What to wear for hiking
Layers you can add and remove, a rain shell and boots or trail shoes you have already walked in. Dress for the coldest, wettest point of the route, not the car park.
Two outfits that work
Technical tee, hiking trousers, rain shell
- moss technical tee
- olive hiking trousers
- broken-in hiking boots
- yellow rain shell
- daypack
A tee, trousers and a bright rain shell handle most days, and the bright colour makes you easy to spot.
Technical tee, grey trousers, orange shell
- navy technical tee
- grey hiking trousers
- broken-in hiking boots
- orange rain shell
- daypack
Trousers that dry quickly beat jeans on wet paths, and a shell in the daypack weighs little.
By weather
| Hot22° and up | A light tee, a hat, sun protection, long trousers or shorts, and plenty of water. |
|---|---|
| Mild10° to 21° | A tee with a light fleece and a rain shell in the daypack. |
| ColdBelow 10° | A warm base layer, a fleece, a warm hat, gloves, a waterproof shell and spare socks. |
Do and don’t
- Wear boots or trail shoes you have already walked in
- Pack a rain shell, even when the forecast is clear
- Choose wool or technical socks to avoid blisters
- Carry water, snacks and a map or offline route
- Wear jeans, which stay wet and heavy
- Start in new boots
- Wear cotton next to the skin on a long day
- Set off without checking the weather for the top of the route
Check the night before
- Check the forecast for the highest point, not the valley
- Pack water, food, a first-aid kit and a charged phone
- Put a spare layer and a rain shell in the daypack
- Tell someone your route and return time
- Put on sun protection before you leave
Questions people ask
What should I wear for a day hike?
A technical tee, quick-drying trousers, broken-in boots or trail shoes, and a rain shell and warm layer in your daypack.
Are jeans OK for hiking?
They are not ideal, because they stay wet and heavy and restrict movement. Quick-drying trousers are better.
What socks are best?
Wool or technical socks that wick moisture. Avoid cotton, which holds sweat and causes blisters.
How many layers do I need?
Usually three: a base layer, a warm mid layer like a fleece, and a waterproof shell. You add or remove them as you move.
Pick Hiking in FeinLens and see what you already own
FeinLens builds complete outfits for this occasion from photos of your own clothes, dressed for the forecast where you’ll be.
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