hiking skirts/skorts

[Surridge]

I posted about this earlier: My girlfriend thru hiked the AT in 2012. Her trail name is Purple Rain. She started out with convertible pants from Rei. Those lasted about 100 miles. Soon moved to a running shorts/ icebreaker legging combo. Finished the hike out in a similar combo to this. She was frustrated by the combo for many reasons. She spent the winter after her hike designing a hiking skirt which we took on the PCT last summer, hiking the Oregon section. The skirt uses a yoga style waistband so there are no buttons or other awkward fasteners that apply pressure with a backpack's waist belt. The skirts have pockets which allow for easy access to phone and map/guidebook pages. Easy to layer with leggings (I.e. You don't have to take off your shorts to remove leggings when getting hot. Airflow is huge she says. Also, she can stop, squat, and pee with little effort. She just started selling them on etsy and locally here in portland. Here's a link to her site for all you awesome female thrus: http://etsy.com/shop/purplerainskirts
feel free to contact her through etsy or look her up on Facebook (purple rain adventure skirts) and ask any questions. I'm pretty sure she forwent underwear and bra completely at some point. Some sports gel for chaffing, but only when it was hot and humid in the mid Atlantic.

[lemon b]

Just marking this one because I know my female hiking partner was asking me this exact question. Thinking she would be more comfortable hiking in some kind of skirt. Hope ya get some good info smili.

[SafetyFirst]

I hike in skirts I find at trail thrift stores, I've been changing out my wardrobe about once a week. I like them because they make me feel feminine on trail and make peeing easier. I believe the gels and ointments and long underwear aren't necessary to prevent chaffing if stringent hygiene is adhered to. I have learned to prevent chaffing by:

1. I wash my lady bits and thighs every night with some Dr Bonner's and about a half liter of water.

2. I carry a "piss rag" (aka a bandana) on the outside of my pack to wipe with.

3. I carry two pair exofficio underwear and I wear a pair and wash a pair every day.

It took me until mile 1100 on the PCT to figure this out but I haven't chaffed since, whether I choose to wear underwear or not.

[QHShowoman]

I just received a Purple Rain hiking skirt in the mail. It's well-made and even though the yoga-style waistband isn't the most flattering if you have a "pooch," I'm not vain enough to care. What I especially like is the dual pockets on each side! It's so hard to find skirts with functional pockets and when I hike in leggings or running tights, I lose out on having pockets. I plan to wear the skirt over Capri length running tights for hiking and it'll provide a bit of modesty while peeing as well. Thanks for sharing.

[squeezebox]

Another man in a skirt. I shortened it some so it wouldn't chafe my calves.
Mountain Handwear lots of good pockets.

[Surridge]

QHS, let us know how you enjoy the skirt after getting it outside for a trip! Enjoy the hiking

[slbirdnerd]

I went ahead and ordered the MH men's hiking kilt and, you know, it actually fits okay and with the built-in webbing belt, is flexible enough to work. It's long enough, like the fabric, and I like the pockets. It has a very soft waist lining. These things were not true with the other skirts I tried on. Apparently they used to make a women's, but oh well. The trail isn't a fashion show for me and all I care is that my clothes do what I want them to. As an added bonus, I'm ready for the Irish festival!

[hkanz]

I don't see the point of a skort... it just seems like shorts with another layer of fabric to add extra weight? I haven't tried hiking in a skirt. I think this would be awkward when navigating trails with downed trees or scrambling. Plus, you can't just zip the legs back on when it's cold or exposed, they don't protect as well from bugs, you can't wear rain pants with them, etc... I don't see any benefits, but maybe it's a chafing issue. I've never experienced chafing so can't speak to that.

[cheetahgeek]

I found that shorts left my legs exposed to bugs and other irritants. I'd was always slapping a long piece of grass with something crawly on it. Also, during the hot months the sweat was a magnet for dirt. I'm short and found a pair of quick drying capris that worked out great. I'm a 5'2" so they came to my boot top. I think I stayed cooler than those wearing shorts as the material would wick away the sweat.

[Adriana]

I'm a regular day-hiker on the Georgia AT. While I love, love, love my Athleta skort for in-town walks, dog-walks, etc. I would not wear it hiking due to poison ivy concerns. I am, however curious if any of you Athleta wearers go commando. How is the comfort?

[Traffic Jam]

I'm a regular day-hiker on the Georgia AT. While I love, love, love my Athleta skort for in-town walks, dog-walks, etc. I would not wear it hiking due to poison ivy concerns. I am, however curious if any of you Athleta wearers go commando. How is the comfort?

I love my Athleta skort too and wear it hiking all the time. I haven't worn it commando though, mainly for hygiene reasons. My ex officio undies are easier to rinse out and dry. I've worn the skort for 5 days straight with no chafing and buy the tall version to have more coverage for my legs.

