Whether you are a trail runner, a hiker, or a backpacker, what you do on the trails is athletic and demanding. Because of this, you need high-performance hiking clothes and apparel to keep your body comfortable and to protect you from the weather that you encounter.
For a quick overview of the key items that you will need check out our guides to the best hiking clothes, hiking outfits for women, and Fall hiking outfits.
Learn all about what to wear hiking (read this overview first!) in our complete guides below.
To be prepared, safe, and comfortable we recommend investing in these items.
Below are our complete in-depth guides. Check them out to learn about all the most important features of hiking clothing, plus the newest and best products you can get for your hiking wardrobe.
New to hiking and backpacking? Check out our hiking for beginners guide.
In cooler seasons and climates, layers are essential for comfort. It’s not just about insulation. Moisture-wicking fabrics help keep skin dry, which is just as important to staying warm as wearing a thick jacket. Fleece jackets provide that balance of warmth and breathability for hiking and backpacking. Invented in the late 70s, fleece was the … Read more
I look down from nearly seven thousand feet above the slickrock canyonlands of Utah’s southeast desert. Just 45 minutes outside Moab, Utah, I’m taking Ridge Merino’s Solstice Sun Hoodie for a testing day out on the skin track in the La Sal mountains. From the snow-covered access road to the boot pack up to the … Read more
Hardshell jackets keep out water and wind while letting out heat and sweat. They do that with a waterproof breathable membrane, commonly known as Gore-Tex. There are 2-layer and 3-layer membranes, plus the third choice, 2.5 layer. Here’s what that means and how to decide which one is the best for you. The invention of … Read more
Featherlight Insulation Made for the Mountains A great down jacket is essential to my kit any time I head out into the mountains. I wanted to see if the Accelerator Down Jacket met my need for a versatile, lightweight down jacket that could keep me comfortable from mountaintops to evenings at camp. Over the course … Read more
Hats do much more than protect facial skin from sun damage – they make being outside more comfortable. Air temperature is only a few degrees different between sun and shade but the shade can feel up to 20 degrees cooler. Many people just wear their favorite baseball or sun hat hiking. However, there are strong … Read more
This sun hoodie is the silky-softest ultralight layer for hiking, running, and skiing Wearing the Himali Eclipse Sun Hoodie while touring in Crested Butte, CO. Photo Credit: Jordan Herbert No matter the season, when I’m out in the mountains, you’ll find me wearing a sun hoodie to protect my skin from the relentless UV rays … Read more
This Local Brand Makes the Best Merino Wool Baselayers for Mountain Athletes Who is Ridge Merino? Out on the skin track in Mammoth Lakes, CA, I glide between sun and shade, forest and meadow, ridgeline and basin. The temperatures swing from a balmy 34 degrees to a brisk 22 with windchill, but I feel comfortable … Read more
Tera Kaia is a sustainability-minded, women-owned business makes the best sports bras and underwear for outdoor-folks of all body types. Tera Kaia is the Best Up-and-Coming Sports Bra Brand on the Market Last year, living in the eastern Sierra Nevada, I often passed by Tera Kaia’s sleek corner storefront on Bishop, California’s Main Street. Bishop … Read more
For the past 20 years, the designers at Arc’teryx have worked hard to create the perfect hardshell. Their end result? The Arc’teryx Beta AR. The quality and versatility of the Arc’teryx Beta AR jacket set the industry bar – and it is hard to imagine anything better. Designed for any outdoor adventure, Arc’teryx equipped the … Read more
There is a lot of dating advice out there, most of it is bad. The only true advice is to be yourself. If part you enjoys nature, a hiking date is an inexpensive and authentic way to have good time and get to know each other. Hiking on a date adds looking good to the … Read more
At only 8.6 oz, the Arc’teryx Atom SL Hoody might weigh as much as a feather (okay, that might be an exaggeration but this hiking jacket is exceptionally lightweight). The minimalist jacket is shockingly versatile — it’s perfect for hiking, backpacking, AND staying sleek while you strut around town. First Impressions I was first introduced … Read more
There’s nothing like a great pair of hiking pants. And I had the chance to test out the KÜHL Radikl pants to see how they performed. Where to buy KÜHL Radikl Pants First Impressions of the KÜHL Radikl pants Looking for a pair of hiking pants can be a tiresome affair. There are just so … Read more
In 8th grade, my Dad brought me to REI to buy some hiking pants for a backpacking trip in Rocky Mountain National Park. We bought some pants from Kuhl. They quickly became my favorite pair, which I continue to wear almost ten years later (thanks to their stretch). Needless to say, when Kuhl sent us … Read more
Spring weather can serve up anything from sun to snow so a spring hiking outfit needs to be ready for anything. A day can start out cool, warm up, and then cloud over before thunder showers or wind. Depending on the location, snow may even be on the trail or in the forecast. As always, … Read more
Check out more high-quality hiking clothes by Kühl. First Impressions of the Kühl Airkühl Hoody In my opinion, the sun hoody is the most quintessential, and most underrated hiking layer. The sun does not stop in any season! Sun protection is always a good idea. Sun hoodies can be worn as a single layer in … Read more
When you hit the trails for several hours (or days) at a time, comfort is essential. Hiking shirts are designed with that in mind. Performance shirts are made of material that helps regulate temperature and are constructed to prevent chafing or discomfort when wearing a pack. Once you try a hiking shirt you won’t go … Read more
Whenever different outdoor companies promote proprietary new face fabric, there is always skepticism, especially with a name as fancy as Hadron liquid crystal polymer (LCP). Is it real? Or just a marketing ploy to ensure that consumers think what they are buying is advanced and sophisticated? After just a few days of using the product, … Read more
