What to wear for summer hiking: a complete guide
The sun is out, your feet are getting itchy, and you’re ready to exchange the heat of the city for some fresh mountain air. But will your comfy sports tee be enough to get you through that epic summer hike? What pants should you wear? And is there any other equipment you need?
With all the different options and materials, choosing what to wear on a hike can feel like rocket science — especially if you’re new to outdoor adventures. Clothes and other equipment crafted specifically for hiking can be quite an investment, so you want to make sure that any piece you purchase is money well spent. After all, if you choose well, these items will stay with you for years to come!
In this guide, we’ll go through all the clothing items and handy accessories that can make (or break) your summer hike. By the end, you’ll know what pieces you absolutely shouldn’t compromise on, what items to leave at home, and how to throw together an outfit that suits your unique hiking needs.
If you choose your summer hiking clothes well, they’ll stay with you for years to come
What makes a good summer hiking outfit: the basics
A comfortable summer hiking outfit should be lightweight and breathable. It should be appropriate for the weather of the day and the environment you’re hiking in. Let’s look at two different examples.
The first one is a hike by the ocean where it’s humid. In this situation, you probably don’t want too many clothes on your skin so breathable shorts and a tank top would be the way to go.
On the other hand, let’s imagine you’ll be hiking in high altitudes. The air is drier and the sun harsher, so you might instead opt for loose-fitting long pants and a long-sleeved T-shirt for extra protection.
Wherever you hike, it’s always a good idea to wear (or bring) multiple layers. This allows you to quickly adapt to the changing weather and warm up/cool down as needed.
Lightweight and breathable: two characteristics of a good summer hiking outfit
Another important thing to consider is the materials that your outdoor clothes should — or shouldn’t — be made of. For example, denim is one material you want to avoid at all costs. It’s neither breathable nor flexible, therefore pretty much unusable for hiking.
The second material many advise against (though this one is a bit more debatable) is cotton. Similarly to denim, it absorbs sweat and holds moisture: not great if you hate the feeling of a wet T-shirt against your skin and a terrible idea on a cooler day when that wet T-shirt will leave you feeling cold.
However, cotton can potentially have an advantage in drier climates. As the moisture (i.e. your sweat) captured in the fabric evaporates, it can cool you down when it’s hot outside.
Final tip: picking an outfit with light colours that reflect the sunlight rather than absorb it can help you keep cool on a hot day.
Now, what clothing items do you actually need? Let’s unpack that.
Hiking top
As the only top layer you may wear on a hot day, a hiking top should be comfortable, breathable, lightweight, and moisture-wicking. Synthetic materials like polyester and nylon, or a natural material like Merino wool are all great options.
You can choose between a tank top, a T-shirt, or a long-sleeved T-shirt. Want the most breathability and to feel the warm breeze all over your skin? Tank top is the way to go. Prefer to cover your shoulders or simply don’t like backpack straps on bare skin? A short-sleeved tee will be ideal for you. Worried about sunburn? Go for a long-sleeved T-shirt!
A good hiking top will be comfortable even after hours on the trail
Bra
Similarly to the hiking top, the bra you wear for hiking should be comfortable and wick moisture. A good quality sports bra made of synthetic materials or a blend of merino wool and nylon is an excellent choice. Having the strap adjuster in the front can be a great advantage on the trail if you need to adjust your straps often.
Comfortable mid-layer
Remember the importance of layers? A thin fleece jacket or a long-sleeved sports jacket is the ideal mid-layer. I put one in my backpack for almost every hike, especially if I’m hiking early in the morning or staying out for sunset when the weather cools down. It’s also great for explorations higher up in the mountains where it’s colder.
No matter the use, pick a piece that is lightweight and compact so you can easily carry it around. A hood, pockets, or other extras are something to decide on based on personal preference.
Wind & water-resistant hiking jacket
As good as the forecast may be, never assume it’ll stay sunny and dry throughout your entire hike. The weather can be unpredictable, especially in the mountains, so you want to be prepared. After all, there’s nothing more annoying than getting completely drenched halfway through the hike with kilometres left to walk.
A water and wind-resistant lightweight hiking jacket is an essential piece of clothing and a worthy investment. Pick one that is easy to pack and ideally has armpit vents for extra breathability.
A good quality wind- and water-resistant jacket is a worthy investment
Hiking pants or sports leggings
As for hiking bottoms, you’ll generally find two groups of people — camp hiking pants and team leggings.
Hiking pants offer better protection against the elements and thanks to their durability can be great for scrambling up scree or stones. You can even invest in a pair with removable legs and use them as shorts when it’s hot.
Leggings on the other hand are more stretchy, so they allow you to move more freely. The downside? They’re not as durable and won’t offer much protection when it’s raining. Capri sports leggings are a good in-between between long pants and shorts.
So which camp will you be?
Shorts
Loose sports shorts are my absolute favourite piece of summer hiking clothes! While not necessarily a must-have item, they’re comfortable and allow you to move freely, which is perfect on a hot day.
If you’re planning to walk through high grass, shrubs, or anywhere else that may scratch your skin and house bugs and ticks, you might want to opt for longer pants instead.
Comfy sports shorts are ideal for a hot summer day
Socks
Probably the most intricate piece of summer hiking clothes is the socks. Let’s look at some of the options you have when it comes to hiking sock materials.
