I have been wearing tights for 34 years (since I started with ballet lessons at the age of 4), and I do everything in leggings. I travel by plane in leggings, I go kayaking with them, I wear them for work with dresses and oversized shirts, and of course I hike and practice yoga with them (despite any controversy involved in doing so). One doesn’t need expensive leggings for any of that (and if you are told you need something, it might be pure consumerist marketing bs). As an environmentally minded person, however, if I am going to get clothing for my activities, I want it to be of good quality, manufactured in a way that produces as little social and environmental harm as possible, and especially, something that lasts. That is why I was excited to try out Patagonia leggings, since everything else I own from the brand – such as my favorite trekking pants and Patagonia rain jacket – has performed better and lasted more than I expected.
I Tested 3 Patagonia Leggings for 6 Months, and One Is Now My Absolute Favorite Piece of Clothing
This article reviews three different Patagonia leggings that I have been using regularly and in different kinds of weather conditions for the past 6 months: the Pack Out Tights ($119), the Pack Out Hike Tights ($129), and the Maipo 7/8 Stash Tights ($119). The three of them are fair-trade, crafted from recycled materials and made without PFAs. Spoiler alert: the Maipo Stash tights are my favorite by far – of all the tights I’ve ever owned. I just want to wear them all day, every day. The woman that gave me advice on Patagonia products told me exactly that about the Maipo tights, and I thought she was exaggerating. It turns out she was spot on.
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Shop Patagonia Pack Out Tights
Shop Patagonia Pack Out Hike Tights
Shop Patagonia Maipo ⅞ Stash Tights
Patagonia Women’s Pack Out Tights
The Pack Out Tights come with two drop-in pockets and one zippered side pocket. Photo: Debbie Gonzalez Canada
These tights are made from 87 percent recycled polyester and 13 percent spandex double-knit jersey. They feel thick and are best for temperate weather (spring and fall). They come with a zippered side pocket, which I do not use much, and two drop-in pockets (one on each leg) that I use a lot. The drop-in pockets are big enough for a 5.5-inch phone, for example.
I got them in Mangrove Red because I was color-curious, and they are okay. It is not the most flattering tone for my wide hips with cellulite, if I am being totally transparent about my bodily realities. I am much happier with the other colors I got (see below). If you are shopping online, Patagonia tends to be true to size. In my case, I was between medium and large; I went with medium and they fit, but I believe I would have been happier with large, as the Pack Out tights have a slim fit.
Shop Patagonia Pack Out Tights
Patagonia Women’s Pack Out Hike Tights
The Pack Out Hike Tights have reinforced panels with a different, water repellent fabric around the knees and seat. Photo: Debbie Gonzalez Canada
These tights are similar to the previous pair (in terms of fabric and pockets), except for the reinforced panels. The panels are located on the knees and seat for added durability and abrasion resistance. The panels’ fabric stretch four-ways and is water repellent without using nasty PFCs (perfluorinated chemicals). So, in plain English, you can sit down on light moisture and the panels will prevent your butt from getting soaked.
I got them in the “Smolder Blue” tone and I am happy about that color, as it matches with everything and looks better on my latina hips. This color is on sale now, so you may want to take advantage of that.
Shop Patagonia Pack Out Hike Tights
Patagonia Women’s Maipo 7/8 Stash Tights
The formfitting Maipo 7/8 Stash Tights have a soft feel to them. They come with side pockets and the low-profile flatlock seams prevent chafing. Photo: Debbie Gonzalez Canada
These tights are made from recycled fishing nets and nylon, have an amazing soft feel to them, and they provide odor control. In technical terms, the brand describes the material as follows: “The soft fabric provides fast-drying performance and is built with 81% NetPlus® postconsumer recycled nylon made from recycled fishing nets to help reduce ocean plastic pollution/19% spandex knit that’s treated with miDori™ bioSoft for added wicking and softness, and HeiQ® Pure odor control.” I wear them in temperate and hot weather all the same, and in the winter I still use them with wool leg warmers on top (once a dancer, always a dancer).
Just like the other two models in this article, these Patagonia leggings also have two drop-in side pockets. The Maipo 7/8 Stash Tights are the lightest of the three, weighing only 6.1 oz (173 g). I got them in black (maybe in 2024 every woman needs not a little black dress but comfy black leggings), and the medium size worked perfectly well, plus I can attest to their “formfitting” describer. No wonder why they are my new favorite piece of clothing. 