HOW TO DRESS FOR A DAY HIKE – SUMMER EDITION

Here in Norway, we have a beautiful saying – “Det finnes ikke dårlig vær, bare dårlig klær!” which basically translates to “There is no bad weather, only bad clothes!”. As someone who doesn’t mind running in the winter at -15C I couldn’t agree more with that.

Obviously, I wasn’t always this smart. I’ll never forget the most important life lesson from a very long hike where I basically failed with everything I could fail in terms of preparation. Not only I forgot to bring enough food and water in a place where getting water was nearly impossible but on top of that I didn’t have the right clothing which was totally fine until the weather decided to punish me with a strong wind and a showering rain. To make the adventure as enjoyable as possible – some basic prep has to be taken into account.

Now, don’t get me wrong – you don’t really need fancy clothing to have fun exploring the mountains, especially during the summer. If the weather is good, you can get away with anything really (well maybe except for flip flops and denim) as long as you are careful and know what you’re doing. However, when shit hits the fan and the weather isn’t as enjoyable as you’d hope – the right clothing not only will save the fun but ultimately it could save your health (and sometimes life too). It’s worth remembering that in most places weather can often change and it’s usually nicer at lower altitudes than on the higher grounds. If you hike in the mountains, it can change quicker than we think. By wearing the right clothes, you will keep yourself comfortable and protected so you can focus on the most important part – enjoying the experience.

LAYERS, LAYERS AND ONCE AGAIN – LAYERS.

If you grew up in a colder climate or in a country with 4 seasons like me (missing you Poland!), you’d be indoctrinated since a kid that you must dress up “like an onion” which basically means you gotta “layer” your clothes. In hiking or sports in general, wearing multiple layers allows you to quickly adapt to changes in the weather by adding or removing layers as needed. This is the most efficient way to dress and it will help you stay comfortable during your adventures. Layering clothes is pretty simple:

1. Start with a base layer made of a moisture-wicking material. This will help keep you dry and comfortable by wicking moisture away from your skin. In warm climates, a synthetic running/gym t-shirt will work but in colder climates or multi-day treks your best bet is a merino wool  because it doesn’t stink as much as polyester or nylon clothing and you can wear it longer, plus it keeps you warm even when it’s wet, isn’t that awesome?
2. Add a mid layer for insulation. This can be a thin fleece jacket or for colder weather – a thermal hoody or even a thin down hoody. Basically look for clothes like fleece, polartec or merino wool as they provide good insulation.
3. Finish with an outer layer that is windproof or/and waterproof. You can choose between a softshell jacket or a hardshell gore-tex rain jacket. For light rain or no rain, a softshell jacket is best because it is water repellent, windproof and it breathes very well! For strong wind or rain, a hardshell jacket with a Gore-Tex membrane is best.

Important: avoid cotton-made clothes as it absorbs too much moisture, is heavy, has poor temperature regulation and takes a long time to dry. This applies to socks as well. Choose materials like wool, merino wool, polyester, or nylon instead. Surely, if you’re only going to hike for an hour or two it doesn’t matter that much but for a bit more serious trips stay out of cotton (and jeans too!)

Bergans, a Norwegian outdoor brand explained it nicely here.

FOOTWEAR

So when do you need a proper hiking boots and when can you get away with light trail running shoes? My god, there are so many articles on this topic and they all have different opinions. I’m not even gonna try to prove whether one side is right or wrong, you just gotta make your own judgement by considering a few factors:

• How long is your hike?
• What is the terrain like?
• What are the weather conditions?
• What are your personal comfort factors (such as a preference for lightweight shoes or the need for ankle protection and waterproofness)?

Hiking boots are good for multi-day trips in mixed terrains as they provide better protection against mud, snow, and moisture vs low shoes. That’s pretty obvious as water can get inside a lower shoe from the top. They are a also more versatile option because they can be used for a wide range of hikes and generally are a better option in less predictable conditions.

Low-cut trail running or approach shoes are much lighter than hiking boot which makes them a good option for warmer weather and faster-paced hikes. They do not provide as much ankle protection but they allow for more freedom of movement. Some models even have a “climbing zone” on their sole, under the toes that provides extra grip on rocks but let’s not get into climbing in this post..

Personally, when it comes to hiking I believe it’s best to own both types of footwear. The most important thing is to pick shoes or boots that fits you well and are made by a well-recognized brands. For boots, take a look at our major European brands like Lowa, Scarpa, La Sportiva or if you live in Norway: Alfasko. For trail runners I’m personally in love with Salomon but heard a lot of good stuff about Arc’teryx, Icebug and a few others. Hoka seems to be super trendy but although comfortable, I found their shoes to be quite bad in terms of durability.

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