Looking cute and feminine while hiking

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I literally have never seen someone wear jeans on a hike.

Hell, I barely see people wear jeans at Target now. Why wouldn't you just wear leggings!?

then you've never been out on the at

My BFF hiked the AT - 6 months! And she did most definitely did not pack jeans. Every once counts, and denim is the worst offender. Jeans might be fine for a 45-minute walking hike, but if you are scrambling over rocks or might step into a stream, do not wear denim. The cotton is heavy, soaks up water, and is not flexible compared to other fabrics that are out there. It's so easy to find cute joggers or fleece leggings, there's no need to wear denim. Save your jeans for dates where you won't be hiking.

Yep, I do volunteer rescue. We are not allowed to wear denim.

Really? Do they tell you to wear leggings?

Maybe our Army soldiers should stop wearing fatigue pants and stick to fleece joggers and leggings since they are so durable. Cotton denim is one of the most durable pant material out there and protects you from sticks and branches and things that snag. It is more than sufficient for a 1 hr hike or whatever your date might be. To suggest otherwise, it purely personal preference and has nothing to do with function.

No. We’re under the supervision of our County Fire and Rescue. They send people home who show up in jeans. They are not playing.

Sure. But volunteer rescue is not a casual hike. And people, just wear leggings, thermal underwear, or tights under your jeans. Insulation on the inside, durability on the outside. This is not complicated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The PPs who wear jeans - why? It's a sure sign that you're an infrequent hiker.

Yeah, I've never heard of hiking in jeans!!! that seems uncomfortable.

[Anonymous]

On the jeans front, I wonder if there's a regional element to this. If you're hiking on the West Coast (especially PNW), there's a very good chance you're in or near mountains that are big enough to create their own weather. There are few places and times of year where you can feel absolutely certain it won't rain. And if it rains, hiking in jeans is absolutely miserable.

This is not as true in the East, even on the AT...at least not until you get up to NH and ME. I've definitely seen more people in jeans in VA, MD, etc than in WA, CO, OR, or even CA. Still, I don't think jeans are common for slightly more technical hikes like Old Rag.

OP, the most important thing for hiking is to pick clothes that are comfortable. To cute them up, get more fitted versions of them. Personally, I like to have pockets, so I don't prefer leggings. There are straight leg hiking pants that have a little stretch to them that can be flattering. Look for ones that are cut similar to jeans. For a variety of brands, go to a place like REI and EMS to try stuff on. Importantly, also look for fleece that are more fitted and jackets with a waist.

[Anonymous]

I'm in California where hiking is a daily activity. It's not a walk in the woods like in the east coast. It's a workout! Over hillsides, rocky terrain, dusty trails. We wear sneakers and leggings. If it's cold you can add a cute jacket or vest, a hat.

[Anonymous]

All of the ski shops in CO have the nicest outdoor clothes. I found most of the brands online. Check out Arcteryx, Kuhl, Title Nine and mix in some Lulelemon. I love hiking and wearing cute flattering clothes - you dont have to look frumpy on an active date just look around and find athletic clothes that are functional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The PPs who wear jeans - why? It's a sure sign that you're an infrequent hiker.

Yeah, I've never heard of hiking in jeans!!! that seems uncomfortable.

It's also a safety hazard. Search and rescue sends people in jeans home because if you fall into a stream wearing jeans, you risk hypothermia in even just cool weather. Jeans don't wick and they stay wet forever. I am a Wilderness First Responder, and this is Outdoor Safety 101.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Well, OP actually is playing. It's a date -- she's not doing emergency rescue of wayward hikers. This conversation is so off the rails, even by DCUM standards.

The reason people are discouraged from wearing denim for backpacking and other serious outdoor endeavors is that if they get wet, they are useless -- they get heavy and it takes them forever to dry, risking hypothermia. When I did snow camping back in high school and college, we were actually encouraged to wear wool pants because they were warm and much easier to dry. That was back before a lot of the technical gear people have now. People who used to climb mountains back before the advent of technical gear wore a lot of wool.

Anyway, none of this is relevant AT ALL. I am a serious and experienced hiker, and I will wear jeans for a casual hike with my family if it feels weather appropriate and it's what I feel comfortable in that day. I also have hiking pants and leggings, and I'll wear those, too, just depends on the situation. People who act like it's IMPOSSIBLE to hike without specific and expensive gear are just gatekeeping. You sound ridiculous.

OMG no one is saying it's impossible. But OP's going shopping for hiking clothes. Why should she buy jeans when she can buy clothes that are better for hiking?

[Anonymous]

Leggings. Fitted hoodie/fleece. Sneakers. Backpack (with 2 beers and snacks!).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The PPs who wear jeans - why? It's a sure sign that you're an infrequent hiker.

Yeah, I've never heard of hiking in jeans!!! that seems uncomfortable.

It's also a safety hazard. Search and rescue sends people in jeans home because if you fall into a stream wearing jeans, you risk hypothermia in even just cool weather. Jeans don't wick and they stay wet forever. I am a Wilderness First Responder, and this is Outdoor Safety 101.

Right...all those legging-clad Forest Rangers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A man who invites you on an actual hike isn't going to be impressed when you show up looking like a Becky. So wear clothes that permit you to actually do things. I refuse to believe any grown woman doesn’t own clothes that permit freedom of movement while providing warmth and adequate storage.

Bingo. And FFS you do not need to go out and buy specialty clothing for hiking!!! I have done plenty of hiking/camping in my day, and you wear what you already have, layering as necessary and appropriate.

