When I first started hiking eight years ago, I honestly had no idea what to wear. I was going on a winter hiking trip, and I realized I had no hiking clothes. I didn’t even have an insulated jacket (Please note that I lived in Texas at the time). So I just bought a bunch of random stuff that honestly didn’t even work. Years later, after so much trial and error, and more hiking experience, I finally have a fantastic list of what to wear hiking. I don’t want you to go through the same pain points as I did as so, so I decided to create this list just for you! Enjoy!
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Quick Picks On What To Wear When Hiking
Don’t have time to read the whole article? Here are some links to some of my favorite clothes for hiking:
Quick Tips On What To Wear On A Hike
- Wear Good Shoes: When it comes to beginner hikers, I think everyone should try to wear the best hiking shoes for their feet. A shoe can really determine how much you will enjoy hiking. It can make or break your trip. In the end it will be your feet that will be doing the most work on this activity so make sure you have good shoes that have a good grip, are comfortable, and are waterproof.
- Wear A Backpack: You never know if something might happen while hiking and you will need extra food, extra water, a headlamp etc. To be as safe as possible you need to carry the ten essentials in your backpack.
- Dress In Layers: Take off a layer if you are hot. Put on a layer if you are cold. The key to hiking as safely as possible is to be as comfortable as possible. Wearing the puffiest, hottest, biggest jacket will be useless when hiking because there can be varying temperatures. It is best to wear many layers instead. I usually like to have 3-4 layers on hand.
- Try not to wear cotton or jeans: I feel like you can wear whatever you want when hiking. I am not going to judge you. But I still want to caution you that wearing cotton or jeans can be dangerous. I have seen someone get hypothermia because of wearing cotton in the Fall! It wasn’t even Winter. The t-shirt soaked up all of his sweat and when he stopped to eat, he got hypothermia. Wearing non breathable materials can be dangerous so be cautious when wearing this.
Things To Think About When Buying Clothing For Hiking
- Safety: The number one thing you need to think about when buying clothing is safety. Try to get breathable clothes that will not soak up your sweat. Also, think about the weather of where you are going. Is there a chance of rain? Is it high up in the mountain where it is chilly? Is it really hot so you need to cover up more to avoid sunburn?
- Weight and Compressibility: Nothing is more annoying then bringing heavy jackets that will not fit in your backpack. Make sure you can easily store any layers into your backpack. Also, every ounce counts when it comes to hiking. The more your backpack weighs the more energy you will use, the more food you will need. Make sure you bring enough layers but don’t bring too much. Don’t worry it does get easier with practice.
- Comfort: After years of hiking I now know my comfort level. It was not always like that. In the beginning I listened to other “hiking experts” and thought I should just do what they did. Nope! Everyone is different, so if one shoe works for me, it might not work for you. Our bodies are all different. The only way you will get fully comfortable is by practice and trying out different outfits. You don’t need to buy new clothing. I use a lot of my hiking outfits for working out as well.
- Price: Price is what stops many people from hiking but I feel like it should not. You can wear a lot of the things you wear working out. When it comes to shoes, yes it is best to start out with official hiking shoes, but you can also start with tennis shoes in the beginning. It can be uncomfortable, so don’t do anything too difficult. You can also check out my post on how to find discounted outdoor gear. I promise you it is possible to find more affordable options.
What To Wear Hiking
Sweat Wicking Shirt
I highly recommend getting an excellent sweat-wicking shirt for hiking. No cotton! Cotton shirts tend not to dry quickly when you are sweating. This is fine if you are hanging out at home or in the city, but out in the wilderness, it can be detrimental.
Usually, when you hike, you are at a lower elevation where it is warm. When you hike up to the viewpoint, it might be a lot colder, and to add to it, you are sweaty. Also, since you usually relax at the viewpoint, you will get cold pretty quickly. A cotton shirt is not right in this situation.
I once saw a guy get hypothermia on a chilly fall day at the peak. It wasn’t a freezing day, but he had a cotton shirt on and no jacket. They had to call the rescue team for him. So always bring a jacket and always bring a good quick-drying shirt. >Buy My Hiking Shirt Here
Rain Jacket
I always have a rain jacket on my packing list, no matter what. Even if there is 100% chance of clear skies for days. Why? Because weather forecasters can lie and I would rather be safe than sorry.
