Updated October 2026
6 Best Hiking Shorts for 2026
We compared cargo and active hiking shorts from Columbia, Pudolla, Moosehill, EZRUN, and Rdruko.
- 6 top picks compared
- 5 brands
- Specs from real Amazon listings
Columbia Men's Silver Ridge Cargo Short
Nylon ripstop cargo shorts with Omni-Shade and Omni-Wick.
- Omni-Shade.
- Omni-Wick.
- Ripstop nylon.
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Quick picks
The best hiking shorts at a glance
Every pick has a clear job. Find the one that matches how you hike, then check today's price on Amazon.
- 1BEST OVERALL
Columbia Men's Silver Ridge Cargo Short
Nylon ripstop cargo shorts with Omni-Shade and Omni-Wick.
- Omni-Shade.
- Omni-Wick.
- 2
BEST RECYCLEDColumbia Men's Silver Ridge Utility Cargo Short
100% recycled polyester cargo shorts with a belt included.
- 100% recycled.
- Belt included.
- 3
BEST POCKETSPudolla Men's Hiking Cargo Shorts
Shorts with 5 zipper pockets in 7, 9, or 11 in inseams.
- 5 zip pockets.
- 3 inseams.
- 4
MOST POCKETSMoosehill Men's Hiking Cargo Shorts, 9 Pockets
Quick-dry shorts with 9 pockets that pack into their own pocket.
- 9 pockets.
- Self-storing.
- 5
BEST UPFEZRUN Men's Quick Dry Hiking Cargo Shorts UPF 50+
Water-repellent UPF 50+ shorts with 6 pockets.
- UPF 50+.
- Water repellent.
- 6
BEST ACTIVERdruko Men's Quick Dry Hiking Shorts
Light 7 in shorts with three zip pockets.
- 3 zip pockets.
- Light.
Compare
Hiking Shorts comparison
Key specs side by side. Prices, sizes, and colors change often, so check Amazon for the latest.
Columbia Men's Silver Ridge Cargo Short
Best Hiking Shorts
- Type
- Men's cargo shorts
- Fabric
- 100% nylon ripstop
- Sun / Weather
- Omni-Shade
- Water Rating
- Quick drying
Columbia Men's Silver Ridge Utility Cargo Short
Best Recycled Hiking Shorts
- Type
- Men's cargo shorts
- Fabric
- 100% recycled polyester
- Sun / Weather
- Omni-Shade
- Water Rating
- Quick drying
Pudolla Men's Hiking Cargo Shorts
Best Hiking Shorts with Zip Pockets
- Type
- Men's cargo shorts
- Fabric
- 95% polyester, 5% spandex
- Sun / Weather
- Not listed
- Water Rating
- Quick dry
Moosehill Men's Hiking Cargo Shorts, 9 Pockets
Best Hiking Shorts for Storage
- Type
- Men's cargo shorts
- Fabric
- 100% polyester
- Sun / Weather
- Not listed
- Water Rating
- Quick dry
EZRUN Men's Quick Dry Hiking Cargo Shorts UPF 50+
Best Sun-Protective Shorts
- Type
- Men's cargo shorts
- Fabric
- 90% nylon, 10% elastane
- Sun / Weather
- UPF 50+
- Water Rating
- Water repellent
Rdruko Men's Quick Dry Hiking Shorts
Best Lightweight Active Shorts
- Type
- Men's active shorts
- Fabric
- 92% polyester, 8% spandex
- Sun / Weather
- Not listed
- Water Rating
- Quick dry
Reviews
Hiking Shorts reviews
Why each product made the list, who it suits, and where it falls short.
1. Columbia Men's Silver Ridge Cargo Short
Best Hiking Shorts
Best for: Most hikers.
Why we picked it
The Columbia Silver Ridge Cargo Short earns our Best Overall spot with a trusted brand and large review base.
Columbia lists Omni-Shade sun protection with the Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation, Omni-Wick moisture wicking, and lightweight, quick-drying 100% nylon ripstop.
What we like
- Omni-Shade.
- Omni-Wick.
- Ripstop nylon.
- Large review base.
Could be better
- Men's sizes only.
- Inseam not listed.
Key specs
- Brand
- Columbia
- Series
- Silver Ridge
- Type
- Men's cargo shorts
- Fabric
- 100% nylon ripstop
- Sun / Weather
- Omni-Shade
- Water Rating
- Quick drying
- Fit / Features
- Button closure
- Recommended Use
- Hiking, travel
Who Should Buy It?
Choose Silver Ridge for most trails.
Consider Other Hiking Shorts If...
Consider Rdruko for running.
Bottom line: the Columbia Men's Silver Ridge Cargo Short is our best hiking shorts.
Check Price on Amazon2. Columbia Men's Silver Ridge Utility Cargo Short
Best Recycled Hiking Shorts
Best for: Eco-minded hikers.
Why we picked it
The Silver Ridge Utility earns its spot with recycled fabric and an included belt.
Columbia lists Omni-Shade, Omni-Wick, 100% recycled quick-drying polyester, and an included belt.
What we like
- 100% recycled.
- Belt included.
- Omni-Shade.
- Omni-Wick.
Could be better
- Smaller review base.
- Men's sizes only.
Key specs
- Brand
- Columbia
- Series
- Silver Ridge Utility
- Type
- Men's cargo shorts
- Fabric
- 100% recycled polyester
- Sun / Weather
- Omni-Shade
- Water Rating
- Quick drying
- Fit / Features
- Belt included
- Recommended Use
- Hiking, everyday
Who Should Buy It?
Choose Utility for recycled fabric.
Consider Other Hiking Shorts If...
Smaller review base.
Bottom line: the Columbia Men's Silver Ridge Utility Cargo Short is our best recycled hiking shorts.
