Sweatpants for walks

Short answer: For walks, trousers need to move freely, keep you warm without overheating, and have a pocket that will not lose your phone. With those three things in place, a pair of sweatpants can handle most everyday walks.

Movement first

The crotch should sit high enough for you to take long strides without the fabric pulling across your thighs. If it sits too low, the trousers tug at the waistband with every step. When trying them on, climb a few stairs or take a long stride. See the fits in bamboo sweatpants men.

Temperature along the way

If you walk briskly, you will warm up after ten minutes. A thick fabric that feels right at the start soon becomes too much. A light sweat fabric that moves moisture away from the skin handles both the start and the rest of the walk. See the light fabrics in bamboo sweat for men and women.

A pocket for your phone

A pocket without a closure will drop your phone when you sit on a bench or bend down to tie a lace. Choose a style with a zip, and the phone stays safe the whole way. The other pocket can stay open for keys. Look for a closing pocket in bamboo sweatpants women.

A waistband that stays put

An elastic waistband with a drawcord lets you tighten things a little when the trousers get heavier with damp or a full pocket. It should hold firm without pressing on your stomach. Too loose, and the trousers slide down after a couple of kilometres. Too tight, and you feel it with every deep breath.

Leg length and ankle

The legs should end at the ankle. Too long, and they collect water and dirt from wet grass and gravel paths. Too short, and cold air travels up the leg in the wind. A ribbed ankle cuff keeps the leg in place and stops the fabric flapping when you walk quickly.

Weather and layers

Sweatpants suit dry, cool weather. In rain the fabric turns heavy and dries slowly. In cold and wind you need a windproof layer on top, such as rain trousers you can pull over. That way you can wear the same sweatpants all year and simply change what goes over them.

After the walk

Hang the trousers up loosely when you get home, so any damp can escape. If they got wet or muddy, they need a wash. Let mud dry and brush it off first. Wash at 40 degrees and skip the tumble dryer, so the fabric and the elastic in the waistband keep their shape.

When sweatpants are not enough

For long hikes over rough ground or in poor weather, proper outdoor trousers are the better choice. They dry faster and cope better with scrapes from bushes and rocks. Sweatpants are made for daily walks, the stroll after dinner and a loop through the park. Use them for that and they will last longer.

Frequently asked questions

Are sweatpants enough in winter

For short walks, yes. In cold and wind you need a windproof layer on top, and on very cold days a thin layer underneath makes a real difference.

Can you run in sweatpants

For short runs, yes. For longer runs a thinner, denser fabric works better, since sweat fabric gets heavy as you perspire and can rub on the inner thighs.

Should the legs reach the shoe

They should end at the ankle. Longer legs pick up water from wet grass and quickly become heavy and cold, especially on morning walks or after rain.