Best Hiking Shorts for Men
We prefer to hike in shorts for most of our adventures since they make it easier to stay cool and allow for a full range of movement.
The CleverHiker team has worn dozens of different shorts on hikes all over the world, so it’s safe to say we’ve become experts on the subject over the years. Read on to find your new favorite pair of hiking shorts.
QUICK RECOMMENDATIONS
Check out this quick list of our favorite hiking shorts if you’re in a hurry, or continue scrolling to see our full list with in-depth reviews.
- Best hiking shorts overall: Patagonia Quandary
- Best athletic shorts for hiking: Nike Dri-FIT Challenger
- Best value hiking shorts: Prana Stretch Zion II
- Best balance of durability, utility & style: Outdoor Research Ferrosi
- Best town-to-trail shorts: Prana Brion II
- Best budget hiking shorts: Columbia Silver Ridge Cargo
- Stylish & versatile athletic shorts: Vuori Kore
- Athletic shorts with secure hand pockets: Patagonia Nine Trails
- Quick drying cross between board shorts & hiking shorts: REI Sahara Amphib
- Affordable hiking shorts with a flat waistband: The North Face Wander
Dave & Annie give great detail on some of the best hiking shorts & other considerations here.
June 14, 2022
Clever Hiker
CleverHiker.com is a website dedicated to providing knowledge, skills, and gear recommendations for lightweight backpacking adventures. We make tutorial videos, gear reviews, and in-depth trip guides to make backpacking easier for everyone.
We're Dave and Annie, the gear nerds behind Cleverhiker.com. Dave is a thru-hiker, Eagle Scout, and nature nut who's trekked every continent on the planet. Annie is a "retired" teacher who swapped out the classroom for wilderness adventures. We built CleverHiker.com to help share our backpacking knowledge, inspire people to get outdoors, and help conserve our wild spaces.
LIFE OUTDOORS
MEDIA MENTIONS
While DEET products may be more familiar by name and their chemical smell, sprays with 20 percent picaridin, like Sawyer Products, offer comparable protection without the harsh odor and oily feeling on your skin.
MEDIA MENTIONS
The Sawyer Squeeze was (by far) the most common Pacific Crest Trail water filter this year – for the fifth year in a row. It’s a $39, 3 oz / 85 g hollow fiber filter that rids your drinking water of protozoa and bacteria (and floaties). It can be used with Sawyer bags (included with the filter) or with compatible water bottles (Smartwater is the bottle of choice for many hikers).
MEDIA MENTIONS
SAWYER MINI WATER FILTER, $22 This has been my water filter of choice for years now. The bags can be iffy — I have had a few break – so carry a couple. However, the filter itself is reliable, light and inexpensive. -Logan
