I have one set of the cheap one from Decathlon, and then 3 from Costco (unsure of the brand). My beef with them is that the shorts don't stay in place, so I had to add a rubberized elastic to the legs so they didn't roll up. If you have any recommendations, I would love to hear yours!
If you haven’t tried the Prada skorts—I love them! Here in St Augustine I wear them all year. Although I recently got an Eddie Bauer skort (and their capris) Awesome. Mine are size 2 and fit perfect. But the size 4 works and leaves room for more wine and tarte de Santiago!
Anything "annoying" is a word I try to avoid on Camino.
Another word that's not a favorite of mine is "ugly".
I don't understand why people wear skorts either. But since so many people do, there must be some good reasons (besides being a bit feminine). I wonder what they are.
I do not have a preference, nor good reasons to use one over the other. I find both shorts and skorts good choices on warmer days.
)
My reasons for skorts is that they help me avoid chafing while walking but also look good in town. This isn't a small consideration for me, as I feel weird attending mass in exercise pants. I did it my first and second caminos, but I didn't like it.
I actually never had a problem with my skorts not drying. Of course, I never hand wash if I can help it, but the shorts underneath on exercise/travel skorts are usually a mesh fabric of some sort--something like a non-see through swim trunk liner--and they dry incredibly fast.
Anything "annoying" is a word I try to avoid on Camino.
Another word that's not a favorite of mine is "ugly".
Sometimes packing for a camino means setting aside my aesthetics for clothes in favor of the practical. But then I find myself on trail, annoyed and wincing at said ugly skirt. It's a dilemma lol
I tried this. The pics on their website look very boho cute. Problem is their longest skirt is still too short to get that ankle length graceful look so instead, I look like I'm attending some weird religious cult meeting.
Which is why I'm wondering about the knee length one. Maybe on me it would be around the same length as a 20 inch skort, less frumpy, and bonus, the pockets that can hold an elephant! lol
hahahahah!But maybe only a baby elephant.
I wonder if a tailor could hem it and re-position the inner tabs used to turn it into pants? Now I'm curious b/c that's the one thing I don't like about mine, too.I tried this. The pics on their website look very boho cute. Problem is their longest skirt is still too short to get that ankle length graceful look so instead, I look like I'm attending some weird religious cult meeting.
It’s easy enough to modify. I replaced the elastic in the waist band (I was attempting to wear it lower on my hips to make it look longer by relaxing the waist) and also replaced the conversion strap by re-using the hardware on a piece of elastic the same color as my skirt. I also repositioned the attachment loop. I have average sewing skills and my sewing machine is broken so I did it all by hand. Mine is black so it’s forgiving of less than perfect stitching.
Excellent reason Eve!I am not far behind you in height. I wore a Lululemon skort way back in 2012 and I too preferred it over knee length shorts, that didn’t reach my knees.
Excellent reason Eve!I am not far behind you in height. I wore a Lululemon skort way back in 2012 and I too preferred it over knee length shorts, that didn’t reach my knees.
I have a couple from Kathmandu. Wear them all year round. Leggings underneath when cold. Not sure if available outside of Australia and NEW Zealand.
While I recognize your situation is annoying, I'm jealous that the long is too short for you. Mine is waiting to go to the seamstress because I trip over itI tried this. The pics on their website look very boho cute. Problem is their longest skirt is still too short to get that ankle length graceful look so instead, I look like I'm attending some weird religious cult meeting.
“Undeniable frump factor”
perfectly stated.
One person’s blessing is another’s curse. Lol I have a friend who is barely 5 ft, and we commiserate about the whole thing, while looking rather odd walking down the street together.While I recognize your situation is annoying, I'm jealous that the long is too short for you. Mine is waiting to go to the seamstress because I trip over it
Maybe Mike @ Macabi can help? I fear that the skirts are not made on order, but it's worth asking. You aren't the only one who finds them too short.
If it matters, I have the knee-length and the original. I can get an iPod mini in the original (!) and the waist looks better on me. A belt helps the appearance. The knee-length is hardcore frumpy. Oh my, so frumpy.
I've been training wearing my knee-length and slip "bike" shorts or leggings beneath. The slip shorts dry in a flash.
yes, I have a Macabi skirt and it is super-unflattering. It gives me a shape that I have never seen before. However, it is comfortable and has pockets for days. I used a long one for sun protection and put on a pair of leggings for warmth on cold mornings. I would peel them off by about 9 am. Discreet and allows you some privacy for emergency forays into the bushes. That, plus discovering (and stealing) my husbands tech boxer briefs -- remarkably comfortable. I understand the purpose of a skort, but I find them to be uncomfortable -- I spend a lot of time tugging them down. Maybe I have big thighs. Reminds me of wearing bicycle shorts under my dress in elementary school so I could play on the monkey bars.
