Many beginning hikers often have a lot of questions about what to wear when hiking.
Perhaps one of the most common questions though is whether or not it’s OK to wear shorts while hiking.
As someone who has done extensive hiking and hiked in both shorts and pants, I thought I would write this article to help you decide whether you should hike in shorts or not.
While sometimes it’s OK and even preferable to hike in shorts it’s important to understand that this is not always the case. Often times due to the weather, the ruggedness of the trail, or length of the hike it’s better to wear pants as opposed to shorts while hiking.
If your curious about whether you should wear shorts or pants while hiking and what the pros and cons are of wearing shorts while hiking keep reading.
As we go into detail about hiking in shorts and when you should and shouldn’t wear them.
Should You Hike in Shorts?
Whether or not you should hike in shorts really depends on what type of hike you’re going on and where you plan to hike which is why we created this table to help you quickly decide if you should wear shorts on a particular hike.
| Can You Wear Shorts on this Hike? | Yes or No |
| Short or long hike of less than a day with warm weather on a trail rated between easy to moderately difficult. | Yes |
| Short or long hike of less than a day with warm weather on a trail rated between difficult and extremely difficult. | No |
| Short hike with mild to cool weather on a trail rated between easy to moderately difficult | No |
| Long hike of more than one day in warm weather on a trail rated between easy to moderately difficult | No |
| Short or long hike of less than a day with warm and rainy weather. | No |
As you can see from the table above there are far more hiking scenarios where you should not wear shorts than there are when you should. This is mainly because of the lack of protection provided by shorts when hiking outdoors which can often be unpredictable and rugged.
If you’re still unsure about whether or not you should wear shorts while hiking, check out this YouTube video I made that goes into detail about why you shouldn’t wear shorts while hiking.
Pros and Cons of Hiking in Shorts
Even though it doesn’t always make sense to hike in shorts that doesn’t mean there are not some great benefits to shorts when the situation is right.
While you can always hike in long hiking pants on those hot summer days for me the only thing that I’m hiking in are some nice hiking shorts like these that I picked up on Amazon.
Hiking Shorts Pros
- Hiking shorts will not restrict your movements and allow for the most free-range of motion while on the trails.
- Much more comfortable to wear during the summer compared to hiking pants.
- Shorts do not trap heat and moisture allowing your legs to stay dryer and cooler while hiking.
- Great for short warm hikes.
Hiking Shorts Cons
- Hiking shorts provide little to no protection for your legs and can lead to more cuts and bruises while hiking.
- Shorts do not provide protection from poison ivy or mosquitos and bugs while on the trails.
- Are less versatile when hiking compared to hiking pants especially when it comes to weather changes.
- Not well suited for rugged trails or cave exploring.
What Type of Shorts Should I Wear When Hiking?
Now that we’ve figured out when it’s appropriate to wear hiking shorts and when it’s not.
It’s important to know when it comes to shorts and hiking that not all shorts are created equal. This is why it’s not a great idea to just throw on any old pair of shorts and hit the trails.
So if you can’t just throw on any old pair of shorts for hiking, what type of shorts should you wear?
If you plan to hike in shorts the only type of shorts you should wear ideally would be hiking shorts that are specifically designed for hiking.
Keep in mind though that this doesn’t mean that if you have a chance to go on a short impromptu hike that you shouldn’t go because you’re not wearing hiking shorts. I’m simply saying that if you’re planning on going on a hike and wearing shorts that ideally you want to wear hiking shorts as they will be best suited for the situation.
The Benefits of Hiking Shorts as Opposed to Running Shorts
You might be asking what makes hiking shorts so great and why can’t I just wear the running shorts that I wear for every other physical activity?
The reason wearing hiking shorts while hiking is so important is that they are purpose-built for hiking which will allow you to be the most prepared and comfortable while out on the trails.
Check out my favorite pair of hiking shorts currently available on Amazon by clicking here.
Some specific attributes and features that make hiking shorts so great for hiking include.
- Hiking shorts are lightweight compared to other types of shorts because they are usually made from nylon or lightweight canvas as opposed to heavier mesh or cotton.
- They tend to be more comfortable while on the trails as they are purpose-built for tail hiking by allowing for a more free-range of motion compared to other types of shorts.
- Hiking shorts typically have multiple pockets which make it easier to carry more gear hands-free while hiking such as a cell phone, a map, or a compass. ((Pro Tip – Look for hiking shorts with a zip-up pocket for valuables to make sure you don’t lose them while you’re bending or sitting on the trail.))
- The shorts are typically made from canvas or nylon which are less likely to tear or rip while hiking.
- Hiking shorts are quick-drying as opposed to cotton shorts making them a must-have if there is a lot of water on the trail or a creek or river crossing.
- Hiking shorts are usually very quite because of the material they are made from allowing you to silently walk through nature without disturbing it. Making it possible to get much closer to wildlife.
Hybrid Hiking Shorts: What are They and Are the Good for Hiking?
As more and more people are getting into hiking and outdoor adventure clothing manufacturers are starting to release more and more new clothing options for this adventurous lifestyle.
One of those new clothing options is the hybrid hiking shorts which are basically hiking shorts that are meant to be worn not only while hiking but also while in town or hanging out with friends.
As with many other types of clothing, more and more people on the go are finding it convenient to have a piece of clothing that can perform more than one duty.
In the case of hybrid hiking shorts instead of having a dedicated pair of shorts for hiking, hanging out, and going to a restaurant hybrid hiking shorts can handle all three.
Meaning it is way easier to switch between activities and also helps to cut down on the number of clothing items you need and really who couldn’t benefit from purging the closet a little bit.
Also, hybrid hiking shorts are a great option if you only occasionally go on a hike and are finding it difficult to justify purchasing a pair of shorts specifically designed for hiking.
A few hybrid hiking shorts we like on Amazon for men are the Columbia Hybrid Trek Shorts and the Camel Crown Quick Dry Hiking Shorts and for women, we like the Little Donkey Andy Stretch Quick Dry Shorts as well as the Hybrid & Company Bermuda Walking Shorts.