I once went on a super popular trail in Banff, where at the top of the trail there was a beautiful lake, a fantastic cabin, warm tea, and food. The only way to get there was by hiking up the trail. Halfway through the hike, it started pouring on us. I saw people turn around and run for their lives, but luckily we didn’t have to. We had our rain jackets.
We got to the cabin, ordered some warm tea and sandwiches, and enjoyed the views. The sun eventually came out. Always bring a rain jacket. It will keep you nice and dry, and it might help you get to your destination. >Buy My Awesome Rain Jacket Here
Read More On Rain Jackets: 10 Best Rain Jackets For Women
Insulated Jacket
Ok, I am a wimp when it comes to being cold, so having a good insulated jacket is a no-brainer for me. But, I know not everyone is a wimp like me, so I can see people skipping out on this. Like I explained earlier, you are not always going to be hiking. When you get to the viewpoint, most people like to relax and eat and take in the views. This is when I pull out my warm insulated jacket.
Luckily the one I use is super compressible and warm at the same time. I have tried many jackets, and the Mountain Hardware Jacket always remains my Fav. >Buy My Awesome Jacket Here
Read More On Insulated Jackets: 10 Best Down Jackets For Women
Base Layers
I would only wear base layers on a cold fall hike or a winter hike. If you have a good pair of base layers, they will keep you extremely warm. Which is good if it is freezing outside. I sometimes struggle to decide if I should wear them or not. When I am indecisive, I stick them in my bag. The best ones in the market are known to be Merino Wool. >Buy The Pant Here >Buy The Shirt Here
Sweater
Like I said earlier, I run cold, so I like to bring a mid-layer/light jacket or sweater with me. I sometimes wear the jacket going on a downward incline because I don’t get as hot and sweaty going downhill. I also feel like an insulated jacket is too hot when I am walking downward, so a sweater or a light jacket is perfect. >Check Out This New Sweater
Sunglasses
I got Lasik surgery so I always have to wear sunglasses outside but I feel like most people should still bring them on the trail to protect their eyes. >Buy My Neat Sunglasses Here
Cold Weather Leggings
I know most hiking lists tell you, you need some real rugged hiking pants to go hiking, butttt I am not going to do that. My personal preference is leggings. They are my go-to pants for hiking. I love how comfortable they are, and I love how they look on me. I always feel more confident when I wear leggings.
So if you already have some awesome leggings, just wear those. But here are the ones I wear in the winter in case you don’t have any. These have fleece on the inside and can withstand the snow. If it is really cold, I wear base layers underneath: >Here Are My Cold Weather Leggings
Hiking Pants and Summer Leggings
I rarely wear hiking pants. I am not going to lie to you; I am not a fan of them. I don’t like how they look on me, and they feel uncomfortable. But, I still wear them on occasion. I mainly wear them when I go on a tough scramble trail, or when I know it is going to rain. I still want to recommend some hiking pants because maybe you have a different opinion than me and can’t stand leggings. And that is totally fine. Get what makes you feel comfortable. I just love how I feel with leggings, so I mainly wear those.
Please note that I have bought many hiking pants over the years. I have tried so many brands, and a lot of them either shrink, rip, are too large, or just look absolutely horrid on me. There is only one pair of pants that I have liked. I will still choose leggings over these pants, but at least they are better than most women’s hiking pants out there. >Check Out The Only Hiking Pants I Have Ever Liked
My go to leggings are REI 7/8 and Prana. Great quality, has pockets and is comfortable. >Check The REI Leggings Here >Check Out The Prana Leggings Here
Check Out My Fav Leggings: The 5 Best Hiking Leggings For Women
Hiking Shoes
I feel like getting a good pair of hiking shoes is essential for enjoying your hike. When it comes to hiking, the first thing that starts to feel tired are your feet. So you don’t want your feet working harder than it already is.
Good hiking shoes protect your feet from accidentally hitting rocks or tree stumps. It is also mostly waterproof and has an excellent grip on rocks. A good grip is essential when hiking. There are times when you have to scramble over boulders, and it makes life so much easier. >Buy My Hiking Shoes Here
Read More On Hiking Shoes: 10 Best Hiking Shoes For Women
Hiking Boots
I only wear hiking boots if I know the trail will be treacherous or if there are a lot of creek crossings. I love how durable and waterproof my hiking boots are, but they are pretty heavy and bulky, so I don’t bring them on easy hikes. Also, hiking boots are great for people that need extra ankle support. >Click Here To Buy My Durable Boots
Read More On Hiking Boots: 10 Best Hiking Boots For Women
Hat
A hat is my favorite accessory when it comes to my hiking attire. My hair can be a complete disaster, and hats somehow make it look manageable. So I always bring some cute hats with me.
