18 Best Hiking Leggings for Women | Ultimate 2025 Guide

With the massive number of options available, choosing the best hiking leggings for women isn’t as simple as it sounds. That’s exactly why we put together this comprehensive guide on women’s hiking leggings, with 18+ styles for every preference, need, and budget.

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Sure, you can wear whatever you want to hike, but a quality pair of the best leggings for hiking will completely elevate your experience.

That sounds dramatic, I know. But truly, it’s something so easily overlooked—most people focus on their hiking shoes and a good hiking backpack, and call it a day.

However, being properly and comfortably dressed makes a world of difference, especially when hiking (or engaging in other outdoorsy pursuits).

Opt for material that’s better-suited to the gym than outdoor leggings, and you’ll end up damp from sweat, stinky, or both. If you destroy your favorite pair of casual yoga pants when you squeeze through a slot canyon, you’ll be pretty bummed.

On the other hand, you’ll be thrilled when you realize you didn’t have to pull your hiking tights up ONCE all day. Or that they’re so durable they still look brand new, even after taking a pretty good tumble onto a rock.

Researching the perfect hiking leggings for women may feel overwhelming. There are SO.MANY. options out there! But luckily, we did the ‘leg work’ and rounded up all the best ones on the market.

Whether you want hiking leggings with pockets for tackling bucket list trails, a pair warm enough for winter (or Alaska!), or a perfect gift for an outdoorsy woman, we’ve got you covered—literally!

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How to Choose Women’s Hiking Leggings

Before we dive into the best options, let’s talk quickly about how to pick the right leggings. Again, I know it seems like we’re being a little extra, but around here, we’re big believers in buying the best outdoor gear possible…even if it’s ‘just’ women’s hiking leggings. 

Start by asking yourself a few questions, including some you maybe haven’t considered. 

What’s the single most important feature to you?

Outdoor leggings are available in countless styles, with endless features. Hone in on what actually matters to you. A squat-proof pair, winter hiking leggings designed specifically for the cold, great pockets large enough to hold your phone?

Where do you wear hiking leggings most?

Think about where you wear outdoor leggings. Are you planning to wear them on local day hikes, multi-day backpacking or rock climbing trips, or just around town? Consider climate and terrain when deciding on material, and whether you may want features like reinforced knees or UPF. 

How often Do you wear outdoor leggings?

Do you wear leggings as athleisure, or save them exclusively for outdoor pursuits? If you rarely reach for them, it doesn’t make sense to spend much. But if they’re your go-to and you consider them part of your capsule wardrobe checklist, buy the best leggings for hiking you can afford. 

Are you going for a certain style?

Besides the material and features, think about your preferences or needs. A high-rise waistband is fantastic for staying put on active trail days, but you may find it uncomfortable for backpacking trips. Likewise, you may want full-length hiking tights for certain trails, but capris for others.

Women’s Hiking Leggings With Pockets

1. Eddie Bauer Trail Tight

• PRICE: $$
• FAVE FEATURES: Zippered pockets, built-in sun protection, and tons of sizes
• MINOR COMPLAINT: Eddie Bauer tends to run a bit large in the waist, so some women may not find the perfect fit, especially if you’re between sizes

Bonus: updated (2023 and newer) versions are even BETTER, featuring more streamlined ‘invisible’ zippers at both pockets.

If you’re familiar with the original Pack Out Tight, the main difference between the two is that Patagonia added some hiking-specific features to the Hike model (as the name gives away…).

The material is thicker than comparable outdoor leggings, so they offer superior insulation that makes the Pack Outs perfect for cooler temps. Yet, the fabric blend is breathable and stretchy enough for maximum mobility, even on hot days. 

Standout features include the tough reinforced, DWR-treated panels on the seat and front of the legs, and the three pockets. The tights have two large drop-in thigh pockets, plus a zippered pocket on the right thigh, perfect for easy access to cards and keys.

We love the wide waistband that’s designed to lay flat underneath bulky packs. However, we do not love the odd fit of the legs. Despite the waistband keeping the tights from sagging, you get some sag in the knees and ankles as the day progresses.

As a bonus, Pack Out hiking tights are Fair Trade Certified™-sewn and made from Bluesign-approved ethical and sustainable fabric. They’re also exceedingly durable. I have a pair that’s over three years old, and they still look nearly new!

Something to be aware of: these women’s leggings take FOREVER to dry. Maybe because they’re so thick, maybe because of the water resistant panels, but either way…they’re not the best option for water crossings or if rain is in the forecast.

