Hiking in skirts might seem old fashioned, but we’ve come a long ways from the full-length skirts of the 1880s. Hiking skirts are now breathable, waterproof and cut at or above the knee for easy walking. They come in a variety of styles and colors to match your personality or hiking style. We’ll walk you through the basics of backcountry skirts – why you would wear them, what to look for when shopping for them and a few suggested models to get you started.
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Benefits of Hiking Skirts
1. VENTILATION:One of the main benefits of wearing a hiking skirt is ventilation. Skirts are open at the bottom and offer more ventilation than a pair of shorts or convertible pants. Breezy, they reduce sweating and chafing especially on a hot day. Because they don’t hug legs as shorts do, skirts offer incredible freedom of movement and make it easy to scramble over steep rocks and hop over blown-down trees.
2. BATHROOM EASE:Peeing or pooping in the woods? It is so much more comfortable in a skirt. You don’t have to bare your naked butt or worry about peeing on the clothes that are straddling your ankles – just remember to lift both the front and back of the fabric when you squat. And if you are one of those ladies who uses a female urination device (FUD), then you MUST try a skirt (you’ll thank us later).
3. SIMPLICITY:On a more personal aspect, skirts are more straightforward to take off than shorts or pants. Just slide a pair of base layer leggings up and slide the skirt down.
A NOTE ON LEGGINGS: The biggest problem with hiking skirts is that, similar to shorts, they leave legs exposed. When you are bushwhacking or hiking in a mosquito-infested area, your bare legs are vulnerable to being cut or eaten alive. A quick workaround for that is to slip on a pair of leggings underneath the skirt. When you no longer need the extra protection, simply take off the leggings and toss them in your pack.
How to Choose Your Hiking Skirt
There are several key features you should consider when purchasing a hiking skirt. Here are some of the most important…
MATERIAL
Summer: You’ll want a stretchy form-fitting nylon or synthetic fabric for a summer hiking skirt. These synthetic fabrics are lightweight, dry quickly and stretch to move when you are climbing. Stay away from cotton skirts as they dry slowly and don’t have as comfortable of a stretch. Some synthetic skirts also offer UV protection and a DWR finish that repels rain.
Winter:Skirts can also be worn in the winter over a pair of athletic leggings for example. Wool is definitely your best bet when shopping for warmer skirts. For extra protection from the cold, look for skirts that come with polyester or down fill.
FEATURES
Flare: Most hiking skirts have a slight flare at the bottom to allow for unrestricted movement when walking. Other skirts fall straight from the hip, providing a slim fit some people prefer.
Pockets: Another essential element to consider when shopping for a skirt is storage. Not only should you pay attention to how many pockets the skirt comes with, but you should also make sure those pockets are deep enough to be useful to you.
Adjustable Size: If you are a hard-to-fit size, you may want to search for a skirt that has an adjustable velcro waist or drawstrings.
Snap Closure:Some skirts also include snap closures for comfort.
WEIGHT
You don’t want you skirt or skort or what-have-you to feel like a pair of heavy blue jeans. You want to be dancing around the woods freely in lightweight and breathable garments. Skirts range from as light as 2 ounces to 16 ounces. Aim for a skirt in the 4 to 8 ounce range that has at least one pocket. If you are worried about the cold of winter, as mentioned, ad leggings for warmth.
8 Best Hiking Skirts Models
Mountain Hardwear Women’s Ghost Whisperer
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Material: 100% Nylon Suplex
Design: A-Line
Skirt length: 19 in.
Weight: 6 ounces
The Mountain Hardwear Women’s Ghost Whisperer hiking skirt is more than just a pretty skirt. The functional A-frame design has just enough flair that it offers little to no movement restriction without being puffy. It has an outdoorsy look that appeals to men as well.
It is made of a lightweight and quick-drying nylon suplex material and has six pockets. Nothing has been overlooked in the design of this skirt – it has a high waist that fits nicely under a hip belt, zippered front for easy on/off and a snap closure that you can use when you want some extra modesty. It is available in four gender-neutral colors.
BALEAF Women’s 20″ Knee Length
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Material: 88% Polyester/12% Spandex blend and DWR finish.
