The best hiking tights of 2023, tested by editors

We have good news: You don’t need to hike in yoga pants anymore. After seeing countless women rip their stretchy pants in unfortunate locations, outdoor brands finally took the hint. Today, there are dozens of technical and durable tights available for anyone who wants to hike in leggings.

But not all hiking tights are created equal. That’s why we spent the last two months carefully testing 18 pairs of top-rated tights from brands like Lululemon, Arc’Teryx, Patagonia and Outdoor Research. After countless hours on the trail, a few snagged seams and hundreds of air squats (put your hands up for the squat test), we found the best. Here are the three that stood out above the rest.

Best hiking tights overall: Athleta Headlands Hybrid Cargo II Tights

$119 at Athleta and REI

Hiking tights need to be comfortable, durable, breathable and practical. Good news: The Athleta Headlands Hybrid Cargo II tights check all the boxes. While they lack a bit in breathability, they more than make up for it with the best balance in utility, durability and overall appearance out of any leggings we tested.

There’s a lot to love about the Headlands Hybrid tights, but let’s start with the pockets. Pockets, so many glorious pockets. The Athleta leggings boast six fully zippered pockets, which is three more than any other tights in this test (and more than most women’s hiking pants in general). And they’re all functionally located. Two zippered hip pockets easily fit a smartphone, while two more zippered pockets on the quads stash essentials like car keys or small snacks. (They’re a bit snug for larger iPhones with cases.) Two smaller zippered pockets on the rear add even more storage for tiny items such as lip balm.

The big problem with yoga tights on trails is that the fabric can’t withstand constant friction from rocks and shrubs (or occasional butt slides). Fortunately, Athleta used abrasion-resistant materials on the front of the legs that easily sheds errant tree branches, leaves and even rock scrapes while scrambling around on boulders. In testing, I hiked a scrambly local hill five times, crawling over sharp summit rocks in the process, and these babies never even pilled.

While the material of the Athleta leggings provides great durability, that thickness comes with a sacrifice in breathability. During the chillier spring months, I hopped on our basement Peloton and pedaled for 10 minutes to gauge breathability. Bummer: I walked away drenched in sweat and absurdly clammy. But the back panels are constructed with a thinner and stretchier mix of recycled nylon and spandex, adding a little more airflow and mobility. You’ll be comfortable when temps hover in the 70s, but the Headlands Hybrid tights will get toasty as the mercury soars higher than that.

While the tights aren’t the most breathable, they were surprisingly durable and plenty stretchy. In addition to summit scrambles, I climbed stairs for five minutes and clambered over our 4-foot-tall backyard fence. The tights never hindered my movement, even when I was precariously straddling the fence post.

Athleta is known for its fits, and these tights are no exception. They fit true to size and sit properly in all the right places; no squished quads or waists to worry about here. This alone is notable since I learned that sizing is all over the map with hiking tights; I had to swap sizing on many other pairs in an effort to get them to fit me. The high-rise waist sits just above your belly button, which minimizes any friction from the waist belt if you’re carrying a backpack.

We’re not ashamed to admit that we wore the Headlands Hybrid tights for a full week straight without any sort of washing. While we may have lost a few friends, we’re happy to report that the synthetic materials didn’t hold on to smell and the fabric looked only slightly worn. If you’re a backpacker, you’ll have no problem taking these out for multiday trips.

Of course, nothing is perfect. While we love Athleta’s size offerings in these tights (0 through 26 with regular, petite and tall inseams), we really wish they offered more colors. Does color matter a ton? Not really. But since we fell hard for these tights, we’d be stoked to see them in more offerings aside from black, peat and cabernet.

Bottom line: The Athleta Headlands Hybrid Cargo II tights are stretchy enough to conquer a fence and burly enough to manage light butt slides and scratchy shrubs. While the tights aren’t the most breathable, their cute style and amazing number of pockets made these the best tights we tested.

Runner-up hiking tights: Kari Traa Ane Tights

$120 at Kari Traa

If you don’t need as much storage and prefer a mountain-woman aesthetic, the Kari Traa Ane tights were the most comfortable we tested in a variety of climates, such as the desert, mountains and prairies. Instead of thicker materials to add durability like in the Athleta tights, Kari Traa uses a water-resistant synthetic material called polyamide on high-exposure areas such as the thighs and shins. This means the fabric brushed away wet leaves and deflected angry branches when I walked through overgrown brush or heavily shrubbed areas. This was especially helpful during my durability test when I walked through a patch of shrubs five times. Not only did the condensation bead away from the fabric, but I didn’t see a single scratch during the test.

