Travel Products Style Apparel The 14 Best Shorts for Women of 2023 These women’s shorts offer performance features and a fashionable fit. By Rena Behar Rena Behar Instagram Twitter Website Rena Behar is a freelance journalist and editor focusing on tech, travel, and gender. She has contributed to Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 26, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Tips for Buying FAQ Why Trust T+L We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Travel + Leisure / Alli Waataja One of the best things about warmer weather is getting to free yourself from the confines of pants. Whether it’s warming up where you are or you’re packing for your next tropical trip, the best travel shorts will give you freedom of movement and keep you comfortable. Travel shorts can be a little divisive as an item of clothing. In some countries, shorts aren’t part of the regular wardrobe and wearing them may make you feel a bit like a tourist; some places also may have more conservative cultures that discourage bare legs for women. Do your research beforehand to figure out what styles are appropriate for your destination. But once you’ve established you’ll be comfortable wearing them, a good pair of travel shorts can see you through hot days and balmy evenings in style. To create this list of the best shorts for women, we looked for options that come in a range of colors and sizes and are made from light, packable, low-maintenance fabrics and cuts that can work for both adventure and urban activities. Whether you’re hiking through the desert or up the Spanish Steps, these are our favorite travel shorts for women. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Prana Halle Shorts II at REI Jump to Review Best Versatile: Everlane The Easy Short at Everlane.com Jump to Review Best Budget: Old Navy High-Waisted Linen-Blend Shorts at Gap.com Jump to Review Best Denim: Levi’s 501 Original Cutoff Shorts at Amazon Jump to Review Best Athletic: Patagonia Women’s Baggies Shorts at REI Jump to Review Best Bermuda: Mountain Hardwear Dynama 2 Bermuda Shorts at Zappos Jump to Review Best Outdoor: Eddie Bauer First Ascent Guide Pro Shorts at Amazon Jump to Review Best Linen: Athleta Retreat Linen Short at Gap.com Jump to Review Best Sustainable: Tentree Instow Short at Tentree.com Jump to Review Best Sweat-wicking: The North Face Aphrodite Motion Short at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Prana Halle Shorts II REI View On REI View On Curated.com View On Moosejaw.com Why We Love It These shorts combine performance features, recycled materials, and an easy, everyday style, plus a solid size range. What to Consider The fabric has a slight sheen to it. These shorts work equally well paired with your favorite leather belt or climbing harness. Prana has updated their design to make this versatile option even better, using ReZion recycled nylon and smart design touches like a flat button closure for extra comfort and vents on the sides for extra airflow. The front pockets are deep enough for a phone, while the back patch pockets have a flap over the top and snap closure to minimize risk of anything escaping as you move. You’ll also get plenty of performance features, like UPF 50+ protection so you can worry slightly less about sunscreen (though this doesn’t mean you can skip it entirely), as well as moisture-wicking and abrasion-resistant stretch fabric. And for those concerned about the sustainability of their purchases, Prana uses recycled fabric, Bluesign-approved materials, and Fair Trade certified factories. Choose between a 5- or 7-inch inseam in the straight sizes (plus sizes are only available in 7-inch) and a range of neutral colors. Price at time of publish: $69 The Details: 0 to 22W | 95 percent recycled nylon, 5 percent elastane Best Versatile Everlane The Easy Short Everlane View On Everlane.com Why We Love It These shorts are low-maintenance and comfortable but still look stylish. What to Consider The size range is a little limited, and cotton won’t wick moisture. We’re always into Everlane’s combination of sustainable ethos and classic designs that can be worn with almost anything, and their Easy Short is just that. Made from lightweight cotton twill with a pull-on elastic waistband, these shorts can go nearly anywhere. The wider leg also means they won’t cling or chafe, and the 5-inch inseam is long enough that most people will be comfortable. You have five neutral hues to choose from, including a summery canvas and navy pinstripe, and a decent though not extensive size range. Just note that cotton doesn’t wick moisture or dry as fast as