Comfortable, durable walking trousers are a must in any rambler’s wardrobe - they’re designed to be lightweight, stretchy and breathable however many miles you cover.
We’ve rounded up ten of the best style for women who love to walk, including comfy leggings, zip-away shorts and smart chino styles that you can wear from peak to pub, and with price points to suit all budgets.
What fabric and features to look for
Walking trousers are worn next to the skin and aren’t waterproof, but it’s easy to pop waterproof trousers over the top if rain threatens. Some walking trousers are water repellent, which is enough to withstand light rain, and if they do get wet, lightweight walking trousers are usually quick to dry.
Planning sunny summer walks or travelling abroad? Look for trousers that use a breathable fabric, to keep you cool. We rate trousers with reinforced knees and ankles, plenty of pockets and a slightly stretchy fabric for added comfort and ease of movement.
Extra style points
Functional, beige-coloured walking trousers are usually a pretty uninspiring bit of outdoor clothing to purchase, but recently brands have been upping their style game with slim-cut leggings, which are easy to wear casually, and smart, chino-like trousers that you could wear to the pub post-walk, or even to the pub, so you’re getting more bang for your buck. Many pairs of walking trousers can also be converted into shorts by unzipping lower sections, which is convenient in changeable weather and a good space-saving choice on backpacking trips.
How to get the right fit
You’ll find both traditional, straight-cut walking trousers and slim, stretchy walking leggings (also called tights) available. We think tights are a nice choice if you don’t like wider trousers, which can flap around in wind, and they’re also easier to layer under waterproofs. Try trousers on in person if you can - they should have enough stretch to let you squat, and feel comfortable around the waist as you move your legs. If you’re picking zip-off trousers, check the zips don’t rub against your knees. And if you plan to wear walking trousers underneath your favourite waterproof trousers, it’s worth taking the latter along when shopping, to check you choose the right fit.
Shop the best below
Fjallraven Abisko Tights
If you’re shopping for slim hiking tights rather than wider waking trousers, our pick of the pack is Fjallraven’s Abisko. We’ve been able to test out these popular leggings on many a hiking and camping adventure and reckon they are well worth their high price tag.
These brilliant technical tights are extremely comfortable and stretchy, tough enough to sit and kneel down in and look good as new - however many times you chuck them in the wash. They also feature large pockets that will hold a map and a phone safely, even if you’re scrambling about. The slim cut means the Abiskos fit nicely under waterproofs, too. Worth the splurge.
Buy now £80.00, Amazon
Decathlon Mountain Trekking Heavy-Duty Trousers
Our best on a budget at a hair under £30, these walking trousers are simple, lightweight and stretchy enough to tackle tougher hikes. The high waist and adjustable belt make it easy to get a snug fit, and the lightweight fabric is cool to wear and quick-drying if you encounter rain.
Four pockets are handy for stashing essentials, and one fits a smart phone, although we’d have liked some extra back pockets. At this purse-friendly price point, these versatile trousers would make a great spare pair to pack for a summer trekking holiday.
Buy now £29.99, Decathlon
Fjallraven Keb Curved trousers
‘Rugged’ is probably the best word to describe the Keb trousers from Fjallraven – these work-ready pants are designed to last you years, with reinforced knee and rear panels, ventilation zips and plentiful pockets.
The Kebs are also a good choice for making sure you get a good fit – the ‘Curved’ model is wider at the hips, while there’s a more straight-cut version for athletic types, and both iterations come in Regular and Short leg lengths.
A hardy, hiking-ready pant you can also work, garden and play in, and we like that they come in bright colourways as well as more neutral hues.
Buy now £202.00, Amazon
Patagonia Altvia Alpine Pants
These handsome trousers were designed with both hiking and climbing in mind, so they’re well-suited to anyone who likes to add a bit of scrambling or bouldering to their walking adventures.
The Altvias are perfectly tailored to move with you, sport roomy pockets and have adjustable cuffs, so they sit nicely over hiking boots or low-cut walking shoes alike.
