Women’s Patagonia Pack Out Tights Review

Bottom Line

The Patagonia Pack Out Tights are a good blend of comfort, sustainability, and versatility—ideal for casual hikes and road trips to the trailhead. Made from recycled polyester, they are as eco-friendly as they are cozy, and through Patagonia’s Worn Wear program, you can even find used gear for a more environmentally friendly option.

The mid-rise waist is a plus for those who like the waistband to sit below the belly button. However, we noticed that the waist tends to roll down during bending movements, particularly for curvier figures. With two spacious drop-in pockets and a hidden zippered side pocket, these leggings provide ample storage for essentials. They offer a decent amount of stretch and move with you, although they aren’t as flexible as some other choices on the market.

If you’re already a fan of Patagonia’s fit, these leggings are a great pick—sustainable, stylish, and ideal for both outdoor adventures and everyday comfort. If Patagonia pants have not suited your body well in the past, we suggest checking out other options in our guide to the best hiking leggings for women.

How We Tested

We tested these leggings on hikes at 6,200 feet in South Lake Tahoe, California, and at 4,800 feet in the Carson Valley of Nevada.

We tried them on various body types. We also wore them to the gym, while sitting at our desks working, and while running errands or moving around the house. The leggings were tested over the course of about 30 days.

Comfort

These leggings are incredibly soft, although they are a bit less stretchy than some other models we’ve tried. They are comfortable enough that we could likely wear them to sleep. We really loved the fabric’s feel—it’s very soft to the touch. However, they are slightly thicker than some other leggings.

While sitting at a desk or lounging, they were very comfortable, but during active hiking, some of us felt they were quite uncomfortable. This discomfort stemmed from the fit, not the feel, so see below.

Fit

Upon first wear, we loved the placement of the waistband on these leggings; it sits comfortably without digging into the skin. However, the waistband rolls occasionally—though not as frequently as other leggings we’ve tested. When we wore them for active hikes or at the gym, we became quite frustrated with the fit.

The waistband rolled down often, and we frequently found ourselves pulling up the waist and inseam. We attempted tugging at the lower legs and sitting in them for several days to help them adjust to our body type. We tried wearing them with and without underwear.

Nothing seemed to improve the fit for some body types, while others (with smaller legs, bellies, and booties) found them to be comfortable.

Features

The leggings feature two side pockets and one secret zippered pocket, all spacious enough to accommodate a phone. All the pockets are secure, and we appreciated the choice between both drop-in and zippered pockets. Unfortunately, they lack a drawstring, which feels like an oversight.

A drawstring would have likely improved the overall fit and experience, particularly for more active use. We spilled a bit of water on the thighs and noticed it was quite visible. With the lighter-colored leggings we tried on, we were concerned they might reveal sweat on warmer days.

Breathability & Warmth

These leggings are mid-weight. They are not super lightweight and breathable for hot summer days, but they aren’t super thick and warm for cold winter days either.

We wore them in lower elevations during the fall and while hiking uphill to see how they felt while working up a sweat, and they felt good.

We also used them at the gym during these months and didn’t feel stifled. They weren’t insulated enough for the colder temperatures of this time of year, but they are thick enough to keep goosebumps at bay.

Durability

The fabric feels pretty solid on rocks and rough surfaces, but we’re uncertain about its performance in rain or snow. The leggings have more of a cotton texture, which raises concerns about their moisture resistance.

We felt comfortable using the fabric outdoors, sitting on rocks and logs, but it is definitely not as durable as other products available. We did not notice any pilling, snags, scratches, or other signs of wear during our testing period.

Should You Buy the Patagonia Pack Out Tights?

These hiking leggings are a good choice for anyone who values comfort and the classic legging style over highly technical fabrics and features. These leggings are suited for individuals who prefer a mid to low rise (i.e., sitting below the belly button).

Based on our experience with this product and other Patagonia bottoms, we recommend these particularly for those with smaller thighs, bellies, and booties, or for anyone who already enjoys the fit of Patagonia pants.

What Other Hiking Leggings Should You Consider?

If these leggings have some of the fit and features you are looking for, but aren’t quite the perfect match, we have many alternative options in our full list of the best hiking leggings for women.

Eddie Bauer Trail Tight High-Rise Leggings Review: These leggings are similar to the Patagonia Pack Out as they represent a simpler and more traditional style, featuring a softer, more casual fabric. Both are mid-weight and fairly durable. However, the Eddie Bauer Trail Tight has a much higher rise, with the waistband sitting above the belly button. Additionally, the two zippered pockets aren’t tall enough to fully accommodate a standard smartphone inside.

Constantly Varied Gear Leggings Review: These leggings are similar in that they feature a more traditional and simplified style, as well as a lower rise. We encountered similar fit challenges with each pair, so for those they fit well, both should offer a comparable fit. These leggings are about half the price of the Patagonia Pack Out. While they lack the additional zippered pocket, they do include two similar drop-in pockets. The CVG Leggings also come in a wide variety of colors and patterns, though we don’t anticipate the fabric being as durable as that of the Patagonia.