The Best Hiking Clothes for Every Occasion

I spent over a decade in Scouts, and I’ve been on nearly every type of hike imaginable. Many things can make or break a hike, but perhaps none more than the right clothes.

If you’re walking for half an hour, you can get away with wearing nearly anything. But as soon as you have to rely on your hiking clothes to keep you warm, cool, or dry, you’ll want to put some care into what you wear.

What Not to Wear Hiking

Cotton

There’s a saying in outdoorsy circles: cotton kills.

That’s because it retains a lot of moisture. So it’s not good for hot weather, when it’ll soak up all your sweat. And it’s even worse in the cold, because it takes forever to dry out if it gets wet. And you do not want wet clothes in the cold.

Polyester

It’s fine in a pinch. And it’s better than cotton. But polyester also traps moisture, and isn’t as durable as materials like nylon.

There are specially formulated polyester blends made for activewear — like poly-dri — that work well for hiking. But stay away from regular old polyester as a rule.

Good Materials for Hiking Clothes

You want materials that will wick moisture away from your skin. That’s important for comfort in the heat, and for safety in the cold — build up too much sweat and it could freeze, making you colder than you would be in the first place.

Nylon

Nylon is cheap, durable, and moisture wicking. It’s a great default fabric for when you’re figuring out what styles of hiking clothes you like to wear, because it’s not as much of an investment as, say, merino wool.

Merino Wool

Merino is soft, moisture-wicking and breathable. Sweaters and winter socks made from merino feel lusciously soft against your skin, and activewear dries quickly.

As a bonus, merino is highly odor-resistant. That’s because the sheep it comes from have evolved their wool to be antibacterial, for their own safety. Your hike-mates will thank you.

The only downside: it’s pricey. Before you buy a merino garment, make sure it’s one you’ll keep for a long time.

Bamboo

Bamboo is also breathable, moisture-wicking, comfy and odor-resistant. And bamboo crops are sustainable.

Bamboo clothing is usually pricier than nylon, though. Make sure to invest in gear you’re sure you’ll like.

Honorable mentions

Spandex, polypropylene, poly-dri, and moisture-wicking cotton are all solid choices for most hikes.

What to Wear on Every Hike

There are some pieces of gear you should never be without. These pieces are the starting point for any successful hiking outfit.

Quality Socks

Your feet are often the first thing to get cold and wet, or sweaty and soggy, so socks are extra important. Remember: cotton kills.

Wool socks are a great choice for hot weather or extreme cold due to their fantastic temperature-regulating ability (it keeps you warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s hot). Merino, llama or alpaca are all excellent fibers.

Get two pairs to start: a thin one for summer and a thick one for winter. They’ll last you a lifetime, and you’ll never go back to cotton.

Moisture-Wicking Underwear

The last thing you want to do halfway up a mountain is pick out a wedgie. Leave the lace at home and opt for something snug but not tight, and made from a breathable material. You also don’t want baggy boxers, which can bunch up and get into all the wrong crevices.

Moisture-Wicking Top

You don’t want to have to stop to wring out your cotton t-shirt halfway up the mountain. This will go against your skin, so make sure it’s comfy, moves with you well, and wicks sweat from your body.

Buff or Neck Gaiter

I always recommend taking a buff, also known as a neck gaiter. In the summer, it can be a headband to keep hair and sweat out of your eyes. In the winter, it can keep your face and neck warm. It can also be a handle-grabber, tea towel, or soup strainer. It’s a lifesaver.

What to Wear for a Hot or Warm Hike

Light Boots or Trail Runners

This is where to spend your money. Get a high-quality pair that feels light and breathable, and snug but not too tight. Try them on in-person, and walk around for a while in the store.

Think about the terrain you’ll be hiking on. If it’s rocky and mountainous, boots might be the way to go. I’m a fan of trail runners for almost any hike, but some people prefer the extra ankle support from boots. You can get away with sneakers, too. They just have less tread (grip) than trail runners. Make sure they support your ankles well.