We found the material was a bit of a wonder, breathing well in hot weather but trapping in body heat in cold autumn conditions, so the Altvias would work well for hikes in most seasons.
The trousers come in Short and Regular lengths and have a nice slimmer cut that doesn’t flap about and is easy to layer under waterproofs.
Buy now £130.00, Cotswold Outdoor
Montane Terra Ridge Pants
If you’re buying your first pair of walking trousers and want a good all-rounder, the Terra Ridge from Montane is an easy choice. It has plenty of the features we’d look for in a good walking-ready design – a comfortable, tailored waist, zipped pockets, reinforced knees and ankles and a stretchy but streamlined cut.
We found these trousers very breathable in hot weather, and zipped leg vents will further help you to keep your cool – a good choice instead of shorts if you’re hiking in tropical climes and need to protect your legs from the sun and pesky insects.
Buy now £95.00, Cotswold Outdoor
Revolution Race RVRC GP Trousers
One trouser to rule them all? Revolution Race are proud of how versatile their RVRC trousers are, reckoning they work for ‘hiking, fishing, dog training, climbing and sailing’. These hardwearing but comfortable trousers are ideal for outdoorsy types, and make a great quiver-of-one choice if you want to invest in just one pair of trousers to take on all your adventures.
Stretchy panels make moving about comfortable, and the knees are fitted with pockets for knee pads, which is handy when you’re camping, gardening or working outdoors. We found these tough trousers to be reliably tear-proof on test, so they should last you for years.
Buy now £79.00, Revolution Race
Acai Skinny Outdoor Trousers
Do you find yourself living in leggings? Acai’s super-skinny trousers will be your new favourites for heading outdoors – they’re slim-cut but stretchy, have a comfortable high waist and are breathable enough to stop you overheating on hot summer hikes. The fabric is even splash- and shower-proof, so you can wear them in light rain.
We love the smart, flattering looks of the Skinny, ideal if you don’t like traditional, straight-cut walking trousers and want something you can wear with jumpers and boots down the pub as well as up the peaks.
Buy now £79.00, Acai Outdoor
Craghoppers Kiwi Pro II Trousers
Keep it simple with the Kiwis – these fuss-free walking trousers are super-comfy, smart enough to wear in the city and nicely priced at £55. We like that there are regular and longer leg lengths as well as no less than nine neutral colourways to pick from, and we also rated the roomy pockets and comfortable elasticated waistband. The Kiwi Pros are water-repellent and designed to look good straight after washing, making them a good choice for walking holidays. There’s also a warm, lined Winter version of the Kiwi available, ideal if you love to hike in any weather.
Buy now £55.00, Craghoppers
The North Face Exploration Convertible Trousers
Why pack both trousers and shorts for a walking expedition when you could just take the Exploration? This zip-off pant from The North Face is easy to convert from trousers to knee-length shorts on the go, and looks very smart and streamlined.
They come in three neutral shades that you could easily dress up, so it’s ideal if you’re packing light on holiday and want one do-it-all bottom to wear daily. Short, regular and long lengths are available, so there’s a pair to suit hikers of all heights, although some reviewers recommend ordering a size above your usual.
Buy now £80.00, The North Face
Finisterre Ascent Trouser
The search is over – this is that elusive thing, a walking trouser that doesn’t look like a walking trouser. Finisterre’s very gorgeous Ascent pant has smart chino-like styling and an on-trend, comfy looser cut that feels great to move in. The cotton fabric is cool in summer and has just enough give to allow you to hike or even scramble without feeling any restriction of movement, and the bottom cuffs are easy to roll up. We like the zipped back pocket, the adjustable belt. and the fact that you really can wear the good-looking Ascent everywhere, from work to walk.
Buy now £85.00, Finisterre
Verdict
Top of the hiking tights is Fjallraven’s comfortable and hardwearing Abisko. Patagonia’s Altvia and Montane’s Terra Ridge are good all-rounder walking trousers, while Finisterre’s Ascent scores highest in the style stakes.
