Choosing the Best Clothing for Hiking in Comfort with Ultimate Tips

Planning a multi-day hike takes a lot of preparation, and here's one thing worth knowing above all else: conditions can vary wildly depending on where and when you walk. Take three of our walks for example: the high-altitude chill of Nepal's Everest Base Camp trek, the sweltering 40-degree heat of Australia's Flinders Ranges in summer, and the heavy humidity of Vietnam's Sapa region—all come from completely opposite ends of the weather spectrum.

The perfect set of clothes for all these different environments will vary widely, so we’ll start off with what you need to know about a basic walking kit for fine, dry conditions, about 15 – 20 degree C, and expand a bit from there. We won't be able to cover off ALL the gear for ALL the conditions you might encounter in this one blog, but this will give you a good overview.

Selecting the right clothes can help make your day, or make you miserable, so it pays to choose your hiking gear wisely.

TOP HALF CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES

BASE LAYER: UNDERSHIRT

This is the layer that touches your skin, and there are two extremely important factors at play. How comfortable it feels, and how well it allows moisture to pass through to the outer layers.

FABRIC CONSIDERATIONS

1. Cotton: Cotton doesn’t breathe and is probably the worst fabric you could choose for hiking. If cotton gets wet, it is cold and clammy, and will not dry. In cold conditions, you’re looking at a great recipe for hypothermia. Just don’t go there.
2. “Regular” Wool: Wool will keep you warm but is heavy and slow to dry when wet. Think of the classic fisherman’s jumper. It can be a bit itchy and scratchy too, especially right next to the skin. Perhaps not great for a base layer. But see below.
3. Merino Wool: Merino Sheep are originally from Spain and are the mainstay of the Australian and New Zealand wool industry. Walking clothes made from merino are totally different to those made from “regular” wool, as they have fine fibres - making garments luxuriously soft to the touch. Merino wool clothes are static-free, wrinkle resistant and flame-retardant! It also absorbs sweat and vapour well, allowing moisture to evaporate. If you were going to invent a fabric that’s perfect for hiking, this is it. If you can afford it (it's not cheap), buy merino – look for brands like Icebreaker (NZ) & Merino Country (Australia). Many outdoor stores have their own brands too. A short-sleeved merino T-shirt is a common favourite. Keep in mind where you will be walking, however: in some parts of Australia, at certain times of year, a merino base layer will be way too hot. See below for alternatives.
4. Synthetics: If you can’t afford merino, then synthetic is the way to go. Synthetics such as polyester are generally quick to dry, lightweight, breathable, and good at keeping you warm. Mixes of synthetics and merino may also be available.

MID LAYER: TREKKING SHIRT

Why a shirt? If it’s a bit cool, but not quite cool enough to walk wearing a jumper or fleece on top of your base layer, you could wear a trekking shirt. Or, if walking in warmer sunny conditions, we recommend a trekking shirt without a base layer.

What type of shirt to wear on a hike?

Look for synthetic blends that are good for wicking moisture away from your skin, have good UV protection ratings, and have good ventilation. Long sleeves will give you more protection from the sun, or roll those sleeves up halfway for the best of both worlds. A high collar will protect your neck from the sun too.

JUMPER

1. Mid Layer Jumper Before buying a jumper, consider the fact that layering is the best way to keep yourself comfortable and manage your body temperature while walking. Several lighter warmer layers are far better than one big bulky super warm layer. Your body temperature is going to rise significantly when you start to exert yourself, so even halfway up Everest, you’ll want to take some layers off. And then when you stop moving, you’ll want to put them on again. This is the case no matter where you are, and what the conditions are, so keep your big bulky woolly jumpers at home, and consider again the advice on fabrics above. Merino wool is a fine choice for those warmer mid layers too. Long-sleeved lighter-weight tops and slightly heavier options are available.
2. Fleece: A ‘fleece’ is in the wardrobe of almost every hiker. Contrary to the name, these are generally made from synthetic polyester and not wool. But they’re long-lasting, easy to care for, and easily fit underneath a jacket to keep you warm when the ambient temperature drops. Also a good choice for mid-layer warmth.

