# Tennis skirt... for hiking?! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 29, 2011, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-skirt-for-hiking/587265 "2011-06-29T14:58:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Jaledin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jaledin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaledin)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2011, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-skirt-for-hiking/587265/41 "2011-06-29T22:16:10Z")
Cf. Ray Jardine – I believe in his _magnum opus_, his wife was described as having hiked many thousands of miles in a tennis skirt (or homemade equivalent). Plus, it probably looks cute (if that’s a _desideratum_). ---
**Author:** ![Ostrya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/35a633/32.png) [@Ostrya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ostrya)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-skirt-for-hiking/587265/42 "2011-06-30T14:14:13Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > The only thing I’d be really worried about (since the terrain isn’t rough) is mosquitoes and ticks. Bring lots of bug spray, and do frequent tick checks, and you should be fine. From my experience the skimpiest clothing is the best for preventing tics from becoming attached. You have a chance to see them or feel them on you almost immediately, have a chance to remove them before they adhere. When hiking with long pants, they have a chance to work their way under them and by the time you get through with the hike and take your pants off, you’ve got a little visitor attached to you which you now need tweezers to remove. ::shudder:: > [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > A short skirt and a walk in the woods? Yeah, I’ve been on _that_ date. Hahahaha! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2011, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-skirt-for-hiking/587265/43 "2011-06-30T14:21:23Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > A short skirt and a walk in the woods? Yeah, I’ve been on _that_ date. “I hike with you long, long time.”😃 ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2011, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-skirt-for-hiking/587265/44 "2011-07-04T21:49:06Z")
So how did it go? Inquiring minds want to know! I was also thinking that with a pair of scissors you could get rid of the built-in grannies and wear sexier undies with the skirt. Just a thought. ---
**Author:** ![Mauvaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mauvaise/32/11084_2.png) [@Mauvaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mauvaise)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-skirt-for-hiking/587265/45 "2011-07-05T00:09:27Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > So how did it go? Inquiring minds want to know! > > I was also thinking that with a pair of scissors you could get rid of the built-in grannies and wear sexier undies with the skirt. Just a thought. Date went very well, at least _I_ think it did. Skirt was much better than a pair of shorts. ---
**Author:** ![Azeotrope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/0ea827/32.png) [@Azeotrope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Azeotrope)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-skirt-for-hiking/587265/46 "2011-07-05T15:34:44Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I was also thinking that with a pair of scissors you could get rid of the built-in grannies and wear sexier undies with the skirt. Just a thought. 😕 Honestly, the point of the built-in shorts is to wick perspiration and to prevent chafing, not to look teh hawtt in the event of an accidental panty flash. Plus those skirts cost around $50 so doing home surgery on one just to up the sexiness factor is kind of wasteful. ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-skirt-for-hiking/587265/47 "2011-07-05T18:49:20Z")
> [@zeldarae](#): > > Perfectly acceptable and practical. > > [http://athleta.gap.com/browse/outfit.do?searchCID=44995&oid=OUT21931](http://athleta.gap.com/browse/outfit.do?searchCID=44995&oid=OUT21931) I think I have just learned about yet another item of impractical female clothing. Wear some shorts **with pockets**. Guys hate it when they end up carrying a woman’s keys and cell phone, because the woman don’t have pockets. ---
**Author:** ![Mauvaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mauvaise/32/11084_2.png) [@Mauvaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mauvaise)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-skirt-for-hiking/587265/48 "2011-07-05T18:51:33Z")
> [@JoelUpchurch](#): > > I think I have just learned about yet another item of impractical female clothing. Wear some shorts **with pockets**. Guys hate it when they end up carrying a woman’s keys and cell phone, because the woman don’t have pockets. I carry a backpack when I hike. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-skirt-for-hiking/587265/49 "2011-07-05T19:04:44Z")
I carry a backpack most times when I hike, because I need something to hold my water bottle. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-skirt-for-hiking/587265/50 "2011-07-05T19:13:45Z")
