What to wear for a day hike or what to wear for a date can sometimes feel the same: we don’t know what to put on! Let’s end this brainteaser once and for all with the 10 best essentials for hiking you need.
Do you do this when getting ready for a day hike? Checking and re-checking the weather forecast (that we all know is not reliable in the UK), take out all the clothes you have and lay them out on the bed in a pretty much untidy manner and eventually give up saying you don’t have enough clothes. Stop! You don’t need more things you just need the right ones that you add or remove based on the weather conditions and the season. In this article, I will guide you through what exactly your hiking wardrobe requires and how to choose the different pieces of clothing. So, let’s get dressed!
What to wear for a day hike: the buying guide
Choose the correct fabrics
The fabric matters. This is what will determine the quality, functionality and comfort of the items you are wearing. You need to check the fabric in which the clothes are made when looking to buy to avoid disagreements such as feeling cold or wet:
- Polyester, nylon and merino wool are ideal for next-to-skin garments such as underwear and baselayers as they have the property to wick away perspiration and moisture
- Down is notable for its insulating properties nonetheless it does not keep moisture away. It needs to be used underneath a waterproof layer to avoid being soaked
- Synthetic fabrics are now used instead of feathers for down jackets and represent a good alternative. They have the ability to keep you warm even when it’s pouring and they dry faster than down feathers.
How to layer up
The secret is all in the layers and putting them on in the correct order. So let’s layer up!
- Wicking: The first thing to do is wearing next to your skin garments that have the property to wick away the dampness to stay away from this uncomfortable feeling of wetness and cold
- Insulated: The second is to stay warm by wearing one or more layers of clothes depending on the weather that has the ability to retain the heat so that you don’t get cold
- Waterproof and windproof: The last one is to keep the wind and water away to stay warm and dry
What to wear for a day hike depending on the season
- Winter: Wear it all! You want to stay warm and dry at all costs.
- Spring and Autumn: It’s like a never-ending strip-tease. The weather changes so quickly in the UK that you need to carry with you some extra layers that you can easily take on and off and don’t take an excessive amount of space in your backpack.
- Summer: While you might want to show up some skin, the sun can do a lot of damage. It is advisable to wear a sun-proof T-shirt and depending on where you go hiking you might want to wear trousers to avoid insect bites. And of course, don’t forget a headcover and sunscreen!
What you should not wear for a day hike
- Cotton: This is the fabric to avoid when going hiking as it absorbs and retain humidity. Leave cotton T-shirts and socks behind if you want to stay dry on your walk.
- Denim: This is the second most common mistake. As per above, denim is made in cotton, therefore should be avoided. It absorbs humidity and takes longer to dry so you would be left wet and cold.
- Yoga pants: They are really comfortable and allow freedom of movement, however, they are not made in tear-resistant fabrics so they won’t survive the walk should you come across some branches or bushes. Prefer running leggings or sport pants as they are more resistent.
- Try to look good: Hiking is not a fashion show. It does not matter if you look good or not. What matters is that you are safe and comfortable.
What to wear for a day hike: The essentials
So now you know how to choose what to wear for a day hike, let’s dive into what you need in your wardrobe.
1 – Baselayer
For your base layer, you would want to focus on moisture-wicking fabrics such as merino wool to absorb the sweat and keep your skin dry. The good thing with a baselayer T-shirt is that you can use it all year long as the fabric helps regulate your temperature. It is not unusual to see people hiking in summer with just a merino wool T-shirt because it absorbs perspiration and reduces odours. You can choose the thickness of your baselayer depending on the weather conditions or the season when you are hiking.
For baselayers, the go-to brand is Mountain Warehouse for both men and women. The brand has a reputation for offering good quality products that last. For women, they have a model called the Talus long sleeve and for men the one called Summit merino which are both affordable. To know more about the Summit merino T-shirt, please refer to my gift ideas article here.
If you need thermal baselayers, my favourite is the French brand Damart. They are well known for developing a fabric called Thermolactyl which has insulating properties. I started using them for skiing and had them for over 10 years. They are still in excellent condition. I recommend their basic thermal model. They are also available for men and kids.
2 – Fleece
If you are the kind of person to always feel cold (like I do), a fleece is what you need. It is an additional layer in between your baselayer and your insulated jacket which provides extra warmth. Ideal during the winter season or if the weather is cold, you need to choose a fleece made of polyester for its insulating properties. I own the Mountain Warehouse Montana model which is lightweight yet still keeps me warm. It is an affordable fleece and comes in a variety of colours.
3 – Insulated jacket
Whether you wear a fleece or not, you need an insulated jacket. As the baselayer keeps you dry, the insulated jacket, or down jacket, keeps you warm. You need to make sure you have one of great quality as there is nothing more uncomfortable than being cold on a hike. I have made the mistake to put price before quality and regret it deeply. So, here are two options for you to consider based on your budget but without sacrificing the quality. The Arc’Terix jacket is warm and packable, one of the best on the market however quite expensive as opposed to the Columbia model that is less technical but a great value for money.
