Plus Size Hiking Pants: 4 Pants and a Short, Sized by Hip
Four plus size hiking pants and a hiking short, 16W to 24W and 1X to 3X, with the hip each brand charts every size to, the inseams, UPF ratings and a price.
Two miles in, the waistband slides down each time you step up onto a rock, and the seat pulls tight on the climb. At Eddie Bauer, going up a size in the regular line runs out fast: the Guide Pro High Rise Pants stop at a size 18 in the regular fit, charted to a 46-inch hip, while the Plus fit of the same pant runs 18W to 24W, charted to a 48 to 54 inch hip. So each of the five picks below is sold in plus sizes, with the hip its brand charts each size to, the inseams it comes in, what its page says about sun and water, and a price.
The short answer
| Pick | Best for | Price (reference) | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eddie Bauer Guide Pro High Rise Pants | A first pair at a mid price | $85 | 18W to 24W, high rise, zip cargo pockets, UPF 50+ |
| Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pant - Plus | Short or tall legs, and a 16W | $110 | 16W to 24W in three inseams, 14% spandex |
| Columbia Plus Size Leslie Falls Pants II | A pull-on pant | $80 at Zappos | Charted 1X to 3X, UPF 50, articulated knees |
| Eddie Bauer Meridian Convertible Pants | Hips up to 56 in, and a hem you can snap up | $75 | Plus 2X and 3X, snap hem, UPF 50 |
| Eddie Bauer Guide Pro High Rise Shorts | Hot days | $70 | 18W to 24W, 7 in inseam, UPF 50+ |
What each brand’s sizes cover
The same label covers a different body at each brand. A 24W is a 45-inch waist and 54-inch hip at Eddie Bauer and a 48-inch waist and 54-inch hip at Outdoor Research, and the Columbia plus pants chart puts 24W in its 3X, at a 54 to 56 inch hip.
| Brand and chart | Size | Waist (in) | Hip (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eddie Bauer, plus numeric | 18W | 39 | 48 |
| Eddie Bauer, plus numeric | 20W | 41 | 50 |
| Eddie Bauer, plus numeric | 22W | 43 | 52 |
| Eddie Bauer, plus numeric | 24W | 45 | 54 |
| Eddie Bauer, plus alpha | 2X | 41–43 | 50–52 |
| Eddie Bauer, plus alpha | 3X | 45–47 | 54–56 |
| Outdoor Research | 16W | 40 | 46 |
| Outdoor Research | 18W | 42 | 48 |
| Outdoor Research | 20W | 44 | 50 |
| Outdoor Research | 22W | 46 | 52 |
| Outdoor Research | 24W | 48 | 54 |
| Columbia, plus | 1X (16–18W) | 36–38 | 46–48 |
| Columbia, plus | 2X (20–22W) | 40–42.5 | 50–52 |
| Columbia, plus | 3X (24W) | 44.75–47 | 54–56 |
Eddie Bauer’s chart has no 16W row, though its Guide Pro Pants are sold in a Plus 16W.
The five picks
Pants
Eddie Bauer Guide Pro High Rise Pants
If you are buying your first pair, start here: its Plus sizes are charted to the same 48 to 54 inch hip as the Ferrosi’s 18W to 24W, for $25 less. Eddie Bauer calls the Guide Pro its bestselling hiking pant; this version has a higher rise “for better coverage” and forward-zipping cargo pockets that the page says fit a cell phone. The fabric is two-way stretch nylon with 5% spandex, a StormRepel DWR finish and a UPF 50+ rating. The fit is labelled Classic with a straight leg, and Plus comes in seven colours, each in 18W to 24W.
Drawbacks: One Plus length, a 32-inch inseam, and no Plus 16W; Eddie Bauer's Guide Pro Pants ($85) are sold in one. The DWR finish needs replenishing over time, by the brand's own care note.
Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pant - Plus
For short or tall legs, or a 16W. Its product page sells it in three inseams, 29, 31 and 34 inches, and its plus sizes start at a 16W, charted to a 40-inch waist and 46-inch hip. Its fabric has the highest spandex share of the four pants, 14%, against 9% elastane on the Columbia and 5% and 4% on the two Eddie Bauer pants. Outdoor Research lists it as water resistant, wind resistant, quick-drying and UPF 50+, with an internal drawcord waist, a brushed tricot-lined waistband, drawcord cuffs and articulated knees. For pockets there are drop-in hand pockets, a zip mesh pocket at the right hip, a zip back pocket and a drop-in back pocket. The leg opening is 18⅛ inches on a 22W.
Drawbacks: The dearest pant here. Tall comes in two of the four colours, Black and Dark Sand. Water resistant, not waterproof.
Columbia Plus Size Leslie Falls Pants II
For a pull-on pant that still has a fly. The Zappos listing describes a pull-on, mid-rise fit “with belt loops and a zip-fly button closure”, articulated knees, Omni-Shade UPF 50 and Omni-Shield repellency, in 91% polyester and 9% elastane. Measured on a 16W in the R inseam, the pant has a 33-inch inseam, a 12-inch front rise, a 16½-inch back rise and a 16-inch leg opening. The Columbia plus pants chart on the same page runs 1X to 3X, a 46 to 56 inch hip, and lists 30, 32 and 34 inch inseams.