OUTER LAYER: WATERPROOF JACKET

A really good waterproof jacket will keep the rain and wind out and will keep you comfortable inside. This is one of those items of gear where it is definitely worth paying a bit more. A cheaper jacket will keep out the rain but will keep the sweat locked in too. It’s the technological advances in modern fabrics that enable them to keep the rain out AND let your body “breathe” so that you’re not wet with sweat inside your jacket. That’s where your money goes! Having a rain jacket in your pack is essential for almost all parts of Australia as conditions can change dramatically very quickly.

Fabric Considerations

Gore-Tex was invented in 1969, and for a long time was the undisputed ‘king of fabrics’ for waterproof jackets, effectively keeping the rain out and regulating your body temperature at the same time.

Now there’s a wider variety available, such as eVent, Flashpoint, Patagonia H2NO, Neoshell, North Face’s Haven't, and Marmot’s Membrane. All have varying degrees of effectiveness, depending on the conditions.

Waterproofing

Most hiking jackets will keep the rain out for a certain period of time. However, please be aware that all jackets will eventually ‘wet out’ if you walk long enough in torrential conditions.

It’s just how long until they fail that makes the difference. The cheaper rain jackets, for example, might only last an hour or so. Choose wisely.

Waterproof Ratings

There are two measures of waterproofing on a jacket.

1. Basic water resistance: Basic Water Testing is tested by placing the fabric at the bottom of a tall cylinder, and then filling it with more and more water until the water starts to seep through the fabric. This gives it a Hydrostatic Head (HH) reading. You’ll need an HH of at least 5,000 mm for basic waterproofing – that means the fabric can hold off a column of water that is 5000 mm tall. If you’re looking for what to wear for hiking when you are going to be out in bad conditions for lengthy periods? (e.g. England’s Coast to Coast walk), then look for an HH of 20,000 mm plus.
2. Durable Water Repellency (DWR) : Another gauge of water resistance is the jacket’s Durable Water Repellency (DWR), which is a measure of how effectively water simply rolls off the garment, as opposed to soaking in. This also affects the breathability of the garment. DWR will eventually wear off, and how fast it does so depends on how often you use your jacket. Note that there are products out there that allow you to restore the DWR of your jacket.

Breathability

This is the ability of a fabric to both repel the rain, and also allow your sweat to evaporate. A fisherman’s waxed jacket, for example, will repel the elements extremely well, but all the sweaty goodness building up inside will remain there.

And if you’re hiking, you’ll eventually start to sweat no matter what the conditions. Without a breathable fabric that allows that sweat to evaporate, you’ll get chilly very quickly as soon as you stop walking. That’s clearly not ideal in very cold conditions.

Breathability Rating

All hiking jackets are given a breathability rating, directly related to the fabric they’re made from. You can use this to gauge how much your body will be able to breathe inside your jacket. How is this measured? There are two numbers involved.

1. HH rating: The first you’ve already met. HH – the Hydrostatic Head rating. The higher the HH number, the more waterproof the fabric.
2. How breathable the fabric is: The second number is a measure of how breathable the fabric is. This is normally expressed in terms of how many grams (g) of water vapor can pass through a square meter (m2) of the fabric from the inside to the outside in a 24-hour period. In the case of a 20k (20,000 g) fabric, this would be 20,000 grams. The larger the number, the more breathable the fabric. A breathability rating of 5,000 – 10,000g/m2 for regular everyday wear, but for serious hiking, you’d want a rating that is at least 15,000g/m2 if not more!

Pit Zips

Some jackets have zips under the arms, unsurprisingly called – pit zips! These are a useful addition to a jacket to enhance ventilation when walking.

Open the zips at the start of your walk, keeping you cool, and preventing the build-up of sweat. But if it’s raining heavily or cold, it’s best to keep them closed.

If you’re buying an expensive jacket, with excellent breathability then having pit zips isn’t really important (many manufacturers of high-end jackets are phasing them out as fabrics become more breathable while still staying waterproof). However, on cheaper, more affordable jackets, pit zips can be a handy way to help you stay cool when walking in the wet.

Colour

Good advice is that lighter colours make you easier to spot in an emergency. Red, orange and bright yellow are great; dark green, browns or neutrals are much less so.

Budget

The final consideration, as always, is budget. If you’re going to be hiking a lot, invest as much as you can in your jacket. It really will make a difference.

