Women’s Athleta Headlands Hybrid High Rise Cargo Hiking Leggings Review

Bottom Line

The Athleta Headlands Hybrid High Rise Cargo Pants are as close to perfection as it gets. After two thorough tests conducted by CleverHiker, these hiking leggings have earned the title of the best all-around leggings for women. They fit like a glove—snug through the legs, with just the right amount of room at the waist. Sitting comfortably across the stomach, they offer a relaxed fit but can easily be tightened with a drawstring when you switch to hiking mode. 

These pants boast six zippered pockets—more than any other hiking leggings we’ve encountered, and certainly more than most women’s pants. A blend of soft material in the back and durable fabric in the front ensures both comfort and toughness. Stylish enough for work or personal events, these are the ideal pants to transition from slogging to socializing. Though they’re on the pricier side, the quality and versatility make them well worth the investment. 

We tested these leggings on the high desert trails of the Carson Valley in Nevada (4,600 feet) and the snowy trails of South Lake Tahoe (6,200 feet). We navigated the paths without using the drawstring, with the drawstring tied, with our pockets empty, and with a cell phone in each of the various pockets. We scraped against sharp, needle-like bushes on the front technical material and squatted, crouched, sat on rocks, and kneeled in the dirt.

We believe that every hiker needs a jogger like the Athleta Headlands Hybrid High Rise Cargo Legging. However, if you’re interested in exploring more options, take a look at our guide to the best hiking leggings to find a pair that matches your hiking style.

Comfort

These leggings are a little less soft and flexible than others, but only just. On the first day we wore them, we didn’t want to take them off all day. They instantly felt like the type of pants we could wear multiple days in a row.

The legs are stretchy and snug, but the waist is a bit looser. There is some wiggle when pulling them off and putting them back on, which makes us slightly concerned about the waistband stretching in the long term, but it’s worth it for the fit. We felt no restriction in squatting, bending down, or sitting cross-legged; we had a full range of motion. The back of the pants is made from a softer fabric, while the front is more technical.

Fit

These stay in place! Over the first 12 hours of wearing them all day long—walking, working, playing with the dog, etc.—we only had to pull them up maybe three times, and that felt mostly to work them into our body shape. We walked with the drawstring tied and untied, and the waist stayed up both times.  

We typically wear sizes 6 to 10 in other bottoms (usually size M), but with these, the size 10 fits well. We could likely size down to an 8, but for now, we prefer a looser waist fit with the option for a drawstring. Since the fabric is stretchy, we focus more on the waist measurement when choosing the right size. We never felt a muffin top. Instead, we instantly felt really confident in these pants—sexy in a way that didn’t make us feel uncomfortable or ogled.  

The waistband is higher, hitting our belly button, but since it sits more on the belly instead of digging in, it feels really comfortable. The fit is similar to the Revolution Race Alaska Fleece-Lined leggings.

Features

Okay, these have 6 pockets—yes, 6! And they’re all zippered. There are even pockets on the butt! We do wish the butt pockets were more hearty to cover the booty a bit more, rather than having hidden zippers, but we understand the engineering behind it. 

The higher hip pockets easily fit our entire phone, whereas the lower thigh pockets are a bit too small. We could fit our phone in width-wise but not fully in length. Those lower pockets are also a bit snug for getting our hands in and out, so we wouldn’t recommend putting something small in there that would require digging. 

The drawstring feels like it might stretch too much and not do much, but it ties and unties very easily. It’s a loop drawstring that ties itself into a knot.

Breathability & Warmth

We wore these outside on a very cold day with our thigh-length coats, and while we were cold, our legs weren’t. Granted, we had on thick high socks, too. However, we thought our legs would be much colder. These are a little better in the cold than some other non-insulated versions. If we were moving a lot on a cold winter hike, we’d be happy with these. In warm weather, they don’t feel stifling. 

They are an interesting combination of really lightweight, thinner leggings and mid-weight leggings. Honestly, we love these so much that we would never pack them away during any season.

Durability

We don’t anticipate any pilling, and we feel quite confident in the fabric’s ability to handle potential snags, though that may not happen. We would confidently wear these for several days of hiking, and we look forward to using them on a backpacking trip.

Should You Buy the Athleta Headlands Hybrid High Rise Cargo Legging?

People who prefer the look of pants but enjoy the feel and flexibility of leggings should consider the Athleta Headlands Hybrid. Additionally, those who believe leggings are unsuitable for hiking—primarily due to their lack of utility, like pockets—may find the Athleta Headlands Hybrid changes their perspective. Individuals who favor pants that can be looser around the waist during downtime and then tied with a drawstring for active time will appreciate the fit of these leggings. 

Furthermore, those who prefer to invest in gear usable in various settings, not just for one sport, will find these leggings noteworthy. They perform impressively on the trail and also possess the style to be worn with something other than a sunshirt, helping the wearer feel cool and confident off the trail. Given our experience with backpacking, these leggings would be an excellent choice for a multi-day trip, a road trip, or overseas travel that includes hiking, as they are versatile, comfortable, and boast six zippered pockets.

For those who prefer traditional leggings, dislike the added bulk of numerous pockets, or favor a very snug waist (though sizing down by one or two sizes could be an option), there might be a better choice on our full gear guide.

What Other Hiking Leggings Should You Consider?

If you like the sound of these hiking leggings, you might also match well with some of the other products we’ve included in our top hiking leggings gear guide.

Revolution Race Alaska Fleece Lined Leggings Review: The main difference is that these leggings are fleece-lined and have significantly fewer pockets. They fit more like traditional leggings, unlike the hybrid style, which has a looser fit at the waist. Nonetheless, both these leggings and those from Athleta offer a snug fit along the legs while providing a softer fit around the belly, all while keeping the pants securely in place. Additionally, both options are very durable and well-made.

Mammut Aenergy Light Tights Review: These leggings feature excellent stretch in the legs, resulting in a snug fit below while offering greater comfort around the waist. The main distinction is that these leggings are lighter and more breathable, making them less casual than others. Both options feel incredible to wear and instill a sense of confidence and strength in the wearer. However, one drawback of the Mammut leggings is that the waistband may sometimes slide down. Despite this, they are a more technical choice compared to Athleta leggings.

IUGA FlexTight™ High Waist Tummy Control Leggings With Pockets Review: These leggings are a good low-budget option that can fit semi-similar to the Athleta. In order to get a more relaxed waist, you might want to size up in the IUGA FlexTight, but know that they do not have a drawstring so slipping could occur. Also, there are only two pockets and neither are zippered. Lastly, these leggings are made from more affordable fabrics, and therefore are not going to be as durable and long-lasting as the Athleta.