Leg Sleeves instead of Pants for UV protection Recommendations

I have used Castelli Light Arm and Leg Sleeves for several years.  Mostly for cycling but on some backpacking trips.  Pro is that they feel cooler than bare skin in the sun or most other leg covering while providing UPF 50 protection.  Downside is that .that white color stains very easily, they aren’t very abrasive resistant, and that mosquitos can bite through then,

Cowboys call them chaps (because “crotchless pants” doesn’t sound very manly).

Up here in Alaska, I don’t wear long pants for sun protection but for the brush, wild roses, Devil’s Club, cow parsnip, etc.  When traveling south to the desert, even more so, I’d wear them for spiker flora.

Being UL, I’m usually using 100% nylon (or high-nylon blend) pants and LS shirts for that protection.

I use tall gaiters as “legs” for my shorts when the weather is borderline. They go on/off easily without removing shoes/boots, and do not require special shorts.

I sometimes use them in cooler weather as well, over my hiking pants. I find them more comfortable than over-pants when I don’t need the full coverage.

I have never liked tight-fitting stuff on my legs. I tried cyclist’s leg warmers years ago but they did not stay up well. Perhaps modern materials might work better?

I have used tropical-weight long trousers and they work pretty well in strong sun conditions, especially with a breeze or low humidity.

I sometimes think about making tropical-weight “gaiters”. It’s just a rectangle of fabric with some velcro and a shock cord with a cord lock. I have never needed the strap that goes under the boot. A lace hook is sufficient.

I had considered this at one point when I was experimenting with shorts. At the time, I was using compression sleeves for my knees. The type that have silicon stripes or dots for grip to keep from sliding down. They always would slide down. Constantly reaching down to re-adjust. I can only imagine leg sleeves would be the same level of hell. YMMV…

Cowboys call them chaps (because “crotchless pants” doesn’t sound very manly).

Maybe tropical-weight chaps? Made from something very breathable, like HyperD or even linen. I think I would want them to have an adjustable shock-cord at the bottom, to seal out ticks. Maybe spray them from the knees down with permethrin.

EDIT: Loose fit is functional in warm weather; it helps to circulate air for better ventilation.

Some younger backpackers go with knee high/over the calf socks while still preserving the flow of shorts.

Kind of like the ‘70s-‘80s tube socks, but I’m guessing in merino?  Had some calf-guarding thick Darn Tough socks (mountaineering line) which worked fine in summer, except for being too thick aka they just did not wick.

I had a little bit of a problem keeping arm sleeves from “rolling” where it would meet a short sleeve, so imagine it’s the same for leg sleeves.  There’s stretch in the fabric but also seems there’s a size limit.

I’ve used Doctor Miller leg sleeves. They’re on Amazon. They come in fun colors and stripes. I buy them in a size larger so that there’s not much leg compression and they come in larger sizes than most other athletic-oriented brands.

https://sierradesigns.com/chaps/