The 8 Best Hiking Leggings With Pockets

By Jake Reyes · September 15, 2019 · 22 min read
Woman in orange jacket hiking through foggy mountain landscape, admiring the view.

We compiled a list of the 8 best hiking leggings with pockets. Our four best choices are below, but don't limit yourself to them as there is a lot more in the article!

So you just found yourself a great pair of leggings for hiking... but there's one issue - no pockets! A complaint by pretty much every hiker everywhere. And no, those little fake pockets don't count. This is why I compiled a list of some of the best hiking leggings with pockets.

Hiking leggings aren't your ordinary leggings. A lot of these leggings offer protection from bugs and brush, wick moisture, and can be used as a base layer if needed. And yes, pockets you can actually fit stuff in.

In this review, I will cover:

What to Look for in a Good Pair of Hiking Leggings

If you think all leggings are the same, then you're in for a pleasant surprise. Hiking leggings are going to come with a lot more features than your everyday leggings or yoga pants. They'll be more durable, breathable, water-resistant, and functional.

Durability - Leggings for hiking are going to be made from more durable material. During your hike, you're going to be rubbing against rocks and bushes and the last thing you want is to rip your leggings. It's not uncommon to see leggings with reinforced knees and rear. These come in handy when scrambling up mountains or hanging around camp.

Pockets - Leggings with pockets are a huge plus when hiking. Many hiking leggings come with side pockets that hold your phone, keys, and snacks. These pockets should hold your items snugly so they don't bounce around. You might even want to consider leggings with zipper pockets. A huge convenience when you want to access snacks or your phone quickly.

Sun and Bug Protection - One problem with leggings is because they are so thin, they are more susceptible to bites and sunburns. Hiking leggings often come with UPF 50+ sun protection and sometimes even orderless bug protection.

Breathability - Looking for more breathable leggings? Some hiking leggings have mesh for ventilation to help keep you feeling cool.

Moisture Wicking and Water Resistance - If you're hiking, there's a good chance you're going to get wet. Good hiking leggings will wick away sweat and dry quickly for those rain showers or river crossings. Some even wear hiking leggings for skiing.

Easy of Movement - When you are scrambling on rocks, you'll want a pair of leggings that hold up and are flexible. A full gusset is preferred.

Best Hiking Leggings With Pockets For Women

#1 BALEAF Hiking Leggings

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Features

Technical specifications

Bottom Line

Baleaf's leggings cover all the bases when it comes to hiking, from wide waistband to moisture-wicking material to flatlock seams and gusseted crotch. It's the overall best product.

Pros

Cons

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#2 Yogipace Hiking Leggings For Women

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Features

Technical specifications

Bottom Line

Yogipace hiking leggings have a double-layer gusseted crotch, which offers freedom of movement, making them ideal for hiking on rough terrain.

Pros

Cons

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#3 Naviskin Hiking Leggings For Women

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Features

Technical specifications

Bottom Line

Naviskin hiking leggings have a quick-drying fabric that is breathable and soft which makes it a great legging to wear while hiking. 

Pros

Cons

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#4 CRZ YOGA Hiking Leggings For Women

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Features

Technical specifications

Bottom Line

CRZ YOGA Hiking leggings are ideal for winter hiking in rough terrain with their fleece lining to keep you warm and nylon fabric which resists wear and tear.

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Best Hiking Leggings With Pockets For Men

#5 FitsT4 Hiking Leggings For Men

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Features

Technical specifications

Bottom Line

The FitsT4 thermal hiking leggings are designed to be ideal activewear for cold days with thermal fleece lining to keep you warm. 

Pros

Cons

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#6 BALEAF Men's Hiking Leggings

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Features

Technical specifications

Bottom Line

Baleaf's leggings have two different fabric types available in the same range. One has polyester and spandex material, making it perfect for activewear, and the other one has cotton in it, making it more comfortable to use even as daily wear.

Pros

Cons

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#7 PIQIDIG Hiking Leggings For Men

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Features

Technical specifications

Bottom Line

The PIQIDIG hiking leggings are comfortable to wear on a long hike with a breathable fabric. They are available in 16 different colors, making them ideal activewear without compromising on your fashion.

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Cons

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#8 Queerier Hiking Leggings For Men

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Features

Technical specifications

Bottom Line

The Queerier hiking leggings are quick-drying and offer the best fit and compression with 4-way stretch fabric and spandex material.

Pros

Cons

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q What features should I look for in hiking leggings?

The leggings you choose should be based on weather conditions, having features like water-resistant and wind-resistant. Pick the legging fabric that is lightweight and also has a breathable property that will keep out moisture. Choose a legging that has pockets; this will help in carrying accessories. Pick polyester or nylon fabric as they have high durability. 

Q Is it better to wear jeans or leggings when hiking?

