Eddie Bauer Trail Tight Review

Bottom Line

The Eddie Bauer Trail Tight High-Rise Leggings are a comfortable and versatile option, ideal for casual hikes and everyday wear. They feature a high-rise waist that adds to the comfort, making them perfect for those who seek apparel suitable for both the trail and daily activities. The soft, stretchy fabric provides excellent flexibility for light hikes, yoga, or even long car rides to the trailhead. 

However, after some use, the waist tends to stretch out slightly, which can cause them to slip down, especially since there is no drawstring for fit adjustment. If you’re between sizes or prefer a snugger waist, sizing down may be advisable. 

The zippered pockets ensure security but are somewhat shallow for larger smartphones; however, they can easily accommodate smaller essentials. Durable yet flexible, these leggings allow for a full range of motion and come in various colors with sizing options such as regular, petite, and tall, making them a fantastic choice for active wear lifestyles.

Our selection of the top hiking leggings includes plenty more choices if you’re seeking additional options.

How We Tested

We tested these leggings in a wide variety of environments, ranging from yoga classes to the gym and from flat trails to uphill and downhill climbs. We evaluated them at 6,200 feet in South Lake Tahoe, California, and at 4,800 feet in Genoa, Nevada.

Additionally, we had the opportunity to test a pair that appeared to be used and broken in, alongside a brand new pair that hadn’t yet been stretched out. Our testing took place over approximately 30 days, between mid-November and mid-December.

Comfort

These leggings are very comfortable. We wore them to yoga, and they felt amazing. They’re incredibly stretchy, and movement feels great. We were able to do all yoga poses with ease. We also wore them out to dinner at an all-you-can-eat buffet and felt like we had plenty of room. We would definitely wear them multiple days in a row. 

After wearing them quite a lot, we noticed that while they are quite comfortable, the waist, right at the very top of the waistband, can dig in just slightly. The material isn’t as soft and cozy as other leggings on the market, but it does offer a well-balanced blend of softness and ruggedness, enhancing its durability. We felt comfortable wearing them outdoors and on the couch to rest afterwards.

Fit

This is where these tights fall short. The waist is so high—perhaps a little too high. It may be suitable for those with more belly, pregnant individuals, or for activities like yoga or road trips.

But while walking, the crotch sags, and the waist slips down. This isn’t a pair we’d recommend for hiking, as it can become annoying and lacks a drawstring for adjustment. When we first tested them, they seemed to slide down, forcing us to pull up the waist and inseam quite often.

Features

The pockets are too small for our phone (a standard smartphone). The width is fine, but they are very shallow. Consequently, we couldn’t zip the pocket closed with our phone inside, but it could rest in the pocket.

We didn’t feel entirely confident it would stay in place. The pockets work well for most other items, like snacks, keys, ID, and even a pocket knife. Due to the size of the pockets, we would need to use a fanny pack, daypack, or vest to store our phone during hikes.

Breathability & Warmth

These leggings are slightly thicker, so we tried wearing them on warm days and cold days, as well as indoors. They felt a bit too cold for freezing temperatures but also a bit too warm for a peak hot summer day.

Before the temperatures started getting lower, i.e., in mid-November, or preferably in mid-October, these would be a good option. We wore them in light rain, and while the fabric soaked through, it dried incredibly quickly.

Durability

These seemed fine sitting on rocks, but the material feels more cotton-like and less technical. However, it seems clear that you get what you pay for because the fabric feels of higher quality and more durable than other leggings that have a more casual style like these.

Although we didn’t necessarily want to take this off-trail bushwhacking, we also don’t feel like we need to baby them while out in the elements.

Should You Buy the Eddie Bauer Trail Tight?

These hiking leggings are a good choice for anyone who frequently hikes with a backpack or other means of carrying items like their phone. This product is also ideal for those who prioritize comfort over features or technical fabrics.

These leggings are designed for individuals who prefer a high waist (i.e., sitting above the belly button). People who want leggings in which they can not only hike but also comfortably do yoga, lounge on the couch afterward, and sit in the car during long road trips will be pleased with these.

What Other Hiking Leggings Should You Consider?

If the Eddie Bauer Trail Tight sound like we’re on the right path, but are not exactly what you want or need, we’re confident you’ll find a great match in our complete list of favorite hiking leggings for women. Here are a few specific recommendations with similar features and performance:

Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights HD W Review: If you prefer the high-rise fit but seek leggings with more technical features, the Fjällräven is your best option. These leggings boast technical fabric throughout, reinforced knees and seat, as well as deeper pockets compared to the Eddie Bauer. Due to their high performance, these leggings come at a significantly higher price point.

Patagonia Pack Out Tights Review: These leggings are similar to the Eddie Bauer style, as they offer a simple and traditional design with a softer, more casual fabric. Both options are mid-weight and fairly durable. These leggings feature a lower-rise fit, along with two drop-in pockets (which conveniently fit a smartphone) and one zippered pocket, resulting in a higher score on our features metric.