What to Wear Hiking and Backpacking

What to Wear Hiking and Backpacking

Packing clothing for any trip can be daunting, but figuring out what to wear for hiking and backpacking is even harder. Choosing your clothes for a mutli-day trip where you are going to be out in the elements is a unique packing challenge.

You need to be prepared, but you don’t want to go overboard either. After all, you only have so much space in your backpack.  This isn’t the kind of trip where you can afford to overpack. In fact, when you get down to actually stuffing your clothes in your backpack you will probably end up eliminating a few items due to lack of space. Or if space isn’t an issue, the weight of your pack might be.

When it comes to choosing what to wear for hiking and backpacking, you need to find a balance between readiness and minimalism. Below are some guidelines that will give you a great place to start. At the end, We’ll go over a list of must-have clothing items that every backpacker should have on deck for their next trip.

If you need a full list of things to pack for backpacking, check this out.

_{This page contains affiliate links. If you purchase a product through one of them we will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support!}

Consider the Elements

Temperature

Before you decide what to wear for a hiking trip, look up the weather forecast of your destination. Don’t take the forecast to heart but use it as a reference. Is it hot and humid or cold and rainy? Make note of the recent trends in temperature during both the day and night.

If it is going to be hot, you’ll want to pack light weight clothing and get get away with packing more of it. When you are backpacking, you are going to get pretty sweaty. Those clothes will get soiled quick. If you want to wear the same smelly tank top for 3 days in a row, more power to you. However, if you aren’t on a strict weight limit, consider taking advantage of the lightweight clothes and bring a few changes to keep yourself feeling fresh.

If it is going to be warm but not hot (50s to upper 60s), you’ll be hiking in some of the most comfortable weather to trek in! Bring light weight clothes for the day, but be sure to bring along some warmer gear as well. It might get chilly when you are taking a break, reaching elevation, or setting up camp. Bring along a lightweight outer layer to keep yourself comfortable. A merino wool fleece, like this one from Smartwool, is perfect to wear around camp or when the temps dip down.

If it is going to be cold, you’ll want to be strategic about what to wear hiking. Warm clothing is bulky and takes up a lot of room in your backpack. We go into more detail on what to wear for cold weather hikes here. An important takeaway is to take your layering seriously. Layers allow you to adjust your clothing as the temperature and your sensitivity to the temperature changes. Bring a base layer, mid layer, and shell layer to keep yourself comfortable and protected against the elements.

Elevation

What kind of elevation will you be hitting? If you are hiking through a mountain range, you can throw your weather forecasts out the window. Weather in the mountains can be totally unpredictable.  When backpacking in the Smokies, you can go from wearing a tank top and shorts to wearing a jacket, winter hat and mittens in a matter of hours. This is why elevation is key when trying to determine what to wear for hiking and backpacking trips.

Weather has a lot to do with air movement, and mountains will influence how the air moves around them. This can create small weather systems that build and diminish rather quickly.

If you’re hiking or backpacking in the mountains be sure to pack for a variety of climates. At the foot of the mountains and in the valleys, the weather may be milder. As you get nearer to the peak, it is going to get chillier, windier, and more exposed.

If your trip is on the flatter side, with just some smaller hills to climb you don’t need to be quite as worried. However, it is always better to be safe than sorry and bring a variety of gear.

Pack The Essentials

There are some articles of clothing you will need for hiking and backpacking regardless of the weather…

• Quality Socks – Don’t skimp out on socks. When you hike, your feet do a lot of work. Buy thick, tall socks that will help prevent blisters from forming. They should come up above the top of your boot and be thick enough that you won’t wear a hole in them easily. Look for merino wool socks. They dry faster, keep your feet a comfortable temperature, and they aren’t prone to absorbing odors. Finally, a pair of socks that aren’t rancid!
  • This pair of Smartwool socks are an excellent option that has yet to fail me!
• Comfortable Underwear –Underwear are small and lightweight, do yourself a favor and bring enough so you can change them every day. Chose some that are comfortable and moisture wicking (think nylon or polyester).
  • These are perfect for the ladies, and these for the fellas!
• Hiking Boots – You’re not going to want to backpack in tennis shoes or work boots. Find durable, sturdy, water resistant hiking boot or hiking shoe with a grippy bottom to help you conquer all terrains. If you prefer to let your feet breathe, consider a pair of hiking sandals!
• Comfortable Base Layer – In the winter, we consider the layer closest to your skin to be your base layer. In summer, the base layer will probably be your only layer. For this layer, choose clothing that allows you to move freely and comfortably. Opt for a fabric that wicks moisture as this will be the layer that will get the sweatiest.
• Warm Mid Layer – Whether you’re hiking in the summer or winter, it’s a good idea to have something to throw on as the temperatures dip. A fleece or sweatshirt will fit the bill. Make sure it is warm, but not restrictive.
  • We love this merino wool fleece for our midlayer!
• Protective Outer layer – The weather can be unpredictable, and temperatures drop as it gets later in the day. Make sure you have something that will protect you from the wind, rain, and snow. For the summer, this should be a sturdy rain jacket that can also break the wind. In the winter, this is the shell of a winter jacket.
  • Columbia’s lightweight rain jacket is perfect for the warm summer months.
• Hat or Sunglasses – Make sure you have something to protect yourself from the sun. The trees may provide some shade, but you still want to protect your eyes during your trek.
• Mittens and Winter Cap – If you are reaching high elevation or if you are backpacking during a cooler season, make sure you have some gloves and a cap. If you don’t wear them while you are hiking, you might need them to keep you warm at night.

