Summer Hiking Outfit Guide

When piecing together a summer hiking outfit, you need to consider more than just what will keep you cool. Summer is a lively time for mosquitos, ticks, and snakes. Poison ivy and poison oak will be out in abundance. You should also consider the UV rays bombarding your skin and the long-term implications of not protecting yourself from them.

Perhaps what seemed simple requires a little more thought than you were aware of. Fortunately, this guide will give you the information you need to make an informed decision on what hiking outfit you will be wearing this summer.

Your summer hiking outfit needs to be based on your preference. Is your highest priority comfort or protection? For most, we are somewhere in the middle, willing to sacrifice a little comfort for higher protection or vice versa.

Here is a quick table with sample outfits based on different priorities:

Of course, this table isn’t absolute. You can mix and match however you please. The goal of this guide isn’t to pinpoint exactly what you should wear, but to cover enough ground so you understand why simply wearing a t-shirt and shorts may not always be the best option.

We’ll dive into all of that. But first, let’s discuss some universal guidelines.

Universal Guidelines to Hiking Outfits

1) Do not wear cotton.

Sure, cotton is comfortable and can be relatively cool, but it will absorb and retain moisture, be it sweat or rain. When this happens, it can cause discomfort and it takes a long time to dry, so you’ll be dealing with that clammy feeling for a while. This will also reduce your body’s ability to regulate temperature, which in cooler conditions, can lead to disastrous results, such as hypothermia.

Wet cotton also tends to rub against the skin and this friction can lead to chafing, blisters, or skin irritation. Not to mention cotton is heavy, even more so when wet and the extra weight may just be enough to ruin your hike.

2) Wear synthetics or wool.

It is best to wear moisture-wicking and quick-drying clothing, such as polyester, nylon, merino wool, or blends. These fabrics help draw moisture away from your skin, dry quickly, provide better insulation, and are generally more comfortable for outdoor activities like hiking.

Synthetic fabrics and wool also have enhanced breathability compared to cotton. This contributes to better temperature regulation, helping to keep you cool when it’s hot. For these reasons, it is important to incorporate these materials, from head to toe, into your summer hiking outfit.

3) Wear the right footwear

You do not need to invest in a $200 pair of hiking boots or shoes, but to have a comfortable, well-fitted shoe designed for tackling rugged terrain is a must. Typically, this footwear will have an aggressive tread pattern for needed grip on various terrains, such as dirt, mud, and rocks.

As far as waterproof boots or shoes, that is left to personal preference. I opt not to use these because they do not breath as well. And eventually, with enough hiking, your feet will still get wet from either rain or streams, and this lack of breathability will keep your shoes soaked for hours.

What goes into a hiking outfit

I don’t think we need to spend much time describing every typical article of clothing a hiking outfit consist of, but real briefly, you will have:

• A hiking shirt
• Hiking pants or shorts
• Underwear (briefts, bra, etc.)
• Socks
• Shoes/boots
• A hat

If we were discussing hiking outfits for cooler weather, we would talk about base layers, mid layers, etc., but we won’t dive into that here.

With the articles of clothing listed above, there are of course many variations you can use to create the optimal summer hiking outfit. Just remember your shirt, pants/shorts, underwear, and socks need to be non-cotton material.

Summer Hiking Outfit Breakdown

Now, let’s elaborate more on what you may want to wear based on your priorities, rather it’s comfort or protection, versatility, or anything in between.

Maximum Comfort Summer Hiking Outfit

If you want to stay as cool as possible above all else, then you likely will be interested in the below outfit. This consist of:

• A sleeveless shirt
• Running shorts with mesh inner (no underwear)
• Wool ankle socks
• Tail running shoes

This outfit option will be best at keeping you cool, while also being very lightweight. However, you have the least amount of protection (more on this later).

A sleeveless shirt will provide the most breathability, helping to keep you as cool as possible without going shirtless. Some sleeveless options offer more airflow than others, so go with whatever you feel comfortable with.

Running shorts are also the lightest and coolest option for bottoms. Many will have an inner mesh lining that eliminates the need for underwear, maximizing breathability in that region and reducing the risk of chafing.

Moving to your feet, wool ankle socks are short enough to keep your calves cool, while also wicking away moisture. Most people think of heat when it comes to wool, but wool has the unique quality of being able to release excess heat when it’s warm. Its natural breathability allows air to circulate and heat to escape, preventing your feet from overheating. I personally recommend Darn Tough socks for amazing durability and comfort.

To also help keep your feet cool, use a pair of trail running shoes. They are lightweight and typically have mesh uppers that provide airflow to your feet.

You may also want to skip a hat with this outfit as any covering on top of your head will reduce airflow, holding heat in. But if you still want to use a hat, a visor may be a good option. Or if you just want something to keep sweat off your face, use a sweatband or bandana.

