Stop Wearing Pants! …Backpacking

[@shawnbuscholl3546]

I do both. Depends on terrain, weather, distance etc. It's kind of like trail runner vs hiking boots debate... both have their place and I use one or other depending on the hike and time of year in Canada

[@53nd4k]

This is a good subject. Like tent vs. hammock, there are very good reasons to go one way or the other. And even though I think that trail runners rather than boots are the right choice for the majority of backpacking situations, the phrase, "Do what's best for you" is always correct. Also, "Pack the gear that fits the conditions you expect." Both those adages of course are applicable in the pants vs. shorts decision. You did a good job in showing each of your team members with clear preferences for either option. And you did a good job at providing your personal opinion in a non-heavy handed way. I have always been a shorts guy through-and-through since I started hiking. However, 5 years ago I got into a poison oak-laden hike with shorts and short-sleeved shirt and paid for it dearly. It was so bad that it required a trip to my doctor and prescriptions to deal with the massive rash and resulting skin infection. Ticks aren't as big a problem in the west where I'm at, but I can see how a permethrin treated pant is a wise approach. I used to hike in convertible pants but they were too restrictive when I took long strides or steps up or down or even just moving around/kneeling/sitting. But when I planned my OV100 hike in Big Sur - the mother ship of poison oak - and Los Padres National Forest, I decided I needed more protection than shorts. So I bought a pair of REI pants that are very lightweight and don't restrict me near as much as my convertibles. I was able to move pretty freely and be comfortable. Yet the ventilation was a problem for me even though they were the lightest fabric I could find in any pants. I sweat A LOT and it was so hot and sunny that my shirt and pants were soaked most of the time. Over the 50-mile trip, that turned into bad chaffing - essentially diaper rash! I'll try this pant-based outfit a couple more times, but I think I may be moving away from pants if I can help it. Not sure how I'd deal with another Big Sur trip. It's a magical place and I am not going cross that off my list of favorite destinations for sure. The "Pack the gear that fits the conditions you expect" is conflicting with "Do what's best for you." I'll just have to figure it out. Still, if you see me on the trail, I'm almost certainly in shorts.

[@philsmith2444]

If your pants are restrictive then you need different pants. Not only am I a pants hiker, I also wear long-sleeved baselayer shirts as my sole layer in the summer. My short-sleeve shirts are for winter, either under a long-sleeved merino shirt or soft shell jacket (or both.) When it’s hot it’s hot regardless of whether you’re in shorts or pants, and you have the benefit of your pants becoming wet with sweat and helping cool you off. Sweat running down your legs into your socks and shoes is wasted coolant. But as always, hike your own hike! There’s no right or wrong.

[@gabrielharward4189]

For summer and winter I also wear clothes very similar. I prefer long sleeves and a hoodie (I have a really nice mountain hardware sun shirt). This shirt is Uber lightweight and keeps me cooler than anything else I've tried (I live in the desert in Southern Utah). Not only this but this layer I use at camp when I've showed down for the hoodie and long sleeves for protection from bugs. They also have the holes in the sleeves for even cooler weather. This thing is a dream!!!

[@robertcampbell1668]

Yeah. Here in the Blue Ridge, poison ivy, briars, etc are often a problem where I am, and trails are not always well maintained. You brush- bust past tree falls, tall weeds, etc. I like zip offs in some settings. In a swampy SC area, I zipped them back on when the mosquitos and sun got really bad. Side note, I get my pants treated by Insect Shield. Used to cost $10.00, supposed to last for life of garment. It's a steam permethrin treatment. Definitely keeps the ticks off. I find the hat treatment useless for mosquitoes and gnats. I still keep a head net.

[@keakretuer]

@@robertcampbell1668 Just curious if you think sending clothes to Insect Shield for treatment is better than self spraying with Sawyer Permethrin treatment?

[@robertcampbell1668]

@@keakretuer Yes. Sawyer Permethrin treatment lasted me for about 5-6 washes, and it depended on how well the garment was saturated. The Insect Shield treatment is supposed to last for life of garment or 70 (?) washings. So far, that's worked for me. I believe their process was developed for and is used on military combat uniforms. Insect Shield sells clothes, but I prefer my own.

[@kimberlypenney7216]

I love your pants.. I don’t like flys, brush scratches , or mosquito bites on my leg. I also have a little more security hoping a rattler will get my pant leg and not my leg. As a medical professional I don’t like bug spray. Your pants worked great for me on the CDT.

