Vern Evans
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Leggings are comfortable, flexible, and breathable making them ideal hiking apparel. The freedom of movement and full coverage offer hikers the chance to lay down major miles without chafing or exposure to the sun, cold, and vegetation. To help you find the right leggings for your next trek, I’ve tested the best hiking leggings while hiking and backpacking in summer and fall conditions.
How I Tested the Best Hiking Leggings
The places where leggings suffer while hiking is in durability, sweat marks, and thermoregulation. That’s why I’ve chosen leggings that actively combat these shortcomings. While there are plenty of running and lifestyle pairs that I’ve worn hiking, they tend to develop holes or stretch out quickly. I tested these in summer conditions for sweat marks and thermoregulation, and continued to test them for compression, mobility, and staying power into the fall. I took technical pairs canyoneering to ensure durability.
Best Hiking Leggings: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall: Smartwool Active Legging
This is not the true color. I love them so much that after some staining I dyed them darker.
Ashley Thess
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Pros
- Thermoregulating
- Comfortable
- Pockets
Key Features
-
Available Sizes:
XS-XL -
Materials:
87% recycled nylon, 13% elastane; lining: 53% merino wool, 47% lyocell -
Pockets:
Drop-in pockets at side panels, envelope stash pocket on interior waistband
The Smartwool Active Leggings are extremely comfortable, thermoregulating, and stretchy. Plus they have pockets. That is really all I’m asking for in the best hiking leggings, which is why they won best overall. The material has four-way stretch, and the interior waistband is lined in merino wool for moisture wicking. They don’t show sweat stains or slip around. Though after a laundry mishap, they were stained slightly and I dyed them darker to keep wearing them.
While not compressing or tight, they have a contoured design for the ideal slim fit without looking baggy or cutting off your circulation. The fabric is buttery soft, but if you’re looking for compression or a sleek look, try Patagonia’s Maipo tights. The Smartwool Active leggings are a true full-length legging, falling below the ankle. They offer all-day comfort and mobility, with all the benefits of merino wool in a typically pretty sweaty area: the lower back.
Best Lightweight: Patagonia Maipo 7/8 Tights
Ashley Thess
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Pros
- Flatlock seams
- Lightweight
- HeiQ Pure odor control
Cons
- Higher pockets take some getting used to
Key Features
-
Available Sizes:
Women’s XXS-XXL -
Materials:
80% recycled nylon, 20% spandex knit with miDori bioSoft -
Pockets:
Two drop-in side pockets
Super soft and lightweight, the Maipo tights are comfortable with light compression. The two drop-in pockets are secure, resting higher up than other hiking leggings on this list and that slight compression. The waistband is thick and flexible. The swaistband doesn’t roll or shift, and it offers seamless comfort with a sleek look. The Maipo tights are great for running or long hikes thanks to the weightless feel and odor control. They didn’t stain or move around during intense exercise, and the cuffs fall above the ankle.
Most Durable: Mountain Hardwear Chockstone Trail Tight
Ashley Thess
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Pros
- Water resistant
- Thick, durable material
- Stays in place
Key Features
-
Available Sizes:
Women’s XS-XL -
Materials:
88% nylon, 12% elastane, and a PFC-free DWR finish -
Pockets:
Zippered pocket at right thigh - UP5 50
- Reinforced with Cordura in high-abrasion areas
Durability is a major issue with leggings. Most tights designed for running or yoga are comfortable and breathable, but seem to develop holes just standing near a scramble section. The Chockstone Trail Tight features thick, water-resistant fabric that’s reinforced in high-abrasion areas. Best suited for heavy bushwhacking, climbing, canyoneering, and scrambles, these hold up where yoga leggings will tear. I love that you can’t tell they’re technical just by looking at them. If you don’t like the tactical look of off-colored patches on the seat and knees, but need the durability these kinds of leggings provide, the Chockstone will do the trick.
The downside of the thick material is that the fit is tight. I’m a medium according to Mountain Hardwear’s size guide (and every other legging on this list), but I’d size up in these because they’re so constricting. The fit is flattering, and the fabric is stretchy enough for full mobility, but after pulling these off, I’m relieved. If you size up, you’ll likely get better use of the zipper pocket, too. It’s not as small as a running pocket, but I couldn’t zip it up with my iPhone 13 in it. It’s best for keys or cards.
