HOW TO DRESS FOR THE HIKING?

Want to go for long walks in the heart of nature? Above all, you need to equip yourself! Here is everything you need to know to choose your hiking clothing.

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The 3-layer system, the basis for choosing your hiking clothes

If there is one rule to know when it comes to how to dress for hiking, it's the 3-layer system. To be able to face all weather conditions, you just need to wear 3 layers of clothing on your upper body, no more and no less. The 3-layer system is composed as follows:

• Base layer: This is the one that will be in contact with your skin. For it to be effective, you need to choose a hiking clothing made of synthetic material that will offer you good perspiration wicking while drying quickly. In winter, you can opt for a base layer made of merino, which also has good technical qualities and provides extra warmth. Depending on the season, you can choose a hiking clothing with long or short sleeves. In any case, banish cotton, which absorbs moisture and will create feelings of discomfort or even cold.
• Insulation layer: also called an intermediate or heat layer, it will allow you to retain your body heat and protect you from the cold while continuing to evacuate the humidity generated by the effort. A fleece is a hiking garment that will adapt perfectly to this use in the 3-layer system. Indeed, even wet, it will insulate you from the cold. You can also choose hiking clothing in down which, for equal weight, provides better heat input than synthetic fibers but it doesn't drie as quickly as fleece.
• Protective layer: the last component of the 3-layer system, is the one that will protect you from the vagaries of the weather and possible injuries (abrasion or cuts). It must therefore be waterproof and windproof while being breathable. The ideal hiking clothing is a Gore-Tex type jacket to combine these 3 criteria.

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Which hiking clothing for the bottom?

To choose your hiking clothes to dress your legs, just look at the weather conditions. Then opt for breathable pants or shorts that will wick away perspiration, but also waterproof or water repellent. It is advisable to choose hiking pants made of a flexible fabric so as not to get in the way during your outing which may cause you to squat, climb over obstacles or even climb some rocky parts. To dress for hiking, you need clothes that are resistant so as not to damage them on the first pass through the brambles and to be able to wear them on excursions lasting several days.

In winter as in summer, you can use the 3-layer system and wear a technical layer (2nd skin kind) as a base layer. Bib shorts or underpants, it's up to you depending on your sensitivity to the cold and your level of perspiration. In all cases, your hiking trousers or shorts must be adjusted without being too tight in order to avoid friction against the skin and guarantee optimal comfort throughout your journey.

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Dress for hiking: everything for the feet

For a pleasant hike, no detail should be overlooked when choosing the right outfit. So, don't settle for your daily socks and invest in a pair of synthetic fibers that will ensure good perspiration wicking. Free from moisture, your feet will be less prone to blisters. In winter, merino socks will obviously be warmer while still having good breathability. To limit overheating, prefer a pair of socks with reinforcements at the heel and toes. As for the height of your socks, it should be the same as the upper of your shoes.

To complete your outfit for the perfect hiker, you will obviously need dedicated hiking shoes. They should provide you with support, grip and protection suited to the terrain you are practicing and the weather conditions.

For a short hike on fairly uneven terrain:

Choose hiking shoes with a low or mid upper. They will bring you optimal comfort thanks to their fairly flexible support. You want them light, in thick canvas, breathable, but also waterproof if the rain doesn't stop you.

For a hike on rough terrain:

To venture out on marked trails that sometimes present a certain ascending elevation, such as during a trek, it is preferable to wear shoes with a mid upper and a notched sole for better cushioning and good grip. Waterproofing is no longer an option.

For a mountain hike:

A high-upper is required to secure your foot and cope with ascents and descents which will sometimes cause you to cross scree. The sole should be quite stiff and provide good cushioning, especially if you have a large backpack. You will find models on which you can adapt crampons to evolve in the snow.

For a fast-hiking outing:

Fast-hiking is gaining more and more followers, so if you too want to embark on a fast-hike, choose hiking shoes that have low-upper and lightweight for better handling. To help you in your efforts, prefer soles with very good grip.

Dressing for hiking is, in the end, not rocket science. You just have to understand the principle of 3-layers and adapt it to the seasons. Then, whether for the trousers or the shoes, as long as your hiking clothing offers good breathability and is waterproof, you are in peace!