Check Price on Amazon3. Pudolla Men's Hiking Cargo Shorts
Best Hiking Shorts with Zip Pockets
Best for: Hikers who carry phones and keys.
Why we picked it
Pudolla earns its spot with secure zip pockets, inseam choices, and a large review base.
Pudolla lists 95% polyester and 5% spandex, 5 zipper pockets, moisture-wicking quick-dry fabric, an elastic back waist with button and zip fly, and 7, 9, or 11 in inseams.
What we like
- 5 zip pockets.
- 3 inseams.
- Stretch.
- Large review base.
Could be better
- UPF not listed.
- Men's sizes only.
Key specs
- Brand
- Pudolla
- Type
- Men's cargo shorts
- Fabric
- 95% polyester, 5% spandex
- Sun / Weather
- Not listed
- Water Rating
- Quick dry
- Fit / Features
- 7/9/11 in inseam
- Recommended Use
- Hiking, golf, travel
Who Should Buy It?
Choose Pudolla for secure storage.
Consider Other Hiking Shorts If...
UPF not listed.
Bottom line: the Pudolla Men's Hiking Cargo Shorts is our best hiking shorts with zip pockets.
Check Price on Amazon4. Moosehill Men's Hiking Cargo Shorts, 9 Pockets
Best Hiking Shorts for Storage
Best for: Gear-heavy hikers.
Why we picked it
Moosehill earns its spot with the most pockets here.
Moosehill lists 100% polyester, 9 pockets including thigh pockets with phone sleeves and tool grommets, a back pocket that doubles as a stuff sack, an elastic back waist, and side adjusters.
What we like
- 9 pockets.
- Self-storing.
- Side adjusters.
- Quick dry.
Could be better
- Small review base.
- UPF not listed.
Key specs
- Brand
- Moosehill
- Type
- Men's cargo shorts
- Fabric
- 100% polyester
- Sun / Weather
- Not listed
- Water Rating
- Quick dry
- Fit / Features
- Side adjusters; 9 pockets
- Recommended Use
- Hiking, camping
Who Should Buy It?
Choose Moosehill for storage.
Consider Other Hiking Shorts If...
Small review base.
Bottom line: the Moosehill Men's Hiking Cargo Shorts, 9 Pockets is our best hiking shorts for storage.
Check Price on Amazon5. EZRUN Men's Quick Dry Hiking Cargo Shorts UPF 50+
Best Sun-Protective Shorts
Best for: Sunny trails.
Why we picked it
EZRUN earns its spot with listed UPF 50+ and water repellency.
EZRUN lists 90% nylon and 10% elastane, UPF 50+, water repellency, 6 pockets including zip side and rear pockets, and side elastic waist panels.
What we like
- UPF 50+.
- Water repellent.
- 6 pockets.
- Stretch.
Could be better
- Low rise.
- Men's sizes only.
Key specs
- Brand
- EZRUN
- Type
- Men's cargo shorts
- Fabric
- 90% nylon, 10% elastane
- Sun / Weather
- UPF 50+
- Water Rating
- Water repellent
- Fit / Features
- Side elastic waist
- Recommended Use
- Hiking, work
Who Should Buy It?
Choose EZRUN for sun.
Consider Other Hiking Shorts If...
Low rise.
Bottom line: the EZRUN Men's Quick Dry Hiking Cargo Shorts UPF 50+ is our best sun-protective shorts.
Check Price on Amazon6. Rdruko Men's Quick Dry Hiking Shorts
Best Lightweight Active Shorts
Best for: Fast hikes and trail runs.
Why we picked it
Rdruko earns its spot with the highest rating here and a light, unlined build.
Rdruko lists 92% polyester and 8% spandex, quick-dry wicking fabric, three deep zip pockets, a drawstring elastic waist, a 7 in inseam, and no lining.
What we like
- 3 zip pockets.
- Light.
- Stretch.
- Very highly rated.
Could be better
- No lining.
- UPF not listed.
Key specs
- Brand
- Rdruko
- Type
- Men's active shorts
- Fabric
- 92% polyester, 8% spandex
- Sun / Weather
- Not listed
- Water Rating
- Quick dry
- Fit / Features
- 7 in inseam; drawstring
- Recommended Use
- Running, hiking
Who Should Buy It?
Choose Rdruko for speed.
Consider Other Hiking Shorts If...
No cargo pockets.
Bottom line: the Rdruko Men's Quick Dry Hiking Shorts is our best lightweight active shorts.
Check Price on AmazonOur process
How we chose these hiking shorts
1. Real listings only
We compared 6 hiking shorts from 5 brands using the specs and features published on each Amazon listing and by the manufacturer.
2. One clear job per pick
Each product earns a specific role — like best overall, best budget, or best for a technique — so you can match a pick to how you actually fish.
3. Honest trade-offs
Every review lists what could be better and who should skip it. We only state features the listings support — never invented specs or prices.
Buying guide
How to Choose Hiking Shorts
Hiking shorts should dry fast, stretch, and hold your essentials.
- 1
Fabric
Nylon and polyester dry fastest.
- 2
Pockets
Zip pockets keep phones and keys secure.
- 3
Inseam
Longer inseams reduce chafing and sunburn.
- 4
Sun
UPF fabric protects your legs above the knee.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Shorts or pants for hiking?
Shorts for heat on open trails; pants for brush, ticks, and sun.
What inseam is best?
7–9 in is common; longer for sun and chafing.
Should hiking shorts have liners?
Optional. Many hikers wear separate underwear.
Still deciding?
Our #1 pick is the Columbia Men's Silver Ridge Cargo Short.
Most hikers.
Keep exploring
More Hiking Clothing Guides
Related guides and a path back to the hiking clothing hub.