rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jun 10, 2021 6:22:57 GMT -8
We’ve been here before, but it’s been a while. I like my classic hiking pants, with our without zip-off legs: lightweight nylon for coolness, breathability, quick drying, and mosquito-proofness. Loose fit in the legs allows for easy movement and air circulation. And pockets, including dorky cargo pockets that are accessible while wearing a pack. BUT: I hate the fixed waists. This has always been a problem, but this summer I’m recovering from abdominal surgery, and the waistbands of my pants are irritating on all levels, exacerbated by the “COVID 10” and what seems to be chronic bloating. What I want is what I used to get for my kids—basic hiking pants, complete with the useful pockets, with an elastic waist. I’d buy the kids’ pants if they fit, but I’m too big for that . So does anyone know of anything that fits the bill, with elastic waist? I’m not wild about tights and leggings, though worst case I guess I’ll go back to shorts over leggings, though that adds another waist band which doesn’t help.
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Post by bobcat on Jun 10, 2021 9:59:52 GMT -8
Some of my hiking pants have elastic sides, from Ex Officio. They are decades old though-no idea about current styling.
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Jun 11, 2021 13:54:14 GMT -8
How do you feel about a pull-on "jogger" style? I was at REI recently and saw some hiking pants in jogger styles. I think I saw a North Face pair and a Mountain Hardwear version. Basically the good ol' sweat pants style - elastic waist, baggy legs, pockets - but in the quick-dry lightweight fabric you're looking for.
As someone who has lived in sweat pants for a year now, the style is super "accommodating"...
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jun 14, 2021 19:57:24 GMT -8
jazzmom I’ll have to check them out. I’ve got a lead on some other pants that might do, as well. I have a pair of NF pants that are sort of like sweat pants, only they look quite respectable if you wear your shirt uncovered (to hide the waistband). I like to wear them for travel, and should nab another pair! But their fabric isn’t great for hiking.
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Post by hikinggods on Jun 15, 2021 18:19:09 GMT -8
I struggle with the same issue: since my cancer surgery 5 years ago I can't stand anything tight around my waist. For now, my solution is a pair of Columbia hiking pants with a fixed waist, but the waist is quite loose on me, so the built in belt tightens it up just enough for comfort and holding my pants up! I would really like an elastic waist, though. I had a pair of (men's) Woolrich pants in a very light brushed nylon with elastic waist that I wore for YEARS until the literally fell apart last year. I have seen the Mountain Hardwear pants Jazzmom mentioned, and they look like a good option, except I have a 34 inch inseam, and they are just too short for me. The search for the perfect pants continues....
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jun 20, 2021 18:43:54 GMT -8
hikinggods, at least I don’t have a long inseam problem! In fact, if the MH pants Jazzmom is referring to are the same as the ones I have, I had to hem them!
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Oct 5, 2021 8:09:50 GMT -8
I did find some elastic-waist pants on Amazon for about $30. Little Donkey Andy. They are pretty comfy, though sizes run really large—I had to get a medium, and even that’s big on me (usually I end up in Large to accommodate my lack of waist). I totally ding them on two areas, though (aside from the fabric, which is all there is anywhere this year—the sort of stretchy nylon, which is much hotter than the hard woven kind). First, they are a hair short (sorry, hikinggods!), and that’s made worse by the narrow cut. That means they don’t go over my boots and keep the trail debris out. My other kvetch is that there are only two pockets—one back pocket, and one on the left thigh. It’s on the top of the thigh, not to the side like traditional cargo pockets, and that makes it much less comfortable if you have stuff in it (I like to carry whistle, pocket knife, chapstick and snot rag in my cargo pockets; obviously with only one that’s too much anyway). On the up side, they look pretty nice, so I’ll probably take to Nepal and wear them when I want to look more civilized, which will be when?
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mdarnton
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Post by mdarnton on Oct 5, 2021 14:43:08 GMT -8
I just discovered synthetic zip-off leg cargo pants this year. I bought Baaleaf from Amazon. They're completely elastic waist with a drawstring. I thought I'd be a large, but sent them back for medium. About $25. Downside is they don't breathe all that well and are a little plasticky so they're too warm to wear with legs in the summer, but great in excessive air conditioning. Upside is I've completely switched to them for work. I'm a violin maker, and ALL of the wood dust wipes off them with a damp cloth. They stay non-funky for a long time. Super glue rolls off, and what doesn't is completely removed by a debonder and a steel scraper (dull side).
They look pretty good compared with jeans and will probably last forever. I'm not a hiker, I'm a tour/commute biker, and like both the lots of pockets and the drawstring on the cuffs to keep them out of the chain. I've worn jeans for decades until discovering hiking pants last year for my bike riding, but these are SOOOO much better than jeans! My wife thinks they look sharp. I don't know how they'd do for actual hiking (which I gather wasn't the OP's need, anyway), but for around town they're great. I'm not qualified on how they'd fit women, but as a product they're great.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Oct 5, 2021 15:34:30 GMT -8
Well, actually the OP does need hiking pants. And we women kind of want women’s pants.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Oct 27, 2021 11:14:28 GMT -8
See, that’s just it—tight, hot, tiny pockets. And let’s be honest: at my time of life, skin-tight stretch pants are no treat for anyone 🤣
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walkswithblackflies
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Post by walkswithblackflies on Feb 11, 2022 9:39:31 GMT -8
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Post by FarOutFarley on Jun 17, 2022 19:02:09 GMT -8
Don't laugh, but these cheap pants that Walmart carried last year for $15 are fantastic (IMHO). Elastic waist, LARGE zippered pockets in the front, quick-drying cotton and nylon blend, and elastic at the ankles. Honestly, they're the best, most convenient, most comfortable pants I've ever owned. I wear them for hiking, biking, at home, and going about town. In the winter I add a base layer below 20 degrees because they’re thin. When I go camping I take ONE pair of pants for the whole trip and use them for biking, hiking, and even sleeping because they don’t wrinkle much. If it gets warm the elastic ankles let you pull them up to your knees like capris. I hope Walmart has them again this year, but I bought 4 pairs. They’re nicer than in the photos. They’re men’s pants but I think they fit women better they’re shorter than men’s. Sadly, it looks like they only have extra small left. I’m posting this just to give an example of what you might be looking for. Check the men's department at Walmart---they have other similar pants. www.walmart.com/ip/No-Boundaries-Men-s-and-Big-Men-s-Tech-Joggers/837140007
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