Buying guide · 10 min read · Updated October 2, 2026

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.

By Danny WalkerCamping Editor at RV Gear Lab5 products comparedSpec-sheet researched

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.

RV Gear Lab field notes

The Campsite Fit Check

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

Before you buy

What Matters When Comparing Women S Hiking Shorts With Pockets

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

01
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.
02
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.
03
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.
04
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.
05
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.
06
Fabric type
Quick-dry polyester or blend fabric sheds sweat and dries fast. Cotton holds moisture. Look for polyester and spandex content.

Our standards

Why You Can Trust RV Gear Lab

At RV Gear Lab, 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.

How we review camping gear →

Detailed reviews

The 5 best women s hiking shorts with pockets, explained

Best Overall · 1 of 5

MAGCOMSEN Hiking Shorts for Women Quick Dry with Pockets Lightweight Water Resistant Athletic Golf Dark Grey S

3 zipper pockets, front and rear
Quick-dry, water-resistant fabric
Drawstring waistband

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Best for: Secure phone storage

Our take

The best balance of pocket security and price. Three zippers do the job.

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.

What works

All three pockets zip shut
Phone fits in a zipper pocket
Water-resistant fabric

Watch out for

Drawstring waist is less tailored

The catch: No UPF is listed, so check sun protection.

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Best Sun Protection · 2 of 5

SANTINY Women's 5"/7" Hiking Golf Shorts with Pockets

UPF 50+, 4-way stretch
4 pockets, 1 zippered
Belt loops, concealed zip fly

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Best for: Sun-exposed trails with a phone

Our take

A smart pick if sun rating matters. Stretch makes scrambles easy.

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.

What works

UPF 50+ sun protection
4-way stretch fabric
Deep back pocket fits a phone
5 or 7 inch inseam

Watch out for

Only one pocket zips

The catch: Just one pocket zips, so use it for keys and cards.

Check price on Amazon

Best Cargo Pockets · 3 of 5

Women's 7" Hiking Golf Quick Dry Cargo Shorts with Pockets Slate Blue S

Zippered cargo pockets, 2 deep side
UPF 30, quick-dry fabric
Elastic waist, belt loop

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Best for: Carrying lots of small gear

Our take

The cargo pick. Zipped cargo pockets plus deep side pockets.

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.

What works

Zippered cargo pockets hold gear
Deep side pockets for quick grabs
UPF 30 blocks UVA and UVB
4-way stretch fabric

Watch out for

UPF 30 is lower than 50+
7 inch inseam only

The catch: UPF 30 is a lower rating than the SANTINY 50+.

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Best Five Pockets · 4 of 5

Women's Lightweight Hiking Work Cargo Shorts 8"-5 Pockets

Five pockets, 8-inch inseam
Water-resistant polyester, UV protection
Belt loops, front zip closure

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Best for: Work and hike storage

Our take

A long cargo short with plenty of storage. Handy for travel days.

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.

What works

Five pockets for storage
8 inch inseam gives coverage
UV protection listed
Water-resistant polyester

Watch out for

No stated UPF number
Only one pocket zips

The catch: UV protection is mentioned without a UPF value.

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Lowest Price · 5 of 5

Ipletix Hiking Shorts for Women

Three zipper pockets, 8 inch inseam
Quick-dry, water-resistant fabric
High-stretch elastic waistband

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Best for: Budget hikes with zip pockets

Our take

A basic, secure-pocket short for the lowest cost. It delivers the main features.

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.

What works

Three zip pockets
Longer 8 inch length
Drawstring waist adjusts

Watch out for

Basic styling and detail

The catch: Sun protection is not listed at all.

Check price on Amazon

Methodology

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.

Decision guide

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.

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.

FAQ

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

The short version

Browse more women s hiking shorts with pockets on Amazon →

About the author

Danny Walker

Camping Editor at RV Gear Lab

Danny covers camping gear, campsite setup, outdoor power, sleep systems and practical camping advice, with a focus on helping campers make better gear decisions.

5 Best Women S Hiking Shorts With Pockets in 2026: A Practical Camping Guide

Our top picks

The Campsite Fit Check

What Matters When Comparing Women S Hiking Shorts With Pockets

Zipper vs open pockets

Phone-size depth

UPF sun rating

Waist closure

Inseam length

Fabric type

Why You Can Trust RV Gear Lab

The 5 best women s hiking shorts with pockets, explained

MAGCOMSEN Hiking Shorts for Women Quick Dry with Pockets Lightweight Water Resistant Athletic Golf Dark Grey S

SANTINY Women's 5"/7" Hiking Golf Shorts with Pockets

Women's 7" Hiking Golf Quick Dry Cargo Shorts with Pockets Slate Blue S

Women's Lightweight Hiking Work Cargo Shorts 8"-5 Pockets

Ipletix Hiking Shorts for Women

How We Built This Shortlist

Pocket security

Pocket capacity

Sun protection

Fit and waistband

Length

Match Women S Hiking Shorts With Pockets to Your Camp Setup

By Pocket Need

By Budget

Zipper Security vs Cargo Capacity

By Inseam

Day Hikes With a Phone Specifically

When to Spend More

Before You Bring One Home

How many pockets should hiking shorts have?

What mistake do hikers make with pocket layouts?

Is SANTINY Pocket UPF 50+ worth more than MAGCOMSEN Zip Pocket?

Can a phone fit in these pockets?

How do I care for water-resistant hiking shorts?

The short version

Danny Walker

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