Going Hiking This Summer? Here's What to Wear

Fresh air, a sense of accomplishment, and hours spent in a beautiful location - are some of the best parts of the hike.

The worst parts? Rubbing, sweaty clothes, and sore feet. Fortunately, the worst parts are (mostly) avoidable if you follow a few basic guidelines on how to dress for a walk.

Dressing appropriately for a walk is not about fashion. It's about staying comfortable and safe.

Your clothing and gear should move with your body, so avoid jeans and heavy fabrics.

It's also important to wear clothing that keeps you safe, including shoes that you know won't blister and materials designed to dry quickly so you don't suddenly start to freeze when out in the shade with sweat-soaked clothing.

Fortunately, you don't have to spend hundreds on new equipment or follow complicated rules.

Knowing what to wear to walk is easy. Here's your cheat sheet.

We hope you enjoy watching this video about

Source: Richard Jens

What to Wear for Hiking: The Experts Share the Best Hiking Clothes

What to Wear on Top

There's no hard and fast answer on what style of shirt to wear on top, but there are a few features you'll probably want.

Look for shirts with flat seams to avoid chafing and redness.

Flat seams connect fabric pieces end to end instead of overlapping.

This creates very smooth seams that are less prone to irritating the skin.

Make sure anything you wear on top absorbs moisture and dries quickly.

Moisture-wicking means it will carry sweat to the outer layer of the fabric, and quick-drying means you can go from wet to almost dry in a matter of minutes.

Fabrics that do not meet these criteria include cotton and linen, which should always be avoided for walking.

According to Nicole Snell, a Fjällräven guide and adventure guide to L.A.'s Black Girls Trekkin ', consider natural or blended wool for the most versatile options.

"Wool is breathable, it keeps you warm even when wet, it keeps you cool even in hot weather, and it's a durable material," Snell said.

You should always carry a waterproof jacket with you, even on day trips when the sun is expected to be sunny.

Fortunately, many jackets from brands like Stio, Arc'teryx, and Eddie Bauer fold into their own inner pockets, taking up minimal space in your hiking backpack.

Look for a jacket with a DWR (Waterproof Coat) plus an additional waterproof rating if you frequently hike in wet conditions.

Jackets are rated on a moisture scale in mm, depending on the brand. Look for something rated at 16,000mm (16K) or higher if you anticipate heavy rain.

What to wear at the bottom

Deciding what to wear on your bottoms while walking is basically the same as wearing your tops: comfortable, quick-drying fabrics.

Shorts, pants, or even hiking skirts or skorts are good choices, depending on your personal preferences.

If you are hiking long distances, be sure to try on the bottom layer with your backpack to make sure the shorts do not go up, down, or pinch when the backpack is tied around your hips.

If you're one of those people who never know what to wear, zip-up convertible pants might be a good option.

If you walk on very rocky terrain or plan to climb a lot, you probably want a fabric designed to resist abrasion, such as those made with ripstop materials or nylon, a material so durable that it is used to make climbing ropes.

If you don't expect to find bushes, tree branches, sharp rocks, or uneven camping, you may find that walking in yoga-style leggings or airy gym shorts works for you.

Some additional features to look for in the pants include zip or velcro pockets, hems that can be attached if the crotch is too long, and an adjustable waistband if they stretch on the track.

If you are wearing a belt, look for a stretch belt without a large buckle.

What to wear on your feet

If you follow just one tip in this article, it's this: always put your shoes on.

Even lightweight walking sandals have a break-in period and nothing will push you away faster than a blister on your heel or toes.

Walking shoes are generally divided into three categories: walking boots, walking shoes, and walking sandals.

Hiking boots tend to be heavier and more sustainable, and are ideal for multi-day backpacking trips.

Walking shoes have the same grippy sole (bottom), but are generally more flexible and lighter.

Because they don't cover your ankle, they provide less support (although tying them properly will provide more support for your ankle than you might think).

The last option is a walking sandal.

These sandals have grippy soles like a shoe or boot, but generally only have a few thick straps on the foot and heel.

They offer minimal support but are popular with ultralight day hikers and for use on multi-stream trails.

Waterproof shoes are generally more expensive, so if you don't expect to find standing water, you can probably go for a pair that is not waterproof (they can still be waterproof).

Waterproof shoes tend to be slightly less breathable, so an unsealed option can keep your feet cooler during long hikes.

Make sure to try on your shoes at the store and wear them while wearing your hiking socks.

Walking socks come in thick, thin, tall, and short options.

High socks are best if you are hiking in the bush.

If you are hiking through muddy terrain, consider investing in a pair of leg warmers, which adhere to your feet to prevent mud and snow from escaping from your socks and pant leg.

What accessories to use

Some hikers feel less is more when it comes to accessories, while others love having a complete package.

But the basics for almost all walks are the same: a hat to protect yourself from the sun and sunglasses to prevent eyestrain and block UV rays.

Avoid wearing a visor, as they expose you to ultraviolet rays, which cause dehydration, sunburn, and headaches. Otherwise, flexible baseball caps or sun hats are great options.

For sunglasses, look for a polarized pair. Polarized lenses reduce glare and help prevent eyestrain during bright periods.

Most of the big outdoor brands offer dozens of options, or you can find more fashion-oriented options from brands like Maho Shades or Costa del Mar.

Other accessories you might want or need, depending on the weather, include gloves, a mosquito net, or a walking chandelier to wear with anything from a hat to a scarf to a sweatband.

Many hikers also use fitness trackers to map their hikes, keep track of their stats, and help them follow preloaded routes.

Brands like Polar, Garmin, and Fitbit offer easy-to-use options.

How to layer

Wearing extra layers will keep you warmer than wearing thicker fabrics and will have the advantage of being removable if the day gets hotter than expected.

Dress like it's going to get cooler than you expect; You can always remove layers, but you can't add additional layers if you haven't packed them.

“The peaks are notoriously windy and cooler than the lower elevations, so I make sure to pack at least one extra layer.

How many layers you bring in will ultimately depend on your own cold limit, ”Snell said. "The weather can change at any time and your body temperature rises during a walk."

You may want your outer layer to be an SPF fabric.

Most materials offer the equivalent of an SPF rating of 5-10, so the sun's harmful rays can still reach your skin.

Most of the major outdoor brands make hiking gear with SPF.

Lastly, when evaluating how to dress, consider the nightly minimum.

Although walking is generally a safe activity, if you get lost or injured and can't find help quickly, you can be on the trail after dark.

You will appreciate having extra-warm clothes when the sun goes down.

Did you find this post useful or inspiring? Save THIS PIN to your Travel Board on Pinterest! 😊

Once again, thank you for visiting our website!

We hope you've enjoyed exploring the content we've created for you.

Give yourself the chance to learn, get inspired, and have even more fun, keep browsing...