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Main Boards => Gear => Topic started by: SailorBob on 23:54:14, 23/09/17

Title: Walking in leggings?
Post by: SailorBob on 23:54:14, 23/09/17

I don't do a huge amount of hill walking - typically only when on holiday in a suitable area. Such an occaision was a few weeks ago in the lakes, where we did several walks as well as other outdoor activities.


On one day the forecast was to tip it down with rain all day, so a low-ish walk was planned.  As we were going to be out for quite a long time, I thought it prudent to wear full waterproofs, but what to wear under my waterproof trousers?  Given that it was unlikely I'd stay completely dry, either through leaks or sweat, I opted to wear some leggings that I normally use for watersports. I knew they dried really quickly, were a good fit & comfortable to wear when wet. So whilst possibly an unconventional choice, a practical one with what I had available.  With the forecast thought it safe to assume they'd be hidden all day under the overtrousers.


All good to begin with, but an hour or so in the rain stopped & the sun came out!!  The legwear combination was way too hot so the only option was to dispense with the overtrousers!  Fortunately I was wearing a fairly long t-shirt so modesty was maintained.  Needless to say the sun didn't last very long, and the rain reappeared - gently at first but then gradually getting heavier.  I initially didn't put the overtrousers back on, so when I did it was the 'worst case' with wet clothes under waterproofs.  However, despite this it was remarkably comfortable to walk in, including a bit of an ascent. Once the rain eased off & I opened the side zips, they quickly dried off with a bit of ventilation.  Towards mid afternoon the sky cleared and the sun came out properly, so by the end of the day I was just in leggings and t-shirt!


I was amazed at how comfortable the leggings were in all the conditions. By themselves they didn't seem to have much wind resistance, but this was good when the sun came out as the air could get through them. With a light rain I didn't notice them getting damp - certainly none of that 'clinging' you get with normal clothes.  When the weather got worse, it's then easy to add an extra layer, and it wasn't uncomfortable if the leggings were wet underneath the waterproofs.


There were other people walking in leggings.  Mostly these were younger women - previously I'd have just put this down to them wearing something that was ok to walk in rather than forking out for 'proper' trousers, but now I'd say it's possibly a specific choice.  Needless to say I didn't see any other blokes in leggings...


So given that it's commonplace for men to wear leggings / tights for other activities such as running & cycling, is there any reason other than 'fashion' that they don't wear them hill walking?  For occaisional walkers such as myself, it makes sense to use stuff I have from other activities.


A bit of googling revealed an article written by a Canadian. I can't post the link, but you can find it by googling 'backpacking tights'.  It seems to concur with my findings, and has quite a few comments agreeing. I think the author is Canadian - has anyone this side of the pond had any similar experience?
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: gunwharfman on 09:40:01, 24/09/17
I'm pretty sure I read about hiking leggings in the Great Outdoors recently? Each to his/her own. I'm a 29" inside leg so tights do not suit me and the idea of me wearing a pair for day after day is not appealing, especially when out for the eveing, I'd look a right 'nana! My neighbour across the road, who has a 34" inside leg she would look great in such clothing.

Although tights do not suit me I do use a pair to run off road and I only do this so to avoid tics, etc. I only wear them for up to 3-5 miles, I change into them when I park and change back to my ordinary clothes when I finish.
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: kinkyboots on 10:15:50, 24/09/17
My neighbour across the road, who has a 34" inside leg she would look great in such clothing.

How do you know these things? Put your binoculars away!  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: gunwharfman on 10:22:15, 24/09/17
Her mum told me!
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: Owen on 10:53:51, 24/09/17
It used to be common to walk in Ron Hill tracksters which aren't a lot different from leggings. They did give you a bit of the Rudolf Nearenough look.
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: Islandplodder on 13:13:28, 24/09/17

I sometimes wear cheapo leggings under paramo trousers in winter.  I also chuck them in my rucksack if I think I might need an extra layer, just because they are so light.
I can't think they would be very comfortable when wet though.  And I confidently expect I look truly awful in them, but luckily there are no mirrors up hills, so while it may trouble other people, it doesn't really bother me!
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 15:10:07, 24/09/17
I like wearing my Skins compression leggings, as they offer my legs a great deal of protection from the elements.
Even when soaking wet, my legs stay fairly warm, and still offer full protection from the elements.
If the weather really turns nasty, then its time for the over trousers, but the weather has to be really poor for those to come out.


