Backside Line
The Ladies’s Carhartt Drive Light-weight Pocket Leggings present a wonderful mixture of sturdiness and stretch. Designed to endure difficult outside circumstances, they will deal with the whole lot from sharp branches to rugged granite. Outfitted with a utility loop, two stacked drop-in pockets, and a zippered pocket, they provide sensible choices to maintain belongings safe.
Moreover, they’re fairly inexpensive in comparison with most different sturdy leggings. The Carhartt Drive Leggings characteristic a free match across the hips and a cosy excessive waist. Some might discover that the waistband slides down with no drawstring, significantly these with a straighter determine or slim hips.
Moreover, the waistband might really feel stiff and tight for sure physique varieties, reminiscent of these with extra stomach quantity. For anybody in the hunt for robust, reliable leggings that may face up to the weather, these are a wonderful selection. Nevertheless, when you desire a drawstring or if the match doesn’t fairly align along with your physique kind, we propose exploring different top-rated climbing leggings for ladies in our full gear assortment information.
How We Examined
We wore these leggings on the paths in Nevada, round 4,800 ft, whereas climbing up a canyon, on flatter trails round South Lake Tahoe, California (6,200 ft), and whereas sitting on the laptop or transferring round on a daily day.
We examined these over a 30-day interval, carrying them for most likely 4 to five days for many hours of the day. To handle the challenges or lower-ranking features, we aimed to make use of them in quite a lot of conditions, reminiscent of sitting and strolling the canine.
Fast Specs

Carhartt Drive Light-weight Pocket Legging
Most Rugged & Free Mountaineering Leggings
CleverHiker Ranking:
3.6/5.0
Value:
$50
Pockets:
3
Weight:
8.5 oz.
Material:
95% Nylon, 5% Spandex Ponte
Sizes Obtainable:
XS – XXL
Lengths Obtainable:
Common, Tall
Execs
- Sturdy
- 3 pockets (1 zippered)
- Utility loop
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Not very snug
- Waist falls down continually
- No drawstring
- Minimal shade choices
Consolation
These leggings aren’t very gentle, particularly when in comparison with the opposite fashions we’ve tried. Nevertheless, they’re surprisingly gentle for our expectations, given the ruggedness of the model. Equally, the stretch is impressively good.
Whereas not as versatile as different merchandise available on the market, it’s fairly exceptional for such a tricky material. There was no restriction when climbing uphill, sitting, or squatting. The primary issue that reduces the consolation stage is the waistband. It’s a lot smaller and tighter in comparison with the hip/pelvis area, so it requires some wiggling to get out and in of the pants.
The cosy waist does assist within the match (see beneath), however it may well additionally grow to be uncomfortable when not standing and transferring (i.e., sitting). The waistband is kind of thick, however we have been very conscious of the elastic band inside quite than your entire waist being elastic. It dug into the stomach when sitting.
Match
The most important subject with these leggings is the waist. It’s free, and there’s no drawstring or any strategy to safe it. The material isn’t stretchy sufficient to cling to the physique, leading to us continually pulling them up.
On the second day of carrying them on a hike, we discovered ourselves adjusting them all through the day. The waist stretched out shortly, although it initially felt tight sufficient to require some effort to place them on. Whereas climbing, the waist didn’t dig in in any respect.
We favored the general match, however the waistband wanted extra stretch to adapt comfortably to the waist and may accommodate motion whereas sitting; alternatively, including a drawstring would assist. Across the thighs and decrease legs, the match is fantastic. The match across the hips and pelvis is looser, which is sweet for consolation, nevertheless it most likely doesn’t help in maintaining the pants up.
Options
These pockets characteristic a novel double pocket design on one aspect, consisting of two stacked drop-in pockets. Within the pocket closest to your thigh, you may retailer a map, trash, or any flat merchandise. The highest pocket is barely shorter in top and has a flat opening quite than an angled one.
Moreover, there’s a zippered pocket on the opposite aspect. All the pockets are spacious sufficient to accommodate our telephone. A loop for a carabiner or comparable merchandise can also be included. All pockets are simply accessible whereas climbing, and nothing fell out whereas we have been transferring. Comprised of a light-weight technical material, all pockets look like water-proof.
Breathability & Heat
These leggings are most likely higher fitted to winter or the shoulder seasons. They really feel thicker and bulkier than different fashions, and the fabric seems to be water-repellent.
We didn’t check these in excessive temperatures—chilly or scorching—as a result of we didn’t count on them to carry out effectively in these climates or for us to be snug.
Sturdiness
For sturdiness, these leggings rank the best. We really feel assured carrying them anyplace and doing absolutely anything with out worrying about rips or tears. The thickness of the fabric additionally makes them appropriate for snow and rain.
We didn’t hesitate to take a seat on rocks or logs, or let the canine bounce up on us. We might put on them whereas bushwhacking or engaged on a path with gear. We might put on these for any outside exercise which may scratch, scuff, or mark up pants.
Ought to You Purchase the Carhartt Drive Light-weight Pocket Legging?
These leggings can be finest for somebody who has a lot wider hips than their waist, that may maintain up these pants. We don’t suggest these for somebody with a straight hip-to-waist ratio.
They’re designed for these in search of rugged leggings comprised of sturdy material all through. We wouldn’t suggest them for very lengthy hikes or hikes in scorching climate.
What Different Mountaineering Leggings Ought to You Take into account?
If you happen to like a few of the qualities for these leggings, however not all, remember to assessment all of our favourite climbing pants for ladies.
Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights HD W Evaluate: These leggings are extremely sturdy, that includes technical material all through, together with bolstered knees and seat. Whereas the value is considerably larger than the Carhartt mannequin, the match and luxury are notably superior with the Fjällräven.
Athleta Headlands Hybrid Excessive Rise Cargo Legging Evaluate: These leggings are comparable in type to the Carhartt, that includes a cosy material across the legs, a free match across the hips and pelvis, and medium snugness on the waist. Whereas the Carhartt leggings don’t label themselves as hybrid, they’ve that look. The Athleta scored a lot larger for match and luxury and is definitely our best choice general for ladies’s climbing leggings. Moreover, they embrace six zippered pockets and a drawstring.