Buying Guide
5 Best Women S Hiking Shorts With Pockets in 2026: A Practical Camping Guide
Best women's hiking shorts with pockets: five zippered and cargo-pocket shorts compared on pocket layout, sun rating, inseam and fit.
The best pocket layout on a hiking short is one that holds a phone securely and does not bounce when you climb. Zipper pockets win on security, cargo pockets win on capacity, and deep side pockets win on speed.
Five pairs were compared on listed pocket counts, closure types, inseam, fabric and sun rating. Prices stay between roughly $10 and $25, so the real differences are in layout and fit.
Danny’s Camping field notes
The Campsite Fit Check
A quick way to connect the shortlist to the space, workload and ownership details that matter after the box arrives.
- Start with the job
- MAGCOMSEN Hiking Shorts for Women Quick Dry with Pockets Lightweight Water Resistant Athletic Golf Dark Grey S leads this shortlist for Secure phone storage. Use that fit as a reference point, then compare the alternatives against your own space and workload.
- Specs that separate the picks
- The first details to compare are 3 zipper pockets, front and rear, UPF 50+, 4-way stretch, Zippered cargo pockets, 2 deep side. Confirm the exact model and included components before ordering.
- Trade-off to plan for
- Drawstring waist is less tailored
The Practical Shortlist
A practical look at 5 options, organized around the job each one suits best.
Best Overall
MAGCOMSEN Hiking Shorts for Women Quick Dry with Pockets Lightweight Water Resistant Athletic Golf Dark Grey S
Secure phone storage
Our take Check price for MAGCOMSEN Hiking Shorts for Women Quick Dry with Pockets Lightweight Water Resistant Athletic Golf Dark Grey S (opens in a new tab)
Best Sun Protection
SANTINY Women's 5"/7" Hiking Golf Shorts with Pockets
Sun-exposed trails with a phone
Our take Check price for SANTINY Women's 5"/7" Hiking Golf Shorts with Pockets (opens in a new tab)
Best Cargo Pockets
Women's 7" Hiking Golf Quick Dry Cargo Shorts with Pockets Slate Blue S
Carrying lots of small gear
Our take Check price for Women's 7" Hiking Golf Quick Dry Cargo Shorts with Pockets Slate Blue S (opens in a new tab)
Best Five Pockets
Women's Lightweight Hiking Work Cargo Shorts 8"-5 Pockets
Work and hike storage
Our take Check price for Women's Lightweight Hiking Work Cargo Shorts 8"-5 Pockets (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price
Ipletix Hiking Shorts for Women
Budget hikes with zip pockets
Our take Check price for Ipletix Hiking Shorts for Women (opens in a new tab)
Why You Can Trust Danny’s Camping
At Danny’s Camping, we compare products based on campsite fit, verified specifications, usability, setup requirements, weight, durability, and real-world trade-offs. We do not rank products purely on marketing claims or commission rates.
We have not personally tested every product listed. Where hands-on testing is not available, recommendations are based on verified manufacturer specifications, product documentation, use-case fit, and comparative research.
Why Each Pick Made the Cut
Best Overall· 1 of 5
MAGCOMSEN Hiking Shorts for Women Quick Dry with Pockets Lightweight Water Resistant Athletic Golf Dark Grey S
Danny’s Take
The best balance of pocket security and price. Three zippers do the job.
Best for
- Secure phone storage
Why it made the shortlist
The MAGCOMSEN Zip Pocket is a women's hiking short with two front zipper pockets and one rear zipper pocket, all large enough for a phone. A lightweight quick-dry fabric repels light moisture, and a drawstring waistband adjusts the fit.
It gives three fully zipped pockets at one of the lowest prices in the group, which beats the single zipper on the SANTINY Pocket for security.
It suits a hiker who wants secure storage for a phone, keys and cards without a cargo bulk. A hard-wearing fabric suits varied terrain.
Key dimensions & specs
- 3 zipper pockets, front and rear
- Quick-dry, water-resistant fabric
- Drawstring waistband
Pros
- All three pockets zip shut
- Phone fits in a zipper pocket
- Water-resistant fabric
Cons
- Drawstring waist is less tailored
The Catch
No UPF is listed, so check sun protection.
Best Sun Protection· 2 of 5
SANTINY Women's 5"/7" Hiking Golf Shorts with Pockets
Danny’s Take
A smart pick if sun rating matters. Stretch makes scrambles easy.
Best for
- Sun-exposed trails with a phone
Why it made the shortlist
The SANTINY Pocket is a women's hiking short in 4-way stretch fabric with a UPF 50+ rating and a quick-dry finish. It has two hand pockets, a deep back drop-in pocket for a phone and an extra zippered pocket for keys and cards, plus belt loops and a concealed zip fly.
