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Hiking in the summer is a fantastic way to enjoy the beautiful outdoors, explore new places, and a great way to exercise. When you plan for an outdoor excursion this summer, it’s essential to find suitable summer hiking outfits and gear. Indeed, your outfits should provide comfort and protection from heat, rain, sunlight, and other elements, including changing terrain and weather.
You’ll find the best hiking clothes for your outdoor adventures with some research and consideration.
How to Select the Best Hiking Clothes for Summer Excursions
When choosing the right hiking outfit for your adventure, consider essential factors. Hiking in the summer requires preparation for many situations, from humid, hot weather and rain. Also, it should handle a sudden drop in temperature and high winds.
It’s crucial to become familiar with the national park, terrain, and weather conditions before preparing for your hike. When you shop for quality hiking clothing, you’ll want to keep the following in mind.
Comfortable Fit
Hiking clothes should fit comfortably and give you enough room to move without restriction or irritation. It’s crucial to select a lightweight, adjustable fabric that dries quickly in the event of unexpected rain, such as polyester.
You may need to try a few pairs of shorts, hiking pants, and t-shirts to get familiar with which styles and sizes work best for your outdoor excursion. While some people may prefer hiking leggings for their snug comfort and warmth in cold weather, a lightweight outfit and supported hiking shoes are essential for hot or moderately warm hiking conditions.
Safety Hiking Gear and Clothing
One of the most crucial aspects of choosing hiking gear in clothing is safety. If the weather forecast predicts a downpour, then you may want to reschedule your hiking trip. Or prepare with rain pants, a rain jacket, and waterproof hiking boots.
A water-resistant backpack, hiking clothes, and gear are essential if you’re expecting a drizzle. While the summer season brings hot, humid conditions, the temperature can drastically drop overnight. What’s more, weather conditions also change at high altitudes if you’re hiking in a northern climate or the Rocky Mountain National Park.
It’s crucial to remain dry and steady when hiking rugged terrain or climbing a hill. This requires hiking gloves for a sturdy grip, trail running shoes, and hiking boots. While short, half-day excursions only require a comfortable set of yoga pants, trail running shoes, and a t-shirt, long-distance or multi-day hiking adventures require safety gear, camping equipment, and durable clothing.
Budget Considerations for Summer Hiking Outfits
Hiking apparel can be expensive, especially if you’re purchasing several items at once or everything you need for multiple trips. Ideally, you only need to choose the specific items for your hike. Indeed, these can be significantly more affordable, especially if you’re a beginner looking to start hiking. Whether its for just a few hours or half a day.
While you may pay a higher price for good-quality hiking shoes, backpacks, or outerwear, you can start with more specific items, such as yoga pants or leggings, hiking socks, shorts, t-shirts, hats, and sunglasses.
Once you take on longer excursions and more challenging terrain, you can add more items to your budget. It’s best to start investing in quality hiking poles and gear for outdoor research or exploring a new outdoor space for leisure.
Quality
You don’t have to invest a lot of money in hiking gear and clothing to find good-quality hiking apparel. Many types of clothing, accessories, and hiking gear are unnecessary. If you’re a beginner, then it’s best to stick with the essentials. Certainly, skip the premium hiking pants or expensive shoes when putting together your first summer hiking outfit. Focus on quality trail running shoes, lightweight, durable clothing, and accessories for the trek.
The Essential Hiking Clothes: Our Top Choices
When you prepare to shop for your first hiking trip, there are essentials to start with so that you’re well equipped and comfortable in various environmental conditions.
Backpack
Whether you need a few items for your day hiking trip or extensive camping and hiking gear for multiple days of exploring, you’ll need a sturdy backpack for your adventure. REI Co-op’s Trailbreak 60 pack is a great option. It provides up to 35 lbs. of carrying weight, with lots of pockets and compartments for water, snacks, a camera, smartphone, and other small hiking gear.
There is a hip belt, lining, and straps to keep your items safe, protected, and easy to carry. The North Face’s Terra 40 Pack offers excellent comfort, with back panels, efficient storage space, and compatibility with hydration systems.
T-Shirts
A light, airy t-shirt that keeps you dry and comfortable during your hike is essential when taking a day’s trip. Outdoor Research’s Men’s Argon Tee is available in various colors and offers a lightweight material that’s easy to wear and maintain. This t-shirt is made of recycled materials specifically designed to prevent odor while keeping you cool and comfortable.
The Women’s Vantage Sports Bra is ideal for providing support with a single layer, which fits well with the Echo T-shirt for women. This summer hiking outfit accommodates well for movement and comfort, and is ideal for your hiking adventures.
Trail or Hiking Running Shoes
A durable pair of trail hiking shoes or boots provide stability and support when trekking through rugged trails and mountainous areas.
The Kenosee Mid-cut Waterproof hiking shoes for women offer substantial support for your ankles and feet. What’s more, it’s slip-resistant, made from recycled materials, and lightweight for maximum comfort.
The Kodiak Selkirk Mid-cut Waterproof hiking shoes for men are excellent for all weather conditions. You’ll have a solid grip with slip-resistant soles and support during your hiking trip.
Insulating Layers and Protection from Outdoor Elements
Rain jackets and thermal outerwear are ideal summer hiking outfits that are suitable for changing weather and temperature. Especially when hiking in the mountains or wet, humid regions. North Face’s City Breeze Rain Parka is excellent for casual city wear and backpacking in the countryside.
Outdoor Research’s Ferrosi hooded jacket is another great option for protection against high winds, rain, and changing climate.
Ideally, it’s best to purchase a jacket or outerwear that’s water-resistant, wind-proof, insulated, and lightweight. Most retailers offer a vast range of sizes, colors, and styles so that you can customize an excellent hiking outfit.
