Where to buy tights?

[Ken K]

Hey folks,

I've read that some of you hike in tights. I've never done that. What kind do you wear? Are they suitable for in-town wear? Or do they just look like long johns?

Thanks,
Ken

[Bob Gross]

Some people that have a slim or normal figure like tights. They look like long johns except maybe they are a little sleaker, and there is no fly. There is a fashion statement.

There are some areas of town where you could wear those, but you would be mugged for sure.

–B.G.–

[William Zila]

I'm sorry Ken were gonna have to revoke your man card for saying tights we have to refer them as jogging or biking pants lol rei has some fleece is nice there basically just longjohns but usally more durable

[Dale Wambaugh]

Check the running stores. Many choices.

[Ken K]

I'm just toying with the idea… I currently pack a set of light long johns for sleeping/layering. In an emergency, they can be worn under rain pants in place of a second pair of pants (I've just recently given up packing extra pants/shorts/shirts).

At 240 pounds, I'm not sure wearing tights is the wisest idea for me. Stuffing my tree trunks into fleece ti… er… biking pants would result in the "bad breakfast" look (muffin top on fuzzy sausages). Still, if I ever get back to a shape that is a little less "egg", maybe it's an option. In that case, I just wanted to get an idea of what's out there.

Thanks again,
Ken

[Zachary Zrull]

I've never heard of this, why do people wear tights on the trail?

I think windpants would be a better option for several reasons: they can be more tightly woven and thus more water and wind resistant, they are more acceptable in town, and they can (for the same material) be more insulating. And if picky bushes or snagging is a problem, nylon, especially microfiber, can be more durable.

[Konrad .]

Hey Zach, I wear patagonia cap 2 tights because it prevents chaffing, it part of my sleeping system (extra insulation), looks acceptable if layered under a pair of running shorts, more breathable than wind/rain pants. This is usually enough for me for 3 season use. I hike in running shorts, and don't bring pants. If its cold, the tights go under the running shorts. If it rains, they dry quickly enough. It's great when your running shorts are only a couple ounces, and your tights–which you use for sleep anyways–serve as your pants as well. It's very dual use, and the equivalent of bring pants without the weight penalty. That said, I can see the benefits of wind-pants as an additional layer for winter use. Did I mention tights are more aerodynamic? I get an extra 20 miles/day in easily with tights

[Ryan Krause]

Most guys that wear tights on the trail (or for that fact, running in the neighborhood) wear a pair of shorts on top of them. I like CW-X compression tights – cuts down on muscle soreness.

Running shops will carry them, REI, backcountry.com, etc they are very common.

[Dale Wambaugh]

I forgot the old "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" movie:

We're men, we're men in tights.
We roam around the forest looking for fights.
We're men, we're men in tights.
We rob from the rich and give to the poor, that's right!
We may look like sissies, but watch what you say or else we'll put out your lights!
We're men, we're men in tights,
Always on guard defending the people's rights.

[Dance number, chorus line style]

We're men, MANLY men, we're men in tights. Yeah!
We roam around the forest looking for fights.
We're men, we're men in tights.
We rob from the rich and give to the poor, that's right!
We may look like pansies, but don't get us wrong or else we'll put out your lights.
We're men, we're men in tights (TIGHT tights),
Always on guard defending the people's rights.
When you're in a fix just call for the men in tights!
We're butch.

[Aaron Reichow]

> Stuffing my tree trunks into fleece ti… er… biking pants would result in the
> "bad breakfast" look (muffin top on fuzzy sausages).

HA! Coffee out of the nose out of this one!

[Anonymous]

that Victoria's Secret offers a very stylish line on manly tights for those interested in backcountry haute couture. ;-)

[Richard Fischel]

i consider them a key ingredient of my cool/cold weather kit. they are very comfortable, shed rain/snow ok and breath great. i'll typically wear a pair of nylon gym shorts over them. if conditions worsen i just slip a pair of wind pants over them. the tights i hike in were made by patagonia years ago and sold as running tights. they have a drawstring waist and ankle zips. liberate yourself an join the legion of men wearing tights.

[Anonymous]

"i'll typically wear a pair of nylon gym shorts over them"

What you describe was the unofficial uniform of generations of Seattle Mountaineers. It's what I climbed in for years. I think the younger generation has gone a little upscale, but you still see crusty old farts stomping around in shorts over tights, usually polypro or Capilene, up in the Cascades.

[James holden]

Lululemon … Take the instore yoga class while yr at in and enjoy the scenery from the back row ;)

[Ken K]

I typically wear some Starter DriStar compression shorts (poor mans Under Armour). With tights, do you skip the skivvies and just go commando?

[Eric Thompson]

IMO, men should always always always wear shorts (or even pants) over their running/hiking tights. the only time i don't is when i'm biking, but i tend to also wear full bike pants or bike shorts over the tights which basically have a built-in diaper.

i typically only wear tights hiking if it's 40-50 temps and i'm on a day hike. on backpacking overnights or longer i don't wear tights. i'm not quite sure why. i think because they are heavy and don't pack down well.

they snag easy if you have to bushwhack or XC at all.

[Anonymous]

"IMO, men should always always always wear shorts (or even pants) over their running/hiking tights."

A UL purist would just wear a Pertex fig leaf.

[Renais A]

Raceready makes excellent running shorts and tights (http://www.raceready.com/men/tights.html). The tights can even be obtained with a pocket, and do not require you to wear shorts over them. Note that these are intended for runners, but, unless you are doing bushwacking, should also be suitable for most hiking. Raceready products tend to cost a bit more than some of the competition, but, in my opinion, they wear signficantly better. In particular, liners in raceready shorts just do not wear out.
Jim

[Ken Helwig]

I am a cyclist and obviously wear cycling shorts and tights….with that said, you don't wanna see me wearing tights while hiking…..no thanks

[Richard Fischel]

that would be me. while i don't live in the pnw, i've made regular pilgrimages over the last 25-years. in the handful of times i've climbed rainier the hike from the parking lot to base camp has always been in tights and running shorts. with the exception of once, there's always been snow all the way to the parking lot at paradise. i wouldn't think of starting out in anything but tights and running shorts.

as far as what to wear under the tights, i typically wear under-armor heat gear compression shorts with the mesh front panel.

[Anonymous]

"i wouldn't think of starting out in anything but tights and running shorts."

You are hereby awarded the honorific of "Auxiliary Seattle Mountaineer", with all rights and privileges pertaining thereto. ;-)

[ROBERT TANGEN]

I'm no expert, but I've heard that a lot of former tight wearers have switched to wearing either:
[warm weather]: long-long shorts, such as Under Armour mesh, 10" shorts or
[cool weather]: soft shells, such as Pata-Gucci "Simple Guides" in a light color because of greater abrasion resistance and rain resistance. "Belay Pants" can be MontBell full-zip pants, in winter.

[Author]

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