Spring Hiking Outfit: What To Wear

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, the key to dressing for hiking is being able to add and remove layers to stay comfortable. That starts with a comfortable base layer. For spring, the most important item to have is a lightweight jacket that provides some warmth plus rain and wind protection. A fully wind and rainproof shell is also good to have in case of extreme weather.

On the bottom half, hiking pants work unless you have other preferences. Add a base layer of long underwear or tights for more warmth. In some places, but not all, rain pants are good to have.

Between spring showers and snow melt, trails are often muddy and wet. Waterproof footwear is absolutely recommended. Boots will keep water from splashing in. For low top shoes, waterproof socks or gaiters keep moisture and muck out. And if there could be snow, carry micro spikes.

Last, gloves, beanie, sunglasses, and maybe a buff protect the rest of the body. That may seem like a lot but the two most important items to have for a spring hike are waterproof footwear and a good mid-layer. Check out our top picks to put together a spring hiking outfit.

Spring Hiking Jackets

A hiking jacket for spring needs to have insulation, block wind, and have some kind of water-resistance. Weight and breathability are also considerations. A variety of lighter jackets can work including light to medium-weight fleece, lightly insulated coats, and soft shells. Hiking vests are also an option this time of year. I like an attached hood for built-in protection against wind and rain. Many jackets come hood but not all.

A spring jacket or vest should provide mix of weather protection and comfort including:

• Warmth
• Water resistance
• Wind resistance
• Light weight
• Breathability

Try one of these excellent mid layers for spring hikes.

Arc’teryx Atom SL Hoody (Men | Women | W Revised Fit)

The SL stands for Super Lightweight and at 8.1 ounces for women and 9.5 ounces for men, it offers lightweight protection that packs away easily when the weather warms up. Check out the six different color options, a slimmer version for women, and the Arc’teyrx outlet for deals on discontinued colors.

The Atom SL line is also available in a vest and 3/4 zip anorak.

Jack Wolfskin Go Hike Softshell (Men | Women)

This sustainably produced jacket is a mid-layer that will get use year round. The STORMLOCK fabric provides breathable stretch that keeps out wind and water and a soft lining. I have this jacket and it is my go-to for cool and windy weather. I also appreciate the slim but not-too-close cut that flatters while leaving room for layers, like the lightweight JWP Midlayer Fleece or Hydro Grid Fleece.

The softshell comes in a bright and neutral colors for both men and women, with some colors at a discounted price.

Helly Hanson Paramount Softshell Jacket (Men | Women)

This jacket does exactly what it’s supposed to do – resist water, resist wind, and breathe – all while looking and feeling great. The lightweight shell is designed to add extra layers so size down for a closer fit. Available in only black for women and black or navy for men, this coat doesn’t look like activewear and is at home in the city as well. I like a hood to block wind or rain but this softshell is also available without. It also comes in a men’s and women’s vest and men’s hood and women’s hood.

Check Amazon to get it for half the price.

What Is DWR?

What is this DWR we keep talking about? It stands for Durable Water Repellent (DWR), a finish applied to fabric that repels water as well as stains. In the past, DWR was made with PFCs that leave behind toxic and persistent by-products in land and water. Some outdoor brands have developed PFC-free DWR while others are using short-chain PFC DWR that is less toxic and break down faster until a better solution is found.

A DWR finish was never permanent and the newer DWRs wear faster than before, requiring more frequent refreshing. The good news is that simply involves washing and drying, something that should be done regularly anyway.

If a softshell starts to feel different, the DWR is likely compromised. Water may begin soaking in instead of beading up and rolling off. It may also feel less breathable.

To revive the DWR, wash the garment according to manufacturer’s instructions, paying special attention to the detergent that is used. A technical fabric cleaner like NikWax Tech Wash is designed to remove dirt and oils without leaving anything behind that could interfere with the fabric or DWR coating.

Then dry the garment, in the dryer if instructions permit it or in the air. The key to DWR re-activation is an additional heat cycle. Tumble dry on low for 20 minutes.

If that is not enough, an additional coating may need to be applied. Abrasion in the cuffs and collar or anywhere there has been friction will remove DWR. Spray-on DWR can be re-applied to those areas. There are also wash-in DWR formulas but they also coat the interior, potentially impacting functionality and breathability.

Hard Shell aka Rain Coat

It is always good to have an outer shell for sudden turns in weather. A hard shell provides complete protection from wind and water. If there isn’t room, most hiking backpacks have an area that a garment can be strapped to externally. Many of these rain jackets also fold up into a small pouch.

Rain jackets are not known for their breathability but the fabric technology keeps improving. Shells can still get warm so underarm ventilation, also known as pit zips, are a must have for me.

