Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Saint Andrew's Lake at Sunrise, August 2016.
Ask anyone who has ever had any kind of conversation with regarding backpacking- I am obsessed with hiking in a skirt. Skirts are my favorite piece of backpacking/hiking gear. And it's not because I will do anything to avoid wearing pants (even though that is true).

I played field hockey, lacrosse, tennis and I danced for years... The Skirt Sports. I think it was kind of a subconscious requirement for me to start hiking in a skirt.

Below are my top four reasons for hiking in a skirt, and 1 downside (solely in the name of being unbiased).

No shame in Hawaiian print at Panhandle Gap, September 2016.
1) Fashion
Obviously. Skirts are hella cute and you can get them in a million styles and colors. Skirts for hiking are becoming super popular, thus, more and more options are on the market. You can get them with wide, high waists and pockets, you can get dresses (less layers = less weight) or you can get bathing suit skirts (my go to). You can even get puffy skirts- a jacket for your butt! Awesome!

2) Taking a leak
It always comes back to peeing... A main reason for trying it the first time was because I was tired of hiking way off trail to find a place to pee, only to realize that I've exposed my ass to a group of hikers, not realizing that my trek off trail actually led me between switchbacks. Wearing a skirt saves you the fear of exposing yourself to the world (especially in less densely wooded areas like the subalpine meadows I've grown used to out here). Using a device like the Go Girl or She Wee makes this a million times easier, and it's a breeze in a skirt!

3) The Breeze
Speaking of breezes... There are few better feelings than not being constricted by the unbreathability of spandex/polyester blend. I will be the first to tell you about my love for a solid pair of leggings (and yes- they are pants). But it's nice to ditch the second layer of skin and let it all out in the open.

Of course, swapping shorts in favor of pants is an option if you want that nice upper thigh breeze, but (in my experience) shorts can restrict movement more than a skirt. In a skirt (given that you're wearing one made for hiking/activity) your strides can be as wide as you want.

After an hour+ slog up Asgard Pass... Had to throw on leggings once it started snowing. October 2016.
4) Versatility
My favorite thing about skirts (I know I've said this like, 8 times already, but this time I mean it) is the versatility of them. It's so much easier to add or shed layers when you don't have to take your pants off first (back to not needing to expose yourself). You can wear compression shorts, capri leggings or full length, depending on your comfort level, or you can go commando.

They're also a lightweight option. Having a pair of shorts and pants adds unnecessary weight. Plus, if you're hiking in a dress, you lose the need to bring a shirt as well. 

The downside...
1) Being told you're "adorable". Nope. I am strong and capable and agile and badass. Cute should not be the first thing a person compliments a backpacker on. Especially if I have been in the woods for six days and I'm stinky and dirty. Some hikers, seem to take you less seriously when you're in a skirt as opposed to full length pants and knee high gaiters. Yes, the skirt itself is cute. But there's so much more to a hiker than her clothing.
  


Contributors

My photo
I like to play in the mountains with my friends.
Powered by Blogger.
 
Twitter Facebook Dribbble Tumblr Last FM Flickr Behance