7 Best Men’s Shorts For Thru Hiking for Long Trail Days (2026)

Hiauspor Men's Hiking Cargo Shorts in dark grey, size 34, built with quick-dry, water-resistant ripstop fabric and six zipper pockets.

Pros

• +Quick-dry ripstop fabric suits sweaty, humid trail days
• +Four-way stretch allows unrestricted movement on scrambles
• +Six pockets keep phone and snacks organized on the move
• +UPF 50+ rating adds sun coverage on exposed routes

Cons

• −Water-resistant only, not a waterproof rating for sustained rain
• −Sizing runs limited to regular 34 with no tall or short option
• −Elastic back waistband may bunch under a heavy hipbelt

The Hiauspor hiking cargo shorts pair a quick-dry ripstop fabric with four-way stretch, so they move with you on steep, rocky steps instead of fighting your stride. The UPF 50+ rating adds meaningful sun coverage for exposed ridgelines, and the water-resistant finish sheds light drizzle on shoulder-season days.

Six pockets, including a dedicated right-thigh phone slot, keep essentials from bouncing around on the move. I see this working best for warm-weather day hikes and travel where you want one pair to do double duty.

The main trade-off is that water resistance stops well short of waterproof, so sustained rain will soak through. Worth knowing before you buy: sizing is limited to regular 34, and the elastic back waistband can bunch under a loaded hipbelt.

The Pudolla Men's Hiking Cargo Shorts are lightweight, moisture-wicking shorts with five zippered pockets and a UPF 50+ rating. They feature an elastic back waistband and a water-repellent finish.

Pros

• +Five zippered pockets for secure storage
• +Lightweight, moisture-wicking, quick-drying fabric
• +UPF 50+ sun protection
• +Elastic back waistband and belt loops for adjustable fit

Cons

• −Water-repellent finish, not fully waterproof
• −No size range or inseam options beyond 9-inch
• −No specific fabric weight or denier disclosed

With five zippered pockets, these shorts keep a phone, wallet, and keys secure on a hike. The lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric dries fast, and the UPF 50+ rating adds sun defense for exposed trails.

An elastic back waistband and 2-inch belt loops let me dial in fit on the move. The water-repellent finish shrugs off light moisture and dirt, though it is not a waterproof shell.

I'd consider these for summer day hikes and travel where pocket security matters. The main trade-off is that the fabric weight and denier are not disclosed, so I can't gauge abrasion resistance for scrambling.

The COOFANDY Men's Casual Shorts are 9-inch inseam twill shorts with a cotton drawstring elastic waistband, slant pockets, and one back patch pocket.

Pros

• +Drawstring elastic waistband adjusts fit without a belt
• +Cotton twill is lightweight and breathable for summer wear
• +9-inch inseam lands at or just below the knee
• +Two slant pockets and one back patch pocket for storage

Cons

• −Cotton twill dries slowly if caught in rain
• −No stated UPF rating for extended sun exposure
• −Sizing runs to US chart, so measure before ordering

These COOFANDY shorts use a cotton twill build with a drawstring elastic waistband, so the fit adjusts without a belt. The 9-inch inseam sits at or just below the knee, which I see working well for casual walking, golf, or a relaxed day around camp rather than high-output hiking.

The double-sided slant pockets and single back patch pocket hold a phone, keys, or a small wallet, and the leather label under the rear pocket adds a casual tailored touch. I'd consider these for beach trips, travel days, or light outdoor wear where a breathable cotton short makes sense.

Worth knowing before you buy: cotton twill dries slowly if it gets wet, and the listing does not give a UPF rating for long sun exposure. I rate this a reasonable pick for everyday summer use, not for wet mountain weather.

The AUTIWITUA Men's Hiking Shorts are quick-dry cargo shorts in a 65% cotton, 33% polyester, 2% elastane blend with six pockets and an elastic back waistband.

Pros

• +Six pockets including zippered storage for valuables
• +Elastic back waistband moves with bending and climbing
• +Quick-dry cotton-poly-elastane blend resists light moisture
• +Water-repellent surface treatment for damp trail days

Cons

• −No belt included despite belt-loop cargo styling
• −Cotton-heavy blend dries slower than full synthetic shorts
• −Water repellency is surface-level, not a waterproof rating

The AUTIWITUA Men's Hiking Shorts build their layout around six pockets: two slash, two flat, and two back, with zippered closures for valuables. The fabric is a 65% cotton, 33% polyester, 2% elastane blend, which gives stretch for bending and scrambling but retains more water than a full synthetic. A surface water-repellent finish handles light rain and quick splashes.