So true. The thing with dude’s shirts is that they are often less expensive than trendy ‘boyfriend’ designer women’s ones. Totally hear you on not wanting all your sets of clothing to not have a masculine fit.
Right???? It’s so annoying that the diversity of sizes and pockets for men aren’t available for women. My tall sons? I buy jeans by waist and inseam. Me? I have to go to a specialty online store to buy a “tall” and dig through the fine print to find out if that means 32, 34, or 36 inch inseam.So true. The thing with dude’s shirts is that they are often less expensive than trendy ‘boyfriend’ designer women’s ones. Totally hear you on not wanting all your sets of clothing to not have a masculine fit.
I really love fajhlraven (need to spell check that!) gear.
I am a Kiwi. My hubby is tall too. Some of our Camino buddys said they thought we were German, oresumably because of our height. I have lots of gorgeous German friends so I’ll take the compliment.
Go well lovely.
I try to mix the men’s items I find with womens items, to mitigate the masculine fit a bit. But seriously. A macabi skirt is $84 plus shipping. The *average pair of mens hiking shorts or pants are available widely around $45. 
/grump grump
No two skirts. I have traveled and fished many years up in the boundary waters of Minnesota in Canada. Hot, humid, bugs. You want a pair of pants that are made of a material that can get wet yet when hung up dries within 10 to 15 minutes. And you want pants that zip off at the knees. Forget about looking cute or whatever it is you are thinking about. Comfort and being practical is of the upmost importance if you are walking the Camino.
It’s super annoying. I don’t think the Lululemon skirt was particularly cheap but it was my fave from SJPDP to Fisterre. And I wore it for a few years back home. Good luck with your options.Right???? It’s so annoying that the diversity of sizes and pockets for men aren’t available for women. My tall sons? I buy jeans by waist and inseam. Me? I have to go to a specialty online store to buy a “tall” and dig through the fine print to find out if that means 32, 34, or 36 inch inseam.
)
(I admit it only had one little pocket
the purple rain skirt has an interesting pocket design but it weights the skirt oddly making it difficult to make full use of them. I love pockets, but I rely on a flip belt under clothes for the important stuff.
I’ve spent a lot of summers in buggy MN, too. Biggest flies and gnat swarms I’ve ever seen.
Skirts allow for leggings easily added and then removed when the bugs are out. I would love to own a good pair of zip off pants. Literally cannot find a pair that fit properly. The outdoor clothing businesses haven’t invested yet in a wide range of sizes, particularly talls.
I think zip off pants are a great little invention, unfortunately I have not been a fan as I find the stiff zippers annoying while walking, sitting, or moving my legs at all.
I bought a pair of mens ones in Spain when I was desperate (it was a high snow year), but they didn’t fit well, and once I tried to wear them without my baselayer, incredibly uncomfortable. I suspect it’s a bit of a unicorn to find the pair that fit well and don’t rub in weird ways at the zip off point. The good ones that don’t weigh a ton also seem to be very expensive. I’m sure I’d use them if I could find a pair that fit well and don’t rub at the zipper line.I think zip off pants are a great little invention, unfortunately I have not been a fan as I find the stiff zippers annoying while walking, sitting, or moving my legs at all.
Anyone else avoid purchasing them a second time for this same reason?
A good choice of words and speaks for me.
I'm happy that you have found what works for you. I am very comfortable walking the Camino in a hiking dress.
Maybe the knee length skirt they sell is based on the original style which is a fuller skirt, but in the slim model, it lays quite nicely. I didn't test it with stuffed pockets because while I'm sure it will distort it a bit, so does a backpack's hip belt. It was 300 g, and now it is 200g, which makes it just over 7 ounces, which is a very lightweight bottom piece for a 6 ft tall woman. I own the ex officio give and go men's boxers with a 9 inch inseam for undershorts and they don't show. I even hiked up the waistband a bit since pack hipbelts often inch up a skirt waistline, and it still covers the boxers. Merino leggings would also work on a breezy morning.
I have sewn curtains, drapes, and have upholstered a few pieces of furniture "back in the day", but that ship has sailed. I think I've gone gone off topic a bit, but ultimately am giving some accolades to you gals.