performance fabrics, but it is still plenty breathable; just skip any hardcore outdoor activities in these. Price at time of publish: $50 The Details: XXS to XL | 98 percent cotton, 2 percent elastane Best Budget Old Navy High-Waisted Linen-Blend Shorts for Women Old Navy View On Gap.com Why We Love It You’ll stay relaxed but put-together with the linen blend and bright colors. What to Consider They need to be washed on a gentle cycle and hang dried. Slip on these elastic-waist shorts and you’ll wonder why you ever would have bothered with a zipper. There are two deep diagonal utility hip pockets on the front and two patch pockets on the back for storage, plus a rolled-up leg for some extra style points. The enzyme-washed linen and rayon blend is soft and breathable, and while it will require slightly more maintenance (linen does tend to wrinkle and can’t go in the dryer), the slouchy style lends itself to a more relaxed look. There are seven summery colors to choose from, from a bright papaya to neutral olive or black, and sizes run up to 4X. Price at time of publish: $30 The Details: XS to 4X | 55 percent flax linen, 45 percent rayon The 18 Best Shorts for Men of 2023 Best Denim Levi’s 501 Original Cutoff Shorts Amazon View On Amazon View On Zappos View On Nordstrom Why We Love It These flattering shorts give you a slew of options in a timeless style. What to Consider The frayed hem makes them harder to dress up. When it comes to denim, it’s hard to beat one of the biggest names in the game. Levi’s claims these are the first-ever jean shorts, and their straight rise, non-stretch denim and button fly all contribute to that classic style. With color options in the double digits, there’s also a wash for every wardrobe. The standard five-pocket style means you have plenty of carrying options as well. The inseam length of 2.5 inches may be on the shorter side for some, but if you still like the style, the 501s come in a variety of lengths and rises. Price at time of publish: $70 The Details: 23 to 34 | 100 percent cotton Best Athletic Patagonia Women’s Baggies Shorts Patagonia View On REI View On Backcountry.com View On Patagonia.com Why We Love It These easy, sustainably made shorts keep things simple while still offering plenty of options. What to Consider The sizing can be a bit confusing. The Baggies from Patagonia are one of their most popular styles for good reason. These simple shorts provide everything you need in a fuss-free style, with two inseam lengths available so you can decide how much skin you want to bare. Patagonia has simplified the elastic waistband stitching so you’ll be comfortable all day, plus a drawcord helps with any adjustments. They’re also treated with a DWR finish to repel “light moisture,” and will dry quickly in the event of sudden rain or puddle splashes; pockets are also lined with mesh so they won’t catch water either. The standard 5-inch inseam Baggies come in 19 colors, while the 2.5-inch have 12 available. If you’re feeling extra breezy, there’s also a hemp style available. Price at time of publish: $59 The Details: XXS to XXL | 100 percent recycled nylon Best Bermuda Mountain Hardwear Dynama 2 Bermuda Shorts REI View On Zappos View On REI View On Campsaver.com Why We Love It These shorts are stacked with outdoor features without looking like cargo shorts. What to Consider The color range is a little limited. These Bermuda shorts are super popular in the hiking scene, but can also transition easily into vacation mode. The nylon stretch fabric is lightweight and equipped with UPF 50+ sun protection, as well as moisture-wicking, anti-odor, and quick-drying properties, and a DWR finish. A mid-rise fit and 9-inch inseam mean they should be comfortable for a variety of bodies. And between two hand pockets, one back pocket, and a zippered thigh pocket, they should be able to hold almost anything you need. Price at time of publish: $65 The Details: XS to XL | 94 percent nylon, 6 percent elastane The 12 Best Padded Bike Shorts of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Best Outdoor Eddie Bauer First Ascent Guide Pro Shorts Eddie Bauer View On Amazon View On Eddiebauer.com View On Moosejaw.com Why We Love It These pack nearly every outdoor-friendly feature into one package. What to Consider There are no back pockets. If you’ll primarily be hitting the trails on your trip, these bestselling Guide Pro shorts are the best option for you. They’re absolutely packed with features, including performance stretch, UPF 50+ sun protection, and a StormRepel DWR water-repelling finish. The fabric is Bluesign-certified for worker safety and sustainability. Rather