Extras to Consider Packing

Some items of clothing aren’t entirely necessary to bring, but they are nice to have and can improve your backpacking experience. If you have space, bring these items along as options to wear on your backpacking trip.

• Sandals or slide-on shoes – When you get to your campsite, you’ll be dying to take your boots off. Unfortunately there is still work to be done at camp like setting up a tent, getting water, and making food that you don’t want to be doing barefoot. Having a pair of sandals can give your feet much needed relief while you hang out at camp.
• Sleeping Clothes – It’s more of a comfort thing, but we recommend wearing something that isn’t completely soiled for sleeping. Some people just change at night into what they will wear the next day. Others have clothes reserved for sleeping. Either way works fine, but you’ll find yourself more comfortable if you aren’t sleeping in a t-shirt that is still damp with your sweat from the day.
• Long Underwear – Even if you are hiking in the summer, it might be wise to bring along a pair of long underwear. It’s a good backup for when the temps dip unexpectedly. Our favorite are Smartwool’s merino wool base layers. The pair linked here is lightweight, but they come in a variety of warmth levels to fit your needs.

What to Keep in Mind

• Fabric – Make sure you chose a fabric that is breathable and moisture-wicking for your daily hiking gear. This will keep you cool and dry as your body heats up from the strenuous hike. Your cold weather gear should be insulating, meaning it holds in the heat your body produces. The outermost layers should be able to protect you from the elements by being windproof and waterproof.
• Fit – We all have those articles of clothing that rub us the wrong way, yet we refuse to get rid of them. Don’t bring these on your backpacking trip. Make sure your clothes fit comfortably and allow you to move freely. Your boots should not be too big or loose or else they might cause blisters but they shouldn’t be so tight that they are causing you pain. Use your own judgement on what clothes you’d be willing to move around in all day.  
• Quantity – You only have so much space in your backpack, you will need to decide which items you are going to take and which can be left behind. Just be careful you don’t leave behind anything essential! This is where quantity comes to play. Don’t neglect to pack a raincoat because you filled your bag with ten pairs of socks. You might have to re-wear a few things in order to fit everything you need.
• Trip length – If you’re only on the trail for an extended weekend, you don’t have to be quite as stingy with your backpacking clothes. Fewer days = less food, less clothing and more space in your pack.

What to Wear Hiking and Backpacking – A Sample List

Below is a sample list of what you might want to bring for a hiking or backpacking trip. The quantities of each item vary drastically depending on trip length, temperature, and location.

• Undergarments
  • Underwear (1 per day plus a spare)
  • Bras (1 per day)
  • Socks (1 pair for every 1-3 days)
  • Long Underwear (1 pair total)
• Main Layers
  • Tank Tops/T shirts/Base layer tops (1 for every 1-3 days)
    • Many brands have very thin, moisture wicking shirts that are perfect for hiking.
  • Shorts/Pants/Base layer bottoms (1 for every 1-3 days)
    • Aim for moisture wicking, light-weight fabrics that are tough enough to hold up when you brush up against trees and shrubs.
  • Warm Mid Layer (1)
    • Look for a fleece, sweatshirt, or light jacket

• Outer Layers
  • Shell Layer / Rain Jacket and Rain Pants (1)
  • Sunglasses (1)
  • Brimmed Cap (1)
  • Hiking Boots (1)
• Campwear/Sleepwear
  • Warm Mid Layer – extra set for camp (1)
  • Camp Sandals (1)
  • Winter Cap (1)
  • Mittens/Gloves (1)

Conclusion

It can be a challenge to figure out what to wear hiking. Weather is unpredictable and can vary with the terrain. Bringing along a variety of options can hedge your bets, just don’t go overboard. The list above is basic, but can give you a good place to start when packing your bag and trying to pick what to wear on your backpacking trip. Follow that list and make adjust to your personal needs…you’ll be in good shape!

_{Cover photo from raisanastukova at Unsplash}