They don’t lack in comfort either. The rest of the tights, such as the back of the legs and knees, are constructed with less polyamide and more elastic, adding major breathability and stretchiness. In fact, this is where the Ane tights earned major points against the Athleta pair. On one testing trip in Utah, temps reached the mid-80s. While warm, we didn’t feel like our legs were turning into a puddle of goo, thanks to the four-way stretch fabric with UPF 40 for sun protection. (No goo is always a win in our book.) And I could comfortably spin on our Peloton — a major win.

While more breathable than the Athleta legging, the Ane tights don’t have as much storage. Instead, we get two zippered cargo pockets on the thighs that are large enough to fit bigger smartphones and a set of keys. While this is an adequate amount for most adventures, I occasionally found myself wishing for the sheer quantity of pockets that I enjoyed on the Athleta Headlands tights.

The Kari Traa tights also had a number of small details I really loved. A silicone lining around the ankle cuffs ensure the tights don’t ride up while climbing steep hills or rocks. And zippered ankles make it easy to loosen the bottom if you need to pull them on over shoes or for added airflow. Near the end of my Peloton bike ride, it got a bit warm, so I easily rolled up the bottoms to expose more skin on my legs. It wasn’t exactly high fashion, but it sure felt good.

The Ane’s aesthetic definitely trends toward mountain chic, so they probably aren’t tights you’re going to wear into a bar on a Saturday night. And we’re bummed that they offer limited sizing (XS through XL) compared to Athleta’s plentiful numerical options. But we do love their six color offerings that include everything from pale pink and purple to forest green and tweed. Fit note: As with most European brands, the Ane tights run a bit snug. If you’re in between sizes or on the top end of a size, we recommend going up.

Best hiking tights for cold weather: Norrona Wind Tights

$179 at Norrona and Backcountry

This Norwegian brand knows cold weather, and that lived experience is evident in the Wind tights. They were easily the warmest tights we tested and the only ones designed to tackle inclement weather, thanks to a windproof and waterproof layer of fabric reaching from the hips to the shins. During testing, I bopped above tree line where wind gusts easily reached 50 mph, and I was delighted to discover that the breeze didn’t cut through the fabric like a knife. Of course, the Wind tights are overkill for many hikers who don’t need such a technical pair of tights. If that sounds like you, then reach for the Athleta or Kari Traa leggings. But if you hit the trails no matter the conditions, the Wind tights are your best bet.

The fit of the Wind tights is also a bit snugger than other leggings we tested since the windproof material doesn’t have as much inherent stretch. Unlike many other hiking tights that use two panels of fabric (one on the front of your leg and a second on the back), the Norronas add mobility by including a third: one on the front of your thigh, one on the side and one on the back. This is noticeable when you’re pulling them on; you almost have to yank them over the widest part of your quads. But once they’re on, they move like a dream and the added weather protection is more than worth the extra tugging. During testing, I climbed the same flight of stairs for five minutes, and I never once felt like they constricted my thighs.

As with the Kari Traa tights, this is a European brand that tends to run slimmer. We’d recommend sizing up if you’re in between sizes.

Unlike the Athleta leggings, the Wind tights are minimalistic with much less storage. There are only two pockets: a stretchy pocket on the side of the right thigh and a smaller zippered pocket on the back of the waistband. This streamlined approach meant I almost always had to carry a backpack or hip pack; I certainly couldn’t fit everything in the single large pocket. However, it does create a sleek profile with fewer seams to cause potential chafing or irritation (of which I experienced none).

Bonus: Norrona uses certified fabrics and more than 50% of the materials in these leggings are recycled. While Athleta also uses recycled nylon, Norrona takes an extra step by using BioNylon. This is a type of material made from castor beans, which are known to be a renewable resource that doesn’t require a ton of water to grow.

Everything you need to know about hiking tights

There’s a reason half the population loves to hike in leggings: They’re super comfortable, they’re soft to the touch and they don’t have excess materials to get in your way. However, it’s a good idea to know what you’re looking for when you decide to make that investment.

