By: Blonde Two
If you ask the question, ‘Can I wear leggings to go walking?’ on any form of social media, you are likely to receive a series of disproportionately passionate responses on the topic. It would appear we are a nation divided! Walking trousers have always been my leg wear of choice out on the hills but at home I love my leggings and their tight comfiness (so does Mr B2!) We Blondes were recently sent a pair of Love Leggings sports leggings each to try out for walking, and these have made me reconsider some of my previous opinions. So for this week’s Tuesday’s Ten I have ten answers to the walking trousers or leggings option.
POCKETS… And the winner is… WALKING TROUSERS
We Blondes love pockets and have plenty of things to put in them. So we were pleased to see that our new sports leggings had a deep, stretchy pocket down the side of each leg. Big enough for a compass on one side and a phone on the other, but maybe not as secure or as numerous as those in most walking trousers.
SLEEPABILITY… And the winner is… LEGGINGS
Although we always recommend carrying a dry set of clothing, it is often too cold to get changed at night in a tent. Leggings are far more comfortable to sleep in than walking trousers, but not necessarily as warm.
HOT WEATHER… And the winner is… WALKING TROUSERS
Because leggings are stretchy, they are made of synthetic and often slightly sweaty fabric. Not a problem if you are going straight home to your washing machine but on a multi day outing things might get a bit ripe.
RAINY WEATHER… And the winner is… LEGGINGS
If it is raining when you are out walking, you wear waterproof trousers. Leggings, it turns out, are really comfortable under waterproofs.
COLD WEATHER… And the winner is… WALKING TROUSERS
Although it is possible to fit thermals under leggings, it can lead to awkward layer moments. Leggings are not as warm as walking trousers so think carefully before chilly day choosing.
TIME FOR A WEE… And the winner is… LEGGINGS
When your loo is a bush in a possibly public place, speed is of the essence. The less buttons and zips you have the quicker you will be. A simple equation really.
SHARE YOUR CLOTHES… And the winner is… LEGGINGS
When your friend falls in the river you might want to lend her something dry to wear. She is far more likely to fit into your stretchy leggings than your button-tight walking trousers.
BOTTOM EMPHASIS… And the winner is… (JURY STILL OUT)
If you are anything like me, you feel great about your bottom some days and want to divorce it on others. Leggings will definitely show it off, perhaps more than you want them to.
CAMPSITE CAMPING… And the winner is… WALKING TROUSERS
I could be unusual here but at camp I usually need instant access to a tea-towel, a pen knife, some strange bits of string, fire-lighting equipment and a tea bag. I have yet to find the leggings that can accommodate all of these.
IMPRESSING YOUR AUDIENCE… And the winner is… (BOTH)
As everyone who works in education, marketing, sales or even communication knows, knowing your audience gets you halfway towards impressing them. However, by far the most important audience, when it comes to what you wear is… YOU! We recommend wearing what makes you the most comfortable, warm, cool or happy when you are out on the hills… Leggings or walking trousers, the choice is yours!
From time to time we Blondes are sent free outdoor products to field test and promote on social media. We will always be honest about our findings and any products we don’t keep for ourselves find their way into our expedition stores. Great for us, great for you and great for our youngsters!
https://www.twoblondeswalking.com/courses/dartmoor-navigation-courses/
https://www.twoblondeswalking.com/courses/dartmoor-wild-camping-courses/
Hee – I’m definitely a trouser addict – preferably with a leg pocket big enough for the OS 2 1/2 inch to the mile maps (well, its metric equivalent, then!) but what, with bulges at the front where I used to be nice and flat and bulges at the back where I used to be more in proportion, I’m afraid leggings wouldn’t look right at all. I have done quite long distances in old-fashioned jog pants, but they are a bit inclined to descend ungracefully if you stuff their pockets too much. I must have POCKETS !!!!!!!!! even in shorts.
I am have to say I experience a certain level of excitement when trousers present a pocket big enough for a map! I have also experienced them falling down because of too much gear!
It’s leggings all the way for me! I wear sports ones made from wicking fabrics and they tend to keep me warm when I need it and cool when I need that! And they don’t drag in the mud and dry quickly if they get rained on.
In the winter, I find my raincoat has all the pockets I need but I do admit to not having a decent solution in the summer…
Agreed about the not dragging on the floor although we often wear gaiters (could be a reason not to but they do keep us warm). Summer pockets are a tricky one. Rohan do put some great sneaky ones in their tops.
Trousers. The pockets are essential. They dry fast. They wick perspiration and are cooler. They protect from nettles and briars. Yep…. trousers. But I appreciated this discussion!
I haven’t tried the gorse challenge in leggings yet, I suspect the result would be painful. Maybe wearing both leggings and trousers would protect!