than back pockets, there are two zipped cargo pockets on the thighs, so you can stash everything you want easy access to on a hike. A longer inseam also prevents any riding up. You can pick from regular, petite, tall, or plus fits, with the same eight colors available across them all. Price at time of publish: $70 The Details: 0 to 24W | 94 percent nylon, 6 percent spandex Best Linen Athleta Retreat Linen Short Athleta View On Gap.com Why We Love It These pair relaxed linen with thoughtful features like a drawstring waist and zippered pockets. What to Consider The fabric might be a little sheer. Nothing says tropical like breezy, colorful linen shorts. Athleta’s Retreat shorts come in an extensive size range, with a 4-inch inseam for just enough coverage, and the linen has a subtle texture to add visual interest. A drawcord elastic waistband keeps things comfortable, while zippered front pockets mean you won’t risk your phone or keys falling out despite the relaxed fit, and two patch pockets on the back can hold smaller items as well. And even though they’re 100 percent linen, these can be machine washed. Choose from suitably summery pink, white, and blue color options. Price at time of publish: $69 The Details: 0 to 26 | 100 percent linen The 10 Best Hiking Shorts for Women of 2023 Best Sustainable Tentree Instow Short Tentree View On Tentree.com Why We Love It These soft, sweat-wicking shorts also plant trees with every purchase. What to Consider The fabric doesn’t have a lot of give. As included in its name, Tentree plants ten trees for every one of its items purchased. Plus, those products are made with “an Earth-First approach,” created under fair, safe working conditions from sustainably sourced and recycled materials. The Instow short is made from Tencel lyocell produced in a closed-loop process with wood pulp from sustainably managed forests. There isn’t much stretch to the fabric, but the loose cut means you probably won’t need it, and the waistband is elastic and has a drawcord so you still have the ability to adjust it. Plus, the cork drawcord tabs are a great touch. These shorts are naturally sweat-wicking and come with four patch pockets. There are also three core colors and six special edition shades to choose from. The shorts have a mid-rise and 3.25-inch inseam, and can be both machine washed and tumble dried. Price at time of publish: $48 The Details: XS to XL | 100 percent Tencel lyocell Best Sweat-wicking The North Face Aphrodite Motion Short Amazon View On Amazon View On REI Why We Love It These repel and wick away moisture while still being super packable. What to Consider The fit is on the baggy side. No one wants to walk around with sweat stains on their shorts. Luckily, The North Face has created its Aphrodite Motion shorts with FlashDry materials that have “enhanced moisture management.” The comfortable herringbone fabric dries quickly and has a DWR finish to repel external water sources, and it includes four-way stretch so you can maneuver easily. The waistband adjusts via drawcord, and there are two front pockets and one zippered back pocket for stashing your supplies. Bonus: they pack into their own back pocket, so they’re easy to take anywhere. Price at time of publish: $45 The Details: XS to 3X | 95 percent nylon, 5 percent elastane Best Formal Madewell Clean Pull-On Shorts in Linen-Cotton Madewell View On Zappos View On Nordstrom View On Madewell.com Why We Love It These sleek shorts can be purchased with a matching blazer, keeping you chic and comfortable. What to Consider They have a baggier fit. Normally you don’t think of a blazer as a natural partner for a pair of shorts, but Madewell is changing the whole game. The cotton and linen blend keeps things lightweight and comfortable, while the smooth, flat front dresses them up. Though the fit runs baggy, they still have a sleek enough silhouette to keep you looking formally dressed wherever you may end up. They come in a fairly wide size range, as well as three different neutral hues and plus sized options that go up to 4X. Price at time of publish: $50 The Details: XXS to 4X | 50 percent linen, 50 percent cotton Best Loungewear Vuori Halo Performance Shorts REI View On Nordstrom View On REI View On Vuoriclothing.com Why We Love It These are super soft and have pockets. What to Consider The inseam is only 2.25 inches, putting them on the shorter end. These shorts are made of Vuori’s super-soft DreamKnight fabric, which makes them ideal for loungewear. If you’ll be out and about but still want to remain comfy, these also offer a number of performance features. They wick moisture so you’ll