[@cameraandacanvas]

Pants for me. There's too much overgrowth here on the East coast and things like stinging nettle are no fun to brush up against. Plus bugs of course, I'd rather not get my legs bitten and scratched up, and would rather wear pants than keep applying bug spray. I've found pants that are loose and comfortable enough even in the summer, they don't feel restrictive.

[@glazierd55]

I have been a shorts hiker for years. While I have lightweight tights for sleeping, I found super lightweight rain pants work great for early cold morning over my shorts, as well as for rain. Agree with you, I don’t carry anything in the short pockets. Full on winter hiking is another story, long pants for protection and warmth for sure. Shorts also double for swimming trunks if I want to cool off in a lake. Finding multiple uses for the same gear is a backpackers dream.

[@ironpig701]

I prefer pants. Less cuts. Less dirt. Less sunburn. And despite what folks think they keep you cooler. Don't believe me go look at folks from the Middle east how many are in shorts? How many are fully covered? Wonder why??

[@rolffriis5149]

💯

[@philsmith2444]

Yep, I think a lot of people just don’t like the feel of sweaty fabric next to their skin. I got over that long, long ago in the army. Sweat-dampened (or drenched in my case) clothing will help keep you cooler through evaporation, every little breeze turns it into a mini air conditioner. Sweat won’t stay on your skin to cool you off, most of it will simply run down your legs into your socks and shoes where it doesn’t help at all.

[@gabrielharward4189]

I think the main thing with them is 100% protection from the sun. I live in Southern Utah and its been in the 100s. And I can tell you that pants CAN be better for protection, but if you can do stretches wearing shorts is definitely more comfortable. However, I have 0 problem with this because I have some marmot zip off ultralight weight pants so I have 100% choice in how I'm feeling! Yes I'm a zip off pants guy 😅

[@franklincarr5927]

I also wear both, but not mentioned below is the east coast (Appalachian trail) vs the west coast (PCT, CDT, etc). When out west, I don't have to worry about chiggers, ticks, or other such annoyances as I do, particularly in the southeast.

[@WasatchWill]

I'm still a fan of the zip-off pants or pants altogether. I like to go off trail a lot to link up various trails for some creative routes or just in search of a secluded campsite and when I've used shorts in the past, I've often been scratched and nicked up enough that my legs have become really itchy and sore thereafter. I'd rather have the protection that pants offer for that kind of terrain and deal with the other minor inconveniences that come with pants. However, when it gets really hot and I'm on a well established trail with nothing growing over it or roaming around above tree line in more rugged terrain, then being able to zip off to shorts has definitely been nice. I've never had issues with the zippers, other than trying to figure out which side goes where at times.

[@Manatherindrell]

Pants for me. I hate sunscreen, and melanoma runs in my family. And combining pants, long sleeve sun hoodie, sun gloves, and head net means I can also get away carrying little to no insect repellent.

[@markrico1917]

Not worried about bug protection - but the poison ivy and poison oak here in the southeast are no joke on the lesser-traveled trails. Sure, on the A.T. it's generally not overgrown, but that's only 10% of the hiking I do in my area. I'll stick with my dad pants (zipoffs).

[@brycewalburn3926]

Stretchy pants don't restrict movement. I can't stand long socks, so my calves absolutely get sunburnt in shorts. I prefer to keep everything I bring inside my tent clean, if I can. That's much harder if my legs are crusted with dust/dirt. Although you acknowledged that pants can help with ticks, it's clear that it's much less of a concern for you based on where you're hiking. for me, the ventilation is really the only benefit of shorts. That said, those Skyline shorts look dope!

[@gabrielharward4189]

I bought a pair of marmot zip off pants that are super light weight have zippered pockets and I LOVE them. They dry fast and but I also wear them in really cold and or wet weather. They fit 100% perfect and no problems with comfort. The way I use them is to wear shorts all day while hiking and adventuring, maybe even getting wet and swimming. I love the ventilation and I don't feel as hot. Then boom, I get to camp and as I start slowing down I can throw them on really fast. Sometimes I don't even take my shoes off. Nice thing is I don't have to bring a whole extra pair of pants, to have pants!! The sleeves for the Bottoms are around 8 grams. That is not a lot of weight to be warmer at night! I swear down by these. I get the best of both worlds and choose at any time what I want for little to no sacrifice! The other thing is that our pants come in real handy with mosquitos and bugs and "mechanical protection" from things. This is really the way to go!!!

