What do yo wear for walking/hiking when over 50?

[RosesandMoonshine]

I know it's a somewhat silly question and there are no rules. But I do a fair bit of outdoorsy stuff throughout the year and like to wear good quality, robust stuff that lasts. I tend to use Fjallraven for leggings/trousers and have done for years - they're comfy and really a good fit for me. These are my favourite trekking tights.

I was thinking about the future though. I don't see a lot of older women wearing the tights out hiking and wondered why? They certainly aren't shown much in the advertising of brand products either :(
I maybe I don't notice people enough! If you are over 50 (I am approaching it) what would you wear on bottom half for hiking?
I would be loathe to give up my Abisko's and perhaps would prefer to use a longer jacket or top?

It is a bit of a daft question and I would personally advise someone to 'wear what you like!', but I am interested in what other women do regardless.

Great info everyone, thanks! True about the Lakes, lost of trousers there, perhaps because it is much damper in general? Although in hot weather it really does heat up!

I think it is sad that the hiking and outdoor brands don't feature older people much. There's just this perpetual 20-something strapping Scandi look (usually means the leg lengths will swallow me).

I think that people who are now in their 40-s will continue wearing hiking tights when they reach their 60-s.

Outdoor fashion is generational, isn't it? I remember my grandmother's friends in their woolen brown breeches and red socks happily sharing the trails with younger folk in their newfangled polyester stuff.

I just wear proper branded walking trousers, like Trespass or Rohan. Mozi-proof in summer and lined/thermal in winter.

I dont associate leggings with walking to be honest. I want pockets in my trousers and looseness for comfort.

If it's wet I like leatherlook skinny jeans! I'm hoping they don't totally go out of fashion and become unavailable because they really keep my legs dry and are comfortable.

If it's dry I tend to wear jeans or long cotton drill trousers.

I second the earlier mention of craghopper - brilliant trousers but big on the waist.

As for flappy trousers, surely you tuck them into your walking socks?

Oh, I don't associate looseness with comfort particularly. More stretch and elasticity for comfort. But then I like compression running tights!😂

Mid 50s, serious walker (multi day bike and hikes in Scottish mountains). In summer I wear my running leggings or shorts, weather dependent. In winter I wear fleece lined leggings from Primark that cost £6 and I have had for years. I'm not planning to change my winning formula or start spending silly money and I have no idea what age has to do with it.

I have been wearing a £10 pair of Sainsburys leggings for nearly a decade. They dry quickly if they get wet, are thick enough to protect me from nettles, ticks etc and if it's cold I put a pair of thermal leggings underneath. I don't like walking trousers, I haven't seen any that I thought were not ugly.

In cold weather I wear a wool jumper with a thermal long sleeved top underneath. In warmer weather it might be a shirt or a t-shirt. I'm not a fan of fleece but I can see that it is practical.

I do like those leggings and will have a look at them myself. I'm nowhere near 50 (nearer 40, however) but I don't see why you can't continue to wear them far beyond 50.

I wear fitted khaki/brown walking trousers, but don't hike anywhere as much as I used to.

Not keen on hiking trousers either. I used to have some waterproof ones that were fine, but looked awful. Not that is matters in wold weather, but I found the leggings dried quicker and didn't weigh me down.

It's really interesting hearing what people wear for hiking. I hadn't thought about it much before.

I’m amazed you have given this any headspace at all, it would never occur to me to question what women wear over the age of 50 to go hiking, exactly what they would wear at 49 I would imagine.

I don't get this, if you read my posts I am interested in what older women wear when doing something I love, because most media only show younger women and men.

I really don't think that is such an odd thing to wonder about. I like hearing what people wear.

I would say there are far worse things to shake our heads at, the world is pretty effed up!

I'm mid 60s and wear Craghoppers trousers, thinner ones in summer, lined in winter, they fit me best and do a longer length, I'm quite tall, and are a reasonable price

www.amazon.co.uk/s-lemon-Colourful-Patterned-Leggings-Exercise/dp/B08R2PL4MG/ref=sr_1_8?crid=YWM2EUZDL7U1&keywords=patterned+legging&qid=1652290108&sprefix=patterned+leggins%2Caps%2C57&sr=8-8

www.mountainwarehouse.com/vancouver-ultra-lightweight-waterproof-womens-jacket-p29013.aspx/blue/

www.blacks.co.uk/15986821/brasher-women-s-country-trekker-walking-boots-15986821

thats pretty much what I wear with a fleece if needed and walking socks

im 50+

I’m in my 40s and have been hiking since I was a teenager. I don’t really remember everyone wearing leggings for hiking when I was younger. I know it is a thing now, but I never picked it up. When I’m hiking I like proper pockets (lots of them), the ability to regulate temperature by rolling up/zipping off legs, the ability to easily add an under layer, and something that doesn’t look completely crazy if I need to sew a rip. All of which equates to trousers. I imagine that’s what I’ll keep wearing.

I am interested in what older women wear when doing something I love, because most media only show younger women and men.

its similar with cycling, its younger people that get photographed and sometime people think only men cycle

I did read your posts, you said yourself it was probably a daft question, I just find it bizarre that because you only see younger people advertising sports leggings that you would question what to wear if you are over 50 for a sport/hobby.
I would be loathe to give up my Abisko's and perhaps would prefer to use a longer jacket or top?
Then don’t give them up, sports leggings are ageless, I’m sure Davina won’t be giving them up anytime soon.

Calling it bizarre is going a bit far this is S&B!

As for the Abisko leggings, I am aware my shape might change so will probably adjust according to comfort. If I don't change, I hope they don't quit selling them!

I’m sure if you keep up the hiking your shape won’t change too much and you can rock your Abisko leggings for many a year to come! 😀

I don't think your legs will change shape if you are generally healthy, mine haven't, I'm bigger round the middle but my legs look the same size and shape.

The same as I wore when I was under 50. Jeans or leggings, depending on the weather conditions, hiking boots, a t-shirt and a hoodie and/or cagoule if needed. My favourite leggings are by RBX and I got them from TKMaxx. They have a nice colourful pattern that is a bit more interesting than the stuff you get in the likes of Trespass.

I’m coming up to 50 and wear either Craghopper trousers (fit my huge bum but belt in the big waist), or in summer a light pair of Mountain Warehouse trousers. I’m ticking off Wainwrights so probably 50% of my walks are in the rain or mizzle and I want to dry off quickly. Also have Berghaus waterproof trousers in case it gets torrential. Don’t wear leggings because 1) they don’t dry off quickly, 2) I usually wear gaiters for the bogtrotting-across-sodden-plateaus bits,and then tend to not stay up with leggings, 3) I like lots of pockets. I do wear sports leggings for running or climbing at the local wall though.

I wear running tights with a pair of lightweight jersey shorts on top for modesty

I also wear Craghoppers kiwi pro trousers, the stretch makes a difference and they dry really quickly (unlike jeans!). Length works well for me too, hate walking trousers that are too long. They're about £60 but I've got about 4 pairs I've picked up for less than half that in different colours. Also have the walking shorts, all the same benefits as the trousers! Post 50 though I found it harder to find waterproof jackets that fit (fat middle!!)

I'm 59 and probably not a true hiker, but do walk a lot with my dogs.
I tend to just wear my riding tights as they have deep thigh pockets for phone and keys.
If the weather is bad I pull on my Berghaus trousers over the top.
I've just bought some really nice walking trousers from Decathlon, slim fit with lots of pockets.