From backpacking treks to backcountry laps, women’s outdoor trousers are designed to protect your legs from rock, brush, wind, snow and rain without limiting movement. Stretchy Fortius™ softshells are comfortable and breathable for long days on the trail or crag, while hardshell trousers with GORE-TEX® protection deliver more rugged waterproof coverage for everything from damp hikes to resort skiing and freeride missions.

Comparing women’s walking and hiking trousers to climbing and ski styles

Women’s walking trousers provide comfortable, versatile coverage for everyday routes and lower-intensity outings, while women’s hiking trousers typically offer greater protection for longer days and more demanding terrain. Breathable, quick-drying fabrics suit warmer conditions, while 4-way-stretch Fortius™ softshell balances airflow with weather resistance on more exposed trails. Leggings offer a close-fitting alternative for fast, dry hikes and higher-output activity, and fleece trousers add warmth when temperatures drop.

On the crag, abrasion-resistant stretch fabrics withstand repeated contact with rock without compromising your range of motion when climbing or bouldering. Articulated patterning and gusseted crotches accommodate high steps, stemming and wide climbing moves, while low-profile waistbands reduce bulk beneath a harness on roped routes.

For snowsports and wet weather, greater coverage and more rugged weatherproofing take priority. Women’s outdoor trousers with GORE-TEX® hardshell constructions provide varying levels of breathable, windproof and waterproof protection for resort skiing, snowboarding, freeriding and touring. Bib salopettes extend coverage above the waist for deep-snow and backcountry objectives.

Across the range, select styles use FC0 durable water-repellent finishes to help shed light moisture, and practical pockets are designed with movement in mind to keep essentials accessible yet secure. Complete your setup with women’s outdoor clothing suited to the activity and conditions, pairing your choice of trousers with a breathable women’s outdoor T-shirt for warmer days or a base layer when temperatures drop.

Frequently asked questions about women’s outdoor trousers

How do I choose the right women’s outdoor trousers?

Choose women’s outdoor trousers by activity first, then season. Ski trousers can be broadly divided into resort, freeride and touring styles. Climbing, trail running and hiking trousers should be chosen for lightweight breathability in the summer, or warmth and weather resistance in the winter. If you want one versatile pair of year-round trousers, you can always add a women’s base layer underneath on cold winter days. The same applies to men’s outdoor trousers.

What are the best women’s hiking trousers?

Outdoor trousers made from softshell fabric are stretchy, breathable and weather-resistant – ideal for day hikes, scrambles and approaches. Our Gamma collection features softshell trousers in various weights for both warm weather and winter hikes.

Should I choose waterproof or softshell outdoor trousers?

The two serve different purposes. Softshell trousers are designed for breathable, water-repellent coverage when hiking and climbing. More rugged GORE-TEX® waterproof styles are used mainly for skiing and snowboarding, though our Beta all-mountain pant is engineered for wet-weather hiking and climbing.

What are the best lightweight women’s outdoor trousers?

Leggings can work well for fast, dry hikes, while lighter softshell designs give more abrasion resistance and pocket storage for longer days outside. Our Olia pant offers lightweight UPF 50+ sun protection for hot, exposed conditions. Alternatively, opt for sunscreen and a pair of women’s outdoor shorts or an outdoor skirt when you need less leg coverage.