[@HarryKuloh]

Always been a shorts guy, but have switched to pants (which have mesh ventilating kneebacks) because I was tired of being eaten by mosquitoes when i set up camp and cook in the evening. Also when i sit down in evening and try to enjoy the outdoors while outside the tent...forget about that, if wearing shorts.

[@TangoOscarMikeN3WS]

I have some REI hiking pants are super light weight. I prefer them to sunscreen and the ticks/lyme disease are so bad around here I treat them with permethrin. I still think that is better than lathering my legs with various chemicals. They are easy to rinse and dry fast. I use them kayaking as well. If anything I'd think that beard would be really uncomfortable and hold in heat. 😆

[@TheHikingMassageTherapist]

Being a short person I have to crawl over a lot of blowdowns. Currently doing the pct and I crawled over one log recently and a branch I didn’t see ripped into my leg. Somehow my kuhl Trekr pants didn’t tear, but I was left with a horrible bruise. If I had not been wearing pants it would have ripped my leg open 4” up my thigh. I’m keeping my pants.

[@scottburkhart6953]

Pants v. Shorts!! If I am hiking in non-brushy areas, shorts are great. If I'm in brushy, bushwacky terrain, my Satu pants. Know before you go! However, to quote an OV Admin reply to one of my comments, "Hike your hike!"

[@_68niou1]

One other thing Tayson, I think it's hilarious that just about every shot of you wearing shorts shows you wearing socks that go up to the knee. Seems like what you really like is just having some void in that two inch space above the knee. LOL!

[@allisonnodurft3878]

50 degrees and I'm wearing shorts! Iowa weather is crazy, we are used to cold mornings hot days and cold evenings. I wear shorts as long as possible!!

[@Raveler1]

Man, I just bought the Satu pants. And they're exactly what I've been looking for - lightweight, vented, comfortable, durable, and quiet pants that dry quickly. That quiet bit is the piece that no one ever talks about - nylon and full synthetic pants go whisp, whisp, whisp at every step. I used to wear Kuhl pants for that reason, but after two pairs of them wore out at the seat (from cycling), I stopped buying them. But I also bought a pair of cotton shorts while in Hawaii recently - and I found, wearing shorts was actually quite comfortable too. But not for hiking - harvest mites, ticks, and poison ivy are way too prevalent in Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas for me to trust backpacking in shorts.

[@suburbia2050]

Have you tried the satu pants while cycling? Is wear too early to determine?

[@Raveler1]

@@suburbia2050 Yeah, it's too early for wear - I just received them on Monday! They're very comfortable on the bike, though, and I look forward to putting them through the paces. Being able to cinch the cuffs, and link them to the shoes suggests that they'll do a better job of keeping out of the chain, too.

[@brianbell2176]

I was hardcore shorts for years, but as I began to hike more I found avoiding poison ivy was becoming more difficult. Even ending hikes or forcing a move elsewhere. I hate not wearing shorts, but the evil ivy is far too prevalent here in the eastern US

[@Lv4_o2]

Shorts🙋‍♀️…but when the deer/horse/black flies are idiots, pants are required even if you don’t want to.🤷‍♀️😆

[@Dante07cid]

Shorts in summer especially tick season. Yep. I’m in the Midwest and loaded with ticks. I can feel the ticks on my legs and remove them promptly with shorts but with pants I seem to gather them by the dozens and they are more apt to dig in. Legs don’t seem to be bothered by skeeters and I seldom get poison ivy.

[@franklincarr5927]

Really? i seem to find pants better here because, although not fashionable, I do the Army ranger trick and tuck my pants into my socks. This has kept me tick-free vice the shorts. glad the shorts work for you though; certainly cooler!

[@morpheoush]

Yeah... i like the idea but the reality of poison ivy and all the various plants with thorns that cause pain (even with long pants) is just too much. I don't have a better solution for what happens when i am on an overgrown trail (this past weekend in Shenandoah) where the risk of having a skin reaction for multiple days could have been avoided by having a fabric cover my legs. I also feel like the weight of hiking sock coming all the way up to my knees is just... hot. i wore lightweight long pants and had no restrictions. I agree there may be trails that warrant shorts and the zip off business is just ugh but always shorts is too extreme for me and not realistic on the trails I hike. As with a lot of these videos, statements like this make sense in certain parts of the US but in other areas it's just silly

[@henkschmitz6768]

You also stopped shaving... years ago! :) About the shorts - I agree! From a cyclist in Holland.