There are so many different types of rain jackets available in the stores today. The features vary quite a bit from one jacket to the next. Making a solid choice can feel overwhelming for many hikers. Don’t worry, we have done all the research for you. In this guide, the choices have been narrowed down … Read more
A hiking vest is one of the most versatile pieces of outdoors gear the whole year round. Vests keep you warm during spring, fall, and cool summer nights and can also provide an extra layer in winter. Why a vest and not a jacket? Hiking vests provide most of the warmth of a jacket with … Read more
Yes, waterproof socks exist and yes, they are really waterproof. Here’s when to wear them, when to skip them, and some of the best waterproof socks to wear hiking or anytime feet need to stay dry and warm. What makes waterproof socks waterproof? It is similar to wearing a plastic bags between two socks, and … Read more
If you’ve seen an episode of Survivor in the last 41 seasons, you’ve seen a hiking buff. It is a long tube of thin, stretchy fabric that can be worn and used in over a dozen different ways. Like Kleenex, buff is both a brand name as well as a product description. They can also … Read more
Down jackets are an integral part of hiking in cold weather conditions. Down insulation, unlike synthetic material is commonly warmer than synthetic material. The feathers from birds, mainly geese, and ducks, provide for a plush feel that is incredibly insulated, and traps in heat. Down jackets normally have a bracketed look from baffles. These pockets … Read more
Hiking in the wintertime is a special experience – if you’re comfortable. If not, it can be miserable. Here’s how to put together a winter hiking outfit to stay warm and dry in all conditions. In addition to the outfit, consider what winter hiking gear you may need. Hiking in winter is more dangerous for … Read more
The pumpkin spice latte is back and that means summer is on its way out. In most places, fall means cooler temperatures and more precipitation, whether that is rain or snow. To stay comfortable and safe, fall hiking outfits need to be ready for anything. With layers to shed for warmer weather and add when … Read more
Hiking outfits for women need to be comfortable and functional but they should also look good. Between new outdoor brands starting all the time and established go-to favorites, it is easier than ever to find clothes that feel and look good for short walks and long hikes. As much as has changed in style and … Read more
The Helly Hansen Verglas Infinity shell jacket is a pro shell that is super versatile (I use it for hiking and skiing), 100% waterproof and windproof, quick-drying, extremely breathable (amazing long open wide pit zips), eco-responsible (no harsh chemicals), lightweight (500 grams), and packable. What is really awesome is that the fabric is not noisy … Read more
Spring is here, Summer is close. Time to shed some layers. These are the best hiking shorts you can get this year. All are totally functional and they win huge style points. No need to get boring, boxy, bland-looking shorts with too many pockets. Modern, cool, high-performance and sexy hiking shorts are a way better … Read more
The answer to, “what is the one thing I need to go hiking?”, is good hiking socks. Ok, water too. But definitely socks. Hiking socks are very different from other types of socks. They are designed specifically for performance, comfort, and to prevent the slipping or bunching that leads to blisters. They are also exceptionally … Read more
The saying “there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing” isn’t specifically refering to hardshell jackets but it could be. A hardshell jacket blocks out the harshest weather – pouring rain, gusting wind and even surprise snow. Even if you only hike in warm weather, summer conditions often include thunder showers and … Read more
In this guide, you will learn how to choose the best hiking clothes and put together your go-to hiking outfits for different situations and weather conditions. Find out exactly what to wear hiking so you can take on the most challenging conditions and terrain. If you are a beginner you may wonder why not just … Read more
As the seasons change, it is time to reassess your hiking gear and hiking clothes. Winter hikes demand some extra thought and planning. You require the best winter hiking gear and winter hiking outfits for your hikes. Severe weather can be more of a threat to your well-being. A good pair of winter hiking pants … Read more
During the summer hiking season in most locations, you can get away with wearing a hiking shirt that makes sense. As cooler temperatures prevail in Fall, Winter, and Spring you will likely need to wear base layers on your hikes with a softshell jacket, fleece jacket, or another type of jacket on top. You can … Read more
First and foremost, men can wear skirts too. In fact, the extra breeze for those special sweaty areas makes hiking skirts a great choice for both male and female hikers – including me! Though not a common sight on the trails, here are some reasons and recommendations on hiking skirts for your next outdoor adventure. … Read more
Comfortable high-performance underwear is super important for a good time on the hiking trails. Nobody wants to experience hours of chafing and discomfort. Comfy underwear is just as important as a comfy pair of hiking shoes, hiking boots, or hiking socks. One should take care of those sensitive areas when out on the trails. Read … Read more
Hiking gloves are an important piece of hiking gear that you can use in all seasons. Regardless of the weather outside, it is always a good idea to throw a pair of gloves in your daypack. Keeping your hands comfortable can make or break your experience outside. There are dozens of different hiking gloves on … Read more
Butt sweat, bug bites, and painful sunburns are just some of nature’s vexatious pleasantries. However, there is a simple solution that will protect you against these elements: hiking pants! Hiking pants heighten comfort and increase performance on any adventure. They are designed to be durable, lightweight, and weather-resistant. Most importantly, these pants are extremely versatile … Read more