This thread makes me think of the people who think you need to he in head to toe neon spandex just to go for a bike ride.

This. You’ll look cute and feminine if you are dressed appropriately for the weather and the hike and are comfortable.

[Anonymous]

I'm a jeans hiker. I think they're comfortable and they allow me plenty of movement. They probably won't rip if I fall of have to slide on my butt. They also make my butt look good.

In the summer I wear lightweight hiking pants of various materials. These hikes last a few hours and I check the weather before I go. If I'm wilderness camping I wear something entirely different. That's not what the OP is doing and that's not what most people on this forum are doing 90% of the time they hike. Wear what you like. Don't choose hikes beyond what you can do safely. Don't take unnecessary risks. You're fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The PPs who wear jeans - why? It's a sure sign that you're an infrequent hiker.

Yeah, I've never heard of hiking in jeans!!! that seems uncomfortable.

It's also a safety hazard. Search and rescue sends people in jeans home because if you fall into a stream wearing jeans, you risk hypothermia in even just cool weather. Jeans don't wick and they stay wet forever. I am a Wilderness First Responder, and this is Outdoor Safety 101.

So if you are planning on wearing leggings anyway, but you throw a pair of jeans OVER them to protect said leggings (and also, your legs), from scratches, thorns, etc. why can you not just TAKE THE JEANS OFF if they get soaked?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The PPs who wear jeans - why? It's a sure sign that you're an infrequent hiker.

Yeah, I've never heard of hiking in jeans!!! that seems uncomfortable.

It's also a safety hazard. Search and rescue sends people in jeans home because if you fall into a stream wearing jeans, you risk hypothermia in even just cool weather. Jeans don't wick and they stay wet forever. I am a Wilderness First Responder, and this is Outdoor Safety 101.

Right...all those legging-clad Forest Rangers.

I don't wear leggings either. But Park Rangers don't wear jeans. Not sure what to say. This is knowable information:
https://www.backpacker.com/skills/professor-hike-top-10-beginner-hiker-blunders#:~:text=News%20flash%3A%20Denim%20is%20cotton,like%20wool%20and%20polyester%20fabrics.

1. Wearing denim like Johnny Depp on 21 Jump Street
News flash: Denim is cotton, so wearing jeans (and jean jackets for that matter, Mr. Depp) is a poor choice for any hike, especially in rainy or cold weather. That’s because cotton retains moisture instead of wicking it away like wool and polyester fabrics. Once cotton gets wet, it takes a long time to dry out; that moisture on your skin siphons away body heat through convection, leaving you shivering in your boots, and more susceptible to hypothermia (hence the aphorism “cotton kills”). Jeans are the worst of all cottons because they can ice up in below-freezing weather. I learned this lesson on my first hike with the Appalachian Mountain Club in New Hampshire, and I’ve remained cotton-free ever since, except on short summer hikes where getting chilled isn’t a danger. So the next time you see hikers wearing blue jeans, remind them that the 1980s are over and that Johnny Depp now prefers tri-corner hats and eye-liner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The PPs who wear jeans - why? It's a sure sign that you're an infrequent hiker.

Yeah, I've never heard of hiking in jeans!!! that seems uncomfortable.

It's also a safety hazard. Search and rescue sends people in jeans home because if you fall into a stream wearing jeans, you risk hypothermia in even just cool weather. Jeans don't wick and they stay wet forever. I am a Wilderness First Responder, and this is Outdoor Safety 101.

So if you are planning on wearing leggings anyway, but you throw a pair of jeans OVER them to protect said leggings (and also, your legs), from scratches, thorns, etc. why can you not just TAKE THE JEANS OFF if they get soaked?

Because then you're stuck carrying heavy, wet jeans.
Look, no one is saying you can't do light hiking in jeans. But, if OP is willing to buy new *hiking* clothes, why not buy clothing that is more comfortable for hiking? Lined joggers in a wicking material are not going to be more expensive than jeans and can look super cute. What is the big deal? It's so funny how these adamant jeans people are arguing that OP should just wear denim. It's a losing argument.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The PPs who wear jeans - why? It's a sure sign that you're an infrequent hiker.

Yeah, I've never heard of hiking in jeans!!! that seems uncomfortable.

It's also a safety hazard. Search and rescue sends people in jeans home because if you fall into a stream wearing jeans, you risk hypothermia in even just cool weather. Jeans don't wick and they stay wet forever. I am a Wilderness First Responder, and this is Outdoor Safety 101.

So if you are planning on wearing leggings anyway, but you throw a pair of jeans OVER them to protect said leggings (and also, your legs), from scratches, thorns, etc. why can you not just TAKE THE JEANS OFF if they get soaked?

I don't wear leggings either. Neither jeans, nor leggings, are sensible hiking clothing if you are going to be near streams or rivers. I don't know what to tell you. Many (possibly the majority) serious injuries happen on short, day hikes, because hikers don't take safety seriously enough or they are inexperienced. If OP is buying clothes, why not buy clothes that aren't listed as the #1 safety concern in pretty much every hiking handbook?!

Seriously, I don't understand this line of reasoning. This is a known hypothermia risk, and anyone involved in wilderness safety advises against it. We also didn't wear seatbelts when I was a kid, and I'm still alive. That doesn't mean that it wasn't riskier than wearing a seat belts. Wear jeans or don't, I don't really care. But it is a safety risk.