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.

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.

The whole point of OP's post was that she was going to buy some cute hiking outfits, not that she was going to buy a new pair of jeans.
Given that she's going HIKING and is willing to buy HIKING clothing, she should buy clothing that is cute and activity-appropriate. Why stick to jeans if there's something just as cute and better for the activity?

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.

Do you actually know anyone in the Army? For cold weather, soldiers do NOT wear cotton!!!
https://www.army.mil/article/66527/fight_the_freeze

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.

Well certainly OP's date should abide the same rules as a county rescue operation

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.

Ladies, you know this hiking date is probably a 2-3 mile stroll in Rock Creek Park or a loop around Roosevelt Island, right? You don’t need to dress like you’re doing 8 miles on mountain terrain. Wear some jeans that make your butt look good and boots or shoes that can get muddy. Layer the top and accessorize with gloves and a beanie hat as appropriate.

Anonymous wrote:Any recs for cute outfits I can hike in? Going on hiking dates and want to look nice.

Make sure you are dressed appropriately as well so you don't hurt yourself or get too cold.

Anonymous wrote:You do know before technical fabrics people used to downhill ski in jeans.

Unless you are doing acrobatics, or only have faux poly spandex Old Navy type jeans, you can totally wear jeans, if that is what you have and are comfortable in.

Oh god, downhill skiing in jeans sounds horrific. Gives me terrible memories of skiing as a kid, where I had to wear jeans and my brother's hand-me-down thermals. SO uncomfortable, and managed to be too hot and too cold at the same time. I love the fact that we have much better fabrics now.

Anonymous wrote:Wow you people are so mean. I’ve been taking 3-5 mile hikes with my family almost every weekend during this pandemic. I wear trail shoes and jeans. We have a great time and honestly if one you judgy b’s has seen me out on a hike with my family, please know I (and probably everyone else) do not care what you think. Try enjoying your own hike instead of worrying about what others are wearing.

The point isn't that nobody should hike in jeans (although I agree they are a terrible choice for a longer hike or if you're going to get wet, but fine for a shorter walk). it's that OP specifically asked for "cute hiking outfits." Since she likely has little else to spend her money on, no reason not to invest in some more technical and comfy athleisure!

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.

In the cold, cotton denim is really not great. It's not insulating, and if you layer thermals underneath, it's really uncomfy. I much prefer leggings, or wearing a stretchy flexible hiking pant over leggings. Super comfy and warm!

Anonymous wrote:You do know before technical fabrics people used to downhill ski in jeans.

Unless you are doing acrobatics, or only have faux poly spandex Old Navy type jeans, you can totally wear jeans, if that is what you have and are comfortable in.

Jeans don't keep you warm at all! So maybe they did when that was the only option but I definitely wouldn't CHOOSE it.

Anonymous wrote:If I were hiking on a date, I would wear nice leggings, real sneakers (trail or running shoes), a quarter zip or light sweatshirt, and a cute hat if it was chilly.

Have fun!

+1

You do know before technical fabrics people used to downhill ski in jeans.

Unless you are doing acrobatics, or only have faux poly spandex Old Navy type jeans, you can totally wear jeans, if that is what you have and are comfortable in.

If I were hiking on a date, I would wear nice leggings, real sneakers (trail or running shoes), a quarter zip or light sweatshirt, and a cute hat if it was chilly.

Have fun!

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.