Men In Tights?

[Justin Baker]

I have done some light bushwacking in tights and I haven’t found them nearly as fragile as you guys are suggesting. I was not using the thin soft tights that you see many women wearing, I use the midweight running tights with material that is far more robust. The fabric on my old, now deceased, golite tights felt like a super light version of the material you see on many stretch woven pants.

They do take a beating and get holes but for trips that involves short sections of off trail bushwacking or primarily off trail trips in more open environments (like closed canopy forests) I don’t worry about it. They pair well with some light nylon pants which provide both brush and wind protection while the tights provide light insulation.

The thing that really destroys clothing and makes you bleed are sharp broken sticks. I try to be careful crossing deadfall. I have never run into thorns walking off trail in my local environment other than blackberry bushes which can be avoided.

[Tipi Walter]

You must never encounter Greenbriar thorns—they’re plentiful in the Southeast mountains, hence our ruined leggings.

https://www.google.com/search?q=greenbrier&biw=1408&bih=628&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjVoMHZ983PAhUGcD4KHWTaBsUQ_AUICCgD#tbm=isch&q=greenbrier+thorns&imgrc=xEiWhbkPnRh32M%3A

[Roger Caffin]

Ouch!
We have blackberries.

Cheers

[Justin Baker]

We have Himalayan blackberries, big thorns, very invasive, chokes ups canyons and streams, especially on the coast. We also have native california blackberries which have less nasty thorns and don’t grow out of control.

[Sam C]

Are we talking about “real” women’s tights here, as in, panty hose/leggings?  Or are we talking about something more akin to a snug-fitting undergarment designed specifically for men and sports?

 

Back in the day, panty hose and women’s leggings were legit items found on some men’s legs in Northern California.  I’m talking about hikers here, not anyone else you may think would be found in NorCal.  Not very durable, but still a good comprise for warmer weather outings.

[Cameron M]

“Back in the day” is accurate. Like, waaay back and waaay NorCal. Right in there with hacky sack, patchouli oil and Peruvian alpaca beanies.

Time to move on. “Kilts”

 

[Dale Wambaugh]

I like zip-off pants and mostly in shorts mode for summer.  Windproof front tights are great for winter cycling,  hiking,  snowshoeing and cross country skiing.  Tall gaiters keep half the backside protected. Craft makes good versions and I recently discovered the 4ucycling brand that offers gridded fleece tights with windproof fronts:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AQDTTDU/ref=cm_sw_r_taa_aKSayb4GR217A

 

[avi sito]

My 2 cents: I’ve been hiking in short tights for the past 5 years now for the following reasons:

1. I simply cannot find anything as elastic and flexible as this. No resistance whatsoever when lifting them knees. Compared with other pants I’ve worn over the years – this is unbeatable.
2. Ventilation is at it’s best with tights.
3. You don’t need underwear ? !
4. No belt or cord needed. I hated feeling my pack over these…
5. I’ve been using several brands and have seen no tear and barely any wear.
6. When you hike 40km a day it’s pretty similar to long distance runs and I try to make this as effortless as possible, so resistance adds up – these have none.
7. They do tend to be slower to dry, but in summer this is not a big deal.

I can’t think of switching back to anything else at this point. I mostly hike long distance in summer and <b>not</b> off-trails, so this is an excellent match. If you can get over the ballerina look ?, then it’s definitely worth it IMO!

 

[Roger Caffin]

Ventilation is at it’s best with tights.
Odd comment. I would have said ventilation is almost zero, compared to most anything else.

Cheers

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