{"id":14878,"date":"2021-08-04T16:10:03","date_gmt":"2021-08-04T23:10:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/helpshoe.com\/?p=14878"},"modified":"2024-01-03T17:57:14","modified_gmt":"2024-01-04T01:57:14","slug":"hiking-pants-vs-leggings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/helpshoe.com\/hiking-pants-vs-leggings\/","title":{"rendered":"Hiking Pants vs Leggings [Does It Matter What I Wear?]"},"content":{"rendered":"
When I went through a patch of thorny bushes that had overgrown onto the trail, I was glad to have a good pair of hiking pants. Regular cotton pants or tights would have been a mistake and left my legs very scratched up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hiking pants can make a big difference when hiking longer distances and in dense foliage. Tights are generally good for shorter distances and on trails clear of vegetation. The material also makes a big difference since some hiking pants and leggings or tights are made of the same materials and some are not.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Wearing clothes that are tough, durable, moisture-wicking, and dry quickly can be the difference between a comfortable or uncomfortable time. Let’s talk more about wearing the right clothing for hiking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Experienced hikers know that you\u2019ll always feel a lot more comfortable and confident when they have the right clothing, equipment, and gear necessary when taking on the trail \u2013 and good hiking pants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And the type of clothing that usually causes the most problems \u2013 if not correctly picked \u2013 is pants. They can chafe, they can rub, and they can be far too warm or cold at times, so if you get this wrong, there\u2019s a good chance you won\u2019t even enjoy the hike. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To help you pick the right pair for your next hike consider some of the following ideas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a few different types of hiking pants and tights. The classics are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n These pants come in many varieties but should be made mainly with nylon or polyester. Look for ripstop nylon or polyester for better durability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tights also come in many varieties. The main rule is to avoid cotton tights and look for something that is made mostly of nylon or polyester. While you might not find ripstop tights, some pants are designed like tights and can be ripstop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Which type of pants you should wear is up to you and how well you enjoy hiking with them. For long term performance, I would go for ripstop nylon pants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These hiking pants are designed in a way that the user wears them just like ordinary pants. They can be rolled up a little bit to help your legs air somewhat, but they can\u2019t be converted into shorts of any kind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These are a good option for a casual hike, as they can often pass for ordinary trousers and are, therefore quite a smart-looking option. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most of the time, they\u2019re suitable for wearing in a caf\u00e9 or restaurant after the hike. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Convertible \u2013 or zip-off \u2013 pants offer the best of both worlds. Although they can function as ordinary pants, if the temperature rises, you can zip off the lower half of each leg immediately, converting them into shorts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These are great for travelers or backpackers, as it prevents you from having to bring a pair of hiking trousers and hiking shorts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The only downside is that their shape can look a bit funny as trousers and often don\u2019t look as smart as ordinary hiking pants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Roll-up pants are a sort of hybrid between ordinary pants and zip-off pants. They can be rolled up to just below the knee and fastened or clipped in place, allowing significant ventilation in warm weather. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They\u2019re a great option for those people who can get a bit warm on the trail, as you can roll them up for twenty minutes just to get a bit of air, and roll them down when you\u2019re cool enough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many people ditch the idea of trousers altogether when hitting the trail and instead opt for tights or leggings. Not only can these look great and complement your figure, but tights also have their own advantages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Their compression and fabric can add a nice layer of warmth and wind resistance if the temperature drops, and as the fabric is tightly fitting, they don\u2019t sag or sway, allowing you to feel more agile. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The main downside with tights is that, as they fit tightly on the skin, they can often get too hot in warm weather, and taking them off to cool down isn\u2019t easy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Test these out first before taking them on a long hike. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether going for ordinary hiking pants, roll-ups, zip-offs, or just opting for tights, getting clothing that fits is crucial before heading out on a hike \u2013 especially if it\u2019s a long one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Although various retailers may offer great deals when shopping online, we\u2019d always recommend buying them in person, as it\u2019ll give you a chance to really try them on before you commit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And when you do try them on, really try them on. Test if they chafe or rub, see what they feel like when talking long strides, squat down, and see if they get tight or bunch up; finding out if your pants don\u2019t fit too well isn\u2019t something you want to happen after buying them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re buying a pair that zips off or rolls up, test to see if they really offer ventilation. It\u2019s also worth checking the material to see if it\u2019s durable enough for your hiking needs and whether or not it offers good water resistance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Again, find this out before buying, not when you\u2019re halfway through the hike! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nTypes of Hiking Pants <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nStandard Pants <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nConvertible Pants <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nRoll-Up Pants <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhat About Tights? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nSize and Fit <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nShopping For Hiking Pants and Leggings\/Tights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n