The best walking shorts for women

Columbia's Saturday Trail shorts are celebrated for their lightweight design and straight-leg cut, featuring standout technology - Omni-Shield repellence, made to ward off water and stains. This means liquids don't soak into the fabric, helping your shorts stay clean and looking brand new, even after adventures on challenging terrains. Oh, and they also come in a variety of different colours, from spice red to fig to city grey.

Rab's Torque Mountain Shorts are the dynamic companion to their best-selling mountain trousers. Made from a double-weave nylon fabric, these shorts offer unparalleled freedom of movement, mirroring the lightness of a bird in flight. Despite their slight heft at 215.5g, their comfort and functionality place them among our top picks for mountain adventurers. They feature a semi-elastic waist, dual snap closures, and four YKK zippered pockets for secure storage whether you're a light-packer or a not-so-light packer.

The Sprayway Compass shorts offer a slightly cheaper alternative to other options on our list but still perform just as impressively. These shorts boast great mobility due to their unique fabric, called TecWEAVE. This fabric ensures unrestricted movement, whether you're jumping, crouching, or running (hopefully not at the same time). While the fit is on the tighter side, this provides a sleek look that some love and others don't. But, the semi-elastic waistband with tricot lining guarantees comfort and dryness, thanks to its water-repellent finish.

The Fjallraven Relaxed shorts are cool and quick-drying, perfect for outdoor activities like hiking or a kayak trip. The best part of these shorts is the extremely handy zippered pockets, which can be used to store all your little essentials like gels and snacks - and as you might know if you've been searching for a pair of walking shorts - zippered pockets are hard to come by. Plus, these Relaxed shorts are lightweight and easily packable for travelling.

Gear up to conquer challenging paths in style with the 2-in-1 shorts from The North Face. Made from partly recycled materials and engineered with FlashDry technology, say goodbye to sweat woes as moisture disappears in the blink of an eye. Seek ultimate comfort with the inner short leggings that hug your legs. And, with stretch fabric that moves with your every stride, you'll feel unstoppable, climbing every mountain and hill with ease.

These Helly Hansen shorts are made for the modern explorer, crafted from quick-drying stretch material to stop any chafing post-dip. There's a variety of three colours: grey fog, ebony and navy, so you can match your shorts to the rest of your outfit. In addition, other great features include a YKK zipper, cargo pockets, belt loops and front fly with button closure. Ultimately, whether you're tackling rugged trails or strolling through the city, these durable yet lightweight shorts make sure that you are completely comfortable without compromising on durability.

The Berghaus Wandermoor shorts ensure you can brave any weather conditions with confidence, thanks to their wind-resistant fabric. With an elasticated waistband and a four-way stretch, these shorts offer a customisable fit that moves with you as you tackle new trails and embark on new journeys. Plus, we love zipped pockets in walking shorts, and this Berghaus one has a back pocket with a concealed zip for small essentials.

If you're looking for walking shorts on a budget, this pair of Mountain Warehouse Warehouse Lakeside shorts are cheap and on Amazon. Available in two colourful shades, dark pink and petrol blue, these shorts are made from 100% cotton with natural fibres, making them breathable, cool and airy. As for the pockets, although they're not zippered, there are multiple of them for secure and safe storage.