Best Women’s Fly Design: ChickFly Merino Wool & Eucalyptus Leggings
Ashley Thess
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Pros
- Thermoregulating properties of merino
- Anti-microbial
- Let’s you answer nature’s call privately and easily in the backcountry
Key Features
-
Available Sizes:
Women’s XS-2XL -
Materials:
43% merino wool, 44% Tencel, 6% elastane, and 7% nylon -
Pockets:
Two thigh-pockets and two secret-waistband-pockets - Patented pull-apart fly technology
ChickFly is creating women’s leggings with a built-in shorts layer that allows you to pull apart the fabric and pee outdoors privately and easily. The shorts layer offer reliable coverage at all times, but when it’s time to answer nature’s call, you can easily move the dual layers apart. The merino wool and Tencel (fabric made of eucalyptus pulp) are sustainable choices that offer great thermoregulation and anti-microbial properties. I brought these on a backpacking overnight above alpine in the summertime. I was cozy and warm all night, and the fly technology operated perfectly.
I liked them so much that I decided to wear them for the hike out, too. It turned into an overcast day in the high 70s and I was extremely comfortable thanks to the cooling Tencel and merino wool. These leggings aren’t very tight, but they are very long. I’m 5-foot-7-inches and had to roll the cuffs quite a few times. Overall, I was happy with the fit because it stayed in place while hiking but wasn’t constricting while sleeping. At 12 ounces, these are double the weight of the best thermal underwear, and take up double the space. But if peeing freely in versatile leggings made of high-performance fabric is worth an extra 6 ounces, pack these.
Best Relaxed Fit: Black Diamond Session Tights
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Pros
- Stretchy
- Unrestricted movement
- Quick-dry
Cons
- Roomier fit
- Not very soft
Key Features
-
Available Sizes:
Women’s XXS-XXL -
Materials:
72% nylon, 28% elastane -
Pockets:
Thigh pocket on wearer’s right side, waist stash pocket
The Black Diamond Session Tight boasts a three-layer, mesh-lined waistband and enough compression for all day wear. I found the fit to be rather roomy, and the waistband doesn’t touch the small of my back when I sit down. They fall to my ankles for a slightly loose yet true full-length fit. The material isn’t as soft as others on this list, but quickly absorbs moisture. There is enough compression to stay in place while moving, but it doesn’t provide much support.
Thing to Consider Before Buying the Best Hiking Leggings
Compression
Leggings are designed to be skin tight, which can offer increased mobility and comfort compared to traditional hiking pants. Their tightness varies while some, like the Lululemon Fast and Free Tight offer significant compression for staying power, lower drying times, and even increased blood flow. Others, like the Smartwool Active Legging are contoured to your body to stay put, but exert little to no pressure. The level of compression is personal preference.
Pockets
All but two of the leggings on this list offer a pocket to put your phone, and sometimes additional small items like headphones, keys, or an ID. Some pairs offer two drop-in phone pockets on either side, and I find these to be the most convenient. I like being able to put my phone in one and my keys, sunglasses, or anything else in the other.
Thermoregulation
Some leggings like the merino wool Chick Fly Leggings or Smartwool Active Legging will offer some thermoregulation. The rest of the best hiking leggings still wick moisture and offer a barrier to the cold in the late season. I also like to add one of the best puffer skirts as additional insulation.
Durability
Yoga tights and cheaper thermal underwear develop holes pretty quickly when you’re scrambling or bushwhacking. I expect more from the best hiking leggings. I loved Outdoor Research’s Ferrosi Hybrid leggings, but they developed holes while canyoneering and eventually split down the back while backpacking, and have since been removed from the best hiking leggings.
FAQs
All of the leggings on this list have a phone pocket except for the Mountain Hardwear Chockstone Trail Tight.
Your choice of hiking pants comes down to personal preference, however denim is still just cotton. It will hold moisture and fail to thermoregulate when working up a sweat.
Yes, you can wear hiking boots with leggings. I do it all the time in the winter.
Final Thoughts on the Best Hiking Leggins
The best hiking leggings offer breathability, mobility, and moisture wicking. They are versatile enough for year-round wear, keeping you dry in the summer and warm in the winter. During really cold conditions, you can easily layer on top of them while retaining the benefits of high-performance next-to-skin fabric. I took all of these leggings on various hikes and backpacking trips to help you find your new favorite pair:
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