Hiking Wear

Tips on Wearing Basic Hiking Clothes From Head to Toe

Hiking has grown in popularity over the past couple of years as people are geared more toward outdoor sports. If you’re looking to venture into the wilderness, you should know what hiking clothes to wear to keep safe and prepared for whatever the trails have in store for you. For a covered head-to-toe look, here’s what you need:

  1. Cap

To keep your head dry and protected from the sun, you’re advised to wear a cap. It also helps prevent painful sunburn due to ultraviolet rays and is a great way to protect your hair and eyes from the heat. For added skin protection, wear sunscreen.

  1. Shirt

A shirt or a hiking jacket – depending on the weather- helps you regulate your temperature. When cold, you can wear a long-sleeved t-shirt with a jacket/vest on top. In warmer weather or when a strenuous effort is exerted, a short-sleeved shirt would do.

  1. Shorts

Hiking shorts should be made of quick-drying fabric. Some hiking shorts serve as swimwear while some hiking pants are zip-off to serve as pants and shorts. Options vary from long-leg to regular-leg pants, camouflage shorts, or hiking leggings.

  1. Gloves

Your hiking clothes for wintry, rainy conditions require insulated, waterproof gloves. Mittens are even better than gloves made of the same material as your fingers can share warmth underneath. They’re the ideal choice for extreme cold weather.

  1. Belt

Your hiking outfit won’t be complete without a hiking belt. Even the best hiking pants may need a belt to keep them up, but the belt serves more than that. It prevents your pants from falling off which may lead to slips, trips, and falls.

  1. Shoes

Like hiking clothes, hiking shoe options vary. You may wear backpacking boots, hiking shoes, or trail running shoes. The bottom line is, your shoes need to be sturdy to provide your foot with support and protection from rocky or slippery terrain.

  1. Poncho

Even if you’re wearing waterproof hiking clothes, you may need a poncho to protect from the rain or to keep cooler depending on the weather. Ponchos make the best choice for tropical hiking as they allow sweat to evaporate and cool down body temperature.

Choosing hiking clothes by the season

What works for winter won’t work for a hike in the sizzling summer heat.

  1. Spring and autumn

In these two seasons, your hiking footwear should alternate between boots, sneakers, and sandals due to temperature fluctuation and the terrain. Your hiking clothes should include a waterproof jacket in case the weather is chilly. Your hiking pants could be zip-off, so you may lose the legs if things heat up.

  1. Summer

Obviously, lightweight hiking clothes work best for summers, but again it all depends on the hiking spot. You may need to wear a long-sleeved shirt and full pants if the area is known to have ticks, snakes, or poisonous plants. Lighter colors tend to absorb less heat too which proves useful in the summer.

  1. Winter

Hiking in the winter is all about layering. Your hiking outfit should include insulating properties such as wool in addition to a waterproof/windproof outer layer. Warm socks, gloves, and a beanie are good ideas too.


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