Next to the MAGCOMSEN Zip Pocket, it adds a stated UPF 50+ and 4-way stretch, with one zippered pocket instead of three. It also offers 5 or 7 inch inseam options.
It suits a hiker who wants a tailored, stretchy short with sun protection and mixed pocket types. The deep back pocket keeps a phone handy.
Key dimensions & specs
- UPF 50+, 4-way stretch
- 4 pockets, 1 zippered
- Belt loops, concealed zip fly
Pros
- UPF 50+ sun protection
- 4-way stretch fabric
- Deep back pocket fits a phone
- 5 or 7 inch inseam
Cons
- Only one pocket zips
The Catch
Just one pocket zips, so use it for keys and cards.
Best Cargo Pockets· 3 of 5
Women's 7" Hiking Golf Quick Dry Cargo Shorts with Pockets Slate Blue S
Danny’s Take
The cargo pick. Zipped cargo pockets plus deep side pockets.
Best for
- Carrying lots of small gear
Why it made the shortlist
The G Gradual Cargo is a women's 7 inch hiking and golf short with two zippered cargo pockets and two deep side pockets. A quick-dry moisture-wicking fabric resists light rain and stains, and UPF 30 blocks UVA and UVB.
It has the best large-item storage in the group, with zippered cargo pockets that hold more than the hand pockets on the SANTINY Pocket. It carries a UPF 30 rating, which is lower than SANTINY's 50+.
It suits a hiker who carries a map, snacks and a headlamp and wants true cargo pockets. A button, zip and elastic waistband with belt loop adds fit.
Key dimensions & specs
- Zippered cargo pockets, 2 deep side
- UPF 30, quick-dry fabric
- Elastic waist, belt loop
Pros
- Zippered cargo pockets hold gear
- Deep side pockets for quick grabs
- UPF 30 blocks UVA and UVB
- 4-way stretch fabric
Cons
- UPF 30 is lower than 50+
- 7 inch inseam only
The Catch
UPF 30 is a lower rating than the SANTINY 50+.
Best Five Pockets· 4 of 5
Women's Lightweight Hiking Work Cargo Shorts 8"-5 Pockets
Danny’s Take
A long cargo short with plenty of storage. Handy for travel days.
Best for
- Work and hike storage
Why it made the shortlist
The Yoglegins Cargo is a women's 8 inch hiking and work short with five pockets: two side pockets, two cargo pockets and a back zipper pocket. The 100% polyester fabric is lightweight, water resistant and quick drying with UV protection, and the back elastic waistband has belt loops.
It carries the highest pocket count of the five and ties for the longest inseam at 8 inches, which the SANTINY Pocket and G Gradual Cargo do not match. It sits between them on price.
It suits a woman who wants extra storage and a longer length for worksites, hikes and travel. Front zip closure keeps it easy to put on.
Key dimensions & specs
- Five pockets, 8-inch inseam
- Water-resistant polyester, UV protection
- Belt loops, front zip closure
Pros
- Five pockets for storage
- 8 inch inseam gives coverage
- UV protection listed
- Water-resistant polyester
Cons
- No stated UPF number
- Only one pocket zips
The Catch
UV protection is mentioned without a UPF value.
Lowest Price· 5 of 5
Ipletix Hiking Shorts for Women
Danny’s Take
A basic, secure-pocket short for the lowest cost. It delivers the main features.
Best for
- Budget hikes with zip pockets
Why it made the shortlist
The Ipletix Zip is a women's 8 inch hiking short with three zippered pockets (two front, one rear), a lightweight quick-dry fabric and a water-resistant finish. A high-stretch elastic waistband with adjustable drawstring tunes the fit.
It is the cheapest pair in the group and matches the MAGCOMSEN Zip Pocket for zipper count, with a longer inseam of 8 inches.
It suits a budget hiker who wants three zip pockets and a longer short. The high-stretch waistband moves with you.
Key dimensions & specs
- Three zipper pockets, 8 inch inseam
- Quick-dry, water-resistant fabric
- High-stretch elastic waistband
Pros
- Three zip pockets
- Longer 8 inch length
- Drawstring waist adjusts
Cons
- Basic styling and detail
The Catch
Sun protection is not listed at all.
How We Built This Shortlist
Each pick was assessed across 5 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Pocket security
- Zipper, hook-and-loop and open pockets were compared for holding a phone.
- Pocket capacity
- Pocket counts and cargo layouts were weighed for gear.
- Sun protection
- UPF numbers were treated separately from generic UV wording.
- Fit and waistband
- Elastic, drawstring and belt loop waists were compared.
- Length
- 5, 7 and 8 inch inseams were compared for coverage.
What Matters When Comparing Women S Hiking Shorts With Pockets
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Zipper vs open pockets
Zipper pockets hold a phone through climbs and bends, while open side pockets can drop items. Cargo pockets add capacity but bounce when full. Check how many pockets zip.
