There isn’t just one approach to hiking attire. There are many factors to consider when choosing your hiking apparel: temperature, terrain, distance, and duration of the hike. To have a wonderful hiking experience, you need the right clothes and footwear.
Let’s discuss what to wear hiking for your journey and make your hiking experience more enjoyable and memorable.
what to wear hiking
Here are the clothing options that are best for hiking:
- Comfortable and Sturdy Pants: On a trail, there are lots of twists and turns, so you need to move freely. Flexible and moisture-wicking pants are best for the journey.
- Moisture-wicking Top: You need to know the weather very well. Depending on the weather, choose a top made from materials like Merino wool, nylon, or polyester to keep you cool and dry.
- Warm Jacket: When planning a hike in cold weather, you need a warm jacket with polyester fleece, which will help you stay warm.
- Rain Jacket: In soggy weather, your best option is a rain jacket. Ensure the jacket protects you from rain and wind while still being comfortable for hiking.
- Brimmed Hat & Sunglasses: Keep a hat and sunglasses with you to protect yourself from sunburn.
- Sturdy Shoes: Choose comfortable shoes for your hike and avoid heavy ones. Ensure they provide support, protect against rocks and roots, and offer good traction on wet and dry surfaces.
What Not to wear hiking
There are no strict rules for what to wear or not wear while hiking, but you should wear a comfortable outfit for your journey.
- Cotton, Including Denim: Cotton fibers absorb moisture from the body, making you feel sweaty in hot weather and cold if the temperature drops. Always opt for synthetic fabrics with moisture-wicking properties instead.
- Clothes You Love: Dirt and sweat are part of a hiker’s experience. When planning a hiking trail, leave your favorite clothes in your closet.
- Improper Footwear: Your footwear must fit properly and be suitable for hiking. Proper footwear will protect your feet from rocks and roots, so choose carefully.
- Jewelry: We advise hikers to leave their jewelry at home. If you bring precious items like necklaces or rings and they get lost, it could ruin your entire journey.
- Packs That Are Too Heavy or Do Not Fit: Trails are not flat roads. If you bring an overloaded backpack or one that doesn’t fit well, you may get stuck, turning your hiking journey into a challenging ordeal. Keep it simple for your hiking trails.
Clothing Strategies
Let’s talk about how you can put your dress together:
Embrace Layering: Layer your clothing with unique functions. First, wear a moisture-wicking base layer that is breathable and comfortable. The second layer should be a waterproof outer shell, such as a raincoat.
Choose polyester, nylon, or merino wool base layers: These materials are far better than cotton. They move sweat off the skin and dry quickly. That’s why these materials are best for base layers like underwear, bras, shorts, and long sleeves.
Function & Fashion: First of all, focus on functionality, which will help you complete your hiking journey. However, fashion is also important to many people. Nowadays, some brands offer a combination of functional features and fashion.
Anticipate weather conditions: Hikers face weather-related problems daily, so you must prepare for various weather conditions. Pack a jacket and gloves for cold weather and a hat for hot weather in your backpack.
Learn the Fabrics:
Wicking: Wicking refers to the process where a liquid, such as water or sweat, moves through a material due to capillary action. In fabrics, wicking is a key feature in performance and hiking wear, as it helps draw moisture away from the body to the fabric’s surface, where it can evaporate more easily. This keeps the wearer dry and comfortable during physical activities.
Insulating: Insulating refers to the ability of a material to resist the transfer of heat. In the context of clothing and textiles, insulating fabrics help maintain body heat by trapping air close to the skin, providing warmth in cold conditions. Common insulating materials include wool, down, and synthetic fibers designed to mimic these natural insulators. Insulating properties are essential for outdoor gear, winter clothing, and any application where temperature regulation is crucial.
Waterproof and windproof: Waterproof and windproof materials are designed to provide protection against wet and windy conditions.
Waterproof fabrics prevent water from penetrating, keeping the wearer dry during rain or exposure to water. These materials often use coatings, laminates, or specialized membranes like Gore-Tex to achieve their water-resistant properties while maintaining breathability.
Windproof fabrics block the wind, reducing the chilling effect caused by wind exposure. This is crucial in maintaining body warmth in blustery conditions.
