What to wear hiking: layering, fabrics, rain gear and why to avoid cotton

TUREFF• •0

Hiking clothes do not need to be expensive or technical, but they do need to cope with a body that is hot on the climbs, cold at the top and possibly wet all day. The answer used by almost everyone outdoors is layering: several thinner pieces you add or remove, rather than one thick one.

The three layers

Base layer: the layer against your skin. Its job is to move sweat away from you. A synthetic or merino wool T-shirt or long-sleeved top is ideal.
Mid layer: the warm layer. A fleece, a light synthetic insulated jacket or a down jacket for stops and cold weather.
Outer layer (shell): a waterproof, windproof jacket that keeps rain and wind out.

On a mild day you may wear only the base layer while moving and carry the others. The skill is to adjust before you get too hot or too cold: take a layer off at the bottom of a climb, not halfway up when you are already soaked in sweat, and put one on as soon as you stop.

Why to avoid cotton

Cotton absorbs water and holds on to it. A cotton T-shirt soaked with sweat or rain stays wet, and wet fabric draws heat from your body far faster than dry fabric does. That is uncomfortable on a warm day and dangerous on a cold, windy one, because it is one of the ways walkers become hypothermic. Jeans are the worst example: heavy, slow to dry and cold when wet. Cotton is fine for a short walk in warm, dry weather close to home. For anything longer or higher, choose fabrics that dry quickly.

Fabrics in brief

Synthetic (polyester, nylon): dries quickly, hard-wearing, usually cheaper. Can start to smell after a day or two.
Merino wool: soft, warm even when damp, and resists odour, so it suits multi-day trips. Less durable and usually more expensive.
Fleece: warm for its weight, breathes well, still warm when damp, but wind blows straight through it.
Down: the warmest insulation for its weight and packs small, but loses much of its warmth when wet.
Synthetic insulation: bulkier than down but keeps more of its warmth when damp, so it suits wet climates.

Rain gear

A waterproof jacket with a hood is the one technical item most worth buying. Look for taped seams and a hood that moves with your head.
Breathable membranes let some sweat vapour out, but no jacket breathes perfectly. Underarm vents and opening the front zip help.
Waterproof trousers are worth carrying in wet, windy or mountain areas; in warm showers many people do without.
Look after it: the outer fabric has a water-repellent finish that wears off. Washing and re-proofing it as the maker recommends keeps it working.
An umbrella is surprisingly useful on low, sheltered paths in calm weather, though not in wind or on exposed ridges.

Sun protection

A hat with a brim, sunglasses and sunscreen, reapplied through the day.
A light, long-sleeved shirt can be cooler than sunscreen alone on hot, exposed trails.
Remember that sun is stronger at altitude and reflects off snow and water.

Cold-weather extras

A warm hat and gloves, even in spring and autumn. It is often much colder and windier at the top than at the car park.
A spare warm layer kept dry in your pack for stops and emergencies.
Thicker socks, as long as your boots still fit with them.

Legs and other details

Trousers or shorts: quick-drying walking trousers work for most conditions. Zip-off legs are handy in changeable weather.
Leggings are comfortable and quick-drying for many people.
Gaiters keep mud, snow and stones out of boots.
A buff or neck tube works as a scarf, headband or sun cover.

A simple starting kit

If you are just starting, you probably own much of this already: a sports T-shirt, a fleece, running leggings or quick-dry trousers, wool or synthetic socks and a warm hat. Add a decent waterproof jacket first, and buy the rest as you find out what you actually need. What do you wear on the trail, and what did you learn the hard way? Share your tips or ask about your own kit in the comments.