The best women’s hiking shorts for 2025 | Tested from Scotland to the peaks of northern Spain

Patagonia has a reputation for being both fashionable and expensive as well as high-performance. Love or loathe the brand, absolutely nothing can dissuade us from the fact these Strider shorts are simply the best garment we’ve ever tried for hiking in hot weather. With a 10/10 performance for wicking, odour control, flexibility, comfort and fit, we’re convinced that these are the perfect shorts for when the mercury hits over 30. 

Originally built for trail running, these shorts are the only ones on this list to feature built-in underwear. This actually turned out to be a complete lifesaver in that hot mountain environment, because the recycled polyester crepe liner was so much more breathable than the cotton undies we usually use underneath hiking shorts. Additionally, the gossamer thin yet still incredibly durable fabric kept us lovely and cool on those stifling uphills, while maintaining outstanding flexibility due to a good sized split up the thighs. 

The waistband also fits like a dream, and although the lightweight, running-first ethos of these shorts doesn't allow for many pockets, there’s a zipped pocket at the back which is great for loose change or a small phone when hiking without a pack. We can’t recommend these shorts highly enough for hiking in warmer weather, and wouldn’t want to be anywhere abroad without them - although in the UK they just feel too light and airy for even most summer outings. And although they do have a high RRP, it's not hard to find them discounted.