Although they’re some of the most expensive womens hiking leggings on the market, trust us—they’re worth every penny. You can wear these day in and day out for years, and they’ll still look (and function!) brand new. 

These highly-technical tights are highly functional, with three zipped pockets and reinforcement panels on high wear areas: the knees and rear. Not only are the reinforced areas abrasion resistant, but the different materials repel moisture when you sit or kneel, too. 

The wide, high waistband has an interior drawstring for the perfect fit. There’s also a small zippered pocket on the hip for cash or a key, and Fjallraven even included a small loop for attaching essentials like a packable rain jacket or collapsible water bottle. 

To make this pair of leggings even better, temperature regulating is excellent. That, combined with their moisture-repellent reinforcement panels, make them great winter hiking leggings.

Wondering about the difference between all the various Abisko tights? The Fjallraven Abisko Trail Tights are regular leggings, so to speak, then you have the Pro, and a step above them, the Trekking Tights HD. The extra cost of the HD gets you water resistant reinforced panels.

Okay Nike, we see you. Reminiscent of the Lulu Fast & Free leggings, the fabric of the Go tight is sooo good—buttery soft and luxe, but also ultra compressive.

You’ll feel ready to channel your inner mountain goat, but the genius pockets are what really set these apart as the best leggings for hiking.

There are a whopping six pockets, including two large thigh pockets, one zippered thigh pocket, and three drop-in pockets in the back of the waistband. If you’re someone who hates the feel of something bulky on your outer leg as you move, this cleverly solves that problem.

Because these leggings are so compressive, and, well, because it’s Nike, they do run about half a size small. We highly recommend sizing up and luckily, there’s an interior drawstring to find the perfect fit.

The leggings can also be tricky to get on, feeling too tight until you wrangle them into the exact right position. However, they literally do not budge once they’re on, so it’s worth the minor hassle.

Another little plus: the ankle hems and waistband are seamless.

Curious about the Nike Trail Go leggings? We were, too, but unfortunately, they’re not great. They’re incredibly tight/small (like 2-3 sizes too small!) and, frankly, gimmicky. Stick with the regular Go.

If you were a fan of the now-discontinued Lululemon Swift Speed tights (RIP), allow us to introduce you to your new favorite women’s hiking leggings. The Athleta Interval Stash (which replaced the Athleta Ultima Stash) is a near-identical dupe.

These are Athleta’s high-intensity leggings, with the highest level of compression and thick, thermo-regulating material. That means they’ll keep you cool when it’s hot out and warm your body temp up in the cold.

A major bonus for active days on the trail or working out, the waistband actually stays put, largely thanks to an interior continuous drawstring. Another bonus? Sweat doesn’t show through (disclaimer: we haven’t tried ALL the colors, but so far, so good).

Finally, you know how some hiking tights with pockets can look bulky, or like they’re cutting into you at the pocket seam? These don’t! In my opinion, they’re some of the most flattering hiking leggings for women.

If you’ve never tried any pants from Kuhl, prepare for these women’s hiking leggings to completely rock your world. What the company calls “trail-tough abrasion resistance” is a fabulous soft-shell material that’s somehow both rugged and, well, soft. It also has built-in UPF 50.

That abrasion-resistant material is on the main leg panels, but the waistband and sides are a soft, stretchy knit.

Kuhl sizing generally leans large, but the interior drawstring and mid-rise help find a perfect fit. Beware that these are truly full-length; the standard inseam is 28.5″.

These quickly became some of my go-to hiking tights, but my very favorite feature is the BIG zippered thigh pocket. A zippered pocket isn’t revolutionary, but this one is actually large enough for a phone, whereas most are smaller, designed just for keys or a couple of cards.

The hidden stash pocket in the back of the waistband is similarly big. I personally don’t find it comfortable to have my phone sitting there under my pack, but trail runners probably would, and it’s a great solution for the gym.

9. Athleta Headlands Hybrid Cargo II Tight

• PRICE: $$$
• FAVE FEATURES: Durable yet comfortable fabric, excellent fit, six pockets, huge range of sizes
• MINOR COMPLAINT: The back of the leggings aren’t nearly as water-resistant as the front, and the waist runs small 

If you’re looking for multi-purpose outdoor leggings that are functional and look cute, your search is over.

The Athleta Headlands Hybrid Cargo II Tight (rolls right off the tongue, right?) is made of durable, “adventure-ready fabric,” yet can easily be dressed up for dinner or a meeting. 

That fabric is an abrasion-resistant nylon/spandex blend that also has UPF 50+, and is finished with DWR. Notably, the “rugged” material is only on the front of the hiking tights, while the back is more of a traditional legging. The front half dries quickly but the back doesn’t.

