TOP 5 OUTDOOR HIKING & BACKPACKING OUTFIT NEEDS
- Zack
- Mar 8, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 28, 2021
Wearing the right outfit to go outdoors can make a world of difference in keeping you dry and comfortable on a day hike or a multi-day backpacking trip. Here are some tips I have learned and what I'm wearing on 99% of my adventures.
A moisture-wicking shirt, versatile pants, comfortable boots, merino wool socks, and buff should be a staple in your closet if you are wanting to comfortably do any outdoor activity. These 5 items are my go-to anytime I'm on the trails.
Wearing a type of moisture-wicking shirt instead of a regular cotton shirt is one of the smartest things you could do. When you sweat or even get it wet, it will wick away significantly faster than cotton, keeping you cool, dry, and comfortable. My recommendation is to go to a local thrift store or goodwill and you should have endless options for a hiking shirt. Check the tags for the type of material. The tags are usually in the collar or on the (inside) sides of the shirt. 100% polyester is a fantastic option as it will wick moisture and they are usually a more lightweight shirt. I have found an L.L. Bean Quick-Dry Trail Tee, a Columbia Titanium, and Under Armor shirts at my local goodwill, all in like-new condition. Thrifting my shirts have been a great way to save money and help the environment by recycling clothing.
If you don't have a thrift option available, any 100% polyester shirt you could find at any department store would be perfect. The Columbia Men's Meeker Peak Short Sleeve Crew is a 100% polyester shirt that you could get off Amazon from a quality outdoor clothing company. The Smartwool Merino Wool Baselayer Short Sleeve is another great option but a different fabric, I'll mention below
A versatile pant to me is one that is convertible, can wick moisture or dry quickly, and has a stretchable type material since I enjoy climbing and going over other obstacles. The convertibility is a great feature because you can easily make them shorts if you get too hot or if you need to cross deeper water. A stretchable type material would be a Nylon and Spandex blend. The spandex will give your pant a great range of motion from its flexibility. My go-to pant has been the Mountain Warehouse Trek Stretch Convertible Men's Pants. They were everything that I was looking for in pants at a great price. There are other similar options like Columbia, North Face, or prAna on Amazon.
This is going to vary for everyone and the number one thing you should do is go somewhere and try on as many options as you can, to get a feel for all the differences. My first hiking boot was the Merrell Accentor 2 Mid Ventilator. They were a great entry-level boot that I hiked over 100 miles in. They caused me sore areas in the ball of my foot and didn't support what my flat/wide foot needs. I had tried insoles but that made the boots feel even smaller. In hindsight, I probably should have sized up when getting them. Also when I was wearing them descending a trail, my toes would always get smushed against the toe box.
Starting in 2021, I made the switch to the Altra Lone Peak 4 Mid Boot. I think that they actually discontinued that model right as I finally decided to get them but the new Lone Peak 5 Boot looks to be a pretty nice upgrade. After researching boots, I came across Altra and I found their wide, foot-shaped, toe box and zero-drop platform was perfect for what I felt my feet were telling me I needed to be able to double our mileage from 2020. So far, I am a huge fan of them. They have been comfortable the first 40 miles of wear and have plenty of room for my foot. They much lighter in weight compared to my Merrell's and are significantly more flexible, providing a better range of motion.
Merino wool socks for hiking or backing are one of the cheapest, but most important things to buy. Some of the benefits that merino wool offers are insulation when it's cold, moisture-wicking when it's warm, and odor absorption. My go-to for winter hiking has been the Alvada 80% Merino Wool Hiking Socks. They have some extra cushioning and kept my feet warm and mostly dry during all the snow hikes we went on.
A budget alternative is the Danish Endurance sock, this is a comfortable sock that will keep your feet cool and dry with the merino wool and added padding for comfort. The three-pack I purchased has held up to a lot of abuse and are in great condition after a full year of use.
Another more expensive option, is the Darn Tough hiking sock. These are a perfect thickness for 3 season use and they provide extra comfort from the added cushioning. The price tag on them is a little high for one pair, but they are very good quality and should last many years with proper care.
I was a skeptic on using a Buff or neck gaiter until I won an Amazon gift card from a work event and couldn't think of anything else that I wanted to try. I have now worn my Buff on every single outdoor adventure that we have gone on. It has already proved to be a game-changer with the versatility to use it as; a neck gaiter to keep the sun off, a face mask to keep the wind out of my face, a balaclava cover any exposed skin in 20-degree weather trying to camp. I'm sure I will find a million more uses for it, but I think the multi-uses and how lightweight it is a must-needed accessory.
These are some of my favorite, go-to items that I am usually wearing outdoors. My outfits may vary from season to season but these are the main essentials in my closet that I would recommend to anyone trying to figure out how they should prepare for an outdoor adventure.
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