Phone-size depth
A pocket that is too shallow lets a large phone peek out and fall. Deep side or back pockets hold it safely. Look for deep pocket wording and phone mentions on the listing.
UPF sun rating
UPF measures how much UV the fabric blocks, so a higher number means safer skin. UPF 30 is good and UPF 50+ is the top standard rating. Look for the number, not just UV protection.
Waist closure
A drawstring or elastic waist adapts when you sweat and layer. A button and zip front looks tailored but can pinch. Look for elastic, drawstring and belt loop wording.
Inseam length
Inseam changes thigh cover and rub. Eight inches covers more than five and still lets your knees move. Compare the number to your usual hiking length.
Fabric type
Quick-dry polyester or blend fabric sheds sweat and dries fast. Cotton holds moisture. Look for polyester and spandex content.
Match Women S Hiking Shorts With Pockets to Your Camp Setup
By Pocket Need
| Your situation | Recommended pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Phone, keys and cards secure | MAGCOMSEN Zip Pocket | Three zipper pockets front and rear. |
| Sun and a phone pocket | SANTINY Pocket UPF 50+ | UPF 50+ with a deep back drop-in pocket. |
| Snacks, map and headlamp | G Gradual Cargo 7in | Zippered cargo pockets plus deep side pockets. |
| Most total pockets | Yoglegins Cargo 8in | Five pockets in an 8 inch short. |
| Cheapest three zippers | Ipletix Zip 8in | Three zip pockets at the lowest price. |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By Budget
| Budget | Recommended pick |
|---|---|
| $0 to $20 | Ipletix Zip 8in or MAGCOMSEN Zip Pocket |
| $10 to $30 | Yoglegins Cargo 8in or SANTINY Pocket UPF 50+ |
| $20 to $30 | G Gradual Cargo 7in |
Zipper Security vs Cargo Capacity
- Zipper security
- MAGCOMSEN Zip Pocket and Ipletix Zip 8in zip every pocket shut. They keep valuables safe on climbs.
- Cargo capacity
- G Gradual Cargo 7in and Yoglegins Cargo 8in add cargo pockets for gear. They carry more but bounce when full.
Choose MAGCOMSEN Zip Pocket for security, and G Gradual Cargo 7in if you carry lots of small items.
By Inseam
| Inseam | Recommended pick |
|---|---|
| Five or seven inches | SANTINY Pocket UPF 50+ |
| Seven inches | G Gradual Cargo 7in |
| Eight inches | Yoglegins Cargo 8in |
| Eight inches, lowest price | Ipletix Zip 8in |
Day Hikes With a Phone Specifically
- Look for
- a deep or zipped pocket that holds a phone without bounce and a waistband that does not roll
- In this comparison
- MAGCOMSEN Zip Pocket zips three pockets shut, and SANTINY Pocket UPF 50+ has a deep back pocket for a phone.
When to Spend More
- Spend more if
- Spend more if you want sun and fit, where SANTINY Pocket UPF 50+ adds UPF 50+ and 4-way stretch over Ipletix Zip 8in. The extra suits sunny days and scrambles.
- Save if
- Save if you only need secure storage, since Ipletix Zip 8in and MAGCOMSEN Zip Pocket cost little and offer three zippers. Wear sunscreen where no UPF is listed.
Before You Bring One Home
How many pockets should hiking shorts have?
Three is a useful minimum: two front for a phone and cards and one rear for keys. More pockets add capacity but also bulk. Match the count to what you carry.
What mistake do hikers make with pocket layouts?
Choosing open pockets and then losing a phone on a climb. A zipper pocket keeps it safe. Check which pockets zip before buying.
Is SANTINY Pocket UPF 50+ worth more than MAGCOMSEN Zip Pocket?
If you hike in strong sun or need stretch, yes. SANTINY lists UPF 50+ and 4-way stretch. MAGCOMSEN zips more pockets at a lower price.
Can a phone fit in these pockets?
Deep side and back pockets usually do. Check the listing for phone mentions. Large phones may peek out of shallow pockets.
How do I care for water-resistant hiking shorts?
Wash cold and hang dry. Avoid fabric softener, which hurts the coating. Zip all pockets before washing.
Bottom Line
Best overall: MAGCOMSEN Hiking Shorts for Women Quick Dry with Pockets Lightweight Water Resistant Athletic Golf Dark Grey S — best overall pick in this roundup. See the full verdicts above for every pick, with pros, cons and who each one suits.
Browse all women s hiking shorts with pockets on Amazon — Prime-eligible options with current pricing.
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About the author
Danny Walker
Founder & Lead Editor at Danny’s Camping
Danny covers camping gear, campsite setup, outdoor power, sleep systems, and practical camping advice, with a focus on helping campers make better gear decisions.