By Shelby Hicks
Hiking is a great pastime, involving sunshine, fresh air, and physical activity. All work together to help improve your mental and physical wellbeing. It can be a challenge at times, though, figuring out what the best attire is to wear, especially if you are a woman.
There are many brands that claim to be the best, only waiting for you to use them and be sorely disappointed. What makes the best hiking attire for women? You will want to have hiking attire that protects you from the elements, is reliable enough to wear multiple times, and is made of material that will move with your body instead of making you feel trapped and unable to move.
Below are some suggestions for the best hiking attire for women, keeping you comfortable and ready to go from head to toe.
Contents
Undergarments
Undergarments are one of the least thought about pieces of hiking attire that women must wear when on the trails. They are part of our everyday routine, but they can easily be forgotten when planning a trip. Having undergarments that are meant to be worn while hiking will enhance your experience of the outdoors and will help you be able to go farther distances.
Material that will wick away the sweat will keep you comfortable. Keep this in mind as you search for underwear for your hiking trips. 100% cotton is breathable, or you can go with some fancy undergarments such as ExOfficio’s Give-N-Go briefs sold at places like REI. Quick-drying underwear, odor-resistant, and so comfortable you may forget you are wearing them; the Give-N-Go briefs will not disappoint.
When looking into bras, the type you wear for workouts is the best way to go. A bra that is most used during high-intensity workouts will serve you well on a hike, whether that hike is strenuous or not. Any high-intensity bra will do, but the Nike Swoosh bra is a well-made and well-known option.
Tops
“Dry-wicking” is the keyword for you when searching for hiking attire well suited for an adventure on foot. Many companies now have an option or two for moisture-wicking tops. They often are form-fitted, soft materials that can be worn for extended periods of time without rubbing you raw.
Patagonia has a great reputation for these types of tops, and they offer long sleeve and short sleeve options. You may also choose to hike in a tank top, but you will want to ensure that you wear a proper amount of sunscreen and reapply it often. A pro for Patagonia products is that they are made with an SPF coating to help protect your skin from the sun’s rays, a plus when considering the best hiking attire for you.
Bottoms
Shorts or pants? Which is better for hiking attire? This is a common question among hikers. Shorts often feel cooler, but pants can better protect you from the elements. What if you were able to find a pair of pants that were also cool? Pants like the North Face Aphrodite 2.0 pants have quick dry technology, a drawstring, and they resist wear and tear on the trail.
The quick-dry technology will help keep you comfortable when you sweat, and it will help keep you dry when you interact with the elements. You can pull up the drawstrings when you are wanting to pass through water on your hike, or if you want the pants to fit differently.
If you want to use some of what you already own, you can certainly wear your normal workout clothes. The only downside to this is that your workout clothes may not be as durable as bottoms created specifically for women for hiking outdoors. The best part of these pants made for women’s hiking attire? They always have pockets! Who does not love pockets?
Footwear
Many people enjoy wearing sandals such as Chaco’s for their outdoor adventures. These are durable shoes that will keep you cool and can dry off quickly if you happen to cross through some puddles or creeks on your trip.
However, they do not offer much protection to the top and side of your feet. For this reason, it would be wise to consider a good pair of hiking boots such as those offered by Colombia. Hiking boots are a key part of overall hiking attire and will protect you from all the elements as well as being comfortable for long hikes. They also typically go up the ankle to give extra support and protection. Hiking boots also tend to have a deeper ridge in the sole, creating a good grip to help you get up some tough hills.
If you are planning to go on a shorter hike that is not as strenuous, you may opt for a lighter shoe like a trail running shoe. These can help you keep up on the trail, keep you protected, and lessen the load of a heavy shoe.
Rain Jacket
Anyone wanting to enjoy the outdoors knows that there is always a possibility of rain. Having a quality rain jacket on hand will keep you dry and ready to conquer the trail. Many rain jackets created by Columbia or North Face are long, helping protect the most surface area possible.
They also typically will have air pockets or vents to help keep you from overheating as you like. Having a rain jacket that is comfortable and dry will help you enjoy the trail no matter what the weather. You know the saying; there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes!
Having effective hiking attire that protects you and keeps you comfortable in all elements is essential to an enjoyable hiking experience. Women specifically may have a tough time finding clothing made for their needs, but many brands create products just for you. Keep in mind what you are looking for in outdoor wear, including comfort, durability, and breathability.
You will find these things if you keep your eyes open. Also, do not be afraid to ask when you get to the store! The best person to help you find what you need for your best hiking attire is an employee.
Hello! I am a Momma of 2 angels and 1 earthside baby. They are the sweetest blessings and are my reason for living! I am a born and raised East Tennessean, living in the valley of the Smoky Mountains. My pastimes include hiking, camping, gardening, and preserving food by way of canning. All these things have brought me joy, but even more so now that I have gotten to share the magic of the outdoors with my son. My favorite things about camping are laying in the hammock by the creek, and cooking in cast iron over the open fire.
