Hiking in a Skirt – one good reason
Ok, it’s Frank here. I don’t usually hike in anything but shorts, no matter what the season.
I don’t walk in a skirt and neither does Sue. We’ve never found a good reason until a few days ago.
Heading into the Walls of Jerusalem - Tasmania - the one on the left is wearing the skirt (Hi Rhona & Simon)
We came across an article at Dressed in Dirt.
This excellent site, subtitled the tips and tales of a female backpacker is run by Adelaide Brown.
Adelaide is a writer currently living in Portland, OR, she runs the Portland Women’s Outdoor Club and has done “a good bit of travel” including a few months on the Appalachian Trail.
Anyway, back to the story, what is the big advantage of wearing a shirt hiking? Drumroll…… pee-ability (a new word invented by Adelaide)
I am NOT going into the details here, as I am NO expert on female peeing issues while hiking (and never plan to become educated….. ever) but Adelaide makes a great case in her article – Why you should hike in a skirt (or at least think about it) Hint, there is more than one reason, all pretty good, even for males….
p.s. If you want to read another funny post by Adelaide – check out this one titled: I am not cute , it made me laugh, a lot!
All right you fashion guru’s, question time.
Have you ever done a long distance hike in a skirt? (we’re not talking a day stroll here)
Would you wear a shirt now you have been fully briefed?
Any males out there, what is your opinion of wearing a skirt on a multi day trip?
Females, can you see the advantages?
Keep it nice.
Similar Posts:
- Shorts and Gaiters and/or Shorts and Long Johns!
- What do you wear hiking? Share your best clothing ideas.
- Gaiters – which ones for hiking …. and why?
- How to choose the right hiking boots – Lessons learned
I have two hiking skirts and while they are fine for some hikes the real issue is with the longer one. Fine for straightaways with no stepping up or down, otherwise you get tangled up quickly. The shorter skirt is easier to wear.
You do have to make sure you don’t get thigh chafing. It can develop quickly!
As for peeing…..I don’t see skirts as any advantage there.
Hi Sarah, Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment – for anyone who does not know, Sarah runs a fantastic site called Trail Cooking Highly recommend a visit.
Mmm, from your feedback don’t think a skirt is for me! (or Sue)
They are comfy in warm weather though! I will say my favorite is my Mt. Hardwear skirt I have, it is cut in the waist the same as the pants so the hipbelt on packs fits well.
Wow! Sarah, I love your site! I send people there all of the time.
Thanks for pointing out that connection, Frank.
Pleasure Addy,
Sarah is a legend in the world of eating on the Trail!
Thanks for the shout-out! Nice site you have here.
Thanks Addy,
Was very impressed with your site (mutual admiration society here) .
I love the series Training Aubrey to hike Hell’s Canyon . Better start following some of those exercises ourselves!
While I understand the pee-ability thing (being a girl an’ all, what I don’t understand is the “without having to take off my backpack”. I can walk in my backpack, climb Marion’s Lookout in my backpack, but I can’t see myself with enough control over my centre of gravity to pee in my backpack! And if the first time I have to use that cute little yellow whistle around my neck is to retrieve me from entanglement in my backpack and newly dampened vegetation with my knickers around my ankles then believe me I’ll sulk for days.
Amy Sure we’ll look at Mr. Food!
I did about a 2 hour hike today wearing a columbia cordouroy skirt. It was very light weight and 18 inches long. It was much more comfortable than wearing shorts. I plan on purchasing more skirts to hike in the future. Just have to deal with the double takes as I walk past people.
Well done Scott!
Glad you are comfortable, I’d just ignore the stares and keep in walking!
A skirt is the way to go! Air circulation, no sunburned knees,great for ‘peeability’ (but so is a ‘shewee’ when you have trousers on, so that’s not the key advantage for me). It’s the sense of freedom and the air circulation that make it a winner for me. I wear skirts from ‘Macabi’ which are designed for outdoor activity – loose and long, but can be ‘trouser-fied’ with a clip and shortened at the sides, if required…. so I hike in it long, use the clip to reign it into trousers if breezy, and ramp the sides up for water crossing, so they’re like shorts. Quickdry fabric makes it v practical. Great deep pockets too! Also, in some parts of the world where I’ve worn the skirts, such as Nepal and the Indian Himalaya, the women love it when you’re in skirts, as they are. The skirt also acts as a great changing room for getting dressed under after a swim in the open… stretch the elasticated waist to fit under your armpits and you have a perfect changing tent. And no, honestly, I’m not on commission, I just love hiking in such an easy versatile garment!
Great comment Lisa,
The skirt looks very versatile. The website has some great pics of women wearing the skirts in heaps of locations and adventures: This is the link for anyone who is interested. http://www.macabiskirt.com/
Thanks for dropping by,
Keep up the adventuring!
Frank