Hiking, in general, means long, distant walks into the wild, away from the crowd and people. It’s just you, your hiking partner (if someone tagged along), your backpack, and the peace of the wild or hiking trail.
There’s a percentage of the population who’d choose hiking trips to bond with their partners, families, and friends and with nature as well. Eating out at a restaurant isn’t always what people need to freshen up their minds; some prefer spending days out walking through the wild, taking in nature, absorbing fresh air and the environment.
But the most crucial question is what to wear when hiking.
The answer, in simple words, should be that the priority is comfort. Irrespective of gender, you should be comfortable in your clothes. For women, there are way too many brands and local producers of comfortable hiking apparel. Searching for the most comfortable clothes does not mean going bankrupt. Affordable and low-cost hiking outfits are available in the market; you just need to know what you’re looking for specifically. Otherwise, you’ll end up spending more, and none of your bought items would be good enough.
Let me write down some of the best hiking apparel for women.
How To Choose The Right Hiking Clothes? What to look for in your hiking apparel?
But first, let’s look into what would be the right pick for you when searching through the best hiking apparel.
We did our fair share of research, according to which there are specific points that you should keep in mind when you’re on a shopping spree for your hiking trip.
● The quality of your hiking clothes.
● Sustainability of your hiking outfits.
● Best deals available.
● The layering of your picked hiking outfits.
Women clothes and boots for hiking? What should be your best pick for hiking?
After careful consideration and a little bit of research here and there, you should know by now what type of clothes you need to wear and carry along on your hiking trip. I’m enlisting the best-suited and essential clothing items that’d make your hike stress-free.
Undergarments
You must pick out such breathable undergarments. You’ll not only feel comfortable, but hiking requires lots of movement, and therefore, you will not be dealing with difficulty in movement or your undergarments resulting in rashing or irritating your skin.
You need to make sure that it’s comfortable and movable for underwear. It must prevent rashing your skin as you move; the material must be of such quality, must be a synthetic material that wicks away your sweat, and are quick-drying undies as well. At the same time, it must resist odor.
As for bras, some might be comfortable with sports bras while others are with another type. But you have to keep in mind that the bra must provide support. Allows layering, if needed, when you have to dress for different seasons.
Best hiking shirts
The fabric material must move sweat from the skin, the shirt fabric must be moisture-wicking, and the drying ability should be faster, leaving no odor behind. You can opt for shirts with sun protection UPF containing. Oversized loose tops are comfortable and lightweight, but you can go for tank tops to do the job well. You will have to apply sunscreen a bit more than usual for tank tops, particularly on your shoulders.
The length of the sleeves is entirely up to you and the weather. If you’re hiking in winter/cold, you’d need a full-sleeve top. In summer, you can either pick half sleeves or sleeveless as well.
But no cuffs and collars if you’re going for full sleeves. You don’t want to restrict your movement. Therefore, comfort must be your priority.
Hiking pants
Perfectly fitted pants would do the best job. You wouldn’t want to trip over extra fabric hanging out of your pants, hence fitted pants. Hiking requires great movement, stretching, large steps, climbing rocks, and bending, meaning full-body activity. You must carry or own a pair of durable hiking pants and hiking shorts.
Convertible pants might not be a favorite but are pretty helpful for different weathers on your hike. It might be helpful if it starts to rain as rain pants or shorts.
Zipper pants and pants with elastic waistbands are essential needs too. These will be your best friends on your trip, and surely won’t be a disappointment.
Buy yourself a pair of oversized or one-size extra rain pants. Again, go for the zipper ones so you can pull them up in no time.
Hiking boots and shoes
Hiking shoes or boots are the best choices for more uneven longer trails. The stability, breathability, and grip of the shoe are what matters. If they are lightweight and waterproof hiking boots, they are even better.
Remember how in the fairytale of Cinderella, the prince recognized her just by the fitting of the shoe. It made her life better. Similarly, the fitting of the hiking shoe is an essential feature when picking out a pair for yourself. Sure, Cinderella didn’t go climbing the rocks, but you will be, and therefore, your shoe must be the best fit or it’ll be uncomfortable, and you wouldn’t want your shoe to fall off, and a prince from the land of the wild comes after looking for you.
Keep in stock an extra pair of hiking socks.
Layering is essential
Layering is important. Lightweight and durable layering is a must for mild cold weather or cold mornings. Your upper top layer must be capable of handling moisture, wind, and cold. Provides you with enough warmth. A warm long-sleeve layer will keep you from cold and offer you additional warmth.
Hiking vests are also a good choice. Some people find it easier to wear vests rather than layering with jackets.
Winter jackets
A loose jacket would be able to be worn over layers of clothes. Down jackets make sure to keep you warm in the best way possible. Therefore, you need to keep or wear a warm down-filled jacket. Again, even with a warm jacket, you need to layer it up. Your winter jacket must be capable of providing you with extra insulation.
