If you live in your shorts as soon as the sun makes an appearance, you don’t need to spend a fortune to kit yourself out for the season. The women’s shorts here are among the cheapest options at Go Outdoors for 2026, but still come from trusted outdoor brands.
We’ve focused on styles that keep costs sensible without ditching comfort and practicality. Whether you’re pottering around the campsite, heading for a summer stroll or packing for a budget-friendly holiday, these picks are designed to feel good all day and not blow the travel fund.
Each pair has its own strengths, from soft jersey comfort to more traditional walking-friendly cuts. It’s not just about the very lowest price, but about the best value at the affordable end of the range.
These recommendations are based on a close look at real specifications, fabrics, pricing and brand track records rather than simply grabbing the cheapest tags on the rail. We compare how each pair of shorts is likely to feel and perform in typical UK conditions, from damp coastal walks to hot, sticky days at the campsite.
We pay attention to construction quality, fabric types and little usability details that make a big difference when you’re wearing them all day, not just how they look in a product photo. Where review data is available, we factor in owner feedback to spot patterns around fit, comfort and longevity.
The aim is to highlight lower-priced women’s shorts that still feel like sensible purchases. That means avoiding false economies and steering you towards options that should last more than one summer of adventures.
We started by filtering the women’s shorts range at Go Outdoors down to the most affordable options from established outdoor names. From there, we looked at fabrics, cut and intended use to work out which styles would offer the best mix of comfort, practicality and value.
Anything that looked so flimsy it might only survive a handful of wears was ruled out, even if the price was temptingly low. Instead, we favoured simple but dependable designs that should cope with regular walking, travelling and everyday summer life.
Within this short list you’ll find a mix of jersey lounge-friendly shorts, casual summer styles and more traditional walking cuts. That variety lets you pick something that suits your plans and budget, whether you mostly potter around campsites or spend weekends on the trail. All of them sit firmly at the cheaper end of the spectrum, but they’re here because they still make sense to buy.
These women’s shorts stand out as some of the best value options for 2026, keeping prices low while still offering comfort and everyday practicality. Some are simple, soft styles that are ideal for relaxed days and travel, while others lean more towards walking and regular outdoor use.
If your budget is tight, start with the very cheapest pairs; if you can stretch a little further, the slightly pricier options often add a more technical fit or tougher fabric for not much extra, which can be worthwhile if you wear shorts constantly through the summer.
Soft, jersey women’s shorts from One Earth that keep things simple, comfortable and affordable. Ideal if you want an easygoing pair for campsites, holidays and relaxed walks without overspending.
The One Earth Women’s Jersey Print Shorts focus on softness and comfort, which is exactly what many people want at this price. The jersey fabric is likely to feel gentle against the skin and forgiving in warm weather, making them an easy choice for lounging at the campsite or throwing on after a long day’s walk. The simple pull-on style should be quick to wear and flexible enough for travel, pottering around and light strolls. For less than many technical shorts, you’re getting something you’re likely to reach for day after day through the summer.
Being a jersey style, the One Earth Women’s Jersey Print Shorts are not designed for rough terrain or serious hillwalking, and they may not be as durable as woven trekking shorts. You’re unlikely to get much in the way of technical features like secure pockets or weather resistance. If you want something to cope with frequent, long walks on stony paths, one of the more walking-focused options may suit you better.
Ideal if you want a very affordable, soft pair of shorts for campsites, van life, summer evenings and relaxed dog walks. They’re particularly good for anyone who puts comfort above technical features and needs a go-to pair for everyday summer wear. If you’re building a low-cost holiday wardrobe, these make an easy starting point.
The Peter Storm Ramble II offers a classic women’s walking short at a bargain-friendly price. A sensible choice if you want something more trail-ready than jersey but still very affordable.
The Peter Storm Women’s Ramble II Shorts in blue bring more of a traditional walking short feel while still being very wallet-friendly. Peter Storm is known for sensible, no-nonsense outdoor kit, so you can expect a practical cut that works well with walking boots or trainers. They’re a stronger option than basic lounge shorts if you plan to tackle proper trails or spend long days on your feet. At this price point, getting a purpose-made walking style from a recognised outdoor brand represents very solid value.
