Is It Okay to Hike in Jeans or Should You Buy Hiking Pants?
We all understand that hiking in Jeans is not ideal. But how bad can it be, really? After all, they're just pants.
In this article, we’ll talk about the pros and cons of hiking in jeans, and figure out whether it’s worth it to invest in a pair of good hiking pants, or if you can simply continue hiking in good old jeans.
Can You Hike in Jeans?
Obviously, you can go hiking in jeans. Some people think that whenever you go hiking, you should always be prepared for anything and everything, and you should only do it in dedicated hiking gear. But for shorter dayhikes and in places that aren't that remote, this just isn't necessary.
In fact, we used to hike exclusively in jeans just a few decades ago. In the ’70s, ’80s, and even ’90s, most people hiked in jeans. Of course, hiking pants are better, but we used to hike in jeans up until only recently, and everything was fine.
However, if you're taking hiking seriously and especially if you'll be doing longer distances, you'll very quickly realize that hiking pants are much better than jeans. Of course, you can also hike in jeans, but hiking pants have significant advantages.
Benefits of Hiking in Jeans
Jeans Are Durable
Original Denim (the material from which Jeans are made) is actually made from 100% cotton. It’s woven in a unique, reinforced pattern, which results in a more abrasion-resistant and durable material compared to regular cotton fabrics.
In fact, jeans became so popular not because of their looks, but because of their durability. Jeans were invented in 1972 by Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis. In the beginning, they were popular with gold miners and other workers, and by the 1930’s they became popular worldwide.
Good quality jeans are usually more durable than regular hiking pants. If you’re bushwhacking or just walking on rough trails in general, then jeans might make sense just because of their durability.
Jeans Are Cheaper Than Most Hiking Pants
While a normal pair of jeans costs 20-50$, a pair of good hiking pants usually costs 50-200$, depending on what kind of hiking they’re meant for. Most of us already have some kind of jeans at home, which means that you won’t have to spend extra money on a new pair of hiking pants.
Properly Fitted Jeans Will Be Very Comfortable and Breathable in the Right Conditions
If you bring a pair of jeans that fit you well (loose enough to not feel too tight when performing physical activities, while still being tight enough around the waist), they’ll perform almost identically to a good pair of non-cotton hiking pants.
They’ll do well on dry days with moderate temperatures that aren't too hot or too cold. If you wear a pair of thermal bottoms underneath, they’ll even do pretty well in winter.
Jeans Look Good
Most hiking pants are ugly. Jeans, on the other hand, always look good. This is one of the main reasons why a lot of people who are new to hiking choose jeans over hiking pants – they just look better.
That said, not all hiking pants look bad. If you find the right pair that fits you well, they’ll look as good as a pair of jeans. One tip is to look at the rock climbing section the next time you’re shopping for a new pair of hiking pants. They usually look better than hiking pants; they’re more durable, and they’re made from the same material as most walking pants. For instance, the prAna Stretch Zion pants look fairly good, in my opinion, at least when compared to most other hiking pants.
Disadvantages of Hiking in Jeans
Once Jeans Get Wet, They Become Heavy, Abrasive, and Have Poor Insulation Properties
Although a lot of modern jeans aren’t made from 100% cotton anymore, almost all denim fabrics contain a bit of cotton. And as everyone knows, cotton is the worst fabric choice for hiking gear. That’s because cotton soaks up water very easily.
And while regular cotton is a bad choice for hiking gear by itself, denim fabrics are even worse, because they soak up even more water, and they become much more abrasive when they’re wet. You’ll most likely notice some irritation on your skin after a long day of hiking in jeans.
In fact, jeans can, in some instances, even be dangerous. If it’s going to be cold and raining, jeans should be your last choice of hiking pants because when they’re wet, they don’t provide a lot of insulation and even accelerate the transfer of heat, which could cause hypothermia.
Jeans Dry Very Slowly
Once jeans become wet, they dry much longer compared to synthetic fabrics. Think about the last time you did laundry – which items took the longest to dry? Probably jeans. When hiking, staying dry should be one of your top priorities because it can lead to blisters, cause hypothermia, lead to all kinds of abrasions, and, in general, cause you to be uncomfortable and miserable. So if you’ll be hiking in the rain, forget jeans and get synthetic pants, or better yet, rain pants.
Jeans Are Much Heavier Compared to Hiking Pants
Denim is a fairly heavy fabric, and a pair of jeans will usually weigh 0.34 – 0.45 kg (12 – 16 oz). Hiking pants, on the other hand, will weigh less. A pair of walking pants (single layer, no weatherproofing) will usually weigh about 0.22 – 0.28 kg (8 – 10 oz), and a pair of softshell rain pants (2-3 layers, windproof, waterproof) will weigh about 0.39 – 0.45 kg (14 – 16 oz), similar to what an average pair of jeans weighs. It may not seem much, but when you’re hiking for longer distances, every gram counts.