Its the thought of wearing them that seems off putting to some, but i am past caring of what others think, they work, and that's all that matters.

I suppose many people would feel very self conscious wearing them, but you can easily wear them under a pair of tracksters or by themselves, they give superb support to the leg muscles over longer distances, and offer great protection in both wind and rain.

They never get too hot in warm weather either.

Ive worn mine for over four years now, and find them very comfortable, and hardwearing.
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: bricam2096 on 15:42:40, 24/09/17

Ive worn mine for over four years now, and find them very comfortable, and hardwearing.

I hope you remove them from time to time for cleaning  :D

I'm assuming the original post is trying to promote the article (as people do).
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: Penygadair on 16:30:15, 24/09/17
I hope you remove them from time to time for cleaning  :D 


 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: jethro10 on 17:11:58, 24/09/17
My wife wears leggings.
I replicate the closest I feel comfortable in - stretch trousers.
Similar feel, and I have pockets.


J
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: Jac on 17:26:52, 24/09/17
My wife wears leggings.
........................................
Similar feel, and I have pockets.
J

Man with hands in pockets .....no sorry,  :o old joke
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: jethro10 on 17:50:34, 24/09/17
Man with hands in pockets .....no sorry,  :o old joke
I walked into that one!
J
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: SailorBob on 22:47:10, 01/10/17


I caught the end of Countryfile earlier this evening - Ellie Harrison was doing a bit on rambling in Yorkshire, sporting some multicoloured leggings.  So I guess that's celebrity endorsement??   :)


Thanks for the various replies.  Good to hear that nobody had a technical reason why they shouldn't be worn, so as I suspected it's an appearance thing.  I think this sums it up well:


Its the thought of wearing them that seems off putting to some, but i am past caring of what others think, they work, and that's all that matters.

Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 12:12:04, 02/10/17
I wear my Skins compression leggings, because i know they certainly help to alleviate muscle tension and soreness over long periods.
The leggings are very close fitting, and for someone unused to wearing them, they might find they constrict their legs too much, but the Compression clothing idea, certainly works in practice.
If you lack the confidence to wear them by themselves, then there is no reason why you cannot wear them under walking trousers or other clothing.

On a particularly long and challenging walk from Ogwen road side, near Glan Denna, to the pub in Rowen and back, i completed several years ago, my body was certainly tired from exhaustion, but i was surprised how quickly my legs recovered from such a long strenuous walk.

Compression leggings, or clothing certainly work, but you have to be confident enough to wear them.

All i can say, is that they work for me, and even when totally saturated with water, they still offer good protection from the elements, due to the very fine weave construction of the nylon fabric.
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: Ventasilurum on 15:54:39, 02/10/17
running tights in winter all day long for me unless its absolutely belting it down
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: Dyffryn Ardudwy on 17:39:31, 02/10/17
Running tights, ive discovered, do not provide the necessary support for tired muscles.
Some years ago, i was in the belief, that only sponsored elite athletes wore compression clothing ,as they were paid handsomely to endorse Skins or Under Armour compression clothing, and if they did not work, then nothing was lost or gained.


Under Armour are sponsors of several of the major International Rugby teams, England and Wales  especially, and most of the players wear the stuff during training, so it must have its merits.


Corporate Sporting image is worth millions annually, and i suppose if this Compression clothing did not have some lasting benefit, to highly paid sports men and women, then the club managers and owners would not endorse it, even if the companies flashed their wallets in front of them.


I was lucky enough to pick up a pair of Skins tights, for sensible money on ebay, and found that they certainly did provide leg and muscle protection and comfort.