It’s also apparently resistant to sagging. Numerous reviews mention wearing these on multi-days backpacking trips without the dreaded knee or butt sag. In fairness, the lack of sagging could also be attributed to the interior drawstring waistband. 

Where the Headlands Hybrid is definitely not lacking is storage. These bad boys are easily some of the best hiking leggings with pockets—they have SIX, and every single one has a zipper. 

Between the wrinkle-resistant material, elastic waistband, and tons of pockets, these also make awesome travel pants.

10. Columbia Cirque River Leggings II

• PRICE: $$
• FAVE FEATURES: Columbia’s Omni-Wick is rugged and durable, and the side detail is flattering
• MINOR COMPLAINT: Like most other Columbia items, these run large. You can size down, but then you may still struggle with the waistband staying up

With their high-rise cut and generously-sized drop-in pocket, the new Columbia Cirque River II is among the best hiking leggings for gals who wear leggings everywhere. 

They look great with a variety of tops, and the large pocket means you can just pull these on and grab your wallet, phone, and keys. 

On the trail, these are excellent hiking tights for women because the Omni-Wick fabric is stretchy and thick—they won’t snag on rocks and you don’t have to worry about them being see-through. The subtle wraparound panels on the legs are flattering, too.

The all-weather Dune Sky Tights from TNF are some of the best leggings for hiking—and everyday, too. Minimal details lend a sleek look that takes these tights from the trail to lunch. 

The buttery soft, moisture-wicking FlashDry™ material has built-in anti-odor treatment and UPF 40. These ‘extras’ do mean they’re not particularly breathable, so they’re slightly warm hiking leggings. They’re excellent for less-intensive hikes and activities, and in colder temps and wind. 

Like many North Face items, sizing runs a bit snug, so you may want to size up.

12. Vuori Daily Legging

• PRICE: $$
• FAVE FEATURES: Incredibly flattering and comfortable
• MINOR COMPLAINT: Lighter colors show sweat, while darker shades seem to attract lint

It’s no secret that pockets are incredibly useful, especially when hiking. And while the vast majority of the best hiking leggings for women have pockets these days, there are exceptions to every rule. 

Vuori has exploded in popularity in the last few years, and for good reason. Actually, more specifically, Vuori’s Daily Legging has exploded in popularity. This just might be the perfect pair of outdoor leggings.

And yes, the Daily Legging also comes in a version with side pockets. However, in our opinion, you simply don’t mess with perfection, so we actually prefer the original with no pockets.

These tights obviously have a distinct look, but it’s the fabric that really sets them apart. Truly “buttery soft” and smoothing, yet they pass the all-important squat test with flying colors and offer a decent amount of compression. 

Like the rest of the world, we also love the unique cuffed ankles and drawstring waist. Those details make these equally appropriate for the best brunch spots in Scottsdale as the trail.

Despite being a 7/8 length, these features somehow elongate the legs. Oh, and that waistband truly does not budge. 

Budget Hiking Tights for Women From Amazon

Designed with yogis in mind, these budget-friendly hiking tights are made from a blend of materials that produces a buttery soft, “naked” feeling. That super-light, second-skin feel makes them equally comfortable for hiking, the gym, or downtime.

If they look familiar, it’s probably because they’re an EXACT dupe for the lululemon Fast and Free High-Rise Tight. Check out the reviews…a lot of people say they actually prefer these!

The high-waisted design has just enough compression to tuck everything in without digging into the tummy,  and the interior drawstring ensures these truly stay up.

I have these in four colors (that’s me above, wearing the ‘Savannah’ colorway!) and absolutely LOVE them. I’ve worn them consistently on cross-country road trips, on glacier hikes in Alaska, and off-roading, and these bad boys are practically indestructible. 

I will say they are definitely NOT warm hiking leggings, but they’re thin enough to layer underneath warmer layers. Also, while I prefer hiking leggings with pockets 90% of the time, I do have one pair of these without—and highly recommend those, too.

One last thing: CRZ YOGA sizing runs generous, so listen to the reviews and size down.

14. Colorfulkoala High-Waisted Yoga Pant (Lulu Align Dupe!) 

• PRICE: $
• FAVE FEATURES: Huge range of colors, just the right fabric thickness and compression, excellent value 
• MINOR COMPLAINT: Lighter colors don’t necessarily pass the squat-proof test

These Colorfulkoala tights have created more than one social media storm for being the number one dupe for lululemon ‘Align’ leggings. If you’ve spent any amount of time on TikTok in the last year or two, you’ve likely come across these. 