[Riocielo]

If you like wearing running tights for hiking and can use a sewing machine, try putting a 7in invisible zipper in the crotch. It doesnt go where a man's zipper goes, but right over the "exits."

It makes it so easy to unzip and go, especially when it is hot and humid. I find pulling my pants up when it is humid is the hardest part! :-) With the zipper, it isn't necessary.

[Dogtra]

If you like wearing running tights for hiking and can use a sewing machine, try putting a 7in invisible zipper in the crotch. It doesnt go where a man's zipper goes, but right over the "exits."

It makes it so easy to unzip and go, especially when it is hot and humid. I find pulling my pants up when it is humid is the hardest part! :-) With the zipper, it isn't necessary.

That... is an interesting idea.

[squeezebox]

That pretty much what women's knickers , ( knee length undies) , were before the 20th century. A friend of mine does Civil War reinactments, she is an excellent seamstress. makes her own Civil War clothes, including knickers and corset., corsets are much different than even long line bras.
But anyway the knickers are "split leg" a flap at the crotch that can be sepperated, (pre zipper) , squat and do your stuff.

[naperica]

All you women need to invest in a Pstyle http://www.thepstyle.com or something of the like. It has been one of the best things in my pack.

I wear boxer brief style cotton undies while on the trail (I found some trouble with the spandex/lycra/poly type of underwear), and I think that gives me enough protection. No one is really looking up the skirt on purpose, but I suppose if they are, then give a show .

Just Bill, what is the M50? I type of material? I sew and was looking into making a skirt for me that is lighter, but wasn't sure what fabric to use....

[HeartFire]

I can't imagine what it would be like to hike with a zipper in the crotch area - they are quite stiff - I think just a slit and even that could become uncomfortable.

[Just Bill]

No one is really looking up the skirt on purpose, but I suppose if they are, then give a show .

Just Bill, what is the M50? I type of material? I sew and was looking into making a skirt for me that is lighter, but wasn't sure what fabric to use....

Excellent attitude regarding the show!

M50- has been out of stock for some time, but comes from http://thru-hiker.com/materials/breathable.php
Although I have since given up on it- a bit too thin and wispy, gets a bit clingy too when sweaty.

My revised opinion- Full rain skirt- use Sil-Nylon, regular hiking skirt- use uncoated (plain ripstop). If you want a hybrid and you are wearing something underneath- try the DWR. It is unlikely the DWR would last a full thru, but cheap and easy enough to make an extra or two to send via mail drop.

If you wanted super light- Argon .67 is the currently available substitute for M50. It is same weight but still has a DWR coating- Will produce a one ounce skirt.
http://dutchwaregear.com/argon-67.html
If you did want a light rain skirt- I would recommend the Argon .90- http://dutchwaregear.com/argon-90.html

If you have access to a Jo-Ann- their 1.9 oz ripstop nylon is what I currently use. The uncoated dries better and drapes well. It is more durable than the M50, doesn't cling, and only adds an ounce to a finished skirt. If you are only making a skirt, this is you cheapest option as you don't have to pay for shipping. My Men's Large size is about 2.5 ounces.

If no access- then many options depending on what else you need to spread the shipping costs. Quest outfitters, Rockywoods, DIYgear supply and others.

I was working on a pattern with instructions but never fine tuned it. If you need one let me know via PM, I'll give you what I have.

Making a skirt this way is far lighter than anything else available- highly recommend it.

As fer sewing a fly or zipper into shorts- I'm with Heartfire.


Regarding the overall-
I just got a pair of the compression sleeves to try. No feedback yet- but as discussed in another thread- regardless of the medical/fitness/recovery benefits- if you are concerned about ticks, poisonous plants, etc getting at you below the knee. Skirt, Ex-officio briefs (not boxers), compression sleeves and the socks of your choice seem like a chafing solution and full coverage all in one.

[naperica]

Regarding the overall-
I just got a pair of the compression sleeves to try. No feedback yet- but as discussed in another thread- regardless of the medical/fitness/recovery benefits- if you are concerned about ticks, poisonous plants, etc getting at you below the knee. Skirt, Ex-officio briefs (not boxers), compression sleeves and the socks of your choice seem like a chafing solution and full coverage all in one.

I run, and use the compression socks and calf sleeves after a long run, but did not event think about putting them in my hiking wardrobe.

I have some rip-stop at home, but was not sure how it would feel sticking against me, but I don't think it is 1.9 oz. I am there often getting fabric for customers, I will check it out. Thanks!

[Riocielo]

The invisible zippers are softer with tiny teeth. I did sew some satin ribbon over the zipper material just to make it smoother. To be honest, I never notice the zipper is there until I need it.

[illabelle]

All you women need to invest in a Pstyle http://www.thepstyle.com or something of the like. It has been one of the best things in my pack.

+1, P-style is great!