Our opinion is that Gore-Tex is the best in terms of durability. The alternatives need to be washed and treated more often. In the end, it comes down to personal preference!

PONCHOS

A lightweight poncho is useful in the instance where there might be a threat of rain and you don’t want to carry a heavy jacket. It can be folded down to next to nothing and be put on very quickly. We don't recommend the heavier, more expensive ponchos as a good quality jacket is more functional and less cumbersome to put on and carry.

HATS

For Sun

Hats are easily the most difficult things to recommend because there are so many different types and shapes. And people's preferences and tastes range broadly. However, a broad-brimmed hat is our personal recommendation as it is the safest and most functional, and keeps the sun off our neck and face, whereas baseball caps for instance do not. This is more important in Australia where the sun is very harsh. Lightweight straw hats can be problematic when it's windy as they have a mind of their own. A hat with a drawstring is essential to make sure it's secure.

Fabric Considerations

Nylon is lightweight and quick-drying and is often made so that it can provide UV protection. Nylon hats are durable and great for hot and humid conditions. Another synthetic material polyester is also lightweight, but also breathable, and offers good UV protection. We do not recommend cotton even though it is a natural fibre, as it does not dry as quickly as synthetic materials and may not provide as much UV protection unless treated. Straw is ultra-lightweight and made from materials like raffia or straw fibres and is breathable. They provide good airflow but can be hard to manage in windy conditions and to store in your backpack without damaging them.

For Cold Conditions

A beanie is almost compulsory when walking in very cold temperatures. What type depends on how cold the temperature will be.

Choosing the Best Material for Cold Weather

For very cold conditions, merino wool or fleece beanies are excellent choices due to their warmth and moisture-wicking properties. For active use, synthetic materials or merino wool is the preferred material for activities where moisture management and quick-drying are important. Fleece beanies are not as breathable as wool. For mild conditions, cotton or cotton-blend beanies can be comfortable.

SUNGLASSES

When hiking, choosing the right sunglasses is very important for eye protection. Comfort is important, as is a line of sight. Larger lenses that wrap around your eyes are better than the smaller lenses, albeit less fashionable! Basics like price, durability, and overall weight are also important.

There are many factors to consider when selecting sunglasses for hiking:

1. UV Protection: Always choose sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection (UV400 or blocks 100% of UV rays). This protects your eyes from harmful UV radiation from the sun. This is more important in Australia where the sun is very hard on the eyes.
2. Lens Material: The lens material is important as Polycarbonate is more lightweight and impact-resistant, ideal for outdoor activities where durability is important. Glass can provide excellent optical clarity but can be heavier and much more prone to breakage compared to polycarbonate.
3. Lens Colour or Tint: This can be important depending on where you are walking. Gray or neutral lens colour helps to maintain true colours, reduces overall brightness and is suitable for general outdoor use. Brown or amber will enhance contrast and depth perception and are great for varying light conditions and trail visibility. Green reduces glare and is suitable for bright conditions. And those mirrored ‘reflecto’ glasses are ideal for high-glare environments like snowy or high-altitude conditions.
4. Polarisation and coatings: Polarised lenses are also really effective at reducing glare from reflective surfaces like water, snow, or roads and are great for hiking, especially in bright conditions or near water bodies. Coatings that reduce scratching such as hydrophobic coatings can also enhance durability and overall clarity.

The Overall Fit and Comfort

You should always choose sunglasses that fit comfortably on your face and provide adequate coverage to prevent sunlight from entering around the edges. A tip here is to look for features like adjustable nose pads and temple tips for a secure fit.

BACKPACK

The right backpack is also essential particularly if you are walking long distances. Technically it is not an item of clothing but it is part of what goes on the upper half of our body when hiking. How to choose the right backpack can be found in our article Choosing the Right Backpack for Hiking.

