How to Choose the Best Pockets for Your Women’s Hiking Shorts?

 

Hiking is a great way to enjoy nature, get some exercise, and have fun. But what should you wear for your hiking adventures?

One of the most important pieces of clothing is your shorts. You want shorts that are comfortable, durable, breathable, and fit well.

But there is another factor that you may not have considered: pockets.

Pockets are essential for storing your essentials, such as your phone, keys, snacks, map, and more. But not all pockets are created equal.

Some pockets are more secure, convenient, and accessible than others. Some pockets may even affect your performance and comfort on the trail.

So how many pockets should women’s hiking shorts have? And what kind of pockets are best for hiking?

In this article, we will answer these questions and help you find the best women's climbing shorts for your needs.

The Pros and Cons of Different Pocket Styles

There are many types of pockets that you can find on women’s hiking shorts, such as:

Hand pockets

These are the most common pockets on shorts.

They are located on the front sides of the shorts and are usually open or have a zipper or button closure.

Hand pockets are easy to access and can hold small items like your phone or keys.

However, they are not very secure and may cause your items to bounce around or fall out when you hike. They may also interfere with your hip belt if you wear a backpack.

Back pockets

These are also common pockets on shorts. They are located on the back sides of the shorts and are usually open or have a flap or button closure.

Back pockets are more secure than hand pockets and can hold larger items like your wallet or map.

However, they are not very convenient and may be hard to reach when you hike. They may also cause discomfort or chafing if you sit down or lean against something.

Cargo pockets

These are large pockets that are attached to the sides of the shorts, usually on the thighs or knees.

They have a flap or zipper closure and can hold a lot of items like your snacks, sunscreen, or first aid kit.

Cargo pockets are very spacious and secure and can keep your items organized and accessible.

However, they may also add bulk and weight to your shorts and affect your mobility and balance when you hike.

They may also catch on branches or rocks if you hike in rough terrain.

Hidden pockets

These are small pockets that are hidden inside or behind other pockets or seams of the shorts.

They usually have a zipper or velcro closure and can hold very small items like your cash or credit card.

Hidden pockets are very discreet and secure and can protect your valuables from theft or loss.

However, they are also very limited in space and may be hard to find or access when you need them.

How to Choose the Best Pockets for Your Women’s Hiking Shorts?

There is no definitive answer to how many pockets you should have on your women’s hiking shorts.

It depends on your personal preference, hiking style, and needs. However, here are some general tips to help you choose the best pockets for your women's climbing shorts:

Consider what you need to carry

Think about what items you need to bring with you on your hike and how often you need to access them.

For example, if you only need your phone and keys, you may be fine with just hand pockets.

But if you need more items like snacks, sunscreen, or a map, you may want more pockets like cargo or back pockets.

Consider how secure you need your items to be

Think about how safe you want your items to be from falling out, bouncing around, or getting stolen.

For example, if you hike on flat and smooth trails, you may not worry too much about losing your items from open pockets.

But if you hike on steep and rough terrain, you may want more secure pockets like zippered or buttoned ones.

Consider how comfortable you want to be

Think about how comfortable you want to feel when wearing your shorts and carrying your items.

For example, if you value mobility and balance, you may not want bulky or heavy pockets like cargo ones.

But if you value convenience and accessibility, you may want more spacious and easy-to-reach pockets like hand ones.

Consider how stylish you want to look

Think about how fashionable you want to appear when wearing your shorts.

For example, if you care about aesthetics and trends, you may not like large or conspicuous pockets like cargo ones.

But if you don’t mind sacrificing some style for functionality, you may appreciate more practical and versatile pockets like back ones.

A Comparison Table of Different Pocket Styles

To help you compare the pros and cons of different pocket styles, we have created a table below that summarizes their main features:

Pocket Style	Pros	Cons
Hand pockets	Easy to access, can hold small items	Not very secure, may cause items to bounce or fall out, may interfere with hip belt
Back pockets	More secure than hand pockets, can hold larger items	Not very convenient, hard to reach, may cause discomfort or chafing
Cargo pockets	Very spacious and secure, can hold a lot of items, can keep items organized and accessible	May add bulk and weight, may affect mobility and balance, may catch on branches or rocks
Hidden pockets	Very discreet and secure, can protect valuables from theft or loss	Very limited in space, hard to find or access