First, you want to consider durability. Anyone can wear regular yoga pants on the trail, but there is a great chance those cotton and elastane tights will get ripped and snagged within the first hour. If you know you’ll be hiking in terrain with rocks, roots, dense shrubs and other natural elements designed to grab your tights, consider options made with synthetic materials such as nylon or polyamide instead of cotton. These are more abrasion-resistant so your tights will last longer.

Additionally, take a look at leggings with reinforced zones where you want them. Some brands use reinforced panels in high-use areas like the knees, butt and thighs. Not only is this good for tricky terrain, but it helps a lot when you take a snack break and want to sit on a sharp rock.

Another factor to consider is weather resistance. Basic yoga tights will soak up the wind and rain, but that’s less than ideal for hiking tights. Look for quick-drying fabrics that won’t absorb moisture and sag when wet. If you hike in chilly and windy conditions, consider water-resistant materials or even fabric treated with waterproofing such as DWR.

Since tights fit close to the body, there isn’t a lot of extra storage. That’s why functionality and pockets are an important feature to factor into your decision. If you’re a day hiker whose adventures last less than an hour, you may not need as many pockets as someone who goes out for full-day or even multiday backpacking trips. Consider how much gear you’ll be carrying and how many items you want to store on your person before making your decision.

Finally, don’t forget the fit. If leggings fit poorly, you won’t want to wear them and they’ll just look weird. You want them to be snug but not tight; you need plenty of mobility to climb steep trails and jump over objects. If you carry a backpack, look for a high-rise waist since that will allow the waist belt to sit more comfortably.

How we tested

To find the best hiking tights, we tested everything from durability and breathability to fit and stretch and storage. To do this, we divided testing into three categories: function, style and materials. From there, we directly compared the features on each pair of tights through non-standardized outdoor adventures and pre-scripted, standardized tests. Here’s the full breakdown of what we did.

Function

Style

Materials

Other hiking tights we tested

Outdoor Research Ad-Vantage Leggings

$99 at Outdoor Research

These hiking tights were amazing, and we really loved the fit and reinforced knee and hip zones. We also appreciated the price point since it’s one of the few hiking tights to clock in below the $100 mark. However, we felt the hip reinforcement was better suited for rock climbing than hiking since hikers don’t typically scratch their hip bones on rough surfaces (although it didn’t cause any problems with our waist belts). And we noticed a few tiny snags during our durability test. If you spend just a little bit more money, you also get zippered pockets instead of open, stretchy pockets as well as a little weather resistance with the Athleta Headlands Hybrid Cargo II tights.

Helly Hansen Blaze 7/8 Hiking Tights

$120 From $84 at Helly Hansen

The Blaze tights were one of our favorites for everyday hiking since they move well, are very breathable and have reinforced knees and butt. However, we noticed some pilling and snagging on the seams after the five washes, so we have some long-term durability concerns that these could struggle in the long run. But they are very comfortable and would be a solid choice for anyone hiking on moderate terrain.

Lululemon Cargo Super-High-Rise Hiking Tights

$138 at Lululemon

These hiking tights were another one of our favorites, thanks to the drawstring waist and stretchy drop-in pockets with flaps to prevent items from bouncing out. However, the fit was a touch long with a little bit of pooling around the ankles. Additionally, we felt some of the added features (such as a locker loop or D-ring for a carabiner) were unnecessary and more to “look” outdoorsy. But if you’re already a Lululemon fan, chances are good that you’ll love these tights.

Patagonia Pack Out Tights

$119 at Patagonia

The Pack Out tights were a perennial favorite and did especially well on more technical trails with the reinforced knees and butt that easily hold up against rocks and other sharp objects. We really liked the stretchy side pockets and the smaller zippered pocket for car keys, and we applaud the sustainable ethos behind Patagonia. However, the thicker material was quite hot and we really struggled with sweaty and clammy legs in warm conditions.

REI Co-op Flash Hybrid Tights

$75 at REI

If you’re looking for affordability, consider the Flash Hybrid tights. Despite the name, there isn’t anything flashy about these, but they performed well in our tests. There was zero pilling or signs of wear, even on the inside of our thighs where they often rub together. We did find the fabric a bit hot and struggled with breathability. Additionally, the fit was funky. We couldn’t decide if they were meant to be full-length or 7/8-length tights, and we noticed the waist stretched out after a handful of wears (and no washes). Still, they are the most affordable tights in this test, and that’s worth something.