Garments that combine both waterproof and windproof features are essential for outdoor activities, ensuring comfort and protection against the elements.
Sun protection: Sun protection in fabrics refers to the ability to block or absorb harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, reducing the risk of skin damage and other related health issues. Clothing designed with sun protection often uses tightly woven fabrics, special dyes, or chemical treatments to enhance UV resistance. The effectiveness of sun-protective clothing is measured by its Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating, with higher numbers indicating better protection. This type of clothing is particularly important for outdoor activities, providing an additional layer of defense against sunburn and long-term skin damage.
Basic Fabric Choice
Popular febric Option for Outdoor aparel:
Wool: Today wool is not for Outdoor but merino wool is the best fabric for its breathable, soft & moisture-wicking quality.
Polyester/nylon clothing: Typically more affordable than merino wool, synthetic fabrics excel at wicking sweat and drying quickly, often incorporating recycled materials. They can develop odors, so some garments include antimicrobial treatments. Most brands use polyester or nylon, which in hard shell forms (like rain jackets) combined with coatings or laminates, provide protection from rain and wind.
Fleece: Fleece jackets, commonly used as insulating mid-layers, are made from polyester. Their warmth comes from their soft, thick fibers as well as the material’s chemical properties.
Silk: Due to its modest wicking ability, silk isn’t ideal for strenuous hikes. Treated silk performs better, thanks to chemical modifications that enhance wicking. While silk has a soft, luxurious feel, it isn’t very rugged or odor-resistant.
Cotton: Notoriously inefficient at wicking and drying, cotton soaks up sweat, stays wet, and chills you. In sweltering heat, you might wear it if you don’t mind feeling clammy and sticky. However, in very cold conditions, wearing cotton next to your skin can lead to hypothermia.
Footwear:
A good pair of can make your hiking journey wonderful also a bad pair will destroy you as well. Here are some tips for choosing a good footwear.
Hiking boots or trail-running shoes: Sturdy and comfortable shoes are essential for foot support, protection, and traction on the trail. Waterproof or water-resistant options are useful for wet conditions but may reduce breathability. Hiking boots, with added ankle support, are ideal for longer hikes, while low-top hiking shoes or trail runners are suitable for shorter, groomed trails.
Hiking sandals: Gone are the days of flimsy flip-flops on the trail. Hiking sandals offer a lightweight, breathable option for water crossings or hot days on flat terrain. Choose sandals with good support, grippy traction, and a snug strap system to keep them securely on your feet.
Socks: Choose thicker or thinner socks based on the weather, ensuring they are taller than your hiking footwear to prevent blisters. Moisture-wicking wool socks are preferable to cotton, as cotton can get wet and cause blisters.
Hiking Accessories:
As a hiker must-have accessories are:
Hats: Hats are essential in any season. For strong sun, wear a wide-brimmed hat or a billed cap, and consider a sun cape for neck protection in desert conditions. A wide brim also helps keep rain out of your eyes. A baseball cap can work but won’t cover your ears and neck. In cool conditions, pack a wool or synthetic cap to insulate your head.
Sunglasses: A good pair of sunglasses can shield your eyes from harmful UV rays and provide protection on windy days. Polarized lenses reduce glare but may create blind spots. Photochromic lenses adjust from dark to light based on environmental light intensity.
Gloves: Choose gloves based on the weather conditions. Insulated and waterproof gloves are ideal for wintry weather. Mittens provide more warmth compared to gloves, even when made from the same material.
Leg Gaiters: gaiters fit over your hiking boots and pants to prevent trail debris, rain, and pests like ticks from getting into your boots. Waterproof gaiters are available for snowy or wet conditions.
Neck Gaiters: Fleece or wool neck gaiters provide warmth in cold temperatures, while lightweight, breathable versions absorb sweat and offer UV protection in warmer weather.
Daypack: Consider carrying a lightweight, well-fit daypack to store essentials like water, snacks, phones, keys, and extra layers. For short or urban hikes, a basic bookbag might suffice. However, longer and more technical hikes warrant a pack with features such as water resistance, extra back support, and a hip belt. Learn about choosing daypacks, and if you move to overnight hikes, consider a larger backpack.