Rain Jacket Layers

There are three types of waterproof jackets: 2 layer, 2.5 layer, and 3 layer construction.

2 layer fabric has a bonds a protective inner coating (DWR) to a face fabric like nylon or polyester.
2.5 layer fabric sprays sprays DWR between the outer and inner layer.
3 layer fabric really has 3 layers with a membrane sandwiched the outer material and a liner. Goretex is the most well-known example of a 3 layer fabric.

For most people 2.5 layers is adequate and will be lighter, softer, and cheaper. A 3 layer fabrics tend to be stiffer and sometimes louder but they do offer complete protection from the elements and last longer.

Black Diamond StormLine Stretch Rain Shell (Men | Women)

Check Amazon for deals on some colors and sizes. Backcountry offers a percentage back through Rakuten.

Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket (Men | Women)

This is the rain jacket you want when caught in a downpour. It is everything you need and nothing more. It blocks all wind and rain while breathing so you don’t overheat. The bluesign approved fabric is as thin as can be and resists abrasion. There are no side pockets to prevent leaks and the chest pocket can be used as a stuff sack. It is everything you need and nothing more

Patagonia TorentShell (Men | Women)

Base Layer

Every hiking outfit begins with a base layer. Whether your preference is synthetic, wool, or silk, wear a T-shirt for warmer days, long sleeve for cooler forecasts, or both to cover all bases.

Bottoms

Hiking Pants + Leggings

Spring is not quite shorts weather for most places and people, except for the shorts-year-round-crowd. While any synthetic bottoms – joggers, track pants, leggings – can work, make sure that the fabric will run off the material rather than sinking in. Any polyester mix will do this but cotton will soak up water like a towel.

A light- to mid-weight hiking pant is recommended for spring weather. Long johns can be added for cooler weather.

Check out these hiking pants that blend form and function.

Kuhl Silencr Pant (Men)

It comes in 8 neutral colors plus camo. The Silencr is also available with cargo pockets. Buy through the Kuhl website to get money back from Rakuten.

Patagonia Terrebonne Jogger Pants (Men)

For a lightweight and relaxed fit, check out these ripstop joggers with a DWR coating and some wind blocking. There are pockets but a full set of keys or phone pull on the lightweight fabric. When you’re not hiking, these can be lounge wear.

Arc’teryx Gamma LT Pants (Men | Women)

The previous version of the women’s Gamma LT pant is currently discounted at REI.

Kuhl Klash Pants (Women)

Mountain Hardwear Dynama/2 Ankle Pants (Women)

An excellent final detail is the zippered bottom hem to fit over boots and a boot hook that attaches to laces acts as a gaiter to keep out cold and wet. Buy from the Kuhl website to get money back through Rakuten.

Waterproof Hiking Pants aka Rain Pants aka Hard Shell Pants

Fully waterproof pants for hiking are a shell worn over another layer, similar to a rain jacket. Waterproof pants can be brought just in case or worn over a favorite base layer.

These are the bottoms that go with the recommended jackets.

• Black Diamond StormLine Stretch Rain Pants (Men | Women | )
• Black Diamond StormLine Stretch Full Zip Rain Pants with a zipper all the way up the leg to put on easily and ventilate (Full Zip Men | Full Zip Women)

• Outdoor Research Helium Rain Pants (Men | Women)

• Patagonia Torrentshell Pants (Men | Women)

Gaiters

Water, mud, and dirt can get into waterproof footwear at the ankle. Gaiters keep everything out. For spring, mid-calf or knee high gaiters will keep shoes and pants clean and clear. Some gaiters have unisex sizing while some have men’s and women’s versions.

Spring Hiking Boots

Between melting snow and rain showers, spring is the wettest time of the year. Even with gaiters, waterproof footwear is a must. There are lots of options so here’s how to choose hiking footwear and the best hiking boots for women and men.

Hiking In Mud Season

In between the snow and sun, it’s mud season.

In general, the best tip for hiking muddy trails is don’t. Hiking through, or worse around, the mud damages trails and the surrounding vegetation.

Most people try to avoid mud puddles by going around. This begins to widen the path and cause erosion by damaging the plants and root systems that hold the the soil around the trail together.

So just walk through the mud, right? While that is better, it is still not ideal. Hikers leave behind deep footprints that harden into deep ruts that are hard to walk on. A few seconds of hiking through mud can create hours of work for rangers.

Here in Colorado, I don’t find hiking in mud to be enjoyable. The soil has a high clay and silt content thanks to the inland sea that covered the state 70-100 million years ago. This mud builds up on boots until you’re on a platform and looking for a rock to scrape it off. This type of soil takes longer to dry out than sandy soils, so sometimes the weather is ready for hiking before the trails.