Jeans are better for hiking if you plan for a short hike like a day hike or nature walks. The main advantage of jeans is they have good durability, are tough, and may cause less bruising when you hit something during the hike. But as they are made of cotton material, which will cause the heat loss and retain more moisture. So, it is preferable to wear leggings when hiking as they are polyester and spandex material that works well for a hike.

Q Why should you not wear cotton for hiking?

The cotton fabric absorbs moisture and makes the cloth heavy, thus losing the ability to retain warmth and rapid heat loss. Also, it takes more to dry, making it difficult for the user to wear and hike for a long time. If you are going for a hike in a cold area wearing cotton, there are chances that you may suffer from hypothermia as there are chances of rapid body heat loss when you get soaked in sweat while resting in cold weather. 

Q Are fleece leggings good for hiking?

Most of the fleece lining leggings are of polyester and spandex material. These work the best for hiking in cold weather as they work as warm leggings. The fleece gives extra insulation to keep the body warm in cold weather conditions. The fleece lining offers a soft and comfortable feel when you go hiking. These leggings are machine washable and easy to maintain, making them a good option for hiking leggings. 

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Q Are yoga pants good for hiking?

Non-cotton yoga pants are suitable for hiking. The additional features that yoga pants must have to help in hiking are: yoga pants with pockets will help carry keys, cards, and phone while you go hiking. Also, pick the yoga pants that give a good fit at the thigh and crotch area, as this will provide good flexibility during the hike. 

Q Are leggings suitable for hiking?

You should prefer garments that give easy mobility when you hike. The leggings are lightweight, stretchy, and fit the body's shape, making the hike comfortable. The advantage of the leggings is they are breathable, so they guarantee moisture-wicking extending the durability. Choose those leggings of polyester and spandex material as they dry fast and give high flexibility. Whichever fabric you pick, choose the leggings with pockets to help you carry a mobile and other small accessories.

Q What is the most preferable material for hiking tights?

The best material for hiking tights is both nylon and Polyester. Both the materials are. Durable and wicks away sweat. It does not absorb water and sweat and dries quickly. Hiking tights require a good amount of stretchability that comes from a mix of spandex or elastane. 

Q Are compression tights good for hiking?

Compression tights are trendy these days, and while hiking, women love wearing them to travel for longer distances. These tights are designed to enhance the user's performance and not let the user get tired quickly. All those women who love hiking for long distances and do not want to get tired can use compression tights for hiking.

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Q Are hiking leggings different from yoga and fashion leggings?

Visually, there is not much difference between yoga pants and hiking leggings. Both feel great after you wear them. One of the main differences is that hiking leggings have inner waist pocket side pockets and back zipper pockets. All the pockets help store the two most essential things in life, money and phone. 

Hiking leggings are meant to handle rough weather and are usually water-resistant and waterproof. Many of them also have a fleece lining to protect you from the cold. They are also made of sterner material to handle wear and tear and usually have a higher percentage of spandex or elastane, which makes them fit better as well as more comfortable. Hiking leggings are perfect for outdoor use.

Q What should you NOT wear while hiking?

Avoid wearing denim while hiking as it absorbs water and soaks and doesn't dry out soon. Denim when wet results in discomfort on the body because of its chafing nature. The cotton fabric also retains moisture, so do not wear it. 

Though silk fabric has a moisture-wicking ability, avoid it if you have plans to hike long, and this fabric tears easily when you rub against anything. Wear minimum clothing, which means avoid jackets, bulky pants, and thin fabric while hiking. 

Q Is it better to hike in shorts or leggings?

What to wear during the hike is a personal choice. Though shorts make you feel comfortable as they are lightweight and give free movement, wearing leggings is always better than shorts as it protects you from bug bites and bruises, and cuts while hiking. Also, it is always better to wear leggings if you expect a sudden change in weather on your hike because shorts will not protect you from rain or sudden cold.

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Conclusion

Wearing suitable leggings while going hiking is essential. This is because the clothing we wear determines the protection and comfortability levels during the hike.

Out of the various options available for Best Hiking Leggings With Pockets, my favorite choice for women is BALEAF Women's Winter Leggings. These high waist leggings are stretchable, breathable, and have several features such as flatlock seams, fleece lining, and gusseted crotch which makes them perfect for hiking. They also have two side pockets for storage.

If you are looking for a comparatively cheaper option, Naviskin Women's Hiking leggings are a good option as well.

The best choice for men would be the FitsT4 Hiking Legging. These leggings have soft and warm material which is also wear-resistant and water-resistant, making them perfect for winter hiking.

For men, Queerier Compression hiking leggings are the best value for money option.

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About the author
Jake Reyes
Jake Reyes
Lead gear tester · Bishop, California

Jake spent his twenties guiding raft trips and rock climbing in the Eastern Sierra and now leads our gear-testing program. If a piece has been on a Pack Your Tent gear list, odds are Jake has carried it for 50+ miles or chopped wood with it in 20-degree sleet.

Wilderness First Responder. Ten seasons guiding for OARS in the Sierra Nevada. AMGA Single-Pitch Instructor cert.

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