still feel dry no matter how high the temperature gets, and they offer a performance knit stretch for easy movement. We also appreciate that they come with pockets, including one hidden interior zippered pocket, and there are plenty of colors to choose from. Price at time of publish: $64 The Details: XXS to XXL | 89 percent recycled polyester, 11 percent elastane Best Skort Outdoor Voices The Exercise 3-Inch Skort Outdoor Voices View On Nordstrom View On Outdoorvoices.com Why We Love It This skort is stylish, versatile, and comes with plenty of performance features. What to Consider Some of the lighter colors might be a bit sheer. Want a miniskirt look without the risk of chafing or indecent exposure? Try a skort. One of Outdoor Voices’ signature items, the Exercise Skort is made with LightSpeed performance fabric, which is designed to dry quickly and wick sweat as well as move with you wherever you go. The inner shorts boast two side pockets that can fit your phone, as well as grippers on the hem so they won’t ride up as you walk around. There’s also a zippered pocket on the exterior skirt for smaller items that may need some extra security. It comes in seven colors so you can go for a neutral black or white, or add some color with violet or blueberry. Price at time of publish: $68 The Details: XXS to XXL | 85 percent nylon, 15 percent spandex The 18 Best Tank Tops for Women of 2023 Best Bike Shorts Athleta Ultra High-rise Elation 7" Short Athleta View On Gap.com Why We Love It These provide just the right level of compression and smart design details. What to Consider The color options are a little limited. We named these our favorite women’s bike shorts for their high-rise waist, flattering fit, and well thought out touches like minimal seams and UPF protection. That minimalistic build means less uncomfortable lines or chafing and less wear on the shorts, plus the UPF rating of 50+ will keep you protected against UV rays. A three-layer waistband won’t roll around as you move, and the fabric is also sweat-wicking, quick-drying, and breathable. The waistband also has a drop-in pocket to hold small items. Price at time of publish: $59 The Details: XXS to 3X | Nylon and lycra Tips for Buying Travel Shorts Prioritize versatility Like all travel clothes, the best travel shorts should be able to do double duty (or even triple or quadruple) in your outfit rotation. Bottoms are generally bulkier than tops, so you’ll want to pack fewer of them, and the ones you choose will need to pair nicely with multiple tops in your arsenal. Materials matter You’ll want to save your fussier, more delicate fabrics for home use. Anything that’s dry clean only probably doesn’t belong in your suitcase. The best travel shorts are durable enough to stand up to multiple days in a row of walking around and potentially sweating, and can be thrown in a washing machine when all of that catches up to them. Frequently Asked Questions What is the most flattering length for shorts? Everyone’s body is different, so different inseams will look different on every person. You want an inseam that’s long enough that it won’t ride up while you’re walking, otherwise you’ll be constantly trying to tug it down every few steps. Longer inseams, especially if you have longer legs, will also help prevent thigh chafe on long walking days. Most shorts have either a 3-, 5-, or 7-inch inseam — start with a 5-inch and see how you feel from there. What is the best way to style women's shorts? The best styles are the ones you feel most comfortable and confident in. Wear clothes you like and everything else should follow. We like contrast when it comes to fitting our shorts; if you’re wearing a baggier short, pair it with a more fitted top, or combine a slimmer short with a looser shirt. Add your preferred pair of sneakers or sandals, your favorite jewelry, a good travel bag, and you’re ready to go. How do you wash women's shorts? However it tells you to on the tag. Washing instructions vary by fabric, as well as dyeing methods and extra design accents, so you want to follow the specific instructions for your shorts to keep them looking their best. If you’ve lost the tag or aren’t sure, machine washing on cold on the delicate cycle and air drying are usually safe for most items of clothing, though this won’t necessarily get thicker fabrics as clean. Why Trust Travel + Leisure For this story, Rena Behar relied on her many years of travel and professional gear testing and extensive research to find the best travel shorts for women. The Best Sun-protective Clothing for Women of 2023 Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit