As a hiker who heads for the trails every other weekend, I have learned a lot about hiking gear through sheer experience. When it comes to clothes, choices are many. Some people are comfortable in their yoga pants, other prefer more technical stuff and a few still swear by running shorts and a tank top. Throughout my decade long affair with the trails, I have stuck with my tried and trusted gear. But after seeing a growth in number of people hiking in their yoga pants, I gave it a go, and found them convenient enough in my short journey.

Yoga pants are already part of most people’s closet. There is no need to spend exorbitant prices to acquire them. Apart from providing monetary benefits, these pants are comfortable enough for most hiking adventures. But the question arises, if these trendy pants are right for you. There are many factors that have a direct impact on the performance of a hiker - here are some things to consider before deciding whether to go with yoga pants:

Duration of Hike

While yoga pants stay nice and comfy over a hike of three to four days, these pants become uncomfortable to wear on longer hikes. For a trip that is more than 4 days long, you should probably stay away from anything made in spandex. Wearing yoga pants for a longer duration can also lead to an infection, which you definitely don't want when you're out on the trail.

Fabric

Never wear yoga pants made purely from cotton. These yoga pants are not fit for a hike. When they start absorbing moisture and sweat, cotton pants can become quite heavy and restrict movement of the body turning a hike into an ordeal.

Curves

People who have a curvy body should avoid hiking pants as they are generally made for people with straighter legs and narrower hips. Yoga pants are ideal for curvy people who cannot find technical hiking gear that is functional and comfortable. With yoga pants, you will avoid the rubbing of seams on your thighs which can be extremely irritating.

Frequency of Hikes

If you are a sporadic hiker who hits the trail once or twice a year, you can skip hiking pants and stick to the yoga pants lying in your closet. For less frequent hikers, yoga pants are perfect as they provide basic comfort at no extra cost.

Limitations of Yoga Pants

For hikers who do not mind getting dirty and perform all types of activity ranging from rock-climbing and slogging it out in the mud, technical gear is a much better option than yoga pants. Any sort of bushwhacking and your yoga pants may tear up, so observe the terrain, the temperature and the environment before selecting a pant. The more gruesome the condition, the more technical your gear should be. Always put your health first before making your choice. Do not wear yoga pants blindly for all types of trips. Pay heed to the conditions first, and then head out into the wild.

Wet Conditions

Last but not least, wet conditions can make or break your hiking experience. For excessively wet conditions, stick to moisture-wicking, odor resistant and stretchable hiking pants. These pants will help you a great deal in staying warm and comfortable during a hike. On the other hand, a yoga pant with high percentage of moisture will be a real pain on your trip. Anything that can absorb moisture needs to be avoided in wet conditions.