“There are no words that can tell the hidden spirit of the wilderness, that can reveal its mystery, its melancholy, and its charm.”
- Teddy Roosevelt
Some newbies out there may think that you can wear just about anything in the great outdoors; that isn’t the case! There is a reason hiking pants have zip off shorts and come in khaki and olive tones… and “wicking tops” are a must have addition to your wardrobe!
Are you tired of being too hot, or too cold? Strange tan lines? Bug bites? Read on and learn all about hiking clothing:
- Layering
- UPF (Sun Protection)
- Is there any flattering hiking clothing for women?
Womens Hiking Pants
Womens Hiking Tops
Womens Hiking Hats
Womens Hiking Outerwear
Womens Hiking Underwear
Womens Hiking Sunglasses
Layering
The key to being comfortable on the trail is layering. Whether you’re on a one hour hike or a multi-day trip, the weather can change at any minute, and to stay comfy you need to have layers. Additionally, your hiking apparel should be “wicking”, which means that it will “wick” the sweat and moisture away from your body so you remain comfortable on the trail. Anything fleece or polyester is wicking. Fleece vests and jackets are great!
Ok, so here’s the basics on layering. You need to have 3 layers:
- BASE LAYER: What you wear directly against your skin. Always avoid cotton unless you’re hiking in super hot, dry, desert conditions! That means wear nylon/synthetic underwear, and a lightweight thermal top to wick sweat away. Believe me, this is super important. This may be a little too personal… but my favorite underwear is Ex Officio Women’s Give-N-Go Bikini Brief . After a long day on a trail, they stay dry and eliminate odors. If you are hiking in cold conditions (ie, on a snowshoe trip or a winter, fall or early spring hike) you probably want to wear long underwear. Any synthetic material or silk will do well. Just make sure it isn’t too bulky to fit under your mid and outer layers.
- MID LAYER: This is what will keep you warm! Again, just make sure it isn’t cotton. A fleece vest is always great, and it gives you great flexibility. It is easy to put on over a base layer, it packs down small, and is lightweight.
- OUTER LAYER: This is what will keep you dry if it rains or snows, and it will block the wind! The outer layer is also called a “shell”, so think of a turtle’s shell… it protects him from all the elements. Same for you! Common materials for shells are Gore-Tex, which makes the material waterproof yet breathable. The more you hike, the more you’ll want shell bottoms as well (aka Rain Pants). Just make sure your shells fit over your base and mid layers!
Did you notice a common theme? NO COTTON!! Why not cotton? Because cotton fibers collapse when they get wet, so it takes a very long time for it to dry. Much better materials are synthetics (like polyester and fleece) and natural materials like...
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