break

Given the number of options out there, where do you begin? We researched over 50 pairs of the best hiking shorts on the market before purchasing the top 11 contenders of 2019 for rigorous side-by-side testing. Four months, hundreds of trail miles, and 200+ hours of testing later, we have recommendations for the most comfortable, lightweight, breathable pairs on the market. Hiking (and sometimes running) through some new adventure spots like the Oregon Coast and North Country trails, we traveled the distance to put these shorts through their paces. We became intimately familiar with each model, so wherever your next trail adventure takes you, we have you covered with expert advice on which shorts will keep you comfortable, cool, and collected.