10 Best Backpacking Shorts of 2026

The 5-, 7-, and 9-inch inseams are the first thing to sort out, because the right length changes how a hiking short feels more than any logo. The rest of the package is built for hot days: four zippered pockets, a light quick-dry fabric, and a cut that stays close without looking like a cycling short. We wore the mid-length pair under a hip belt and appreciated that the waistband did not roll.

The pockets are the standout. They are deep enough for a phone and a few small items, and the zippers mean nothing bounces out on a descent. The fabric dries fast after a rinse, which makes these a practical travel pair as well as a trail pair. The leg opening is relaxed enough to avoid the ballooning cargo-short shape, and the seat coverage felt secure when we sat on rocks.

These are our top choice for women in this roundup because they combine the length choices, secure storage, and quick-dry comfort that backpacking asks for. If you want a pair that works for a day hike, a hut trip, and dinner in town, these are the ones we point to first.

The best pocket setup in this roundup belongs to these shorts: six pockets, and the zippered ones sit flat instead of puffing out like saddlebags. That matters under a pack, where a bulging cargo pocket turns into a pressure point. The fabric is light and breathable, and the leg openings are narrow enough to avoid extra flapping.

We also liked the cut. It sits close without feeling tight, and the waist accommodates a day of swelling and shrinking without needing constant adjustment. The quick-dry material handled heat well, and the shorts packed down small in a lid pocket. They are not the flashiest pair here, but they are one of the easiest to live with.

The pockets are deep enough for a phone, wallet, and snacks, and the zippers are easy to work with one hand. We appreciated that the cargo pockets do not stick out; they keep the profile clean enough for town. The length lands above the knee for us, and the leg opening does not balloon.

For backpackers who want secure storage without a tactical look, these are a strong alternative to the top pick. The clean pocket layout is the reason to choose them, especially if you carry a phone and a few small items in front pockets.

The lowest price here buys a genuinely useful pair of hiking shorts, not a compromised one. The elastic waist sits without pinching, the fabric is light enough to disappear in a pack, and the zippered pockets keep a phone from sliding out on a climb. For fast-and-light weekends, that is most of what you need.

The quick-dry material is the other reason these earn a place. They dry fast after a rinse and pack down to almost nothing, which makes them a good spare pair or a first pair for someone building a kit. The cut is simple and athletic, with no bulky cargo pockets to catch on brush.

The trade-off is a thin fabric that feels less substantial than the nylon picks here. We did not baby them, but we also did not expect them to shrug off abrasion the way a heavier short might. If your trips involve a lot of sitting on granite or bushwhacking, spend more; for trail miles and camp, these are fine.

These are our budget pick because they cover the basics without making you feel like you settled. If you want a light, quick-dry short for summer hiking and travel, start here.

The nylon fabric and included belt put these in wet-weather territory. The material has a smooth, slightly cool hand feel, and it shed a splash without turning heavy. Four zippered pockets keep the essentials secure, and the elastic waist adds comfort when you sit down with a pack still on.

That combination is why these are our pick for hikers who want a belt included. The belt is handy for travel and casual wear, and the shorts look cleaner than most cargo shorts. The side zippered pocket is sized for a large phone, which is a small detail that makes a long day easier. They are not the lightest pair here, but they are one of the most travel-ready.

The fit is snug without being tight, and the longer leg gives good coverage when you are scrambling. The fabric does not have the stretch of the top pick, so size for movement rather than relying on give. The pockets are well placed for a hip belt, and the zippers work smoothly.

These make sense if your trips mix hiking with towns and wet weather. The included belt adds convenience for travel, and the longer leg gives coverage without feeling heavy. They are a practical choice for wet-weather trips.

The elastic waist with a drawstring is the feature we came back to. It lets you tighten the shorts under a pack without a belt digging into your hip bones, and it stays comfortable when you sit down for a break. The rest of the short is built for hot weather: light fabric, zippered pockets, and a leg that comes down to just above the knee.