Pockets just make it take longer for clothes to dry after sweating or swimming. A fanny pack or backpack will suffice. ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-skirt-for-hiking/587265/51 "2011-07-05T20:12:29Z")
> [@Mauvaise](#): > > I carry a backpack when I hike. You should have mentioned that up front. You actually think a tennis skirt goes with a backpack? Fannypacks are perfectly ok with informal wear. I have a lot of friends that wear fannypacks. ---
**Author:** ![Mauvaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mauvaise/32/11084_2.png) [@Mauvaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mauvaise)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-skirt-for-hiking/587265/52 "2011-07-05T20:15:10Z")
> [@JoelUpchurch](#): > > You should have mentioned that up front. You actually think a tennis skirt goes with a backpack? Oh, it totally went, and the guy I was with was a total gentleman and actually wore it himself the whole hike (he offered twice before I relented). 64oz of water, plus other various things, would not fit in a fanny pack. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-skirt-for-hiking/587265/53 "2011-07-05T20:27:58Z")
Sounds good to me; I used to have a white, sleeveless, light dress that buttoned down the front that I’d use for hiking all the time. Two reasons: one, it’s white, so if it gets stained it’s easily bleached, and two, I could undo the bottom buttons and tie it up if I needed more leg room. I loved it! ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-skirt-for-hiking/587265/54 "2011-07-05T20:50:17Z")
> [@JoelUpchurch](#): > > You should have mentioned that up front. You actually think a tennis skirt goes with a backpack? Yeah, what are you thinking pairing a skort with a backpack? [http://athleta.gap.com/browse/outfit.do?cid=49574&oid=OUT21931](http://athleta.gap.com/browse/outfit.do?cid=49574&oid=OUT21931) > **[New Hike & Explore | Athleta](https://athleta.gap.com/browse/new/hike-and-explore?cid=46715)** > > Shop for New Hike & Explore at Athleta, a premium fitness & lifestyle brand that creates versatile performance apparel to inspire a community of active, confident women. (upper right hand photo) ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-skirt-for-hiking/587265/55 "2011-07-05T20:57:50Z")
> [@JoelUpchurch](#): > > You should have mentioned that up front. You actually think a tennis skirt goes with a backpack? People hike the Appalachian Trail wearing a skirt and a 35 pound pack. It goes together just fine. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-skirt-for-hiking/587265/56 "2011-07-05T21:06:34Z")
Methinks that folks who don’t accept skirts for hiking, with or without packs, probably don’t spend a lot of time hiking. Same can be said for long woollen skirts for a certain type of skiing. ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-skirt-for-hiking/587265/57 "2011-07-05T21:23:01Z")
> [@Mauvaise](#): > > Oh, it totally went, and the guy I was with was a total gentleman and actually wore it himself the whole hike (he offered twice before I relented). > > 64oz of water, plus other various things, would not fit in a fanny pack. Here is another hint. **Guys don’t want to carry your backpack or any of your other stuff.** The fact that he doesn’t want to look like a jerk doesn’t mean he wanted to do it. If he ever invites you hiking again, then that means he’s whipped and you can do anything you want. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-skirt-for-hiking/587265/58 "2011-07-05T21:26:02Z")
> [@JoelUpchurch](#): > > If he ever invites you hiking again, then that means he’s whipped and you can do anything you want. **Mauvaise** , I think you can safely ignore his advice in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Mauvaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mauvaise/32/11084_2.png) [@Mauvaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mauvaise)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-skirt-for-hiking/587265/59 "2011-07-05T21:26:28Z")
> [@JoelUpchurch](#): > > Here is another hint. **Guys don’t want to carry your backpack or any of your other stuff.** The fact that he doesn’t want to look like a jerk doesn’t mean he wanted to do it. If he ever invites you hiking again, then that means he’s whipped and you can do anything you want. He would _not_ have looked like a jerk had he not offered. I don’t bring what I don’t want/plan to carry myself. The fact that he offered - more than once - led me to think he was gallant, not whipped. YMOV. > [@Telemark](#): > > **Mauvaise** , I think you can safely ignore his advice in this thread. Yep. I feel safe in that. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-skirt-for-hiking/587265/60 "2011-07-05T21:34:26Z")
> [@JoelUpchurch](#): > > Here is another hint. **Guys don’t want to carry your backpack or any of your other stuff.** The fact that he doesn’t want to look like a jerk doesn’t mean he wanted to do it. If he ever invites you hiking again, then that means he’s whipped and you can do anything you want. Hey, next time you go hiking with a date, Joel, be sure to tell her that you won’t carry her shit, but you know a guy who will! Then, if she ever goes hiking with you again, it means she’s whipped and you can do anything you want 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-skirt-for-hiking/587265.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennis-skirt-for-hiking/587265.md?page=4)