As a budget walking short, the Ramble II in blue is likely to keep features fairly simple, so you may not get premium touches such as fancy stretch panels or high-spec quick-dry fabrics. The slightly more traditional styling may feel a bit functional if you mainly want shorts for casual wear. If you care more about a relaxed holiday look than trail performance, you might prefer the Weird Fish or jersey options.
Best for walkers who want a cheap but capable pair of women’s shorts for footpaths and low-level trails. They’re a sensible choice if you’re getting into hiking and don’t want to commit to expensive technical kit just yet. If you mix weekend walks with the odd camping trip, this style should cover most bases.
This black version of the Peter Storm Ramble II is a versatile, low-cost short that looks as happy in town as it does on a country path. A great choice if you want one pair to do almost everything.
The black Peter Storm Women’s Ramble II Shorts offer the same budget-friendly walking functionality as the blue pair, but with a more versatile colour that dresses up or down. Black is forgiving of mud splashes and everyday marks, which is handy if you’re camping or travelling light. The simple styling means they can double as casual town shorts as well as walking kit, helping you get more wear for your money. For such a low outlay, that mix of practicality and smart looks is hard to argue with.
While versatile, the black Peter Storm Ramble II Shorts share the same basic design and fabric limitations as the blue version, so they may not feel as light or breathable as more expensive technical shorts on very hot days. The styling is quite understated, which some will find plain. If you value a softer, lounge-like feel, the One Earth jersey shorts may be more comfortable for downtime.
Well suited to anyone who wants one affordable pair of shorts that can move between town, travel and the trail. The black colour makes them a good pick if you prefer a subtle, easy-to-match look or want shorts that can pass muster in casual settings as well as on walks. They’re a strong option for light packers and budget-conscious travellers.
Weird Fish’s Willoughby Summer Shorts bring a laid-back, holiday-ready feel without straying far from the lowest prices. Smart enough for the pub, comfy enough for the campsite.
Weird Fish’s Willoughby Summer Shorts deliver that relaxed, holiday-ready style the brand is known for while keeping the price firmly in the budget bracket. They’re likely to feel comfortable straight away, with a casual cut that works with sandals, trainers or flip-flops. As a pair of shorts you can happily wear at the campsite, on the seafront or into town, they punch above their price in terms of versatility. If you like your kit to feel a bit more ‘lifestyle’ than pure hiking, these offer a good balance for the money.
The Willoughby Summer Shorts are geared more towards easy-going summer days than hardcore hillwalking, so they may not be as supportive or durable as a dedicated trekking short. You might get fewer technical pockets and less emphasis on performance fabrics. If you regularly hike in tougher terrain, the Brasher or Peter Storm options are likely to be a better match.
Perfect for relaxed summer adventures, beach trips and campsite lounging where comfort and style matter more than technical performance. If your holidays revolve around easy strolls, pub gardens and exploring seaside towns, these shorts will fit in nicely without costing the earth. They’re a good pick if you like your outdoor kit to look as laid-back as it feels.
Brasher’s Stretch Shorts cost a touch more than the very cheapest picks but add a more technical, stretchy feel that suits longer walks and more regular outdoor use.
The Brasher Women’s Stretch Shorts add a more technical edge while still being reasonably priced. The use of stretch fabric should give you greater freedom of movement on steeper paths or when scrambling over stiles, making them feel more comfortable over longer walks. Brasher has a strong focus on walking performance, so you’re likely getting a thoughtful cut aimed at active use rather than just casual wear. For only a modest bump in price over the absolute cheapest shorts here, they potentially offer better long-term comfort and capability, especially if you’re out on the hills most weekends.
The Brasher Women’s Stretch Shorts are the priciest pair on this cheap list, so they may feel a bit of a stretch if your budget is very tight. The more performance-focused design might be overkill if you only need shorts for occasional holiday use or pottering around the campsite. If your priorities are pure comfort and lounging, a softer jersey or casual style could feel nicer against the skin.
Best for regular walkers and hikers who still need to watch the pennies but want a more technical, stretchy short that can handle longer or more demanding days. If you’re upping your mileage, tackling hillier routes or heading on walking holidays, the extra performance for a small price jump will be worth it. They’re also a sound choice if you want budget-friendly shorts that won’t feel like a compromise as your adventures get more ambitious.
