Women's Bottoms
Women's bottoms for the trail, the gym and everyday wear, from hiking and travel pants to running and training shorts. Our range features Patagonia, The North Face and Columbia, cut on women's patterns for comfort at the waist and freedom through the hips and knees.
Choose pants for hiking, travel and cooler days, in durable, stretchy and often water-resistant fabrics, and shorts for summer, running and training. Look for a comfortable waistband that works with a pack's hip belt, secure pockets and fabric that dries quickly if you get caught out.
Fit and length are personal, so try a few on at the Land & Sea concept store at 36 Pollen Street, Grey Lynn, or order online and click and collect from our Westgate collection point at 4B Topere Way.
Frequently asked questions about women's bottoms
How should women's outdoor bottoms fit at the waist and hips?
Outdoor bottoms should sit comfortably at your natural waist or just below without digging in, with room through the hips and seat to step up and squat freely. A women's cut allows for a shaped waist and fuller hips, so you are not choosing between a gaping waistband and tight hips. A little stretch and an adjustable waist make the fit more forgiving.
Are women's hiking pants available in different leg lengths?
Some styles come in short, regular and long inseams, and many have roll-up or adjustable cuffs that let you tailor the length. If you are petite or tall, check the inseam measurement on the product page rather than relying on the size alone. Pants that are slightly long can be rolled; pants that are too short leave ankles exposed to scrub and sandflies.
Which bottoms are best for summer tramping?
For summer, choose light, quick-drying and breathable pants or hiking shorts with some stretch. Pants protect your legs from scrub, sun and sandflies, while shorts are cooler on open, hot tracks. Many trampers carry light pants for bushy sections and evenings and wear shorts the rest of the time. Look for a fabric with a UPF rating if you burn easily, and a waistband that sits flat under a pack's hip belt so it does not rub on long, hot days.
Which women's bottoms pack best for travel?
Lightweight, wrinkle-resistant pants in a quick-drying stretch fabric pack small and look neat enough for a nice dinner, while handling walking and day trips too. Add a pair of versatile shorts for warm days. Zip pockets for your phone and passport are a big plus on the road. A pair with a hidden security pocket is worth having in busy cities, and a fabric with some stretch stays comfortable on long flights and bus trips.
Are leggings or hiking pants better for walking?
Leggings are comfortable, stretchy and great for gym sessions, easy walks and layering in cold weather. Hiking pants are tougher, resist snags from scrub and rock, dry faster and often shed light rain. For formed tracks and town, leggings are fine; for rougher tracks, bushwalking and wet weather, hiking pants protect your legs better. If you love leggings, choose a thicker, squat-proof pair with a high waist and a zip pocket for your phone.
What are the best bottoms for wet New Zealand weather?
Quick-drying synthetic pants with a water-repellent finish are the most practical, because they shed light rain and dry quickly when they do get wet. Avoid cotton and denim, which stay heavy and cold. For heavy, sustained rain, add waterproof overpants over your normal pants. In winter, a pair of soft-shell or lightly brushed pants adds warmth and wind resistance, and gaiters stop water and mud running into your boots on wet tracks.