[@zedaprime]

Severse Limes has caused a good friend of mine to loose the ability to work or have the energy do much of anything. Would love to do hiking in the west where ticks are less prevalent. The pants I use have mesh on the side (rail riders eco mesh).

[@outdooraf]

It's called Lyme

[@username-mc7jw]

What I wear totally depends on where I'm hiking. Here in northern Utah, it's not uncommon to backpack in places where scrub oak and sagebrush dominate the trail. That stuff will have your legs all bloody and looking like you got mauled by a bear within minutes. On those trails, I try to wear long pants! In fact, my normal wear in those areas is a pair of light weigh quick dry shorts UNDER a pair of long pants. That gives me the option of ditching the long pants when I hit better sections of trail, without having to actually 'change' into shorts on the trail. If I know I'm not going to be encountering any of that type of leg-mauling vegetation, I simply leave the long pants at home.

[@_68niou1]

Tayson, I was disappointed that zip offs didn't get more love. I have used them almost exclusively for backpacking since about 1995. You can find good ones, if you look. Eddie Bauer made the first set that I loved and wore for years before they finally wore out (got burned a bit trying to dry off a little). The North Face makes some good ones and I currently have a pair made by Kuhl that I love. About the only shortcomings I regularly find with them is the shorts mode tend to be a little too long (the old Eddie Bauer ones were a perfect 8", and nothing currently is made that short). I always get the ones that have bottom side zips and coding for which zip attaches to which side. And one last thing, since you say good ones are nearly impossible to find, I went and looked at your site... and you don't have any. Why not design some good ones?

[@nickwoo2]

Try a hiking kilt. They are great and lightwieght

[@Dave_Outside]

Kuhl renegade zip off are awesome. Well made, cargo pockets, comfortable.

[@tonymontano3042]

Pants for backpacking. Shorts for day hikes. With pants I don't have to lather my skin with bug and sun protection lotions or sprays, and then clean up at night. If I backpack off trail I'm more protected from scratches and ivy. I can minimize dirt on my legs so I'm not getting my sleeping bag dirty. If you crush miles then shorts make sense for ventilation.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for sharing!

[@TylerCampbellOutdoors]

I typically wear pants, but I'm coming around. Big trip later this month and planning primarily on shorts

[@BurfieldPhoto1]

Commenting from New Zealand, where shorts have always been the standard, even in the snow. But then our native ticks only feed on birds, not mammals.

[@SamWize.]

I love wearing shorts for anything especially hiking, what I find is problem tho is in the UK, the weather being rainy and wet and windy, can cause wind burn on your thighs

[@MrJaimecoady]

Shorts almost all the time...except for evening and mosquitos in the Sierra, then happy I have my Dad zip on conversions.

[@stevenbrewer8788]

I wear sierra design zip offs, and this seems to be the most versatile…:) best of both worlds

[@shawnr6117]

Performance fabric zip cargoes all the way. Light, stretchy, breathable, adaptable, what's not to love.

[@theoutdoordogandhikinggirl]

I was only wearing pants untill this year. Always said shorts were not mine. Worn a shorts once at the beginning of spring and since than I only used my pants once 😅

[@chrismagner9136]

Stinging Nettle will convince you of the value of a decent pair of hiking pants!

[@boopernator]

I love my Satu pants, but I have defiantly made the switch to shorts for hiking. I feel like the biggest advantage is the mobility you get from wearing shorts. I like to have. a pair of pants to wear at the campsite and that's where the Satu pants come into the picture.

[@HarryKuloh]

You have defiantly made the switch? Why so defiant?

[@boopernator]

@@HarryKuloh oops, "definitely" didn't spell check that comment. "definitely"

[@josephlefferts6359]

Hey Tayson, you and the crew should come out here to Tahoe with some gear and check out Tahoe Rim Trail. It's about a 170 mile loop around the Lake Tahoe mountain range. It would be a really cool high altitude trip to fast pack and it would make for a sweet video for the tube.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Would love to make that happen sometime!

[@shutthedoor2052]

i will never wear shorts because here in the Philippines, bugs will feast your flawless legs. I wear those Korean silk dri-fit pants that stretches like forever.

[@dadainthip]

About a year ago I stopped wearing both and switched to a kilt

[@NancyAtilano-t3z]

I’ve gotten poison oak too many times in the past. I also appreciate the extra protection from rattlesnakes.