- Shelby Hickshttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/shelby-hicks/
- Shelby Hickshttps://www.campingforwomen.com/author/shelby-hicks/
I have just been looking for my first pair of hiking boots. As my trainers aren’t that waterproof
very useful list! I am in love with my hiking pants: so comfortable. I also have it as a two-in-one because it can be turned into shorts in no time. It’s funny though because I don’t use for hiking, it’s a great option for maternity wear (I’m on my 8th month)
Yes Moisture-wicking and good sports bra! Nothing should chaffe! Also layers and more layers. Cos you never know when the clouds come in and out or the weather turns! Great tips!
Moisture-wicking tops and underwear seem to be a great choice of clothing for hiking. There is nothing worse than feeling damp!
I do love to get out and about and it is important to be suitably dressed. It’s important to wear suitably protective footwear to avoid unnecessary injury.
It’s definitely so hard to find the right gear for hiking. I have found the perfect hiking boots for winter and now I need to find hiking shoes for summer.
It’s been a while since I have gone hiking but I know that being comfortable is important because it helps you focus on the task at hand! Learning the hard way, good hiking shoes are a must as well!
Good job finding those details because I think this information will be very much helpful, especially for the first-timers.
This is actually super helpful for people who don’t hike regularly! I wouldn’t imagine its good to be in the wrong clothes
When I’m feeling exhausted, I sometimes go hiking. It’s a good thing I read this. This is really beneficial to both myself and those who enjoy spending time outdoors. Also, thank you for recommending some great items; I’m excited to try them out soon!
This is so helpful I remember making so many mistakes from footwear to not knowing about waterproof / water resistance when I first started hiking.
Thank you for this guide! Although I’m not a huge fan of hiking, I need this guide because I live in Victoria surrounded by many beautiful places that need a little hiking and walking.
having the right set of clothes for the right moment is very satisfying. nice tips.
Having comfortable hiking boots or shoes and clothes will be the best thing to consider. Investing in these things is an absolute must!
Oh you absolutely have to have hiking pants with pockets while hiking! That’s where I tuck all the little things I might need so I can get to them easily. Things like chapstick, bandaids, and snacks! This is a good checklist for hiking apparel.
I have so many fabulous hiking boots that I haven’t taken out for a spin in many years.
This will help the women who want to hike. It has some great information. Thank you for sharing!
Having comfy and high quality hiking attire is essential when going on a hiking trip. You sweat so much and it can be a nightmare if what you’re wearing is super uncomfortable.
Christian,
You are so right! Having comfortable, quality hiking attire is essential. Thank you for reading!
Yess, you really have to get the comfiest hiking shoes. There’ll be a lot of walking to do.
Lani,
Thank you for reading! Comfortable shoes make all the difference no matter how long the distance is!
I have only hiked in the Caribbean, and these are great tips for what to wear! For me, if I never wore the right attire it really affected how long it took for me to finish the hike, and if I enjoyed it.
Abzstylz,
Thank you so much for reading! I hope this helps you the next time you go hiking!
I do a good deal of hiking. Comfort matters but if you’re hiking a long distance, footwear matters most of all! You can end up with painful, worn out feet in the end if you don’t have the right shoes/boots.
Bryan,
You are so right! Footwear is incredibly important! Thank you so much for reading.
I haven’t done much hiking, but I’ve been planning to. It’s nice to know what I should wear to make sure the experience is great!
Beth,
You’ll have to share how your first hike goes! Thank you for reading.
I do a lot of hiking and cycling and have over the years found out what works best for me. Long pants, ankle-high shoes, and a good rain jacket are essential. I do not bother with rain trousers though.
Natascha, good point on the rain jacket! Always great to have one around!
I must admit I have tried a bunch of different hiking clothing to find the right fit and function. I generally opt for long sleeves and long pants for extra protection. I have bought several pairs of hiking boots and now am wearing my favourites until they fall apart! I am glad it is a bit easier not to find good hiking attire in larger sizes.
Linda,
Thank you for sharing! It is wonderful how many different options we have these days.
Very useful post! I’m a hiker and I’m always looking for new ways to improve my hiking gear. I like that you mention the importance of good, hiking shoes. I have a pair of Chaco’s too.
Anda,
Thank you for reading! Proper shoes are a must when hiking! Chacos are a great brand depending on the type of trail you are planning to adventure!
This is a very helpful article. Whilst I always make sure to have a rain jacket and also wear the proper shoes when I go hiking, I still get the wrong type of trousers on. I need to invest in a good versatile pair of hiking pants. Most of the time I go hiking I choose long pants, mostly because they protect my legs, especially on bushy trails.
Joanna,
It can be challenging to make sure you have all of the right pieces of clothing! I wish you luck in your search for proper trousers.
Thank you for reading!
Bringing plenty of thermal layers is a must for me when hiking. I also make sure I have thick wool socks and a good brand rain jacket too.
Lisa,
What a great point to have thick wool socks on hand! Your feet are one of the most important things to take care of while hiking; they do the majority of the work, after all!
Thank you for reading!
Honestly, the last thing I would have considered when dressing for a hike are my undergarments – but maybe the most important to keep you dry and cool! Also, great idea to keep a rain jacket handy. You never know when the weather could turn. You’ve made some excellent points here, and I will keep them in mind next time I go adventuring!
Jackie,
Thank you so much for reading! Undergarments really are underrated. Staying cool and dry is a must when hiking!