backcountry adventure.

• Remember to always carry your 10 essentials of hiking gear in the backcountry. Even on hot days, this means taking along extra layers like rain pants and a base layer. Thick running tights work great for this purpose.

• Hiking in a place with changeable weather like Colorado? Layer a pair of lightweight rain pants over your summer hiking pants. You need to carry them anyway, and you can remove them as the day heats up.

So there you have 'em. Five awesome women's summer hiking pants for your personal pants arsenal.

What kind of pants do you like to wear for summer hiking? Comment below to share.

Originally published May 31, 2019. Last updated April 20, 2020.