Leggings have experienced a huge renaissance in the last decade, not only in the world of fashion, but also in the world of sport, and there is no sign of that changing anytime soon. It's no wonder, leggings are extremely comfortable, easy to put on, can be used for virtually any sport and in the right combination for most social situations, and not to forget, they look simply chic. The fact that they have gradually found their way into the mountains and into the countryside, for all these reasons, is absolutely no surprise.
However, there's often a misconception around leggings that they're not entirely suitable for hiking.
Of course, there are no leggings like leggings. If you want to wear lightweight cotton leggings from a fashion house for hiking, we suggest you quickly reconsider this decision. Such classic cotton leggings, more suitable for under a skirt or dress, not only get wet easily and don't wick that moisture away, which can not only make you feel uncomfortable, but even more uncomfortable with irritation and chaffing, but they are also very susceptible to damage.
Not that such leggings are completely unusable. For a walk around the lake, an easy hike on well-maintained terrain without significant elevation changes, ordinary leggings can easily handle it. The key is that you don't sweat heavily and that these leggings are ideally not made of cotton, which is an excellent and very comfortable material, but not for active movement during which you sweat.
The idea of leggings that can handle everything from parties, to grocery shopping, to climbing the highest peaks is naturally appealing. However, hiking has specific needs that require leggings made of specific materials and with specific features. Especially the more demanding ones, in high mountain environments or for multiple days.
For these needs, a segment of so-called hiking leggings has been created, which are almost identical in design and feel to the classic leggings for the city, but with a few extra accessories. But above all they are made of different, functional, technical materials. Such leggings have standard pockets for essentials, water-repellent treatment that helps water run down the surface in light rain, or abrasion-resistant material that protects the leggings against damage from rocks or branches.
The biggest benefits of hiking leggings: How do they differ from regular leggings?
They resist abrasions and have reinforcement in critical areas
While regular leggings don't require extra durability, with hiking leggings it's one of the most important factors. Leggings can be severely tested in difficult terrain, and leggings made of standard materials could be damaged very quickly in such conditions.
Therefore, it is essential that the material from which the hiking leggings are made is abrasion resistant. Hiking leggings are therefore stronger, thicker and sturdier, yet breathable enough to keep you feeling nice, dry and comfortable even in hot weather. In addition, it is standard that some parts of the leggings that are more susceptible to damage should be reinforced - most often we are talking about the knees, thighs, ankles or buttocks. The more such reinforcement, the longer the leggings should last, although not every area of the leggings needs such reinforcement.
They can handle rain and water
With leggings under your clothes, you probably don't have to worry about whether they'll protect you from the rain, but with hiking leggings, these questions are out of the question. The key here is the water-repellent surface treatment, which prevents light rain from penetrating the material and water droplets staying on the surface, down which they run gracefully. Thanks to this treatment, you don't have to worry about unexpected changes in the weather, although we would add that this layer needs to be renewed with a spray or specific detergents.
The other major issue when it comes to hiking leggings is the ability to dry quickly, which is twofold - whether the leggings can wick away the sweat you produce. And whether they can dry quickly if the material gets wet from too much rain or contact with water.
What are the main advantages of hiking leggings over hiking pants?
Leggings are more comfortable than trousers
Despite their durability, hiking leggings are very elastic and can be properly stretched, which allows them to adapt to any movement and does not restrict it in any way. Such materials are also naturally softer than the robust and stiff materials of hiking trousers, making them more comfortable to the touch and to wear.
Leggings can prevent painful chafing of the thighs
This is a factor that isn't talked about that often, but hiking leggings can really help women who suffer from this uncomfortable and very painful problem. Well-fitting leggings not only act as a barrier between the skin of the inner thighs, but thanks to their breathable properties, they can wick away sweat and moisture very effectively, reducing the risk of this problem.
Leggings have a wider range of uses
Hiking leggings can be used for many other activities such as running, yoga, gym or many other sports. Moreover, since they look very similar to regular fashion leggings, there is no need to be afraid of taking them out into the city as well. Hiking pants, on the other hand, have a very specific look and very specific features that make them a piece of clothing for one specific purpose.
Leggings are lighter than trousers
Hiking leggings and hiking trousers are by default a little more robust than their fashionable versions, as they require sturdy materials that just won't get damaged. However, trousers are naturally more durable than leggings, which, while it may be desirable in more difficult and challenging terrain, also translates to weight - you really don't carry any extra grams with leggings.
The leggings fit perfectly on the figure
Hiking trousers are not usually tailored to fit the figure perfectly - durability and breathability are key, with plenty of room for a base layer and plenty of freedom of movement. Hiking leggings, on the other hand, thanks to their elasticity, adapt perfectly to the figure, accentuating its curves while still offering absolute freedom of movement.
When are leggings not enough and hiking pants are a better choice?
Trousers cope better with bad weather and difficult conditions
Trousers are naturally more robust, which makes them even more effective in protecting against rain or biting winds. Hiking leggings can cope with these factors to a certain extent, but due to their construction, they are no match for good hiking trousers in this respect.
Hiking trousers are significantly more durable
Although leggings can cope with tougher challenges, they are no match for hiking trousers in terms of durability. Hiking trousers can handle the rougher abrasions of high-altitude, rock-climbing conditions, while such strenuous hiking can theoretically put too much strain on hiking leggings and damage them.
Not everyone feels comfortable in leggings
Leggings adapt to every body shape, which is very effective in terms of functionality, but not every woman feels comfortable in leggings. And so it's perfectly fine. For women whose insecure feelings might spoil their outdoor experience, there are and always will be hiking pants.
Hiking leggings do have pockets, but...
There's usually some pockets on hiking leggings. However, due to their construction, which is fitted to the body, carrying small items like a cell phone or keys in these pockets may not always be entirely comfortable, plus it can ruin the overall look.
Thus, although pockets can be found on leggings, their use is incomparable to hiking trousers, where they are much more practical and spacious.
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