Rain jackets
Rain can be a surprise for you while you’re on your hike. You have to choose a rain jacket carefully. You will need a breathable, warm waterproof jacket. Water-repellent rain jackets are readily available in the markets. You might as well get yourself a packable-insulated jacket for colder rainy nights.
A light windbreaker would come in handy for windy evenings or nights.
TV show-inspired buffs
As funny as it sounds, the TV show Survivor has become quite popular lately. A UV protection buff may help you protect against UV rays while you’re out in the sun. There are more than a couple of ways to wear your buff, which can act as a bandana, or beanie layering can help cover your neck and face in dusty weather. So it seems there is a reason the Survivor actor wouldn’t take it off of himself.
Accessories
You must carry additional accessories such as sun hats, rain, and sun hats, earflap hats, woolen caps/hats, extra handkerchiefs, sunglasses, gloves (for both warm and cold kinds of weather), sunscreens are essential, bandanas, etc. these are the frequently used and needed items, there could be more.
You must own a hiking day pack, so when you leave your campsite onto the trail, you can carry all the essentials you require, and nothing is left behind.
The bottom line of best hiking clothes for women
Your best friends will wear clothes that are moisture absorbent, and quick to absorb any sweat your body produces. All the while making sure that the fabric dries out super fast, with zero stains left behind. We almost forgot to mention that the clothing items must be odor-resistant fabrics, or you’ll be stinking really bad.
The layering of clothes
You must keep in mind that you can not go on a hike, thinking that you won’t need any layers over your body. The weather in the wild fluctuates high and low, from day to night. If the days are hot, nights will be cold, and the mornings will be mildly cold, if not completely.
Therefore, layering is essential, and you have to begin with the first layer over your undergarments and level it up according to the weather and to the final layer, which would be a water-resistant or waterproof layer.
When and where you must visit the market? Best time for shopping
Look out for sales at different brands, like winter sales, Christmas or holiday sales, clearance sales, etc., it’ll save you money and time since you won’t be going out searching through different stores and piles of a variety of clothes. During sales in stores, the shops provide other packages and you can get your hands on nearly a complete set of hiking gear. Saves you money and time. What more could you ask for?
Listen to expert women hikers:
You must not ever listen to newbies. This means the people who went on a hike once only and have self-assumed that they are the experts and practically know everything about it. They begin to act as they know it all hikers. Oh, and did it mention their huge photo dump on social media with heavy life lesson quotes? Just did.
There are numerous articles, many videos on YouTube, and vlogs by professional hikers, could even find a suitable podcast about hiking, everything about your needs and requirements for when you go on a hiking trip is easily accessible. To avoid these new hiking fans, experts mean, and save yourself time and energy.
Nearly all the fields have been covered regarding the hiking wardrobe for women. I’d like to mention one more time that it will be your choice what you choose to wear, carry or leave behind. You need to be comfortable enough to enjoy and make the most of your little hiking vacation. You’re going out on the trail to make it a memorable trip, escape the busy everyday life, and absorb the nature surrounding you. Do that! Be comfortable and for that, you have to carefully plan and analyze your picks and choices. It would be useless for you to regret your choice of items once you’re on the trail. I’d even recommend making two choices of nearly everything for your first hike. It would be easier for you to personally decide as you’ll have options available. But no need for extra luggage. You’ll know for sure what suited you best on your first trip and then you’ll be loyal to that only for your second trip.
FAQs:
1. What ladies should avoided? What you must not wear?
There are particular items of clothing, which could be the fabric or the type of outfit that need to be avoided. Just leave them behind, will you? A successful hiking trip depends on the clothing you choose to wear.
Denim, for example, is not the most suitable choice. They are heavy materials and soak up moisture very well and quickly too. Rainwater, river water, any fluid at all. Since it’s a heavy fabric, its weight is doubled after absorbing water and takes ages to dry out.
Cotton is, great absorbent material but in summer you’ll feel sweaty all the time once cotton has absorbed water or sweat. While in winter it’ll get you cold quickly. Further leaves sweat stains and odor behind.
Silk, not only it is nearly-non-moisture-absorbent but it holds on to sweat and its odor as well. You will be sweating more than usual while you’re hiking so it is not going to be the best fabric choice.
2. What should your preferred pants be? Thoughts on leggings?
A pair of pants that lets you have freedom of movement is a good enough option to be worn on a hike. Convertibles would do you good too, you can wear them as you like it or as the weather allows you to wear them. You must avoid wearing denim, not really hiking-friendly these pants are. You must be careful with the fabric of the pants, you wouldn’t want your legs to be rashed and irritated with redness. So a durable breathable fabric would be just fine. For example, leggings are lightweight, easy to wear, breathable, and sweat-wicking. These are even easily layered upon if needed.
3. What is a Pee cloth?
These are like cotton bandanas, except these are manufactured using different types of fabrics, microfiber, and bamboo is the most popular used. A pee cloth is used as an alternative toilet by women. The fabric is soft and dries really fast.