[@dougdekuiper3194]

Shorts for me. Light weight running stile preferred.

[@operationandy]

Shoutout my state ❤ Va baby

[@bucky716]

I can't imagine wearing pants unless there's snow on the ground. Do these shorts have deep pockets for the larger cell phones? Too many have tiny pockets.

[@m34tba11]

meh..its one of those things (IMHO) that destination determines the choice.. in the US, shorts all day long..in the UK (having done both shorts and pants), Pants all day long..has little to do with the bug or sun factors…. Love me some Vouri’s for west coast trail walking, but definitely wanna check out your skyline shorts..that said yah “shorts vs pants”. that whole drag factor and doing big miles in pants is not really a thing, and plenty of folks (myself included) can push 20s day after day in pants w/o issue.

[@scruffybackpacker1299]

Lol I'm from VA yes bugs everywhere but not harmful most of the time and yes i wear shorts all the time

[@kenbutcher5158]

In parts of the East, pants. Ticks by the thousands. I've had eight on my permithrin soaked pants from passing by one bush on some hikes.

[@Clear24chris]

Pants are the way. BUT - Make pants that feel as good as going bare. (please). Side vents like the Vidda pro, vents in front like the UFPro Striker HT pants, button fly for field repairs, stretchy quick-dry fabric but soft lining for freeballing comfort.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Great idea!

[@Clear24chris]

@@TaysonWhittaker lol not swimtrunk liners, though, just soft lining. And blousing straps at the bottom to keep out ticks. If you guys really produce this, take my money.

[@charlesbrown0413]

How about this proposal...I prefer shorts in general...BUT...send me a pair and I'll try them. If I like them, I'll become a brand ambassador for your company. Win/win :)

[@3rd_Coast_Outdoors]

A little trick from cycling where you basically only wear shorts: Shaved legs don't get cold.

[@natlovell122]

This is why I wear a Speedo hiking

[@menuhin]

In jungles of the Africa and South East Asia invested with mosquitoes so much that one might have to use head nest?

[@madcolor]

We have to put out another video... What should it be about..? I dunno.. Pants?

[@davidjohnson7484]

Pants. Sun protection, no ticks in my socks and shoes.

[@whatsimonsaysabout...6447]

I use compression pants (leggings?) With running shorts over the top. A lot of advantages beside sun protection and ventilation (e.g. ticks have to climb up the outside and are easily visible, can treat with Permethrin too). I think the best of both worlds. Started using them after getting really severe sun burn in the Australian Alps (legs actually swelled up). kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJOkhn2heN6Wd5o

[@royalbrooks7163]

I use ranger panties with performance leggings underneath with no underwear.

[@adventureswithfrickandfrack]

I like shorts but I wear pants if I have to go over a lot of blow downs.

[@biomorphic]

Pants only when there is snow, otherwise shorts, even if it's cold. If I could do that when I was 12, you can do it as well as an adult.

[@valdius85]

In Japan men wear shorts and leggins :)

[@BackcountryTreks]

Just do what you’re comfortable in. The end.

[@billheckman5937]

Shorts. I'm fortunate in that I am not prone to poison ivy or bug bites.

[@outdooraf]

His beard is SPF 4K

[@CascadeBackcountry]

Pants for the win. Mosquitos would literally murder you here if you wore shorts

[@kevinstarski1598]

Pants all the way...not going to turn into puffy and shorts wearing influencer any time soon :-)

[@sherrierifenberg2199]

Hummmm…still like a light weight pant🤦‍♀️

[@bobmcelroy7289]

Im older, and my skin is alot thinner. Its pants for me!

[@GabagoolFool]

Funny i just did my first trip in shorts, as i always wear pants, and i got terrible poisoning on both legs ! Lol

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Oh no!

[@dgoode4]

ha, you've never hiked in Missouri

[@m.hernandez1404]

Nope. Pants.

[@TheBigBadWolf85]

Team Zipp!

[@wagglycloth4547]

i use zip-offs

[@Matsulovesyou]

❤

[@alexanderjones8787]

Dude let me work for you guys

[@alexanderjones8787]

So yes

[@jukkavv]

Pants or shorts + gaiters because of snakes.

[@lisasdayoff503]

Pants for blowovers

[@JamesPanning]

I hate pants.

[@PMurray2694]

Shorts are for kooks