Best Hiking Pants for Curvy Women (Trail Tested)
Are you looking for durable hiking pants for curvy women? I’ve tried many women’s hiking pants, and it took me years to find ones that are durable and comfortable.
The hiking pants I’ve personally tested and recommended below have earned a place in my hiking wardrobe. I’ve also included a couple of promising styles I haven’t tried yet, so you have more options to consider.
If you’ve struggled to find durable hiking pants for your curvy figure, you’re not alone. Sometimes it feels like outdoor clothing brands are making items that only fit a certain body type. Body-inclusive sizing is a new thing for a lot of brands, and it’s slowly making its way to outdoor clothing.
As a tall and curvy hiker, I needed pants that I could wear all day on the move without constant adjustments. I also didn’t want to have to wear a separate belt because that can get uncomfortable with backpack hip belts on backpacking trips.
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Guide to Durable Hiking Pants for Curvy Women
What Kind of Pants do You Wear For Hiking?
The best hiking pants are comfortable, durable, quick-drying, and stretchy enough to move with you. I prefer lightweight, water-resistant fabrics that can handle scrambling over rocks, brushing against vegetation, and unpredictable weather.
I used to hike in leggings, but after wearing holes through three different pairs, I switched to hiking pants. Leggings can be comfortable for casual hikes, but I’ve found they don’t hold up nearly as well on rugged trails. Sitting on rocks, scrambling, and brushing against branches can quickly damage thinner fabrics.
If you prefer hiking in leggings, look for reinforced hiking tights designed for outdoor use, not everyday yoga pants.
For me, durable hiking pants are worth the investment. I can hike, backpack, and scramble without constantly worrying about tearing the fabric.
➡️ Be prepared for your next adventure with my day hike packing list.
Hiking Shorts for Curvy Women
Sometimes it’s nice to hike in shorts. I wear them for hiking in water like at the Zion Narrows or Professor Creek in Moab. If you also struggle to find hiking shorts for curvy women, read my gear guide. I actually hike in all the shorts I recommend.
All these pants in the picture fit about the same for me, even though I’ve got three different sizes and four different brands.
From the top down:
- Kuhl Women’s Freeflex Roll-Up Pants. Size 12 Regular.
- REI Co-op Women’s Sahara Convertible Pants. Size 14 Tall.
- Arc’teryx Women’s Gamma Pants. Size 14 Regular.
- Patagonia Women’s Point Peak Trail Pants. Size 16.
Sometimes a regular length is long enough, but other times I need a tall size if the fit is short.
Finding Durable Hiking Pants for Curvy Figures
It can be frustrating to find hiking pants that fit. Oftentimes, when you have a curvy figure, the waist is too large and the legs of the pants are too small. Discovering pants that accommodate a larger thigh-to-waist ratio is more difficult than it seems!
My advice: Get pants with a drawstring or built-in belt. You’ll be able to get the size you need to fit your hips, and then you can cinch down the waist so they don’t fall down.
Don’t worry about the size number, get what fits. I can wear three different sizes, and they all fit similarly. Sizing changes across brands. I find I need a larger size in Patagonia pants than I do in Kuhl pants.
Try on 2-3 sizes, and you might end up with a size you never thought would fit. Do squats in the fitting room and lift your knee high to simulate taking a big step up a rock. Stretch is just as important as fit when you need these pants to have unlimited mobility.
A note on length: I prefer my pants to fit over my hiking boots. It prevents sand and dirt from getting into my shoes, and water won’t run off the pants directly into my boots if it’s raining.
Keeping your socks clean and dry is critical to managing comfort on the trail. I’d recommend you get a pair of merino hiking socks. Trust me — you won’t ever want to go back to cotton socks.
The Best Hiking Pants for Curvy Women
Trail-tested pants that will fit your curves and get you outside. Whether I’m hiking a 14er, backpacking, or having a casual day outdoors, I want to trust the durability of my pants.
Arc’teryx Women’s Gamma Pants
The Arc’teryx Gamma Pants are my absolute favorite hiking pants. I love them so much that I own two pairs. They’re my go-to pants for hiking Colorado 14ers because they’re durable, stretchy, and comfortable enough to wear all day on rugged trails.
