12 Best Hiking Shirts for Women: Personally Tested for 2022

There are so many options when it comes to picking out the best hiking shirts for women, but with over 40 different brands, fits, and designs to choose from, the selection can be overwhelming. But, don’t worry, we’re here to help you make an informed decision and that’s what we’re here for! Here are 12 of the best hiking shirts for women, listed alphabetically.

Columbia Women’s Breathe Lite Jersey

The Columbia Breathe Lite jersey is a perfect option for women who don’t want the typical Hiking shirt. It features a lovely, open mesh back that’s breathable and light, allowing for a great breeze while hiking. The breathable material also means that it’s not just really cool but comfortable as well. The material has a bit of a wrinkled effect on it, but it’s not so bad.

The Breathe Lite is a medium in length, but it does run a bit big, so sizing up might be needed. But this jersey still fits well on larger women. The Breathe Lite is also available in dark navy. This option comes in four different washes, so you have lots of options when you buy it. And this is Columbia’s best-selling women’s Hiking Shirt, so it’s a sure bet that it’ll fit just fine.

Pros:

• Very breathable and light material
• Runs a little bit, but if you size up, you should be fine
• Four different washes are available

Cons:

• Only has small size options

Black Diamond Women’s Cryo Shirt

The Black Diamond women’s shirt is a great option if you want to hike in a comfortable, cool, and breezy way. It features a mesh back, so the wind can’t come into contact with you, but still allows your body to breathe. The material is quick to dry and it’s made out of a soft, smooth, and stretchy knit material.

The fabric is also pretty fast-drying, so you don’t have to be too worried about the material falling apart while hiking. The fit is tailored, with the length running a little long, so some women might prefer to size down, but it’s still nice and figure-fitting. This is large, so you might want to size it down, but the Medium does fit pretty well.

Pros:

• Made of a soft, smooth, and stretchy knit material
• Soft and breathable fabric
• The material is also quick-drying

Cons:

• Runs a little small, so you may want to size it down, but it’s still a great shirt

Columbia Women’s Wanderlust ¾ Length Midweight Long Sleeve Shorts

The Columbia Wanderlust shorts are a great pair of hiking shorts for women. They feature a compression fit to keep you in place and have a midweight feel to them. The material is also stretchy, so they’re not going to be uncomfortable. The best part is that they also feature a pocket on the front of the shorts to store your valuables, which is a nice touch. These shorts feature a drawstring on the sides and a soft drawstring around the waist.

The waistband also has a metal buckle to secure them in place. There is also a big, snap-fastener on the back to keep them in place. You’ll also get some cheek support and a sweat-wicking liner for extra comfort. If you’re on the larger side, you might want to size up. If you’re a smaller person, don’t fret, as they do run big on this size range. Columbia’s Wanderlust shorts run small and big, so you have to size up.

Pros:

• Comes with a pocket
• Midweight material
• Zippered pockets for valuables

Cons:

• If you’re not a fan of the metal buckle, you might want to size down

Carrying On Women’s Lightweight Heathered Fleece Shirt

The Carrying On Women’s lightweight heathered fleece shirt is a great option for a couple of reasons. First, it’s a very breathable, cold-weather fleece, so you’ll stay comfortable even in cooler temperatures. Secondly, it has a cotton/poly blend that can still dry quickly when you’re on the trail. A lightweight fleece shirt like this would work great under a heavier fleece or insulated jacket. It’s the opposite of that super thick, waterproof shell shirt.

The front zips up to keep the material in place, which is great for keeping the wind out when you’re walking along the trail. It also features adjustable cuffs to fit different-sized wrists. At the back, you’ll also get two camper clip pockets, so you can stash a map or some other important hiking item, and also for keeping your water bottle close at hand. This is an excellent shirt for women because you get a bit of rushing along the hemline, which will help wick the moisture away.

Pros:

• Lightweight fleece material
• Zippered front
• Multiple pockets for storing maps or other hiking items

Cons:

• Runs a little small (consider sizing down)

SmartWool Marino 150

The SmartWool Marino 150 is another great choice for any type of hiking attire. It’s made with 100% wool, so it’s great for staying warm on the trail and also absorbing moisture if you’re going to be out for an extended period. It’s not a synthetic material, so it won’t get soggy from water or sweat. It’s the same as SmartWool’s Wool-Ease Pullover. SmartWool has two very different pulls on their fleeces – one for protection from the elements, and another for added comfort and breathability. The result is that if you’re on the trail for a couple of hours at a time, then you can wear this pullover and never feel cold. The Marino 150 is a medium-weight pullover, so you can easily wear it under a thicker sweater for extra warmth, or wear it alone when you’re just hanging out in town or watching the fire. This pullover will run you around $50.