Avoid open-toed shoes. They might be comfy for a little while, but they won’t stand up to a hike of any length.

Shorts or Light Pants

If you’re in an area with ticks, long pants are the way to go. They’re also good for avoiding sunburns in the desert. Just make sure they’re loose enough that your legs can breathe — but not so baggy as to get in the way.

T Shirt, Sports Bra, or Tank Top

Pick something light, breathable and moisture-wicking. See the section on materials above.

Sun Hoodie

Some backcountry enthusiasts swear by sun hoodies — light, breathable, moisture-wicking hooded shirts that protect you from ultraviolet (UV) rays. That means you don’t need sunscreen on your chest and arms, even when the sun is blazing.

What to Wear for a Cold or Cool Hike

One word: layers. I didn’t create separate sections for fall and winter hikes because you’ll wear the same clothes for both — you’ll just wear fewer if it’s less cold.

Layering allows you to adjust how much you’re wearing on the fly. This is important if the weather changes. And remember, if there’s any chance of rain, pack a rain jacket or poncho, and waterproof pants.

Boots

Quality, warm boots are key. If there’s one piece of clothing to not cheap out on, it’s winter boots.

Try them on in-person and make sure your foot feels snug and secure, but not strangled. Walk around in the store for a while. Make sure you can fit a thick sock inside.

Your boots should be made from a waterproof material like Gore-Tex. No hiking boot is perfectly waterproof, but you want to last as long as possible before that awful wet-sock feeling creeps in.

Gaiters

These are basically waterproof socks that go over your boots at the ankle. They’re easy to overlook — but if you step in a deep snowdrift, you’ll thank me.

Base Layer

These layers go against your skin, so you’ll want something moisture-wicking and warm. If you know it’ll be frigid, opt for long underwear — top and bottom.

If it’ll be a crisp fall hike, you can likely get away with normal underwear and a t shirt. Just remember: cotton kills.

Mid-Layers

You should have a couple mid-layers that you can take on and off depending on your temperature. Zippers and buttons are good ideas to help you regulate warmth.

A merino sweater is a great all-purpose mid layer due to its temperature regulating properties. Try a thin one over your t shirt as a base to build on.

From there, another mid-layer could be a warm button-up shirt or a zip-up fleece.

Outer Layer

You want your final layer to keep you warm and protect you from the wind. If it’s rainy, you’ll add a rain jacket over this layer (see below).

Down is a great choice. It’s ultralight and ultra-warm. Just remember that down requires loft — space to breathe — to be effective, because the real warmth comes from the air pockets between the feathers. So you want your down layer on the outside, where it’s not squished by other clothes.

Down’s one down-side (get it?) is that it retains a ton of moisture. If it gets wet, it’s likely done for the trip. Keep a waterproof jacket over it if it gets rainy, and check often for leaks.

What to Wear for a Rainy Hike

Rain Jacket T his is not an item to cheap out on. Being wet in the wilderness is an easy way to guarantee a bad time.

Remember: you want waterproof, not water-resistant (which doesn’t mean anything). And even waterproof garments will eventually leak, if subjected to a long enough storm. Look for a rating of at least 11,000mm, which will protect you from a solid downpour. A 20,000mm rating will keep you dry in typhoon conditions.

Bonus tip: if you’re carrying a backpack, pack your rain jacket at the very top. That way, if it starts to rain, it’s easily accessible — and if you don’t want to wear it, it’ll keep the rest of your gear dry.

Try a Poncho

Some people love the protection a big, billowy poncho affords them, while others find them unwieldy on hikes.

If you’re hiking through the forest, a poncho might get caught on a branch and tear. But if you won’t be scraping up against trees, a poncho will cover more of your body than a rain jacket, protecting the top of your legs — and potentially even your pack, too.

The good thing is that disposable ponchos are cheap and light. You can always bring one along in addition to a rain jacket, and go with whatever you like best.

Rain Pants

You also don’t want your legs to get wet. Don’t neglect them. Remember: they should be rated to at least 11,000mm to withstand showers.