The elastic back waistband is the standout fit detail, letting the shorts move with you on steep steps or when crouching at camp. I'd consider these for day hikes, fishing, or casual workwear where pocket access matters more than ultralight packability.

Worth knowing before you buy: no belt is included, and the cotton-heavy blend dries slower than synthetics. The water repellency is surface-level, not a waterproof rating, so pair them with a rain shell for sustained wet weather.

Rdruko Men's Quick Dry Hiking Shorts are lightweight athletic shorts with a 7-inch inseam, three zippered pockets, and an elastic drawstring waist. They are unlined.

Pros

• +Three deep zippered pockets keep essentials secure on the move
• +Quick-dry fabric helps manage sweat during high-output activities
• +7-inch inseam and unlined build reduce chafing on long climbs
• +Elastic drawstring waist offers an adjustable fit under a hipbelt

Cons

• −No lining means no built-in support for running or hiking
• −Fabric thickness and durability not specified for abrasive terrain
• −Limited size range may not fit all body types comfortably

The Rdruko Men's Quick Dry Hiking Shorts are built around a 7-inch inseam and an unlined, lightweight fabric that aims to reduce friction on long climbs. Three zippered pockets stand out for stashing a phone, keys, and a few gels without them bouncing loose on a run or hike. The elastic waistband with drawstring lets me dial in the fit under a hipbelt or harness.

I see these working best for fast-paced day hikes, gym sessions, or travel where quick-drying matters more than abrasion resistance. The main trade-off is the lack of a liner, so there is no built-in support for high-output runs or long backpacking days. The listing also does not specify fabric thickness or a durability rating, which leaves questions about how they handle repeated brush or rocky scrambles.

For my money, this is a reasonable pick for someone who wants a simple, pocket-rich short for warm-weather activities and does not need a liner or heavy-duty construction.

Wangdo Men's Hiking Cargo Shorts in quick-dry 4-way stretch fabric with six pockets, an elastic back waistband, and a button and zipper closure.

Pros

• +Six pockets keep phone, keys, and snacks organized
• +Elastic back waistband plus belt loops hold fit in place
• +Quick-dry fabric suits humid summer hikes and travel days
• +4-way stretch fabric allows wide steps on rocky terrain

Cons

• −Water-resistant only, not waterproof for sustained rain
• −No inseam length or fabric weight disclosed in listing
• −Khaki color shows trail dust and dirt more readily

Wangdo's Men's Hiking Cargo Shorts pair a quick-dry, moisture-wicking fabric with a 4-way stretch build, which I see working well on humid summer hikes where sweat and movement matter more than insulation. The six pockets, including a zippered tech pocket on the right thigh, give a clear place for a phone, keys, and a snack without digging through a pack mid-trail.

The elastic back waistband, reinforced belt loops, and button-and-zipper closure should keep the shorts in place on scrambles and steep descents. The listing also claims UPF 50+ sun protection, which I'd treat as a bonus for exposed ridgelines rather than a reason to skip sunscreen.

The main trade-off is that the fabric is water-resistant, not waterproof, so a sustained rainstorm will soak through. No inseam length or fabric weight is disclosed either, which makes sizing a bit of a guess for taller hikers.

Jessie Kidden men's cargo shorts in size 32 with a partial elastic waist, belt, six pockets, and UPF 50 rated fabric.

Pros

• +Partial elastic waist plus included belt adjusts to changing fit
• +UPF 50 rating stated for sun protection on exposed trails
• +Two zippered thigh pockets keep small items secure while moving
• +Quick-dry wicking fabric suits warm, sweaty hiking days

Cons

• −Water-resistant only, not waterproof, so heavy rain soaks through
• −No inseam or fabric weight listed, making fit hard to judge
• −Zippered thigh pockets add bulk that some find noticeable

These Jessie Kidden shorts are built around a partial elastic waist with an included belt, a combination that lets the fit shift a little through a long day of hiking or fishing without needing a full belt adjustment. The fabric carries a stated UPF 50 rating and a water-resistant finish, which is the sort of setup I'd consider for warm, exposed trails where sun and light showers are both on the menu.

Storage is the other real feature here: two front slash pockets, two back pockets, and two zippered thigh pockets for items you don't want bouncing out on a climb. The wicking fabric is meant to move sweat away, which matters more on a humid summer hike than on a casual walk.

Worth knowing before you buy: the water-resistant finish is not a waterproof rating, so sustained rain will get through. The listing also omits inseam and fabric weight, so sizing comes down to the stated size 32. I rate this a reasonable pick for warm-weather day hikes and fishing trips where quick-dry comfort and pocket security matter more than storm protection.