Number one: wool or merino wool. Both wick moisture, keeping your feet dry and comfortable, and are antimicrobial, which can help prevent odour buildup.
Number two: synthetic materials such as polyester, nylon, or spandex. Depending on the actual composition of materials, the sock may be more or less breathable. Synthetic socks are typically lightweight and quick-drying.
Number three: a mix of wool and synthetic materials, combining the best of both worlds.
Number four: basic cotton/cotton blend socks. Comfortable, breathable, and — for me, personally — perfectly fine to wear on short hikes on days that aren’t too hot. But as you’ve already learned, cotton absorbs and holds moisture, and socks drenched in sweat may not be comfortable to hike in for hours, so it’s best to avoid them on longer treks and if your feet get sweaty fast.
You have a wide range of options when it comes to hiking socks
In terms of sock length, short crew or crew socks are better for hiking shoes/boots. Ankle socks will work fine for trail runners or low-cut hiking shoes.
The last thing to consider is the thickness of the sock. While a thicker sock provides more cushioning, it is also warm and can make your feet sweat more. The best thing is to try out different options in combination with your hiking shoes and see what you like best.
Hiking footwear
Hiking shoes are the single most important piece of your summer hiking gear. A well-chosen pair will not only help keep your feet dry and comfortable, but it will also provide stability and grip on the trail and help you stay injury-free. Nowadays, there is a wide variety of hiking footwear types, brands, and fits.
READ MORE | How to choose the perfect hiking shoes: the ultimate guide
Good hiking shoes are the most important piece of summer hiking gear
Hiking sandals
Hiking sandals are not a must, but can be a great addition to your summer hiking gear, especially if you want a lot of breathability for your feet. While they aren’t suitable for long and difficult hikes, they can be nice for short and easy trails or walking on sand.
Summer hat
Whether it’s a cap, hat, or bandana, a piece that covers your head on a hot sunny day is an absolute must. A good hiking hat will wick moisture (aka sweat) and provide extra protection for your eyes.
Sunglasses
There’s nothing more annoying than squinting in the sun when you want to enjoy the gorgeous views around you with your eyes wide open. Sunglasses are an essential item to carry with you on a summer hike. They not only protect your eyes but can also help prevent headaches.
Trekking poles
“Why the hell is that person walking around with ski sticks in the summer?” might be your first reaction when, as an outdoors newbie, you see a hiker with trekking poles.
When I was younger, I didn’t really get their point. They seemed like unnecessary accessories to flash how experienced you are in the outdoors. Here’s what I’ve learned since:
Trekking poles are not necessary for short hikes with small differences in elevation. However, they might serve you well in the following situations:
When you are going down a steep and slippery path. You can lean on them and use them for support. On an upslope, you can use them to pull yourself up.
When you’re crossing streams. They can be used not only to anchor yourself but also to test the depth of the water.
When you carry a heavy backpack on your back. Hiking poles can help with stability, especially when going up and down.
If you want to get a full body workout by engaging your arms and back muscles more.
Trekking poles can be handy in a number of different situations
Small hiking backpack
No matter how long of a hike you do, you will need a comfortable backpack for your water bottle, extra layers, and — obviously — snacks.
For short summer hikes or day hikes, anywhere between 10 and 20 litres (340-675 oz) should give you enough space for all the essentials. I use a 20 l backpack for my day hikes and it even fits my camera!
Additional summer hiking tips
Drink plenty of water. Aim for about half a litre (16 ounces) for every hour of hiking. I usually bring two smaller bottles and refill them wherever possible. Take a large bottle If you know there won’t be a possibility to refill.
Avoid the midday heat. Start hiking early in the day or later in the afternoon when the worst heat has passed.
Always bring sunscreen. Protecting your skin is as necessary when hiking as on a beach vacation. Put on sunscreen even on an overcast day when the weather doesn’t look like much. The sun is much harsher at higher altitudes, so opt for a sunscreen with a higher SPF. When hiking near the ocean, choose a reef-safe sunscreen.
Add mosquito repellent & insect relief cream to your backpack. There’s nothing worse than returning from a hike with 20 mosquito bites on your arms and legs. Throw in an insect relief cream or stick for the itch just in case.
Dip your hat/bandana/shirt in water to keep yourself cool. On a hot day, this can be a nice trick to help you cool down.
My budget is limited, what gear should I invest in first?
Let’s be real, buying hiking gear is not the same as ordering a cheap summer dress off Asos. But if you choose well and aim for quality, these pieces will last you for years.
If you already have comfortable sports clothes and are on a tighter budget, I’d recommend investing in the following summer hiking gear, in this specific order.
Hiking shoes: Proper footwear is not only for comfort, it also has practical purpose. Good hiking shoes with proper grip can help you avoid injuries and falls.
Water & windproof lightweight jacket: The one piece of clothing that lets you have all the outdoor fun even in less-than-ideal weather. It’s fine to get rained on sometimes, but you don’t want to end up soaked, cold, and with kilometres of trail left to complete.
Backpack: While a normal backpack you use daily can be fine if you don’t have much to carry, hiking backpacks are typically equipped with a hip belt. This is great for distributing weight and relieving pressure from your shoulders.
What are your favourite pieces to wear on a summer hike? Do you have any additional tips? Share them in the comments below!