Figure 1.--Here a group of German boys in the 1950s prepares for a boating expedition. Most of the boys wear Lederhosen.

Lederhosen were also ideal for rough outdoor and play clothes. They were thus especially popular for outdoor pursuits. We see many boys wearing them for a wide range of outdoor activities. This is not surprising as Lederhosen appear to have originated as farm work clothes. The fact that they were indistrutable and did not need constnt washing made them idea for outdoor pursuits. We see them being wirn by boys in youth groups as well as boys in more more informal groups and by individuals. Many avilable images show boys wearing them while on hikes or camping trips in the country. While hiking and camping seem to have been the most popular outdoor pursuit in which Lederhosen were commonly worn, we also notice them being worn on boating trips. One might think cord or other fabric shorts would seem more practical for boatng. Nevertheless German boys also wore Lederhosen for boating. Often they were worn with knee socks ad sturdy footwear. Hiking in the country seems to have been an especially popular activity in Germany. Here we see quite a number of older boys wearing Lederhosen. We also notice moys biking in Ledehosen. This was fairly common until the 1960s when teenagrs began to increasigly wear jeans.

Biking

Biking was very popular for German boys. Until after World War II, few working-class boys had bikes. Middle-class boys might have bikes. The Hitler Youth had bikes which were supplied to boys for biking expeditions if they did not have their own bikes. It would be mostly teenagers involved in biking expeditions, at least expeditions of anu distance from home. Lederhosen were very practical for such expeditions. One of the problems with bike expeditions is the need to carry along a change of clothes. Waring Lederhosen meant that a second pair of pants would not be needed. Modern bikers like tight-fitting lycra shorts, but these seems primarily for speed. German boys biking found generallu loose fitting Lederhosen compfortable and unconfining. They generally were less interested in speed. Traveling in groups, their interest was more in comfort which wirking on endurance abnd distance. We also see boys riding about the city in bikes. Here this probably reflects their ordinary clothing rather than clothes put on especially for riding bikes.

Boating

While hiking and camping seem to have been the most popular outdoor pursuit in which Lederhosen were commonly worn, we also notice them being worn on boating trips. One might think cord or other fabric shorts would seem more practical for boatng. Nevertheless German boys also wore Lederhosen for boating. Here the problem was that cords and other fabrics could be easily dried out if they got wet. Soaking Lederhosen was, however, one of the few things that could damage them and they could not be easily or rapidly dried out

Camping

Lederhosen were especially suitable for camping. Not only were they virtually indestructable, but they did not have to be laundered like cloth pants. Thus this solved at least part of the problem of clean clothes for rge camper. We commonly see German boys in youth groups wearing Lederhosen just for thos reason. Their uniforms did not consist of Lederhosen, but the boys wore then instead of the uniform pants. This was generally permitted just as we see many American Cubs and Boy Scouts wearing jeans beginning in the 1960s.

Hiking

Germany is a wonderful country for hiking. The coubtryside itself is beautiful and their are snic vistas to be enjoyed throughout the country. Lederhosen were popular for hiking for the same reasons that they were popular for camping--their practicality. They were not only extremely durable, but they were practically indestructible--an important characteristic for boys. In fact, Lederhosen could last for years. A boy was nmore likely to outgrow Lederhosen than have to replace them. Lederhosen did not tear when they get snagged on brambles and branhches. And more importantly for hiking, did not require laundering after a day or two of outdoor activity. Of course the two activities, hiking and camping, over interacted. Boys often went for hikes while camping. There were, however, also hiking as part of youth organization programs in and around the places where the boys lived. Lederhosen meant that boys hiking any distance did not have to worry about carrying along a second pair of clean pants. We see numerous snapshots of boys in the senic German countryside hiking with groups or the family. They are often enjoying breaktaking scenery.

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Created: 5:06 AM 11/30/2008
Last updated: 2:58 AM 8/8/2011