Stretchy Pants and Underwear for the Adventures of Plimbing Over Poor Oak, Pesticide Trees and Coarse Boulders

Not only do hiking pants help protect my legs, but they also function to protect my mind as I climb over poison oak, ticks, or coarse boulders. He says you should look for something comfy, stretchy and quick-drying. He uses a blend of nylon and spandex which he combines with long underwear for extra warmth. According to the American Hiking Society’s creative director, choose hiking pants that have multiple or a blend of fabrics for performance purposes. He suggests avoiding cotton since it can lead to uncomfortable and even tempestuous situations when wet.

Finally, if you’re backpacking with a hip belt, “it’s a great idea to test out your weighted pack with your pants, belt, shirt and even the underwear you plan to wear while hiking,” Trimble says. “Walk a few loops around the block and see if you feel any rubbing and friction. Sometimes belt loops, seams and friction between various materials will cause irritation due to the added pressure of the hip belt. On a few occasions, I’ve ended up with abrasions on my hips and lower back due to this friction on long hikes. Hikers can stay more comfortable on longer hikes if they test this out before they go.