Are you planning to go hiking in the near future? If so, you’ll need to wear comfortable pants — and there’s no better choice than a pair of high-quality jeans. The right jeans will allow you to hike long distances without experiencing pain or discomfort. With that said, not all jeans are the same. Some styles are better suited for outdoor hiking than others. By considering the nine things listed below, though, you’ll have an easier time choosing the perfect pair of jeans for hiking.
#1) Washed Denim
Pay attention to whether the jeans are made of washed denim or raw denim. For hiking, washed denim jeans typically offer the highest level performance since they are washed during production. Raw denim jeans are more likely to fade and shrink, especially when washed and worn multiple times. If you’re looking for a pair of hiking jeans that won’t fade or shrink, there’s no better choice than washed denim.
#2) Color
You can find jeans in a variety of colors, ranging from light blue and indigo to black and even green. So, what color should you choose for hiking? Most people prefer dark-colored jeans for hiking because they conceal dirt and stains more easily than light-colored jeans. Therefore, consider choosing either indigo or black jeans for hiking. Both indigo and black are dark colors, so jeans featuring either of these colors naturally conceal dirt and stains.
#3) Size
Of course, you should consider the size when choosing a pair of hiking jeans. If they don’t fit, you won’t be able to comfortably wear them. And if you’re hiking multiple miles, they may even cause pain or chafing. How do you know if a pair of jeans fit? Well, assuming you order your hiking jeans here at MakeYourOwnJeans, you can specify your own measurements. You tell us the measurements of your body, and we’ll use those measurements to customize your hiking jeans in the perfect size. There’s no easier or better way to find the hiking jeans in the right size.
#4) Fabric
You should also consider the fabric in which a pair of jeans are made and whether it’s suitable for hiking. Not surprisingly, most jeans are made of 100% denim. Denim itself is essentially cotton featuring a unique weaving pattern. You really can’t go wrong with a pair of 100% denim jeans for hiking, but you can find comfortable hiking jeans available in other fabrics as well.
Stretch jeans, for example, are made of denim as well as either polyester or spandex. Denim is still the primary fabric used in their construction, but stretch jeans contain a small amount of polyester or spandex to achieve a higher level of elasticity.
#5) Cut
Don’t forget to consider the cut when choosing a pair of hiking jeans. Jeans are available in nearly a dozen different cuts, each of which offers a different fit. Low-rise jeans, for example, have a cut that sits lower on the waist, whereas high-rise jeans have a cut that sits higher on the waist. What type of cut should you choose for hiking jeans?
Avoid both low-rise and high-rise cuts when choosing a pair of hiking jeans. Instead, consider a relaxed or loose-fit cut. Relaxed and loose-fit jeans are designed to sit around your midsection when worn. More importantly, they won’t constrict your legs when worn. With relaxed and loose-fit jeans, there’s more space in the legs to freely move around, making them an excellent choice to wear when hiking or performing other outdoor activities.
#6) Selvedge
Some people assume that selvedge jeans are just like any other jeans, but this isn’t the case. Selvedge jeans are designed with a folded section of fabric at the bottom of the pant legs. If you look at the pant legs, you’ll discover 1 to 3 inches of the denim fabric has been folded up and sewn into place. As a result, the bottom of selvedge jeans shouldn’t drag or otherwise touch the ground.
Keep in mind, you don’t have to limit yourself to only choosing selvedge jeans for hiking. It’s perfectly fine to choose a pair of non-selvedge jeans. But if you’re worried that the bottom of your jeans will drag on the ground, selvedge denim offers the perfect solution. Since the bottom of each pant leg is folded up and sewn into place, selvedge jeans generally won’t drag on the ground.
#7) Pockets
When hiking, you’ll need plenty of pockets in your pants to store small items. The good news is that most jeans have at least two pockets — and some jeans contain even more pockets. The Untamed Blue Hard Wash Whisker Jeans, for example, feature five pockets. With nearly a half-dozen pockets, you’ll have plenty of space in which to store small items.
#8) Buttons
Don’t forget to check the buttons when choosing a pair of hiking jeans. Low-quality jeans often feature cheap buttons that easily break. And if the button on your jeans breaks while hiking, you could have a serious problem on your hands. Therefore, you should choose a pair of jeans with heavy-duty metal buttons. Avoid jeans that have plastic buttons. Although they are inexpensive, plastic buttons are more likely to break than metal buttons.
#9) Cleaning
Finally, you should consider the cleaning requirements when choosing a pair of hiking jeans. Your jeans will probably get dirty if you wear them while hiking. Even if it’s just a day hike, they’ll still accumulate dirt and dust from the surrounding environment. Thankfully, most jeans are easy to clean, requiring nothing more than a cycle in the washing machine. But it’s still a good idea to check the cleaning requirements of a pair of jeans before purchasing them. If they contain an elastic fabric, they may require dry cleaning, which may prevent you from easily cleaning them.