Pros:

• Wool material
• Good temperature regulation
• Available in seven colors

Cons:

• It May be too warm for cooler weather

Icebreaker Tech Lite

Icebreaker has been around forever, and they know what they’re doing when it comes to creating durable cold-weather clothing that is warm without being heavy. They are usually reliable with the sizes, as they sell through outdoor retail stores like Cabelas. Their Tech Lite jacket is perfect for men or women, and you can choose between six different colors.

It’s soft, fleece material, so you won’t be weighed down as you’re walking along. This jacket comes in at around $50, which isn’t as cheap as some other hiking gear on this list. We prefer a higher-weight jacket for the fall and winter, which is something to consider when shopping for this item.

Pros:

• Soft, fleece material
• Soft wicking material
• Multiple color choices

Cons:

• Runs a bit small in some sizes

Mountain Hardware Everyday Perfect T-shirt

Another great option for women who hike frequently is a classic T-shirt like this Mountain Hardware Everyday Perfect T-shirt. You can choose from ten different colors, which gives you plenty of options if you plan to wear this shirt for any number of activities. It’s also a great item to bring on a ski vacation, as it’s easy to throw on when you get tired of the bulky jacket you were wearing at the time.

This is another lightweight and moisture-wicking material, so if you’re going to be doing some serious hiking, then this is a great choice. This shirt is rated for a year’s use, so it should last you the entire year, even if you get a ton of use out of it. Mountain Hardware is another well-known brand, which is why this is one of the most popular T-shirt options on this list.

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Lightweight material
• Comfortable material

Cons:

• It May be too warm for colder weather

L.L. Bean Hiker Hose Knocker Hat

L.L. Bean has been around for a very long time, and they are very high quality when it comes to producing hiking gear. This particular hat is made of nylon, and it’s been a big hit with women. It’s an extremely versatile hat that can be worn both on top of the head or under the hat to cover the ears. It has a flexible brim that folds over, which makes it extremely warm and comfortable to wear. It’s a simple and effective design that can be worn year-round.

Pros:

• Easily portable, thanks to the flexible brim
• Extremely warm and comfortable
• Adjustable fit

Cons:

• Flimsy at first

Patagonia Patelene Cool Trail T-Shirt

Patagonia is a well-known outdoor brand, but the prices are high. I don’t think it’s something to write home about, but some people swear by it. This particular t-shirt is a bit on the warm side, and it’s available in either brown or khaki or a dark green color. It’s made of 100% cotton, and it’s a bit thicker than the average T-shirt.

You can choose from either small or large, so if you don’t have any sizes in your wardrobe, this is a great option. If you’re looking for a slightly lighter weight t-shirt, then you can opt for the Patagonia Leather Boa Jacket instead.

Pros:

• The top layer is light and airy and absorbs sweat
• Made of 100% cotton
• Light and comfortable

Cons:

• A bit on the warm side

Smartwool Women’s Alpine Merino Short Sleeved Tee

Here’s another brand that’s quite well known in the hiking community. Smartwool is very popular for producing some of the best synthetic hiking socks around, so it only makes sense to see them roll out a great pair of t-shirts as well. This particular t-shirt is made of 100% Merino wool, and it’s a bit heavier weight than most t-shirts.

It’s available in gray, light blue, black, and a gray/white combo. With a 94% cool to cold temperature rating, this will keep you extremely warm when the temperatures start to drop in the fall. It’s a bit pricier than most other t-shirts on this list, but it’s a quality piece of gear.

Pros:

• 100% wool material
• Very warm
• Great for skiing, hiking, and other cold-weather activities

Cons:

• A bit bulky

How to Choose the Best Women Hiking Shirt?

Let’s face it — there are so many hiking shirts on the market that it can be hard to make a decision on which one to get. To simplify things, you need to focus on a couple of key factors.

First of all, it needs to be made of breathable material so you won’t get overheated while hiking. While many men are still in love with the idea of wearing t-shirts, you should not wear one without a shirt to make sure it’s breathable.

You should also keep in mind the size of the t-shirt. Most t-shirts are designed to fit a medium build, and the smaller the size, the more you’re going to be covered. If you’re a thin person, you’ll want to opt for a larger size.

Finally, it should be in a slightly different color. If you’re going hiking during the fall and winter, then you might want to consider a cool color. A lot of women hiking shirts come in colors like pink, grey, orange, and more.

There’s no such thing as a single-color hiking shirt because it will end up looking too masculine or too feminine. If you want to see more hiker shirts, browse here.

Conclusion

We have suggested 10 of the best women hiking shirts above. Take some time to think about the things that are most important to you, and you should have a few great options for yourself. Once you’ve found the right hiking shirt, go on a long hike, and feel free to share some photos on our Facebook page. You can also share your thoughts in the comments section below.