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.

I've never bought specialist hiking trousers. I have some waterproof overtrousers for very heavy rain. Usually I wear jeans (I'm 60) but I am starting to feel legging love - I have some M&S sport leggings with a cottony feel and they feel great for long walks. In cold weather I also like M&S black jeggings which are thick, comfy and compressing. If it's an all day hike, where climbing and sweat could be involved, I might wear a wicking top, the ones I'd wear for running, but usually just ordinary clothes. Glad I have decent boots and waterproof now, I used to think those were an indulgence. I don't remember specialist walking clothes being much of a thing when I was younger, so maybe my generation are less likely to think them essential for average walks of a few hours.

Hi OP,
I wear light weight walking trousers which are great as they are warm and dry quickly.

Alternatively I wear full length leggings or 3/4 length leggings with a short skirt/dress so I can take off the leggings if it get warm.

If its really warm I wear shorts or a skirt or a loose shortish dress.

I either wear proper leather hiking boots or heavy duty walking trainer type boots.

I don't really like to wear walking sandals as don't think they support your ankles properly and we live in a tick tastic part of the UK.

Top half I typically wear lots of layers I can easily take off and a good waterproof in winter.

My top tip when hiking though is wear a really thin panty liner. That way when you go for a wee al fresco you can dab and go without leaving loo paper behind or having a wet gusset 🙂

I also have some Uniqlo legging jeans (thick leggings that look a bit like skinny jeans but aren't made from denim) that would probably be good for hiking, but I haven't tested them for suitability in wet weather.

I'm definitley over 50 and wearing the same things ( more or less) for the last 30 odd years. Leggings most of the time. These days I wear Rab, Mammot, Sweaty Betty etc. Back in the day I wore Ron Hill.
In summer I prefer a light weight trouser from one of the premium brands. I never wear shorts. The reason is i burn easily so I prefer to be covered and also to reduce nettle sting, chance of getting ticks, etc.

Is that supposed to be funny?

I don't remember specialist walking clothes being much of a thing when I was younger, so maybe my generation are less likely to think them essential for average walks of a few hours.

Indeed, I did the Arrochar Alps in my teens in jeans and an anorak wearing huge leather boots I hired from the Outward Bound centre!

OP - I think you are too influenced by the media trying to sell you expensive gear. I have done the major Scottish mountains in winter in my £6 Primark fleece leggings with waterproof trousers. You don't need expensive trousers advertised on young models to keep walking into your senior years and there is no reason to change shape so dramatically your clothes stop fitting. You are overthinking it - put on some comfy footwear and go for a walk!

Why the need for stupid arsey comments from some people?
It's a reasonable question if you are not sure about things or lack confidence.

As for I don't remember specialist walking clothes being much of a thing when I was younger, so maybe my generation are less likely to think them essential for average walks of a few hours
When was your day? I started walking in my late teens and I'm near 60 than 50 and specialist stuff has always been a thing in my life. I have always loved buying outdoor gear. I used to love going to the Karrimoor factory shop ( when Karrimoor was good!)

I started walking in my late teens and I'm near 60 than 50 and specialist stuff has always been a thing in my life. I have always loved buying outdoor gear. I used to love going to the Karrimoor factory shop ( when Karrimoor was good!)

You plainly had a more affluent youth than I did - but I still got out in the hills in my C&A anorak and hired boots

I hate walking in Jeans-they get wet and clingy and take ages to dry. They’re also quite uncomfortable and restrictive-especially going up hills. We found we had a lot more energy on hillwalks when we started to wear trousers designed for hiking-mainly around the knees, they don’t pull like jeans. I keep jeans for walks in the park. I then got into tights and wouldn’t wear anything else now.

I don't walk in the rain

I'm 60 and I wear very stretchy fleece leggings, 100 mile all weather socks, hiking boots in 5.5 E - they are expensive I have to have my exact shoe size or I get terrible blisters.
A sleeveless base layer, a zip up hoodie and a raincoat.

Rohan water resistant trousers for me. I want my clothing to protect me from nettles and brambles and of course ticks so no shorts.

I would never wear jeans for walking.

In the winter I go for thermal lined ones.

If the weather is truly bad then I top off with waterproof over trousers.

These are my walking trousers.

They are water resistant, but definitely not water proof as I discovered walking around Sheffield Christmas market in a downpour.

I take it you don’t live in Scotland 😂

Loveherwild

I'm 50. I wear Craghopper Kiwi Pro trousers and have done for years. They are comfortable, have a bit of stretch, are a bit water-repellant and dry really quickly. They also come in loads of colours.

I quite like leggings on a proper fell walk. Mine aren't specifically hiking ones though - I bought them for running and yoga. I would certainly still wear them now I'm 50. I quite fancy some more outdoorsy-looking ones but I wouldn't pay half the price of those Fjallraven ones .

Correct
We do get a lot of rain here as we live on the edge of the Pennines. I just don't find walking in the rain enjoyable at all, especially as a glasses wearer. We did 4.5 miles today, and now my arthritic toe is killing me.

Proper walking trousers as I find the pockets come in handy. Got some Jack Wolfskin ones from a charity shop which are great. Also the fabric tends to dry quickly. I like the kind which convert into shorts for when the day warms up..

Though some people like leggings I don't fancy them because of thorns, brambles, nettles. Denim is a nightmare when it gets wet.

Gilet quite useful - again pockets.

Waterproof jacket. Usually Berghaus. I have lighter Merrell boots and heavier Scarpa ones.

I'd look askance at walkers who were wearing brand new fashionable gear. The whole point is that you get wet and/or muddy etc and or you also wear the stuff over a number of seasons. It weathers with you, you might say..

I'd look askance at walkers who were wearing brand new fashionable gear
All gear is new at some point.
What's wrong with being a fashionable walker anyway?

I have several outdoor qualifications including ML but I don't want to be look like I've been dragged through a muddy puddle when I'm out.

Find this a depressing question as someone aged 49! I like those ones you’ve linked. I wear SB and winter Marmot ones in the snow. Don’t focus so much on your age @RosesandMoonshine !

@JennieLee you sound nice.

What's wrong with being a fashionable walker?

Maybe nothing, but I'm happiest when walking in relatively remote places. It's the opposite of going to some fashionable place where it's all about seeing and being seen.

There's a kind of relaxation. The hills and mountains don't care. They were there before you were and will be there after you've gone.

Also, most of the best walkers I know have worn fairly battered gear. Yes, there comes a time when you have to break in, say, new boots - but everything else would probably be tried and tested.

I tend to associate the masses of shiny new kit plastered with logos syndrome with people who read some article about walking, and bought hundreds of quids worth of stuff just to do a one-off National Trust style well signposted 3 mile walk on the flat.

All walking is good though!

You just sound a snob @JennieLee ! People can wear what they want. All gear started off new once upon a time.

Honestly in the late 1970s I thought myself well equipped for hill walking with any old cagoule and jeans...maybe that just reflected my budget though! Love a browse in an outdoor shop now and would definitely always spend on boots and waterproof, but I think special trousers are optional.

Maybe nothing, but I'm happiest when walking in relatively remote places. It's the opposite of going to some fashionable place where it's all about seeing and being see
I do a lot of solo walking in the Lakes or Cairngorms which I love but I still like some new kit from time to time!

You would have probably scoffed if you had seen my family in the Lakes in February. One of the group had been to Blacks the day before and spent a lot of money on shiney new kit. However she had never been a walker and wanted to fit in with us and we appreciate the effort she made ( She is a prosecco and brunch in the city gal!) Since then she has got the bug and become of us!

The kit isn't going to be shiney for long!