May 8, 2018 pedalgoa

What to wear hiking + One thing you NEED for a day hike! :: hiking gear. backpacking. camping.

What to wear hiking

 

Hiking can be a minimalist activity, especially when you’re hitting local trails that are on the shorter side.

But no matter if your day hike is 30 minutes long or 3 hours long, what is one thing you should ALWAYS have at your ready?!

WATER!

For shorter hikes, this might mean having a water bottle in your car, or for longer hikes it might mean wearing a hydration pack to make staying hydrated easier.

But other than water…

What do you absolutely NEED when you go hiking?

Much of it depends on the terrain of the hiking trails you’ll be going on, the length of your day hike, and what the weather is like.

Generally, to get started with hiking, you can really wear the clothes you already have and then head out the door!

But for increased comfort on the trails, and sometimes for increased safety on the trails, there are a few things you may want to look to getting if you’ll be starting to go hiking on a regular basis.

HIKING 101

So…



Side note!
See about the best shoes for hiking in Hawaii and what to wear snorkeling in Hawaii! And for Hawaii vacation ideas, see the best things to do in Waikiki that will give you Hawaii vibes!


What might you WANT to wear hiking?

So, here first is the quick list of a few things to consider wearing when hiking for comfort on the trails:

And here are a few more things you may want to consider when you go hiking:

And a few options for that all-important water:

  • Choose a backpack that’s compatible with a hydration pack like one of these
  • Choose a collapsible water bottle for a lightweight travel-friendly option like one of these
  • Choose this popular water bottle that will keep cold drinks cold – it’s a bit heavier and more expensive but can work out to stay cool on hot days

what to wear hiking in cold weather – daypack for hiking – why use trekking poles

Okay, so now here’s WHY you might want to wear these clothes when hiking!

Moisture-wicking shirt

Whether you’re hiking in hot weather during the summer or you’re hiking in cold weather during the winter, wearing a moisture-wicking shirt has the potential to greatly increase your comfort on the trails… and comfort for after you finish your hike!

So, what is a moisture-wicking shirt?

In this case, the moisture that these types of shirts wick away is the moisture that’s on your skin… that’s your SWEAT!

When you’re hiking on the trails, you’re being quite active. That means there’s a good chance you’ll work up a sweat. When you do that, wearing one of these types of shirts makes it so that you will stay more dry as you move along on the trails, as well as post-hike.

If you wear a cotton shirt, the water (sweat) is absorbed into the cotton material. And if you sweat a lot, that means it’s like you’re wearing a wet shirt. Well, you are wearing a wet shirt. 😉 A shirt that wicks away that sweat can help with that.

For moisture-wicking shirts, try these types:

Outdoor shorts

So, what pants to wear hiking?

When you’re hiking in the summer, shorts may be the obvious choice.

And shorts just may be the best clothes to wear when hiking in hot weather!

But you’ll also want to consider the type of trail you’ll be hiking and what kinds of plants and shrubs your legs may be exposed to.

Sometimes it may just be some normal bushes that you need to walk through with small branches and twigs that scrape your skin. This may simply be a small annoyance that you can put up with and otherwise not be a big deal.

Other times it may be a higher risk for your legs brushing past poison ivy. Different people act differently when exposed to poison ivy. If your skin tends to not do so well and you’ll be seeing a lot of poison ivy on your trail, that’s one reason you may want longer pants even in hot weather.

Whether it’s shorts, capris, or pants, the types that are designed for hiking and the outdoors can allow for better mobility. They are also possibly a little more water-resistant, and they might even offer protection from the sun’s UV rays.

Have a look at some of these hiking pants to wear when hiking:

Breathable socks

One of the cheapest investments you can make when it comes to clothes to wear when hiking just may be socks.

The idea behind wearing breathable socks when hiking is similar to wearing a moisture-wicking shirt. It helps to minimize the sweat issue.

And for that, take a look at these types of performance socks.

To combat the issue of developing blisters when hiking, many backpackers and hikers find that socks like these for women and like these for men can help out a lot. Although they can also be good if you’re looking for an upgrade from the “entry-level” performance socks, because they can be better at wicking away your foot sweat!

Trail shoes with traction

Now, what shoes to wear hiking?

Should you invest in a pair of hiking boots? Or can you wear your regular walking shoes when hiking?

This mostly depends on the types of trails you’ll be embarking upon.

One of the greatest benefits hikers and backpackers find in wearing hiking boots like one of these pairs is for the ankle stability. Hiking boots, as well as hiking shoes like one of these pairs, are designed with variable terrain in mind.

This can include uneven grounds (that’s especially when ankle support can help), and it can also include better design for some slippery grounds too with better traction.

And it’s not just wet trails that can make for slippery trails. Dry hiking trails with loose gravel on a slight angle may also cause you to slip a little. That’s when it can be helpful to have the extra traction that hiking boots give you. Normal street shoes, and even a good pair of road running shoes, generally won’t have as much traction since they are designed for pavement.

Of course, hiking boots won’t completely eliminate falls, but compared to normal shoes you can often be better off.

Other options when it comes to footwear on the trails include:

With both trail running shoes and hiking sandals, you’ll be compromising some of the qualities of well-designed hiking boots.

But one of the qualities that is still there is that both offer increased traction compared to your normal street shoes mostly designed for flat pavement. This extra traction can be helpful and important on many dirt trails.

Once again, the type of hiking footwear you’ll want will also depend on the terrain and conditions of your hiking trails.

That said, when it comes to hiking, your feet are pretty darn important! And the longer you’re hiking or the longer you’re backpacking, the more important your footwear becomes!

What does this mean?

It means that the longer your hikes start to become, the bigger the priority you should place in getting shoes that are right for your feet! If you get ill-fitting shoes, over time, that can start to cause trouble for your feet. This can lead to miserable hiking!

For this reason, when it comes to hiking shoes, it’s best to have the chance to try them on in person. This way you will know that they are the right fit!

HAPPY HIKING!

what to wear hiking in cold weather – daypack for hiking – why use trekking poles

 



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🐠 Here are things you must consider packing!


I also don't go snorkeling without a personal swim float buoy. Not only does it help to keep me visible, but it makes for a perfect way to rest out in deeper water! Oh, and it also serves as a dry bag so I can take stuff into the water with me.

Another way I have taken valuables into the water with me is to wear a travel money belt that I don't mind getting wet with salt water (it's not waterproof but I have several so I just use one of them) and then I put things in a ziplock freezer bag, and put that freezer bag in the money belt.

There are also designated waterproof waist pouches that you can store your valuables and take into the water with you.


see more:
- What to wear hiking
- What to wear snorkeling