The Best Women's Hiking Pants You Can Wear Sailing Too
Zorali Venture pants — for epic adventures
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When it comes to adventure packing you don’t want to take more clothes than necessary. Whether you're planning on hiking rugged mountain trails or cruising the coast sailing, the right gear can make or break your experience. After spending countless hours on the water and trekking on land, I know what it’s like to end up regretting wearing the wrong pair of pants (too hot, too scratchy, too tight, not enough deep-enough pockets in the right places…) and I also know what makes a FAVOURITE pair!
Let’s be honest — not all of us want to spend a lot on separate pants for every activity. So why not find one great pair that works across the board? Enter: Hiking pants that seamlessly transition from deck to trail.
It’s true that sailing-specific pants have their place, but if you’re the kind of adventurer who loves to mix it up, packing a reliable pair of hiking pants for both water and land is a total game-changer.
So, here’s my roundup of the best hiking pants for women that are high-performance, versatile and equally at home up a mountain or on the ocean.
Key features to look for in pants from hiking to sailing
There are certain things to look out for that will make-or-break your experience of a pair of pants — and EXACTLY what I've proposed to help you find your new favourite pair. Keep your eyes peeled for:
Durability: Sailing and hiking can both be tough on clothes. Look for pants with reinforced stitching, abrasion-resistant materials, and long-lasting fabric that can withstand salt, wind, and rugged terrain.
Water resistance: Being on the water = spray and splash (or the occasional full soak), so water-resistant or quick-drying pants are key. Bonus points for Durable Water-Repellent (DWR) finishes — which causes water to bead up and roll off rather than soaking into the material.
Flexibility: Whether you're hiking up a steep incline or kneeling over a winch, flexibility is crucial. Look for pants with a bit of stretch or articulated* knees for maximum movement (*that’s a fancy way of saying you can bend your knees easy).
Breathability and sun protection: Sailing often means long hours in the sun. Opt for pants with built-in UPF protection and breathability to keep you cool.
Convertible features: Being able to roll up your pants into capris or shorts is a great option, especially when you’re juggling different temperatures and conditions on the same day (or jumping out of the dinghy ashore).
Handy pockets: There’s nothing worse than wanting to tuck your phone away or stash a headtorch or lipbalm or Leatherman — and there’s no ‘just right’ pocket. So each of the pants I’ve chosen below have got you covered to keep your smallest pieces of gear right at hand (and deep enough that you won’t lose a thing).
6 best hiking pants you can wear sailing (and a whole lotta other things*)
*like caving
Zorali Recycled Venture Pants
Zorali Venture pants are hard wearing and comfortable
Zorali Recycled Venture Pants are made from 100% recycled nylon making them lightweight but durable, and eco-friendly. I love the fit of these and the fact I don’t need to worry about them ripping — my pants tend to get a lot of wear — whether onboard, or exploring ashore in the bush, or sitting on a rock somewhere eating lunch.
These are not stretchy (except for the waistband) but the women’s pants have been specifically designed with a higher waist fit, and a good amount of room in the hips and thighs (appreciated by this curvy girl) and a removable elastic belt. Plus the knees are gusseted for easier movement when you’re climbing around the boat.
These are water resistant with a PFC-free water-repellent finish to handle light spray or unpredictable weather. Bonus — the deep cargo pockets are super useful for gear you want quick access to.
FEATURES
Relaxed fit cargo pants
100% Recycled Nylon—durable and eco-friendly
PFC-Free Water Repellency (no harmful chemicals)
Elastic, Removable Belt with a low-profile clip
Gusseted knees for better movement
8 Pockets
Weight 390 grams
Perfect for: Serious sailors and hikers who need durability and protection.
I’m super impressed with the comfort, handy pockets and durability of the Venture pants both onboard and doing fun things *like caving!
2. PrAna Halle Pants
The PrAna Halle Pant suits all sizes with great stretch, fit and style
The prAna Halle Pant is cut from stretch zion fabric to wick the skin dry, and woven with a durable water repellent finish. With belt loops (pick your own belt) these look smarter for wearing on-shore or to the clubhouse but not everyone will be a fan of buttons in their hiking/sailing pants. Having said that — being so stretchy these mid-rise pants are very comfortable! They also have articulated knees plus an easy-roll up legs — ideal for handling the dinghy to and from shore.
These pants have two normal hip pockets, two button-close back pockets and a discreet cargo pocket.
FEATURES
Cross-functional pant
Low-rise waist
Articulated knees
Welt stash pocket at upper right leg
Stretch zion fabric, Water Repellent, UPF 50+
Abrasion resistant fabric
Fair Trade
Perfect for: All-day adventurers who want to look good and stay dry on and off the boat.