You gals who sew, (I think of @trecile), adjust and improvise existing things always amaze me.
I have a PR skirt. They’re nice. A little short on me so I only use it for day hiking.
Baleaf has several skorts. Which one did you get and how much does it weigh?
Hi Eve,
@Eve Alexandra, I backpack in PR with no riding up problem. Perhaps you have the wrong size? I like sizing up so I can layer leggings underneath, so I have the skirt in two sizes. My weight fluctuates too, and the small might not lie as flat when I’m on my heavier side.
Same here. I have bought skorts because they had pockets or other features that I liked, then cut the little shorts out of them. As you said - the shorts underneath limit the usefulness of the skort. I prefer to wear a pair of lightweight running shorts or leggings if anything (other than underwear) under a skirt or dress. I use the shorts or leggings as pajama bottoms at night.
Unless they have changed them in the past year, the Prana Halle pants have ridiculously shallow pockets. I keep thinking that I should alter them to make them deeper, but I haven't gotten around to it yet.
You probably save money that way. Men’s gear is often cheaper, even though it uses less fabric.
Yes, the front pockets are ridiculous. I don’t even know why they bother. A lot of people complain about this, and I heard they might be making some changes.
The back pockets are really nice though. Title Nine Swingtastic Skort. Quick dry with mesh boy shorts. Zippered pockets. It is a bit longer than most of their skorts. I have three and live in them from spring to late fall since I don’t wear shorts. I am hoping they come out with new colors this year as I need to buy the next size down.
I wish I knew how to attach just a small photo, as intended (above). My earlier reply seems to indicate a big ego, but please understand, it's just big ignorance of tech matters!
Anna, When you reply to a message, look for the little picture icon at the top of the blue box. When you click it, you should be able to add a photo. I've added a photo with the icon circled in red for your reference.
Thank you, Jill, I did click on that icon, and then chose the photo from my gallery, and even clicked 'thumbnail' when prompted, but the image still looks enormous on my post, I don't know why! I do appreciate your helpful advice and the image you sent, though. My main intention was just to share my positive experience with a 'skort,' particularly as the Running Skirts brand, based in US, might be helpful to those in the States.Anna, When you reply to a message, look for the little picture icon at the top of the blue box. When you click it, you should be able to add a photo. I've added a photo with the icon circled in red for your reference.
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Was this a Lululemon tennis skirt? I have a couple of those and wonder what they'd be like on a camino!Excellent reason Eve!I am not far behind you in height. I wore a Lululemon skort way back in 2012 and I too preferred it over knee length shorts, that didn’t reach my knees.
It dried fast too.
It lasted 900ks and then some.
These reasons are offered as practical advice and are not born out of any desire within me to justify to others why I would want to wear one.
I figure people can wear whatever they like to without the weight of other’s expectations, yeah?
Especially on the Camino.
Especially for women who too often get criticised for their clothing choices.
Buen Camino!
I have one; used it only once. I'm not a fan, but agree they would work better under a skirt, although maneuvering it around undies with a skirt lifted sounds almost as awkward.Maybe TMI, but you went there.I use a pStyle. It’s most discreet—especially under a skirt. Honestly, the best $12 I’ve ever spent.
Took a bit to get the hang of it (with some suboptimal results that I won’t go into
), but now it’s swift and easy!
Wow - they have a lot of interesting items including tech/wool T's that weigh 3 ounces! Thanks for posting that link. I had never heard of them before.
You're quite welcome! Note that the UL (ultralight) fabric is a blend--not 100% merino. Voormi has about a half-dozen proprietary textile blends. You can find details about all of them here. One is actually blended with cotton (!), which I normally wouldn't consider for hiking. For some reason, the blend makes it perform. (I actually wore the shirt before reading the blend information, and I was shocked. Would never have known!)
Well, you could try to buy some. They sell out so quickly that it's probably not an option, but it never hurts to ask.
I have a couple of purple rain skirts and I just wear them with biker shorts for the chubrub. Having separate short / skirt combo seems more practical to me
Okay, purple rain skirt questions:
Pockets: It depends what you put in there.
A map, a few dollars/euros, and my phone are fine. When I’m backpacking in the wilderness, I fill them up with gloves and all sorts of things. The marmots (and chippies!) don’t care what I look like.
I don’t tend to put much in the pockets, hankie and phone is about all but then who really cares if you’re looking chipmonkish
?
Oooh, zip hers looks promising!