Its only after a really long walk, or physical exercise, that you discover your leg and calf muscles do not ache or complain as much as they did.

AS we get older, are bodies take a lot longer to recover from anything really physical, but Skins work for me, and i do not care one little bit, if i look like an ageing  bloke ballet dancer.
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: jimbob on 18:02:48, 02/10/17
Quote
owners would not endorse it, even if the companies flashed their wallets in front of them.

Oh yes they would, It would not be the first time the manager/ players choice was rebadged to look like sponsored gear.
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: Mel on 19:18:28, 02/10/17
Is everyone talking at cross-purposes here?  Leggings, compression tights and running tights are all slightly different things aren't they?  :-\


Anyhow, Julia Bradbury also wears the same ones as that woman on Countryfile.  I'm guessing those type are the latest walking fashion item for folks to rush out and buy.
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: sunnydale on 22:31:58, 02/10/17



Anyhow, Julia Bradbury also wears the same ones as that woman on Countryfile. 


Yep...and didn't she look a bu**er in the ones she had on last night! ;D   I occasionally wear leggings but only ever black ones  O0
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: stubill on 22:40:53, 02/10/17
I'm getting this image of the countryside being overrun by hundreds of people looking like Max Wall!
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: SailorBob on 18:10:01, 03/10/17
Is everyone talking at cross-purposes here?  Leggings, compression tights and running tights are all slightly different things aren't they?  :-\


I was using the term 'leggings' in its most generic sense when I first posted. I'd have expected that anyone choosing to wear leggings for walking would select something with wicking / quick drying properties rather than 'fashion' leggings.  Equally, I guess its good to discover that kit designed for one purpose functions well in other activities, such as Dyffryn Ardudwy has highlighted with compression tights.

Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: gunwharfman on 14:57:06, 04/10/17
I just looked up 'hiking leggings via Google and decided to look at the pictures on offer, absolutely loads of them on screen. Almost every picture seems to be of slim, young, flat tummies and leggy woman with the odd bloke (obviously fit and muscular) thrown in as a token. I can't find one picture of a 'normal' person like me, 32" waist x 29" inside leg! What do you do to ensure new profits, I suppose you try to move away from traditional wear and make it fashion wear. Reminds me of the so called move from petrol/diesal to electric cars. Out with the old, in with the new = new profits! Capitalism in action!
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: gunwharfman on 21:20:07, 05/10/17
I found an article I was looking for, its in The Great Outdoors on line. The leggings that look good, if you have the legs for it are made by Fjallraven.
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: Islandplodder on 22:09:55, 05/10/17

Very elegant, 40 years ago I might have saved up for a pair.
Not so sure I'd dare now, not so much the legs as the flabby bits......
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: Slogger on 17:27:38, 07/10/17
I wear these sort of things all the time. Ok you bulge at bit (depending) down there, but so what, women bulge a bit (depending) up there.
(http://https://www.montane.co.uk/mens-c1/cordillera-thermal-trail-tights-p158)https://www.montane.co.uk/mens-c1/cordillera-thermal-trail-tights-p158 (https://www.montane.co.uk/mens-c1/cordillera-thermal-trail-tights-p158)
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: Mel on 20:04:03, 07/10/17
I've just been talking to my gran about the compression tights SHE wears (at 91 years of age).... seems we ARE talking at cross-purposes in some respects as she is strongly advised AGAINST wearing them when active  :-\
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: Mylo on 19:37:57, 11/10/17
First post in reply here, but was reading an article recently on the wildtide blog regarding Fjallraven Abisko trekking tights.


I can't post the link but if you visit the above blog and click reviews then gear it's the 5th article down.