BOTTOM HALF

PANTS/TROUSERS

1. Long Pants: Long pants will protect you from the cold, vegetation, and insects. So even if you think it’s warm enough for shorts, consider the type of environment you’re heading into. Is it swampy? There could be insects or snakes. Is there high scrub or heath? You might get scratched.
2. Waterproof Pants/Trousers: Waterproof pants are generally a thin, lightweight shell and are worn over shorts or regular pants. If cold and wet conditions are expected (e.g. UK's West Highland Way, the Tour du Mont Blanc, and Tasmania's Three Capes Track, etc.), waterproof pants are a must. Again , information on waterproof ratings versus breathability can be useful. Look for pants that have zips running down the whole length of the legs. This allows you to put them on easily without having to take your boots off first. If those zips are two-way and can be opened from the top, you can open them up for a bit of venting when the going gets hot. Also useful for walking through wet shrubs after the rain
3. Zip-off pants leg: Some hiking pants come with zips that turn them into shorts. These are a nice versatile option and are generally made of lightweight material. For cold conditions, a set of thermal leggings under lightweight hiking pants could be useful. Or invest in a heavier, warmer set of hiking pants.

Fabric Considerations

You want something that’s durable and quick drying. Unless you’re heading into the snow, a lightweight material is best. Synthetics such as polyester or nylon are good, and you should never wear jeans.

Jeans = COTTON. Enough said!

Spandex leggings with a pair of shorts can also be a reasonable option, so long as it is not going to get too cold.

SHORTS

If you’re guaranteed nice weather, get hot quickly when walking (your leg muscles generate a lot of heat) and you’re not bothered about getting scratched or bitten, go for a lightweight pair of shorts. Even if you go for a dip in a billabong, they’ll dry out quickly, and you can be on your way.

Fabric Considerations

Once again try to avoid heavier fabrics, as they’ll just weigh you down as they absorb moisture throughout the day. And if cooler, you could combine shorts with some thermal leggings.

SHOES

The right footwear for hiking is almost the most important piece of kit. We have found over the 30 years that we have been delivering walks that the main reason people fail to complete multi-day walks more than anything else is blisters caused by the wrong footwear. Please see our article on How to choose the Right Hiking Shoes to help avoid this unpleasant pitfall!

SOCKS

The right sock depends on the footwear, which depends on the conditions to be expected on your journey. The most important factor, of course, is that your socks are comfortable and prevent you from getting blisters. This is a brief outline of what is important to consider about what socks to use when hiking. If you want very detailed information on hiking socks check out Everything you need to know about socks.

Fabric Considerations

Avoid cotton socks at all costs. They are a guaranteed recipe for blisters! Wool-synthetic blend socks are the way to go. Look for good padding on the heel and around the ball of your foot. You might need to pay a bit more for good hiking socks, but for happy feet, this is definitely worth the investment.

In general, there are three different weights of socks to consider:

1. Light-weight: Lightweight socks are extremely breathable, but have less padding, and are often used for shorter hikes or in warm conditions e.g. specialist running socks.
2. Mid-weight: A good pair of padded, mid-weight hiking socks is your go-to for almost any walk you want to take on. Buy a couple of decent pairs, you’re ready for just about anything.
3. Heavy-weight: You’ll only need a pair of these if you’re planning on spending a reasonable amount of time in the snow, and even then, your regular mid-weight socks will serve you well for a while.
4. Sock liners: Some people swear by these. Having a very thin, lighter-weight pair of socks inside your regular socks can be very effective for wicking moisture away from your feet and avoiding blisters. Alternatively, try a set of cheap sock-length pantyhose! They work in very much the same way.

An Auswalk Tip

If you don’t have any liners, try two pairs of thin socks to prevent blisters. They’ll wear against each other, rather than the shoe rubbing against you. Regardless, you should always take a spare pair of socks with you. If your feet get wet (i.e. sweaty), there will be friction and blisters can start to form. A pair of spare socks can be a handy solution.

BELT

It is always best to wear pants that don’t need a belt. However, if you do have a belt, make sure it’s not going to rub against your backpack.

So there you go. Hike Clothing sorted. As always, it’s about preparing for the conditions to be expected, and preparing for the conditions you don’t expect, and making yourself as comfortable as possible at all times.

With the right hike clothing, you won’t even notice what you’re wearing, BUT with the wrong hike clothing, you’ll be miserable. So good luck, and as always, we hope to see you out on the track! Lastly, the right backpack, poles, and footwear are essential; read the posts below to find out more.

Related Posts:

How to Choose the Right Footwear for Hiking

How to Choose the Right Trekking Poles

Choosing the Right Backpack for Hiking

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