Trekking or Hiking Poles
Hiking poles are a must if your backpacking adventure involves trekking through a mountain region or national park with lots of hills and rugged terrain.
The Khumbu Lite AS trekking poles are an excellent choice for beginner and intermediate hikers. These are collapsible, so you can easily store them in your hiking pack. Komperdell’s Fieldmaster Powerlock trekking poles include cork grips so that you can tackle challenging terrain during your hike.
While there is a price range for hiking or trekking poles, they are generally affordable and greatly enhance your hiking experience.
Hiking Socks
Lightweight socks are essential in keeping your feet and shoes dry and comfortable. Especially during long-distance treks or multiple-day hiking trips. Darn Tough’s Men’s Light Hiking socks are easy to wear with your hiking sandals or shoes and are made of merino wool. These restrict moisture while providing a mesh over the top.
Similarly, the women’s Light Hiker Quarter Lightweight hiking socks offer incredible support and durable fabric. These features keep you dry and comfortable throughout your backcountry adventure.
Our Top Nine Summer Hiking Outfits
We chose the following outfit ideas for hiking based on their quality, durability, and the ability to keep you cool, dry, and comfortable during your trek through the woods or open backcountry.
1. Tech T-shirt from Backcountry
Backcountry’s Tech T-shirt for men offers a light, airy fabric that’s cool and easy to wear on the trail, keeping you dry and odor-free. You can also find this lightweight shirt at Geartrade.com.
2. Backcountry’s Casual Hiking Shorts
These casual hiking shorts by Backcountry offer quality, lightweight comfort, and several dual pockets to store snacks and small items during your outdoor trek. These shorts are available in bold and bright colors, which offer excellent visibility.
3. Helly Hansen’s Hybrid Jacket
The Helly Hansen jacket for women is a hybrid style that offers a convenient option when the summer temperature suddenly drops due to rain, high winds, or during the evening. You can also purchase this jacket from Helly Hansen’s website.
4. Burton Multipath Shorts
These durable Burton Multipath shorts for women are ideal for outdoor sports, especially hiking, as they are lightweight, stretchy nylon, and spandex for a comfortable fit. You’ll find these shorts typically in black or light colors, and they are also available on Backcountry.com.
5. Everlast Seamless Sports Bra
Everlast’s Sports Bra for women is flexible, seamless, and provides all the support needed for summer hiking trips and outdoor sports. It’s durable and long-lasting, and you can also find it at Wal-Mart.
6. MuddyFox Cycling Sport Jersey
This men’s short-sleeve jersey by MuddyFox is ideal for hiking, cycling, and outdoor sports. This durable garment is made of breathable material and has an elastic waist, ideal for the trails. It’s available at select retailers, including Amazon.com.
7. Champion Packable Jacket
This men’s packable jacket is ideal on the trail when there’s an unexpected rainfall or drop in temperature. It’s easy to fit in your backpack, and it’s lightweight and comfortable. This versatile jacket is affordable and available at Wal-Mart.
8. La Sportiva Mountaineering Boots for Hiking
La Sportiva’s GTX Mountaineering boots are the ideal footwear for rugged terrain, offering a slip-resistant grip and comfort for long hikes.
9. EMS Daypack Combination for Hiking
This convenient two-pack by EMS is ideal for day hiking, with enough space for water, snacks, small items, and your smartphone. These lightweight packs are available at EMS or on Eastern Mountain Sports’ website.
Tips for Hiking Apparel, Gear, and Accessories
You’ll find lots of comfortable, casual apparel for your hiking trip. However, some items may not be as helpful or supportive on the trail, especially during changing weather or environmental conditions.
Whether you purchase a complete hiking kit including clothing, gear, and related equipment, or just a few basics to get started, various items are best to include or skip altogether when preparing for your hike.
- Don’t dress too light without backup clothing, even if you’re hiking on a hot and humid day and just for a couple of hours. Temperature and weather conditions can change abruptly, and you may quickly need a light rain jacket, an extra pair of socks, or a complete change of clothes.
- Wear clothing that protects you from the sun and use sunscreen, a hat, and good-quality sunglasses. If the forecast is cloudy or rainy, you may suddenly notice sunlight unexpectedly, which requires adequate protection. Essentially, prepare for any possible conditions during your summer hike.
- Avoid wearing cotton or denim clothes. While cotton is natural and comfortable to wear, it can absorb water and sweat easily, which causes it to feel heavy and sticky. Wet clothing will prevent you from staying dry and warm, and cotton takes a long time to dry completely. Cotton isn’t a good choice for an ideal summer hiking outfit.
- Wear supportive footwear, and never settle for regular shoes or sandals that don’t provide the security and water-resistant materials that keep you comfortable during a hike. It’s also crucial to choose hiking boots or shoes that offer a sturdy grip. Make sure your hiking shoes or hiking sandals adapt well to various surfaces to stay safe on the trail.
Summary
Hiking apparel is essential for getting the most out of your outdoor excursion into the backcountry terrain and mountain trails. While you don’t need to invest in the most expensive brands or styles available, you’ll find your hiking experience enjoyable with clothing that’s lightweight, comfortable, flexible. Your summer hiking outfits should provide the right fit for maximum movement and environmental changes.
Need More Advice on Gear and Footwear?
Here are some links to our most popular articles:
- Best Sleeping Bags for Summer Weather for Backpacking
- Hiking Gear Essentials for Women- 7 Must Have Items
- Insulated Hiking Jackets- What You Need to Know About Temperature Ratings
- Planning Backpacking Distance to Cover- Your Hiking Pace Formula
- Best Boots for Hiking- Guide to Fit, Arch Support and Comfort
- Men’s Hiking Outfit Guide- Tips from the Pros
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