Bottom Line
The Mammut Aenergy Light Tights make us feel unstoppable—like superheroes or Olympic athletes in action. At first glance, they may appear too tight. But don’t worry, the stretch is next level, contouring to every curve. These tights hug your legs snugly while offering a looser, more comfortable fit at the waist.
The two-sided drawstring keeps them secure during our most active moments. There might be a slight slide at the waist—but trust us, the fit and confidence they provide more than compensate for a few adjustments here and there. If you have a wider hip-to-waist ratio, you likely won’t notice any slippage.
These tights are perfect for warm weather and high-intensity days when you need speed and strength. You’ll feel so fierce, you might find yourself planning an FKT attempt on your favorite trail. With water-resistant front hip pockets and bright orange zipper pulls, these tights are as practical as they are stylish. Just a heads-up—they don’t come in sizes 2XL-4XL.
If you’re looking for more options to find a pair that suits your style, check out our guide to the best hiking leggings.
How We Tested
We tested these leggings on gorgeous trails outside Genoa, Nevada (4,800 feet), hiking up a canyon, and also on our local trails across meadows and through the woods in South Lake Tahoe (6,200 feet). Due to the lightweight and athletic feel, we also tested these multiple times during strength and cardio sessions at the gym and while running.
Quick Specs
Mammut Aenergy Light Tights
Best Lightweight/Active Hiking Leggings
CleverHiker Rating: 4.6/5.0
Price: $119
Pockets: 2
Weight: 6.9 oz.
Fabric: 83% Polyamide, 17% Spandex
Sizes Available: XS-XL
Lengths Available: Regular
Pros
- Stretchiness
- Makes you feel like a superhero or Olympic athlete
- Unique front hip pockets with two color options for zipper pull
- Water-resistant pockets
- Two-side/string drawstring (i.e. traditional drawstring)
- Pockets set slightly back & large enough for phone
Cons
- Waist can slide down
- Limited sizing
Comfort
These leggings are so comfortable! They feature a more athletic fabric than a soft one, but we actually love that. We would definitely wear these for several days on the trail. The fabric feels quick-drying and would be great to wear for multiple days in a row.
And the flexibility – so stretchy! The fabric is truly amazing. We found ourselves strutting back and forth down the trail, striking poses for our crew. Super snug yet stretchy at the same time. Not stiff at all.
Fit
The waist sits just right—just below the belly button. It feels snug without pinching. There’s a two-sided drawstring (i.e., traditional, not a loop). We had to pull the waist up a few times during the first wear. After wearing them to the gym and through a normal office day, we realized the waist slips down more than we expected. However, it doesn’t really affect how the pants feel. We’ll pull the waist up because it sits better, but they are just as comfortable even when the waist is a bit lower.
Features
The pockets are spacious enough for a phone. Their placement is unique, positioned higher on the thigh and more centered. They sit just on or below the hip bones.
When hiking with the phone in the pocket, it slid to the side but didn’t interfere at all. The pockets are sleek and flattering, and we love that they come with backup pulls in a brighter color. (Inside the pockets are these tiny orange ropes meant to replace the plain white ones already attached to the zippers.)
Items remain very secure since both pockets are zippered. The reinforcements over the pockets are water-resistant, as we discovered while walking in light rain.
Breathability & Warmth
While wearing these in colder temperatures, our legs started to feel a bit numb. They are definitely not water-resistant, as water soaked straight into the fabric. However, the pockets are made from a different type of material that appears to be water-resistant because we noticed little droplets of water sitting on top.
These would be a wonderful go-to for hot days. We imagine you could sweat all day in these leggings and wouldn’t care at all. Since we were testing these in the mountains in December, we wore them at the gym a few times to mimic warmer climates and sweatier conditions, and they felt like the perfect leggings for such an environment.
Durability
While these leggings are thinner and may be somewhat prone to snags from the surrounding environment, the quality of the fabric felt amazing. We weren’t about to slide down on rocks while seated, but after many days of wearing them without much care, we felt confident that they would last for years to come.
Should You Buy the Mammut Aenergy Light Tights?
These leggings are designed for athletes—those with big goals who want to move quickly, build strength, and break records. They are for the hiker seeking leggings that look more suited for the trail than a yoga class.
These leggings cater to hikers who sweat a lot, heat up quickly, and desire the flexibility of full-length leggings combined with the breathability of shorts. They are ideal for someone who doesn’t mind a snug fit at the belly while on the move, as it makes them feel secure and prepared.
Additionally, these leggings would be a great choice for hikers who are also trail runners and need a versatile option for both types of outdoor adventures.
What Other Hiking Leggings Should You Consider?
If the Mammut Aenergy Light Tights sound great, and you’re looking for similar options, or something with different features or style, take a look at the full list of our favorite Hiking Leggings for Women.
Fjällräven Abisko Trekking Tights HD W Review: These leggings feature a similar style—technical, lightweight fabric in a more traditional legging design. The Fjällräven leggings differ in that they have reinforced knees and seat, and the waistband sits slightly higher. Additionally, the pockets are positioned on the side of the thigh, with one zippered pocket and one envelope pocket.
Constantly Varied Gear Leggings Review: These leggings are somewhat similar to the Mammut in that they are both lightweight and have a simpler design. However, we found that for some body types, the waist on the CVG leggings tends to roll down and slide down often. Additionally, the pockets are drop-in rather than zippered, as they are on the Mammut.
Athleta Headlands Hybrid High Rise Cargo Legging Review: These leggings share similar advantages in terms of comfort and fit, but they differ significantly in style. The Athleta leggings feature a snugger fit on the legs and a looser fit at the waist, which they have in common with the Mammut. However, the Mammut’s waist is slightly more snug, and it has a more intense style compared to the Athleta’s hybrid design, giving them a look more akin to hiking pants.