4 – Rain jacket
Now we are all warm and cosy, the next step is to keep the rain and wind away. As for the insulated jacket, the quality of your rain jacket matters. Stay away from the “water-resistant” labels. They do the job with drizzle but if heaven opens they will not resist. And being wet on a hike is not only uncomfortable but equally dangerous. Go for a waterproof and windproof option to ensure it will keep the heat inside and the bad weather outside. My recommendation is the Outdoor Research Apollo rain jacket. It is made with Gore-Tex technology to prevent the water from going inside, has an adjustable hood and can be folded into its own pocket so that you can carry it easily on a hike when the sun makes an appearance.
5 – Pants
It’s good to have more than one pair depending on the season. For winter, go for thermal trousers such as the Mountain Warehouse Trek Strech trouser which will keep your legs warm. You can, of course, add an extra layer of leg thermal. The Damart legs thermal are perfect in that case
For mid-season, you can go with leggings, they allow more flexibility and comfort. I always go for a model with pockets to put my phone in as it gives me easy access to it to take pictures on the go.
For summer, you might want to opt-in for shorts. But as the British weather can change quite quickly during the day, a good option is to go for convertible trousers. You can zip and unzip it to make it shorter or longer. If you want to go for a short option only, I would strongly advise getting a long brief or cycling shorts underneath it. You will feel more comfortable when climbing up a hill that you are fully covered and whoever is behind you cannot see anything. I purchased mine at Primark in their sportswear department for £2.50 and it does the job.
6 – Socks
I always say it: it does not matter having the best hiking shoes in the world if you put the wrong socks in them. It is equally important to invest in good hiking socks that are breathable and cushioned to avoid blisters. The Feideer socks are amazing for hiking. They come in a pack of 4, can be used for every season, do not tear or make holes and they are reasonably priced.
7 – Shoes
This is the most important piece of equipment when hiking. It is vital to invest in a good, sturdy and comfortable pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots. So, what is the difference and how to choose between the two?
Hiking shoes have a low ankle and hiking boots have a higher ankle, allowing more support. It’s down to two things really: personal preferences and terrain. The more difficult the terrain, the more ankle support would be required. However, hiking shoes are much lighter, and when you walk long-distance hikes it is preferable to have less weight on your feet to avoid tiredness.
Winners of the best hiking boots and hiking shoes by T3 Award 2021, the Jack Wolfskin Wilderness Lite Mid and the Salomon X Ultra 4 won’t disappoint you. The boots are ideal for mountain and scrambling and the shoes are a hybrid between trail runner shoes and hiking shoes so you get support and lightweight.
8 – Hat
Regardless of whether it is winter or summer you need a headcover. During winter you can use two different types of headcover: a headband and a bennie. The headband is ideal when it’s windy but not raining to protect your ears. You can find great and warm and headbands at Decathlon in their ski department. Having a bennie becomes handy when it is not only windy but pouring as well. You can wear it under your hoody to keep your head warm. Same as for the headband, you can use a Decathlon one from their ski department. It does the job perfectly.
For summer, it is important to wear a cap or a hat to protect your skin from the damages of the sun. Prefer a cap to a hat as it stays in place in case of wind and you don’t need to worry about holding it with one hand. If you don’t want to spend too much money on a cap, Primark offers a range of inexpensive ones which are surprisingly resistant.
9 – Gaiters
As per the saying, in England, we have one additional season compared to the rest of the world: the muddy season! And that one tends to last. This is why you need gaiters to protect your trousers and your shoes. It will also allow more durability to your clothes if you shield them from the damages the mud can cause. Gaiters are inexpensive, easy to carry and can make the whole difference when hiking in a field or woodlands on or after a rainy day. I own a pair of Bluefields and I am really happy with them. They are easy to put on and resist very well to a wash in the washing machine.
10 – Waterproof over jacket and over trousers
What to wear for a day hike against to protect from the rain and the wind? Because we live in England we never wear enough protection against the rain. This is why on top of your waterproof jacket and trousers you need an over jacket and over-trousers! Promise, that’s the final layer.
The over jacket offers an extra safeguard against rain and wind. It can also be used on its own when the weather is warm but windy to offer protection against the breeze but still keeping you cool due to its breathable fabric. Alternatively, you can opt-in for a poncho which will allow you to cover your backpack as well and offer an additional protective layer for your belongings.
As for the over trouser, its purpose is to offer an extra layer of protection against rain and wind and preserve your clothes from the damages of the weather.
They both are light and do not take much space when folded (some also come with their own pouch) making them the perfect ally for stormy weather!
You can care for them by using a water repellant spray after the wash. This will extend their durability.
Final thoughts
“There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing” Sir Ranuph Fiennes
This is not only a saying but a truth. If you are serious about hiking you need to get the correct gear. You will appreciate the walk and have a much nicer experience on the trails if you are comfortable in your clothes and shoes. Let’s get dressed not to make an impression but to impress ourselves with what we can achieve!
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