But hats serve a better purpose than making you look adorable in pictures. Warm hats keep my head warm in the winter. Sun hats help with sun protection. >Check Out These Pom Pom Hats Here >Check Out This Cute Sun Hat
Sports Bra and Underwear
The best way to stay nice and comfortable while hiking is to get a good pair of sports bras and underwear. I usually get my sports bras from Lululemon. For underwear, I recommend getting moisture-wicking and quick-drying underwear. >Check Out The Underwear Here
Read All About Underwear: The 5 Best Hiking Underwear For Women
Wool Socks
Wool socks are the best when it comes to hiking. They dry quickly, and they prevent blisters from forming. If you are hiking an awesomely hard trail, the last thing you want to have is a blister forming. Not fun. >Check Out My Favorite Hiking Socks Here
Day Packs
You need a day pack to carry all of the Ten Essentials. I don’t recommend doing a day hike without a small backpack. Food and water are essential when hiking, even if it is a straightforward hike. You are expending energy and sweating a lot more than you usually do, so ALWAYS pack extra water and food.
The easiest way to do that is with a hiking backpack. You can usually use any backpack, of course, but day hiking backpacks have neat compartments to hold your hiking gear. They made these backpacks for hikers in mind. >Check Out My Backpack Here
Read More: Best Daypacks For Women On The Market
Trekking Poles
Trekking poles help with balance when hiking especially when you are going downhill or walking through streams. They help my knees greatly, especially on long difficult trails. I like to typically use them on trails over seven miles. >Buy My Trekking Poles Here
Layers
There are three main layers that I wear when I go hiking. They are base layers, mid-layers, and top layers.
- Base Layer: This depends on the season as I tend to wear Merino Wool in the cold months but synthetic breathable fabric in the warmer months. This is the layer on the bottom.
- Mid Layer: This is typically a fleece sweater or a thinner jacket. It all depends on how chilly it is.
- Top layer: A top layer consists of an insulated warm jacket or a rain jacket.
The Different Types Of Hiking Shoes
There are four main types of hiking shoes you can hike with on the trails. I will list the pro and cons of each one below.
Hiking Boots
Hiking boots are the original hiking shoes. Back in the day, this is what everyone wore when they went hiking. Now, there has been a push to go lighter and more inexpensive so many people have moved to hiking shoes and trail running shoes. I still think hiking boots are beneficial, and I have many pairs in my closet. The main difference between hiking boots and hiking shoes is that hiking boots have ankle support.
Read More: 10 Best Hiking Boots For Women
Hiking Shoes
I like to wear hiking shoes on easier trails (3-7 miles round trip). I don’t like to wear hiking shoes when backpacking because the heavy backpack really affects my ankles. When my ankles get tired after hiking for miles they tend to give out (meaning they start rolling). So if you are trying to hike long strenuous miles and are just starting out, I would caution you wearing hiking shoes. I have been hiking for years and my ankles still give out when I do very difficult trails.
Read More: 10 Best Hiking Shoes For Women
Hiking Sandals
I don’t usually like to hike in sandals because I am the most clumsy person and I tend to stub my toes a lot. That being said I do know many people that absolutely love hiking in sandals and think they are the best type of hiking shoes. I mainly liked them in very warm wet climates like Hawaii. I felt like they are perfect there especially in river crossings beaches and waterfalls.
Read More: 10 Best Hiking Sandals For Women
Trail Running Shoes
Trail running shoes are fantastic for people that love to hike fast in lightweight shoes. These are perfect for people that love running on trails. They are lightweight and usually come in cute colors.
Cute Hiking Outfits
What To Wear While Hiking In Different Seasons
What To Wear Hiking In Summer
What to wear hiking in summer can be somewhat tricky. What you wear, can depend on your location. For example, hiking in the hot Arizona desert can be different than hiking in the high mountains in Washington State. Even in the summer, it can get pretty chilly in the mountains so you still need to layer.