I’d consider these a midweight hiking pant, so I typically reach for them in cooler weather rather than on hot summer hikes. The softshell fabric provides some protection from wind and light moisture while still allowing plenty of movement for scrambling and steep climbs.
One of my favorite features is the adjustable waistband. I have an older version with a wider built-in belt, but the newer Gamma pants still have a waist adjuster. The fabric is incredibly stretchy, and I’ve never had issues with the pants feeling tight around my hips, even when scrambling or taking big steps up rocks.
The regular length is plenty long enough for me, although Arc’teryx also offers short and tall inseams.
Rab Women’s Rowtor Pants
One of my favorite things about the Rab Rowtor Pants is the fit. As someone who’s 5’11”, finding hiking pants that are actually long enough can be a challenge, but these are the perfect length for me.
They also have an adjustable belt that stays in place, so I don’t have to constantly readjust the waistband while hiking. The fabric is stretchy and allows plenty of movement.
Between the comfortable stretch, reliable waistband, and longer fit, these have been a great addition to my hiking wardrobe.
I wear a size Large.
Mountain Hardwear Women’s Peak Rambler Pants
The Mountain Hardwear Peak Rambler Pants have a more relaxed, wide-leg style than most of my other hiking pants. I like the trendier fit, especially if you’re looking for something that doesn’t have the traditional slim hiking pant silhouette.
They also have a small built-in waist adjustment belt, which is a useful feature when trying to find hiking pants that fit both your waist and hips.
My biggest complaint is the length, I wish these were a little longer. I’m also not completely sold on the back pockets, which have an unusual design.
The Peak Rambler Pants are also available in a convertible version if you prefer hiking pants that zip off into shorts.
The size 12 fits well on me.
REI Co-op Women’s Sahara Convertible Pants
The REI Sahara Convertible Pants are my go-to pants for backpacking. They’re lightweight, stretchy, and have an internal drawstring to adjust the waist. I wear a size 14 Tall, and the length fits perfectly over my hiking boots.
My one complaint is that they’re a little tight around the leg zippers, which is worth considering if you have larger thighs. I still wear them for backpacking because I love the versatility, but they’re not my first choice for regular day hikes.
Don’t Forget Comfortable Hiking Underwear
Even the best hiking pants won’t be comfortable if your underwear bunches, shifts, or irritates you on the trail.
I’ve found that merino wool underwear is one of my favorite upgrades for hiking and backpacking. Branwyn is my go-to hiking underwear because it’s soft, breathable, and stays in place, even on long hiking days.
➡️ Check out my favorite Branwyn merino wool underwear for hiking and backpacking.
Other Hiking Pants Worth Considering
While I prefer recommending hiking pants I’ve personally tested, there are a couple other styles that have caught my attention. I haven’t tried these myself, but they’re worth looking into if you’re still searching for the right fit.
prAna Stretch Zion Cargo Pants
The prAna Stretch Zion Cargo Pants have several features that look promising, including a relaxed fit, adjustable waistband, and stretchy fabric. They’re also available in short, regular, and tall lengths, with reinforced knees for added durability.
I haven’t personally tested these pants yet, but I’m particularly interested in seeing how the waistband fits curvier hips and thighs.
Arc’teryx Clarkia Pants
Since I love my Arc’teryx Gamma Pants so much, I’m curious about the Clarkia Pants as another curvy fit option.
I’d especially like to see how their fit compares to the Gamma, particularly through the waist and hips. I haven’t tried the Clarkia myself, so I can’t say whether they’d be a better choice for curvy hikers.
Hiking Pants for Curvy Women FAQs
What are the best hiking pants for curvy women?
The best hiking pants for curvy women have stretchy fabric, room through the hips and thighs, and an adjustable waistband that prevents gapping. My personal favorites are the Arc’teryx Gamma Pants for cooler weather and the Rab Rowtor Pants for their comfortable fit and reliable waist adjustment.
Are leggings good for hiking if you’re curvy?
Leggings can work for casual hikes, but for rugged trails or backpacking, hiking pants are more durable and weather-resistant. Curvy hikers often find leggings wear out faster due to friction and lack of reinforced panels.
Should curvy women size up in hiking pants?
Sizing up is common for curvy hikers to accommodate thighs and hips. Look for pants with built-in waist adjusters so you can size for your lower body and fine-tune the waist.