Maximum Protection Summer Hiking Outfit

As mentioned earlier in this article, there are other factors to consider than staying cool when piecing together your summer hiking outfit. All kinds of pests are out in full force during the summer, including mosquitos and ticks. Poison ivy and poison oak will be thriving, not to mention briars. And how about those snakes? What about the UV rays searing your skin?

If these things concern you, then having an outfit geared towards maximum protection may be your best bet. Here’s an example:

• Long sleeve shirt
• Hiking pants
• Synthetic/wool underwear
• Crew length wool socks
• Hiking boots or shoes
• Wide brim hat

While this outfit won’t guarantee complete protection from these forces of nature, it will greatly reduce the risk.

A long sleeve shirt exposes less skin to bugs and the sun, offering a layer of defense from bites and burns, or rubbing up against some poisonous flora. Columbia makes the Silver Ridge, a great option that is 100% nylon and moisture wicking, or what I’m wearing above from Magellan Outdoors at Academy Sports. Another great option is a sun hoodie, like the ActiveIce Spectrum from Outdoor Research.

Hiking pants will do the same for your legs, plus you will have the added protection from snake bites. A loose-fitting pair of pants works even better for reducing the likely hood that a snake bite will penetrate through to the skin.

I’m wearing the Kuhl Silencr pants, of which I’ve written a review of you can read here. Also check out my top recommendations for hiking pants!

Your underwear should be made of synthetic materials or wool. Underwear of these materials will wick moisture from the area helping to keep you dry and reduce the risk of chafing and other types of skin irritations. ExOfficio is likely the most popular brand when it comes to underwear for hikers, so check out what options they have if you want superb comfort.

We’ve already discussed the positives attributes of wool. Knowing this, for maximum protection, a crew-length wool sock is ideal. The extra length provides additional coverage and protection for your lower legs and helps prevent your shoes from rubbing your ankles.

When it comes to footwear, any type of shoe or boot should be adequate for good protection, at least from mother nature. However, this does not extend to hiking sandals which offers minimal protection.

And as far as a hat, one with a wide brim offers the most protection from UV rays. Your face and neck should be adequately shaded to prevent burns. Combine this with a mosquito net and your head will be a fortress.

Versatile Summer Hiking Outfit

Sometimes the best option is one that offers the most versatility. Having the ability to adapt based on the current situation is convenient. The outfit below allows you to be prepared for bugs and other hazards but also gives you an out if it gets too hot. This outfit includes:

• A long sleeve, button down shirt
• Convertible hiking pants
• Synthetic or wool underwear
• Quarter length wool socks
• Trail running shoes
• Ball cap with mesh back

What makes this outfit choice versatile? Let’s discuss.

First, a long sleeve button down shirt offers max protection when the sleeves are down, but you can roll the sleeves up when it gets too hot. Also, undoing a button or two will allow for better airflow helping you to regulate body temperature more effectively.

The versatility of convertible pants really needs no explanation. If you can ignore the unreasonable stigma these types of pants carry, you will recognize how useful they can be. In this case, simply unzip the legs when you want to cool down, and zip them back on when you need the protection.

As previously mentioned, synthetic or wool underwear is a must, as well as wool socks. I prefer a low cut or quarter length sock, but use what you are most comfortable in.

I also recommend using trail running shoes for the same reasons previously listed. They are lightweight and provide adequate protection for all but the harshest terrains.

And last, use a ball cap with a mesh back. The mesh back will allow heat to escape more efficiently, yet your face will still be shielded from the sun.

Moderate Summer Hiking Outfit

Combining different articles of clothing from different hiking outfits is the most common approach for hikers. One example is long pants with a t-shirt and ball cap, a combination that offers protection for your legs yet keeps you moderately cool.

We don’t need to dive too deep into this outfit, but use reason to determine what pieces from any of the highlighted outfits above make sense to you and your specific situation.

Struggling between deciding on pants or shorts? Read my article comparing the two here.

Other Considerations

Not only should you consider the material of your hiking clothes, but you should also think about wearing clothing with additional protective characteristics. Namely two examples:

• UV Protection
• Inspect Repellency

Many hiking clothes offer these protections and I recommend incorporating clothing with these features into your summer hiking outfit.

Look for garments with UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) ratings, which indicate how much UV radiation is let through to your skin (more from skincancer.org). UPF clothing shields you from harmful UV rays, preventing sunburn and reducing the risk of skin damage. Long-sleeve shirts, wide-brimmed hats, and neck gaiters with UPF fabric are excellent choices to keep you safe during long hikes.

Also use clothing treated with insect repellent, like permethrin. These act as an additional barrier against mosquitos, ticks, and other pests, reducing the risks of itchy bites or even worse – disease.

Conclusion

The challenge of hiking in the summer is nothing more than another obstacle to overcome. With the proper attire, you will be well prepared for tackling this challenge. Remember to wear synthetic clothes and avoid cotton. Also remember that the challenge isn’t just about staying cool, but also protecting yourself from bugs, briars, and other hazards. Keep this in mind when picking your hiking outfit and you will be best prepared for continued enjoyment on the trails this summer.