Drawbacks: The description lists hand pockets and no zip pocket. The chart skips 49 and 53 inches (1X ends at 48, 2X runs 50–52, 3X starts at 54). The price and the product details here are from Zappos; check that your size and inseam are listed before you order.
Eddie Bauer Meridian Convertible Pants
If your hips measure 55 or 56 inches, this and the Columbia are the two pants here charted that far: Eddie Bauer’s Plus 3X runs to a 56-inch hip. The Meridian Convertible is also the cheapest pant here, with “a snap hem feature on the pant leg to quickly and easily adjust the length”, an elastic waistband with an interior wicking band, a C0 DWR finish, UPF 50 and a zipper stash pocket on the right. The page gives the length as 31 inches on a size 6.
Drawbacks: Plus comes in 2X and 3X only, so no Plus 1X, and its charted hips skip 53 inches (2X ends at 52, 3X starts at 54). It adjusts length with a snap hem, not by zipping the legs off. The features list names one zipper stash pocket.
Shorts
Eddie Bauer Guide Pro High Rise Shorts
For hot days. The Guide Pro High Rise Shorts are the shorts version of the first pick: the same stretch nylon with 5% spandex, StormRepel DWR finish, UPF 50+ rating, higher rise and forward-zipping cargo pockets, on the same Plus 18W to 24W sizes and chart, with a 7-inch inseam.
Drawbacks: Plus starts at 18W.
How to choose
- Measure your hip first. Measure around the fullest part of your hips with the tape level, and your natural waist, then read the chart above.
- Pick by your hip. At 46 inches, the Outdoor Research 16W; anywhere from 46 to 48, the Columbia 1X. At 47 you fall between Outdoor Research’s 16W (46) and 18W (48), so check the waist column. From 48 to 54, the Guide Pro pants and shorts and the Ferrosi, whose W sizes are charted in 2-inch steps (48, 50, 52, 54). The Columbia charts 46–48, 50–52 and 54–56 and the Meridian 50–52 and 54–56, so at 49 or 53 neither has a charted size. At 55 or 56, only the two 3X pants, the Columbia and the Eddie Bauer Meridian. None of the charts here goes past 56.
- Check the waist column too. At a 24W, Eddie Bauer charts a 45-inch waist and Outdoor Research 48, so if your waist is large for your hip, the Outdoor Research chart is the closer match (our reading). If you land between two sizes, Eddie Bauer’s guide says to size up for comfort.
- Get the length right. Our guide on how to measure inseam women covers the method. Outdoor Research sells the Ferrosi in three inseams; the Guide Pro High Rise comes in one Plus length, 32 inches.
- Decide what weather you hike in. All five are rated UPF 50 or UPF 50+. None is sold as waterproof: each lists a water-repellent finish or a water-resistant fabric, so carry rain pants for real rain (our suggestion).
- Finish the kit. For footwear, see our picks of hiking shoes with wide toe box, and for layers, our plus size activewear list. More in sports gear.
Before you order
- Use each brand’s own chart. The same 24W is a 45-inch waist at Eddie Bauer and 48 at Outdoor Research.
- Choose the Fit option. Eddie Bauer sells Plus as a Fit option on the same product page as Regular, Petite and Tall; pick Plus before you pick a size.
- Check that your size and length show as in stock on the product page before you order.
- Read the return terms on each site before you order, and try the pants on at home with the socks and boots you hike in, stepping up onto a stair to check the seat.
Where these numbers come from
Sizes, fabrics, features and prices were read on 30 October 2026 on each brand’s product page and size chart; for the Columbia pant, on its Zappos listing and the Columbia plus pants chart that listing shows.
Frequently asked questions
What size hiking pants fit a 54 inch hip?
A 24W or a 3X, depending on the brand. Eddie Bauer and Outdoor Research both chart their 24W to a 54 inch hip, the last row of both W tables. The Columbia plus pants chart and Eddie Bauer's plus alpha rows put a 54 to 56 inch hip in a 3X, so if you are at 54 or a little over, a 3X from Columbia or the Eddie Bauer Meridian Convertible Pants leaves more room on the chart.
Do plus size hiking pants come in short and tall lengths?
Some do. The Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pant - Plus is sold in Short, Regular and Tall, with 29, 31 and 34 inch inseams on its chart; Tall is offered in Black and Dark Sand only. The Eddie Bauer Guide Pro High Rise Pants come in one Plus length, a 32 inch inseam. The Columbia plus pants chart lists 30, 32 and 34 inch inseams; check which inseams the retailer lists before you order.
Are plus size hiking pants waterproof?
None of the five product descriptions here calls it waterproof. Outdoor Research lists the Ferrosi as water resistant and wind resistant, Eddie Bauer's Guide Pro pants and shorts have a StormRepel DWR finish, the Meridian lists a C0 DWR, and Columbia describes Omni-Shield repellency on the Leslie Falls. For steady rain, wear rain pants over them (our suggestion).
Are there plus size hiking shorts?
Yes. The Eddie Bauer Guide Pro High Rise Shorts come in Plus 18W to 24W with a 7 inch inseam, in the same stretch nylon, DWR finish and UPF 50+ rating as the Guide Pro High Rise Pants.
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