They look impressive.
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: Slogger on 17:26:37, 13/10/17
Slightly off topic but regarding compression tights, the tights i think most are referring to are 'non' compression walking/running tights.
Many long distance (Ultra) runners and walkers wear compression calf guards, from ankle to knee.
Research however has shown that these are only off real benefit to power sports people, sprinters and jumpers in particular, and no benefit was shown for long distance foot sports
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: gunwharfman on 20:05:18, 14/10/17
I agree but you either have the legs for it or not, I am just not the right shape and size. I'm in Spain at the moment, if you are 16, petite, slimv tanned, with a 'boys bum' shape that's great, but if your 72 like me,  then after a lifetime of grappling with gravity it's not so good. I'll stick to the baggy trousers thank you.
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: archaeoroutes on 14:49:58, 24/10/17
Walking in leggings were the norm for a while. I'm going back to when RonHills took over from breeches here.
Seeing as I wear leggings for running, I don't see any problem with wearing them for walking the same route. But then there's leggings and there's leggings. Good outdoors leggings (tough, quick-drying, warm) are great.
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: Percy on 15:35:20, 24/10/17
If I wore leggings while out walking I would probably be mistaken for Max Wall.
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: Rather be walking on 12:18:00, 26/10/17
I've post its before  :)
I've still use them sometimes, however I look like Max Wall (makes the wife laugh) ;D
(http://www.prom-prom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Max-Wall-as-Professor-Wallofski.jpg)

John
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: fernman on 19:16:46, 26/10/17
You're right, it's a remarkable likeness!  ;D
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: windyrigg on 08:41:37, 18/01/21
I think the Ron Hill tracksters are about the closest folk of a certain age can safely get to that 'middle aged man in lycra' (mamil) look.  O0
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: gunwharfman on 09:26:07, 18/01/21
My favourites are from Decathlon, they are elasticated around the ankles but are loose legged, not quite Ali-baba but they could have been if I had bought a bigger size. They were very cheap (£7.99) and they are my everyday go-to running bottoms. Its been super-muddy recently so I often use them to walk in as well, the elasticated bottoms help to keep the mud off of the trouser bottom edges. I wouldn't use them if I was on a 'proper' walk, away for more than one day, but for local trips they are ideal. My secondary pair are 'Ron Hills,' but like 'Rather be walking' when on they give my wife a laugh!
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: Thedogsmother on 20:51:52, 18/01/21
I very often walk in leggings not fancy hiking leggings just normal ones. The only time I don't is if it's going to be very wet in which case I use my Rab Vapour Rise trousers or some Craghopper ones which have really good water resistance. I take overtrousers just it's an absolute deluge.
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: Ridge on 22:37:21, 18/01/21
I have some skin tight lycra running leggings which I frequently wear to go walking in. But only in winter under my trousers.
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: strawy on 03:20:21, 19/01/21
Oh no...
Leggings ??
Walk the dog with your new leggings...
Look cool...
No no no..
(Be using ski poles next)
Oh no.....
They,ll be buying pop up tents next !!



Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: fernman on 10:42:56, 19/01/21
Did you not see Julia Bradbury's brightly patterned ones in Devon and Cornwall walks on tv?  :smitten:
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: Stube on 18:18:27, 19/01/21
Biggest problem with leggings is NO POCKETS!

I tend to use the full complement of 8 in my trousers when walking. O0
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: Zizag on 23:16:06, 19/01/21
Having run and cycled for years and had leggings and have wore my Ron Hill DXB Tracksters for walking occasionally and have found them very comfortable used them in all sorts of weather also and  are multi role for me  .
There are some Ron Hill Evolution Tracksters that don't have the Stirrups .
They are DWR and have Pockets each side.
There is also The GT Tracksters  Exertec 100 fabric ones as well .
Title: Re: Walking in leggings?
Post by: vghikers on 12:30:33, 20/01/21
I'm not sure if they count as leggings, but I started on my last pair of Ron Hill Trackster Trek around 2006, I'm still using them and I'm making them last!. They stopped making them years ago, much lamented by many other walkers. These are thicker than the standard Ron Hills and not as figure-hugging, but retain excellent freedom of movement.

Quote
Biggest problem with leggings is NO POCKETS!
The Treks have two standard pockets, both zipped for good measure.

I've occasionally looked in running stores, but all the candidates I've seen are the thin tights variety and there seems to be no equivalent of the Treks.