Making a strong case for being the best hiking leggings with pockets, the buttery-soft, lightly brushed material is pleasant to wear and they come in over 30 colors.

The flat-lock seam construction is also super flattering on, eliminating any bulkiness and chafing, while boosting maneuverability. 

Sizes are available from XS-XL, and they run true to size. I have two pairs and absolutely love them! The waistband literally never rolls down, the length is perfect (I’m 5’5” for reference), and the fabric is just the right thickness to wear any time of year. 

They’re not winter hiking leggings of course, but I’ve been very comfortable hiking in them in snow on colder days in Utah, Montana, and Yosemite. 

The fabric on the 90 Degree by Reflex leggings offers a fair amount of compression and tummy control, but they’re also extremely comfortable. 

I’ve worn these on grueling hikes in multiple national parks and on long travel days—and have been very impressed with how they hold up. The waistband doesn’t budge and there’s no sagging anywhere. 

The more structured fabric has a soft, almost silky feel to it, but fair warning: it’s not very breathable. Although I love the way these look on, they quickly became some of my go-to winter hiking leggings because they are WARM!

One other note: I noticed unraveled seams in two places on my first hike in these. Other reviews mention the same, but maybe it was a particular batch or one color. They’re sturdy otherwise, so I’m not concerned about long-term durability.

Best Winter Hiking Leggings

16. Athleta Rainier Tight

• PRICE: $$-$$$
• FAVE FEATURES: Large range of sizes, reflective elements, comfortable in cold weather without being too warm
• MINOR COMPLAINT: The pockets have an awkward, elongated shape, making it tricky to get your phone out, especially with cold hands

With a soft, lightly brushed lining, the Athleta Rainier makes excellent warm hiking leggings for medium and high-impact workouts in cold climates. The inner material isn’t quite a thick fleece, but it is plush. 

Outside, the material is slick and smooth (and pill-resistant), like a legging-snow pant hybrid. 

These thick winter hiking tights have secure zip pockets on both thighs to keep your essentials safe and sound, plus a slit pocket on the rear waistband. This pocket is ideal for some cash or a card, or even a slim wallet, although it accommodates some phones. 

The fit is what I’d call a medium-high rise, flattering on most body types. And speaking of body types, Athleta offers the Rainier tight in a huge range of sizes, as well as regular, petite, and tall inseams. If you prefer full-length women’s hiking leggings rather than ⅞, consider order a ‘tall’ size.

17. Eddie Bauer Crossover Winter Trail Adventure High-Rise Leggings

• PRICE: $$-$$$
• FAVE FEATURES: Lined with brushed fleece yet not bulky, great pockets, and huge range of extended sizes
• MINOR COMPLAINT: Eddie Bauer’s fit can be somewhat inconsistent

Eddie Bauer took everything we love about the OG Trail Tights and put it into these winter leggings, but also added several cold-weather features.

You still get moisture-wicking, multiple pockets, and odor control, as well as premium ‘Crossover’ brushed fleece lining and a drawcord-adjustable high waist.

One of the things we’ve previously disliked about some pairs of Eddie Bauer leggings (not all, it’s not consistent) is that they tend to bag out by the end of the day. These do not. We’re not sure if it’s the thicker, slightly more structured material or what, but you won’t get a baggy butt or knees.

We also love the new, larger zippered pocket on the thigh, and the fact these hiking tights hold up extremely well in the wash (yes, drying too!).

Finally, true to Eddie Bauer, they’re offered in a huge range of extended sizes, including petite, tall, and plus.

18. Smartwool Merino Sport Fleece Wind Tight

• PRICE: $$$
• FAVE FEATURES: Windproof and water-resistant
• MINOR COMPLAINT: The zipper pocket isn’t quite large enough for a phone in a case, and it can be tricky to get a good fit in the waist

These slim-fit winter hiking leggings come with two major standout features: a windproof front panel and a DWR finish to repel water, even in severe weather. Because the front nylon panel does such an excellent job of blocking the wind, you’ll stay noticeably warm. 

That panel also increases durability, making these some of the best hiking tights for women when it’s cooler out. 

We love the reflective elements, cozy brushed Merino fabric, and the zippers at the ankles. They’re super helpful for getting the leggings on and off, plus they offer flexibility with your winter footwear. 

The one drawback of these Smartwool tights is the fit in the waist. They’re mid-rise and while they do have a drawstring, they don’t have any compression in the waist. Depending on your shape, you may struggle to get the waist tight enough or have to pull it up constantly to re-adjust it.

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