Even if the summer is hot I still recommend trying to cover as much as you can. If you look through my Instagram I am rarely wearing shorts in my pictures, even in the summer. I like to feel somewhat protected from the bugs, sun, and I am also a klutz and tend to trip from time to time. So wearing pants and leggings is usually my go-to in the summer. But of course, you can definitely still wear hiking shorts, especially if it is a hot day. I also like to wear a sun hat to make sure my eyes are protected.
People also ask me if I wear wool socks when hiking in the summer. Even though it sounds like wool socks are too hot for summer hiking, they are still the best choice. They are the most breathable and most comfortable to wear. Just make sure you buy thin wool hiking socks.
What To Wear Hiking In The Spring
Spring is a great time to experience the stunning wildflowers on the trails. The snow is melting, the bees are buzzing, and birds are chirping away. During the spring I like to carry a mid layer and an insulating jacket in case the weather changes in an instant. I also make sure that I am always carrying a rain jacket in case of showers.
There can still be ice in some areas so carrying microspikes is super helpful. I do not always use them though, I put them in my backpack just in case I need them.
Read More: What To Wear Hiking In The Spring
What To Wear Hiking In The Fall
I LOVE hiking in the Fall. This is probably one of my favorite times to hike. The leaves are changing colors, and the weather is relatively mild. That being said I still want to make sure you bring enough layers when hiking in the Fall. Hiking in moisture-wicking material is very important during this time. When you are hiking and sweating and then stop, that cool fall air can make you chilly in an instant. So make sure you have mid-layers, wear baselayers, and wear long-sleeve sweat-wicking shirts.
Read More: What To Wear Hiking In Fall
What To Wear Hiking In The Winter
Hiking in the winter is the most difficult season to hike in. Luckily I have a blog post where I talk in detail about what to wear below. Some of the things I feel like are definitely needed when hiking in the winter include:
As you can see, hiking in the winter is a bit more complicated and expensive than hiking in the summer. That is why I urge beginner hikers to hike during the other seasons first before hiking in the winter. Winter can also have other dangers such as avalanches (depending on where you live), and hypothermia. Be very careful hiking in this season.
Read More: What To Wear Hiking In The Winter
Different Hiking Conditions
What To Wear Hiking When It Is Rainy
Read More: Tips On Hiking In The Rain
What To Wear Hiking When It Is Windy
What To Wear Hiking When There Are Mosquitos
During certain times in the summer in the Pacific Northwest, the mosquitos come out in droves (around July and Early August). I know it sounds crazy but I have been chased by mosquitos down a mountain. To avoid getting eaten by mosquitos, I recommend putting on a mosquito net and hat as seen above. You can also bring mosquito spray or put on long sleeve shirts and long pants.
Fabrics For Outdoor Clothing
Merino Wool
Merino Wool is probably the best type of clothing to wear when hiking. It is warm, breathable, sweat-wicking, and anti-stink. I like to wear them as a base layer and all my socks are merino wool to prevent blisters.
The main downside is that they are pretty expensive. I usually have two sets of merino base layers and wash them before any hiking trip.
Synthetic
Polyester is usually used for making synthetic base layers. Synthetic is usually more affordable and more durable than merino wool, but it is not anti-stink.
Nylon is used for Synthetic down jackets while polyester nylon blends can be used for rain jackets.
Fleece
I use fleece sweaters as a mid-layer. This means that I put it on top of my base layer but it is below my insulating layer. Patagonia has the best fleece layers in the market and I love using them! They are so warm.
The main negative about these jackets is that they are not as compressible as the puffy jackets, and they are also not waterproof. You definitely don’t want to have a fleece jacket on if it is sprinkling.
Cotton
There is a saying that I heard when I first started hiking and it is “cotton kills”. As someone who has seen someone get hypothermia because of wearing cotton, I can attest to that. Cotton is not breathable and soaks up all of your sweat. The problem with this is when you stop hiking and the wind kicks in, you can easily get hypothermia.
Final Thoughts On What To Wear For Hiking
I hope this post was beneficial to you. If you need any more help on hiking essentials, please check out some of my other useful blog posts:
- Hiking Gear Essentials
- Tips and Tricks On Hiking Alone
- 30 Best Gifts For Hikers
- Hiking For Beginners: Hiking 101 Tips