Prana Chakara Peak Leggings

$110 at Prana

We love the sustainable packaging on all Prana products: no plastic. While the Chakara Peak leggings are designed for climbing and bouldering, the reinforced knees and butt are perfectly suited to hiking. We also found ample storage with two pockets (one with a zipper). However, the reinforcement on the rear took some adjustment and felt bulky at first. We grew used to it over time, but it could be off-putting to some folks.

Outdoor Research Ferrosi Leggings

$99 $60 at Outdoor Research

Like the Outdoor Research Ad-Vantage leggings, we fell in love with the Ferrosi leggings for their perfect fit, no matter the body type. Larger drop-in pockets are big enough to fit your phone, and a zippered pocket holds the smaller essentials. They also have amazing reinforcement on the knees and rear, and this latest iteration boasts recycled fabric. However, they are very technical in appearance. They don’t easily fit in when you’re moving around town or at a restaurant, so we’d save these for the wilderness or smaller mountain towns.

Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights W

$175 at Fjallraven

The Abisko Trekking tights may be the most durable tights we tested, thanks to the burly polyamide reinforcement on the knees and rear. Unlike the other tights we tested, these reinforced zones can be repeatedly scratched against sharp rocks (we even tried a pair of scissors out of curiosity) without leaving a mark. However, the rugged reinforcements often felt like a diaper, and the fit is a bit funky with a longer length and a tight waist. At this price point, we’d hope for a more universal fit.

Norrona Tights

$119 at Norrona

These tights feel like butter. There is no other way to describe the smooth and silky fabric that comfortably sits against your skin with a perfectly snug fit that isn’t too tight (yet doesn’t show any signs of sweat). The storage is great: three pockets to manage all your essentials. As far as a basic pair of leggings goes, they’re great. But they don’t boast any additional features like reinforcement or weather resistance. If you’re looking for a mellow tight to go from town to trail and back again, these would work, but we’d opt for the others for more rugged terrain.

Kühl Transcendr Leggings

$99 at Kühl

The Transcendr leggings are a great value. For less than $100, you get a lightweight, soft-shell legging with UPF 50 protection and water resistance for questionable weather. The fit is slightly generous but still true to size. However, they’re basic and don’t include any added features such as reinforcements. They are also only available in two colors.

Arc’Teryx Essent High-Rise Leggings

$120 at Arc’Teryx

We loved the soft hand and stretchy fabric on the Essent leggings, and the flattened seams are so subtle that we accidentally wore these inside out (twice) without noticing. However, they aren’t the most durable, and we’ve already noticed some scratches and scuffs on the knees and butt from when we came into contact with rocks.

Lululemon Swift Speed High-Rise Tight

From $128 at Lululemon

If you love Lululemon, you’ll love the Swift Speed tights. They boast the same quality fabric that the brand is known for, and the snug fit is flattering while also offering full coverage. However, there is nothing about these tights that sets them apart for hiking; we’d be more likely to recommend them for gym goers or runners. We also noticed that the thicker, more durable fabric slightly changes the sizing; these seem to run a bit snugger than usual Lululemon tights. Still, if you’re an occasional hiker who spends more time in the gym, these are worth a look.

Patagonia Maipo 7/8 Tights

$99 at Patagonia

As with the Swift Speed tights above, there is nothing wrong with the Maipo tights. They fit great, they move well and we love Patagonia’s sustainability efforts. However, there aren’t any hiking-specific features. If you’re an occasional trail wanderer who doesn’t need anything specific, the Maipo would do the job.

Fjallraven Abisko Trail Tights W

$150 at Fjallraven

The Abisko Trail tights boast a thicker fabric that is inherently durable and flattering. We also liked the stretchy side pockets with flaps that prevent anything from bouncing out. However, we did find the fabric to be a little hot and struggled with breathability while trekking through the desert. Additionally, we wish there were a few more features included at this price point.

Mountain Hardwear Chockstone Tights

$85 From $42 at Mountain Hardwear

Our test results were a mixed bag with the Chockstone tights. We love the weather resistance with a DWR coating and UPF 50 fabric to squash harmful UV rays. But the fit is all over the map and runs very small in the waist, thanks to the restrictive fabric. We also struggled with the crinkly material that was very audible while hiking on the trail. While the Chockstones sit at a very decent price point, we’d prefer tights that don’t make more noise than our kids.