Looking for the best women’s hiking pants that aren’t leggings? These are some of the best hiking pants for women for both casual hiking trips and longer, more rugged backpacking trips.

Finding hiking pants that fit well, hold up to wear and tear, and make you feel good about your body can be really hard! In spring 2024 I went on a deeply humbling journey to find a pair of hiking pants that actually works for me. I had gone up a few pants sizes (aka become an adult-sized person) and was really really struggling to find no-chafe hiking pants that I actually felt good in — I work as an outdoor guide so it was pretty important that I figure it out. Here’s what I came up with:

Why trust this blog? Hi there! My name is Maddy, and this blog was written by me, the person! I’ve got five years experience as a sea kayaking guide, as well as years of experience hiking, backpacking, and writing gear reviews. All of this gear is gear I have owned, and all of these reviews are my honest opinions of the gear.

Note: This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you choose to make a purchase based on my recommendation, I make a small kickback at no additional cost to you.

5 Best Women’s Hiking Pants (that aren’t leggings):

While I occasionally wear leggings hiking, on longer hikes and backpacking trips I find them uncomfortable. Leggings can lend to easy chafing, and when they’re wet, they’re wet right on your skin. In addition, leggings don’t actually offer much protection from thorns and underbrush and can be impractical on longer hiking trips. To be honest though, the real biggest reason I stay away from leggings on hiking trips longer than a few miles is that they start to smell SO easily and that just really bothers me.

1) Kuhl Freeflex Rollup: Best Women’s Hiking Pants for Versatility

Looking for the most flattering hiking pant on the market? Kuhl’s Freeflex Roll up was gifted to me last winter at a time I was really struggling to love my body. Here’s my big dilemma:

I work summers as a sea kayaking guide and usually wear a size four pant from July-October. I work as a remote freelance writer most of the winter and by spring am usually closer to a size eight or ten. This isn’t a bad thing, and I’ve come (mostly) to terms with that it’s okay for my body to fluctuate in size with the seasons, but it makes it really really hard to find pants that fit most of the year and that I don’t feel horrible in come spring and early summer hiking.

I got the Freeflex Rollups from Kuhl (sent to be by Kuhl thank you!!) in spring of ’23 right when I was really, really struggling with this change. I had been trying ALL winter to find a pair of hiking pants that made me feel good and didn’t remind me of something my grandma would wear and I could’ve CRIED when I put these on.

I got the Freeflex Rollups in a size eight and was a little worried they would be too small and unflattering, but they weren’t. They fit me now in spring ’25 at a size ten, and they still look pretty good in the summer when a four is closer to a true fit with the adjustable waistband.

These pants are, in my opinion, the best hiking pants on the market and I would recommend them before any other pair of pants. They look great and don’t show dirt easily. While most hiking pants look very granola, these walk the perfect line between being a hiking pant while also looking nice enough to wear out. 10/10.

READ: Best Women’s Hiking Boots (how to choose the best boot for you!)

2) Fjallraven Keb Curved Trouser: Hiking Pants for Cooler Weather

Fjallravens Keb Curved Trouser is another great choice for a heavier women’s hiking pant. While this pant is great for shoulder season or winter hikes, but likely to be too heavy for hiking in the summer in warmer climates.

The Fjallraven Kebs are designed specifically to hold up on long treks, for backcountry field work, and heavy use. I tend not to wear these guiding in the summer, but they are frequent flyers on winter trips. I also get a lot of complements wearing them (on the pants not on me lol) which makes me feel very hip and stylish.

3) Eddie Bauer Ripstop: Best Budget Women’s Hiking Pants

Eddie Bauer Ripstop pants are a good budget-friendly hiking pant. I used these pants on a 70-day sea kayaking trip and have very few complaints. While both the Kuhl and Fjallraven pants are more flattering and hold up longer, the Eddie Bauer Ripstops hold their own for the price.

Pictured: Eddie Bauer’s Ripstop pants while expedition camping in British Columbia

By the end of 70 days of continuous backcountry use, the pants were permanently stained (can’t be helped) with several small tears. That being said, they are light-weight, quick drying and extremely comfortable. Personally, for the price you can’t beat the Ripstops. In addition, they’re perfect for hot weather hiking trips, and a great choice for anyone who isn’t hard on your gear.

In the future, I would probably not make these my expedition pants. I think 70 days of continuous use was probably too much for them, and the Fjallravens would’ve been a better choice even though they take up more space packed.

For a full list of outdoor gear I use for sea kayak guiding and expeditions, click here.

4) Stio Turpin Fleece Pant

If you’re looking for a cozy and warm hiking pant option, Stio’s Turpin fleece pant is a great option. I personally love fleece for winter hiking and layer a pair of leggings or long underwear underneath for additional warmth. The fleece is a great choice for warmth because it is loose fitting and easy to brush snow off of.

My perfered winter hiking layering system is a pair of wool long underwear, fleece pants, and my Fjallraven Kebs on the outside as a shell. This is particularly good for hikes with temperatures well below zero. Perhaps obviously, while the Fleece pants are great for winter hiking, they are not a good choice for summer or warmer-weather hikes.

ready to hit the road this season? check out this detailed guide to planning your solo female road trip!

5) REI Trailmade

The REI Trailmade pants are easily some of my favorite hiking pants that are easy to wear even as I fluctuate size throughout the season. They’re baggy in a way that isn’t unflattering and hug my hips without cutting into them; my only note is that one of the seams is fraying after one season of heavy use, which isn’t necessarily a deal breaker but still worth noting.

Pictured above: REI trailmades on the trail.

Love reading about the best women’s hiking pants that aren’t leggings? Check out these articles for more gear & beginner guides to the outdoors written by an overnight wilderness sea kayaking guide:

• Check out the best camping tents for beginners on a budget
• Learn what to wear and how to layer for fall kayaking
• Check out everything you need to know to plan your first overnight kayaking trip

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