Design: A-Line
Skirt length: 20 in
Weight: 4.6 ounces (medium)
The BALEAF Women’s 20″ Knee Length skirt is handmade by Mandy “Purple Rain” Bland, an avid thru-hiker who couldn’t find the right skirt when she was hiking the AT. Rather than abandon the skirt altogether, she decided to design her own and test it on the PCT. Now she sells her skirts from her in-home workshop in Oregon.
A favorite among thru-hikers, each A-line adventure skirt is quality constructed from a stretchy polyester-spandex blend with a DWR finish that helps fend off the rain. The wide, moisture-wicking waistband sits smoothly acrossthe waist and doesn’t bunch up against a pack’s hip belt. It includes two pockets and is available in purple or black.
Willit Women’s 19″ Skort Skirt
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Material: Stretchable, breathable, lightweight, water-resistant material
Design: A-Line
Skirt length:not available
Weight: 11 ounces (medium size)
The Willit Women’s 19″ Skort Skirt itself apart from other hiking skirts with its integrated petals panties. This built-in undergarment provides modesty when needed most. More than just underwear, the petals panties have a snap front closure so you can easily pee standing up without having to remove any of your clothing.
The skirt itself is loose fitting with four deep pockets and a wide waistband that won’t interfere with your backpack’s hip belt.
Cakulo Women’s Athletic Outdoor
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Material: 95% Polyester, 5% Lycra
Design: Princess Cut
Dress length:not available
Weight: 6-7.5 ounces for a dress with pockets; 8-11 ounces for non-pocket dress
The Cakulo Women’s Athletic Outdoor fits the bill when you want all the benefits of the skirt in a one-piece outfit. The backpacking dress is not your everyday cocktail dress; it was designed for hiking.
The dress has a slight flare for increased range of motion, a fitted waist, and wide straps at the top that’ll prevent your backpack fromrubbing against your skin. It is available in two versions – one with pockets and one without and can be ordered in several different colors and patterns.
CAMEL CROWN Women’s Casual
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Material: 86% Polyester 14% Elastane
Design: Slim-fit A-Line
Skirt length: Mid-thigh, 5-inch inseam short
Weight: 15.87 ounces
The CAMEL CROWN Women’s Casual is a versatile hiking skort that looks as good on the trail as it does in the mall. The straight cut gives it a slim, flattering fit. Because it is made out of stretch polyester and includes an elastic waistband and a drawstring waist, it is also very comfortable.
As an added benefit, the skort has two drop-in pockets and one zippered pocket where you can store money and other small valuables. It is available in a black UPF 50 fabric.
ATG by Wrangler Women’s Trail Utility Hike Skort
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Material: Polyester/Spandex skirt with Semi Compression Mesh (poly/spandex) shorts
Design: A-line
Skirt length: 16.5″ front, 17.5″ back, 7-inch inseam short
Weight:not available
Our favorite skort in the SkirtSports’scatalog is the ATG by Wrangler Women’s Trail Utility Hike Skort. It is a longer version of the popular Gym Girl Ultra skirt and is designed for active use.
It includes a pair of semi-compression shorts that help prevent chafing, and three pockets: one on each leg and a zippered pocket in the back.Made with UV 50+ fabric, the Happy Girl Skirt is available in 20 different vibrant colors.
Little Donkey Andy Women’s Lightweight
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Material: 20D rip-stop nylon with stretchy fleece side panels and 20D nylon taffeta lining
Insulation: 800 Fill Power EX Down
Design: A-line
Skirt length: 17-inch
Weight: 4.2 ounces
When the weather outside turns cold, you’ll need some extra insulation in your skirt. One of our favorite picks for cold weather hiking is the Little Donkey Andy Women’s Lightweight.
The Superior Down Trail Skirt is stuffed with an 800-fill down and constructed with stretch side fleece panels. Pair the skirt with some wool or fleece leggings, and you will stay toasty warm on your next winter hike.
Cakulo Women’s Athletic Outdoor Skorts
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Material: waterproof 15D silnylon
Design: tube
Skirt length: Mid-calf length (25 to 29-inches)
Weight: 1.7 ounces
The Cakulo Women’s Athletic Outdoor Skorts is a barebones rain kilt. You slide it on, snap it up and go hike in the rain. When the storm is over, you can scrunch it up and throw it in your pack.
The 15D silnylon isn’t stiff and moves along with you as you hike. It also doubles as pack cover or ground cloth. The only gripe is that it may drip water from the hem which would go into your shoes if you don’t have gaiters.