3. Columbia Saturday Trail Pants
Columbia Saturday Trail Pants are a comfy hiking capri perfect for on the boat
Columbia’s Saturday Trail Pants is another multi-tasker that’s perfect for both hiking and sailing. They’re breathable, have UPF 50 sun protection, and are incredibly lightweight — ideal for those hot days when you’re sailing and need to protect your legs from the full force of the sun.
These have a similar look to the PrAna Halle Pants but differ with velcro closures on the back pockets rather than buttons. You can get your stretch on with these — the fabric is a nice blend of stretch and durability, allowing for freedom of movement, and they roll up into a capri.
FEATURES
Omni-Shade™ UPF 50+ protects from harmful UV rays
Omni-Shield™ finish resists stains and water
2-way stretch, articulated knees and a gusset free up your movement
Hand pockets; zip security pocket
Back pockets have hook-and-loop closure
Roll-up legs let you convert these pants to capris
Straight-leg styling; mid rise
Perfect for: Warm-weather hikes and casual sunny days at sea.
4. The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 Pants
North Face Aprhrodite 2.0 pants are super comfy and have the largest range of sizes
For comfort, the North Face Aphrodite 2.0 Pants are a must-have. They’re designed with a super soft yet durable fabric, which makes them perfect for long days on the water. They feature moisture-wicking technology to keep you cool and dry, no matter whether you're sweating it out on a coastal hike or getting hit with sea spray.
I love the wide rib-knit waistband 2x2 wide rib-knit and these are comfy to wear when you need to layer up with leggings underneath for warmth.
They do stretch out a little over time, so I recommend sizing down. It’s really great to see Northface offer this pants in a great plus size range. The Aphrodite come a couple of different leg lengths too,and a stretch drawcord at the leg openings so you can adjust the height where the pants sit. Good deep pockets and a side zipper one (lots of options for carrying your phone).
FEATURES
Standard fit; tapered leg
Ultra-comfortable herringbone fabric with two-way stretch for increased mobility
FlashDry™ materials offer enhanced moisture management to help keep you comfortable
Non-PFC DWR finish for added water repellency
Triple needle stitching for added durability
2x2 rib-knit waistband with an internal drawcord for adjustability
Vertical bartack at back of waistband to secure the drawcord
Faux fly
Drop-in, slant hand pockets
Concealed-zip pocket on right hip
Rib-knit cuffs
Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) 40+
Perfect for: Those who value all-day comfort and quick-drying capabilities.
5. Balaef Women's Joggers
Baleaf joggers in Rifle Green— soft, stretchy and styley
Baleaf hiking pants are a stylish, expensive looking but budget-friendly choice for adventurers who want durability without compromising on comfort (sounds good right?!). Not everyone will be a fan of elasticated cuffs, but with a lovely soft fabric and a high waist, these are perfect for lounging around the boat, a spot of yoga on the deck or heading ashore for a stroll. Made from lightweight, quick-drying fabric, they have a water-resistant finish and UPF 50+ sun protection. Nice and stretchy, you’ll be comfy in these all day long. There’s plenty of zippered pockets and they come in a great range of colours (I’m a fan of the Rifle Green and Grape!).
FEATURES
An elastic waistband with drawstring for a more custom fit
4 zippered pockets: 2 side pockets, 1 thigh pocket & 1 back pocket to safely store your essentials
Adjustable cord lock around the cuffs to keep bugs out
90% Polyester, 10% Spandex
Lightweight, breathable & quick-drying
UPF 50+ sun protection
Water-resistant
Perfect for: Casual sailing and budget-conscious adventurers looking for stylish, versatile pants
6. Helly Hansen Roam Trail Leggings
Helly Hansen Roam Trail leggings — versatile and go anywhere
For those of us who live in active wear and love leggings for their stretch and comfort — the Helly Hansen Roam Trail Leggings are a go-to for wearing onboard in the warmer months. These are very stretchy but durable too, and they’ve got flatlock seams so they don’t irritate or rub when wearing them all day (especially if you get hot and sweaty, or wet from the conditions!). The Roam Trail leggings dry fast and are the perfect go-anywhere staple to pack for your adventures.
FEATURES
Adjustable waist with drawcord
Gusset in crotch for freedom of movement
Multiple pockets
Embroidered Helly Hansen (HH) logo
bluesign® main material
220g
Perfect for: Active sailors who want a dress up or down leggings staple to cover all their adventures
I spend a lot of time in my Helly Hansen Roam Trail leggings
In summary
Finding the right pair of hiking pants that can handle both the demands of sailing and land-based adventures is a win-win. These top picks are designed to keep you comfortable, protected, and stylish — whether you’re exploring mountain trails or cruising the coast. So grab a pair, pack your bags, and get ready for your next adventure— no wardrobe change needed!
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