The fabric has a parachute-like lightness that packs small and dries fast. We liked the cut through the hip and thigh, which keeps the shorts from riding up on climbs. The zip pockets are deep enough for a phone, and the drawstring keeps everything from sliding down when the pockets are loaded.

These are our pick for women who want a longer hiking short. The length is the draw: it covers more thigh without looking like a board short, and the waist adjusts easily. For hot, humid trips and travel, these are an easy pair to live in.

Most shorts give you one inseam; these give you three. The 7-, 9-, and 11-inch options make it possible to pick the coverage you want for your leg length and hiking style, and the five zippered pockets keep the storage story strong. The fabric is light and stretchy, with a slimmer cut than most cargo shorts.

The slimmer cut is a real difference. We liked that the shorts did not balloon at the thigh, and the stretch helped on steps and scrambles. The waist is comfortable, and the pockets are deep enough for a phone and a few snacks. For a backpacker who wants a less baggy cargo short, this is a useful option.

The fabric is very thin, which makes the shorts packable but less protective against brush and sharp rocks. That is the trade-off for the low weight, and it is why they are a step behind the top picks for rough use.

These earn a place because the length range is genuinely useful and the slim fit suits hikers who dislike baggy cargo shorts. For established trails and travel they make sense. Start with the 9-inch inseam if you are unsure.

These are not the most technical shorts here, and that is part of their appeal. The 7- and 10-inch lengths, cargo layout, and light fabric make them a casual hiking short that works for camp, travel, and easy trails. The waist has elastic sides for comfort, and the zippered pockets keep a phone secure.

We liked the airy feel on hot days. The fabric is light and breathable, and the shorts dry quickly after a rinse. The cargo pockets are roomy without looking tactical, and the value is strong for a pair you can wear on and off trail. The leg length is generous without being baggy.

These earn a place because they cover the casual end of backpacking better than the technical end. If you want one pair for a hut trip and around town, they are easy to pack. If you need serious abrasion resistance or a dialed pocket layout, look higher in this list.

If you want a short that looks like regular cargo rather than technical gear, these are the ones to try. The no-lining build, five pockets, and elastic waist with a tie string give them a casual look that works for travel and camp. The fabric is light and quick-drying, with a soft hand feel.

The tie string is more useful than it sounds. It lets you fine-tune the waist when you are carrying a phone and a few other things, and it keeps the shorts from sliding down without a belt. The front pockets are deep enough for a phone, and the side cargo pocket adds useful capacity without a bulky profile.

We liked the quick-dry fabric for hot weather and rinsing in a sink. The shorts pack small and do not wrinkle much, which makes them a good travel pair. The cut is relaxed through the leg but not so wide that it flaps.

The lack of a liner is worth noting if you are used to running shorts. You will want to wear your usual hiking briefs, and the light fabric can feel thin against the skin. That is a preference issue more than a fault.

These earn a place as a solid casual option rather than a dedicated technical short. If you want a pair for travel, camp, and easy trails, they are a good value.

The 8-inch inseam lands just above the knee for most people, which is the length many hikers want when they do not want a short short. The fabric is stretchy, wrinkle-resistant, and light enough for summer, and the five pockets include deep front ones that hold a phone comfortably.

We liked the soft, slightly velvety hand feel and the way the shorts moved without riding up. The stretch helps on steps and when you sit on the ground, and the quick-dry fabric makes them easy to rinse and wear again. They look tidy enough for town, which is useful on a trip.

The back pocket is a nice touch for a phone or a card, and the front pockets are deep enough to be useful rather than decorative. The waist sits comfortably, and the 8-inch length gives coverage without feeling restrictive.

The shorts are not the most technical pair here. They do not have the dialed pocket layout of the top pick, and the fabric feels more casual than abrasion-resistant. For summer hiking and travel, that is a fair trade.

These earn a place for women who want a longer short with a soft feel and useful pockets. If you want one pair for easy trails and everyday wear, they are a good value.