In Winter, Jeans Will Freeze
If you’ve lived up north, where it gets below freezing in the winter, you know that jeans will freeze. The snow melts from the warmth of your body and then freezes when the temperature drops below a certain point, resulting in more loss of body heat and uncomfortable hiking. On shorter hikes, it isn’t really an issue if you’re wearing long, insulated boots and you’re wearing synthetic or wool thermal bottoms underneath. But on longer hikes, it isn’t advised.
On Longer Hikes, You’ll Start Chafing, Especially in Hot Weather
Chafing is a result of extended skin exposure to humid, abrasive environments. It can usually be avoided when hiking by wearing breathable synthetic or wool underwear in combination with a pair of synthetic hiking pants. If it’s hot outside, jeans are neither breathable nor moisture-wicking. And what’s worse, they’re much more abrasive than synthetics, so if you’ll be hiking for extended periods with jeans, you’ll most likely experience some form of chafing or skin irritation.
What Kind of Jeans Are Best for Hiking?
If you’ll be hiking in jeans, it’s a good idea to choose jeans that aren’t made from 100% cotton denim. Most denim jeans nowadays have a bit of Spandex or Lycra synthetics in the fabric, which makes the fabric more elastic, breathable, tear-resistant, water-repellent, and quicker-drying. Instead of hiking in 100% cotton jeans, choose some kind of synthetic blend.
Another important factor is fit. Skinny jeans will be much, much more uncomfortable when hiking. I know that because I wear tight jeans regularly, and I regret wearing them anytime I’m doing something physically demanding. Instead, choose loose-fitted jeans, which will be more breathable, comfortable, and result in a “less-sweaty” experience.
That said, no jeans are ideal for hiking. If you’ll be hiking in the rain, cold weather, or very hot temperatures, you should invest in a pair of good hiking pants. Jeans are bad at moisture-wicking, breathability, comfort, and abrasion, which makes them a pretty bad choice for hiking. On shorter hikes, of course, it won’t really matter that much, but if you’re planning a three-day hike, you should look into getting a pair of good non-cotton hiking pants.
How Do You Wear Hiking Boots With Jeans?
If you aren’t sure what’s the best way to wear jeans together with hiking boots, down below I’ll cover three ways, starting with the best one.
Option 1: Let Your Jeans Slide Over the Boots
If your jeans are wide enough, the best option would be to let them slide over your hiking boots. If your jeans get wet from the grass, you won’t feel that, and less debris will get inside the boots. One negative, though, is that the jeans will get dirty pretty quickly.
Option 2: Cuff Your Jeans
The second option would be to cuff your jeans one or two times until they’re just slightly over the boots, or slightly above them. This will still give some protection from debris getting inside the boot, and in my opinion, this option is also the best-looking one.
Option 3: Tuck Your Jeans Inside the Boots
The last option would be to put your jeans inside the boots. This is the least favorable option, as it will allow for a lot of dirt to get inside the boot. Usually, it’s also the least comfortable one, because your ankles will be brushing against your jeans, and it might result in some bruises or even blisters.
What Kind of Pants Should You Use Instead of Jeans for Hiking?
Hiking pants are divided into walking pants, rain pants, softshell pants, and hardshell pants, and each one is made for a different occasion. If you’ll be hiking in dry weather, walking pants should be the best choice, but if you’ll be walking in colder weather with some rain possible, then a pair of softshell pants would be ideal.
In terms of material, you definitely need to go with synthetics. The ideal choice for the material would be 90-98% nylon with 2-10% elastane/spandex/lycra. This mix of materials provides the best breathability, fit, water repellency, odor resistance, and durability.
Other than that, the pants should be water-repellent if you’ll be hiking in rain, and consist of 2-3 layers if you’ll be hiking in cold weather. They should fit you nicely – not too loose or too tight. Other things to look out for are an elastic waist tightening system, good wind resistance, and weight, which should be as lightweight as possible.
Final Words
A lot of hikers will tell you that hiking in jeans is a bad idea, but I don’t agree with this opinion. For day hiking in good conditions (no rain, not too cold, not too warm), they perform almost as well as a pair of good hiking pants. However, for longer hikes or for hiking in worse conditions, a pair of good, synthetic hiking pants is recommended. Jeans perform really poorly when they’re wet- they weigh much more, they become abrasive, they take forever to dry, and they lose their insulation properties. So if you have the budget, it’s definitely worth it to invest in a pair of good hiking pants.
