We love the Ferrosi Pants from Outdoor Research, so we had high hopes for the Ferrosi Shorts – and they didn’t disappoint! They have deep, useful pockets, a nice built-in belt, and plenty of stretch for a full range of movement. The fit is comfortable for all day wear and the look is stylish for around town use, so these versatile shorts are ready for any adventure. Whether you’re going for a quick jaunt in a city park or setting off for a thru hike, the breathable and durable Ferrosis are a great choice.

Hiking can be quite the workout, so we often opt to wear athletic shorts on the trail. The Nike Dri-FIT Tempos have been our go-to for many years since they’re affordable, lightweight, breathable, and they dry very quickly. Their simple design makes them easy to move in, and despite being lighter than traditional shorts, we’ve found them to be plenty durable. The one drawback is that they don’t have pockets, but we often find that items in pockets can feel a bit bulky and uncomfortable anyway.

Cargo shorts have a tendency to look bulky, but the Columbia Sandy River Cargo are a trimmed down take on utilitarian bottoms. These stylish shorts have a secure pocket on each thigh that we find really useful for storing important small items, like a key or an ID. But they’re not very deep – and neither are the hand pockets – so their usefulness is a bit limited. That said, we don’t like hiking with a bunch of stuff in our pockets anyway. These affordable shorts are some of the most breathable on our list, so they’re a great choice for long days on trail and hiking in hot climates.

The Patagonia Quandary Shorts are an awesome value with a great balance of durability and casual style. These classic shorts are some of our favorites for day hiking since they have a nice town-to-trail look. And the breathable, stretchy fabric is also great for long-term comfort and mobility on backpacking trips. The Quandaries are pretty lightweight for traditional shorts, but they’re still made with the durability we’ve come to expect from Patagonia clothing.

A lot of athletic shorts have a slim elastic waistband that can dig in at your hips, but the Goal Five Excels have a wide, flat waistband that’s soft and pinch-free. These mid-rise shorts hug the curves of your body and move with you no matter how active you get thanks to the four-way stretch fabric. Besides a hidden stash pocket, these shorts are pretty simple. So they’re great for hikers who prioritize comfort and don’t want the added bulk of unnecessary pockets.

The Patagonia Nine Trails are a close second to our go-to athletic shorts, the Nike Dri-Fit Tempos above. We ranked the Nikes higher for their friendlier price point and wider range of size offerings, but where the Nine Trails win out is in their more flattering fit, the inclusion of a zippered back pocket, and the thinner seams on the liner. The Nine Trails are less billowy, but still plenty breathable and airy for toasty days on trail. The lightweight material of the Nine Trails is a little thin, so they may not be the best choice for trails that include a lot of butt-scooting down rock. But we think the tradeoff in durability is worth it for the soft, comfy fabric and non-cumbersome fit.

We typically prefer a shorter inseam on our hiking shorts, but we were really blown away by how comfortable we felt in the REI Sahara Bermudas. We often find that longer, more traditional hiking shorts can feel like you’re wearing an entire toolbox with all of their bulky pockets. But these knee-length shorts feel more balanced with just two deep, flat-laying front pockets and two back pockets. The Saharas are versatile enough for everything from hiking, to urban walks, to travel, so we think they’re a great choice for folks looking for a single pair of shorts that works great for any occasion.

The affordable Wander Shorts from The North Face are minimalist bottoms that fall somewhere between an athletic short and a casual short. We found the flat waistband of the Wanders to be one of the most comfy under a hipbelt, and the single pocket keeps the legs bulk-free as well. We just wish the Wanders were made with a softer fabric, because the stiff polyester has a tendency to bunch up a bit. That said, we still find these shorts to be exceptionally comfortable – so comfy that we even lounge around in them at home.

prAna clothing is known for having a great balance of style and durability, and the Halle II shorts certainly live up to that reputation. The fabric is stretchy and easy to move in, and it’s thick yet breathable for all-day comfort and long-haul toughness. That said, the Halles wouldn’t be our first choice for backpacking, since the button closure and belt loops are less comfortable under a hipbelt. But for day hikes and urban walks, these are some of the most stylish casual hiking shorts on our list.

The REI Trailmade shorts are versatile bottoms that sit somewhere between board shorts, hiking shorts, and casual everyday shorts. They’re perfect for those who never miss a chance to dip into a lake on the trail, as they’ll be dry shortly after you resume hiking. The Trailmades are very similar to the popular Patagonia Baggies (in Honorable Mentions below), but these are a bit more affordable, they have more pockets, and the fabric feels softer than the Baggies. The Trailmade shorts are nice looking, comfortable, and versatile for all types of outdoor adventure.