Clothing to start hiking

Every year, more and more people decide to start hiking. There are many reasons for this: the desire to exercise, to enjoy nature, to discover new landscapes... And even though this activity requires little preparation and equipment when you start out, it is still important to wear suitable clothing. Resistant, breathable and light clothing allows you to walk the trails in good conditions. So, how do you choose the right clothing for your first hike?

Clothing for the upper body

Clothes for beginning hiking in summer are simple and light. When the weather is good, you can hike in short sleeves. T-shirts, tank tops or shirts are light and breathable. To protect yourself from UV rays, you can choose clothes that cover your arms. Long-sleeved shirts or T-shirts are ideal.

To equip yourself for hiking in all seasons, we will favour technical clothing and the three-layer system. This system, which is breathable, insulating and protective, is easy to put in place. It allows you to modulate your clothing according to the outside temperature.

The outfit consists of a breathable first layer, such as a merino wool or synthetic t-shirt; the second layer is an insulating fleece or down jacket; the third layer is a protective wind or rain jacket. If the weather permits, you can replace the last two layers with a softshell jacket that is insulating, protective, windproof and waterproof.

Clothing for the lower body

For the lower body, clothing for beginning hiking will also depend on the climate and the environment. When the weather is nice and warm, you can wear breathable shorts, trousers, light trousers or trousers that can be converted into shorts for hiking. The elastic material and the tight fit of the trousers allow you to move freely while ensuring good breathability. Keep in mind that shorts have few pockets and do not protect your legs from the environment around you (high grass, brambles, rocks...).

For winter, you can choose light trousers with leggings for more insulation. In cold weather, however, it is better to choose lined or brushed trousers which are much warmer and more protective.

Footwear to start hiking

Good shoes are essential for starting out on a hike. This is the element that you should not overlook. In order to choose the right shoes, you can refer to the type of terrain, the weight you will carry and the duration of your hike.

Low-top shoes are suitable for beginners. They are comfortable, soft and airy. You can use them for a few hours of trail walking with a small backpack. If you want to go on a more active hike, with more elevation changes, you can also choose shoes with low uppers designed for this activity.

For more technical hikes, with more elevation changes and a heavier backpack, medium and high upper shoes are more suitable. They have a better grip and support the ankle.

Essential accessories

In order to protect yourself from the sun, it is essential to equip yourself with protective accessories. For hiking in summer, remember to take a cap or hat (the latter has the advantage of protecting the whole head and neck), sunglasses and suitable sun protection.

Protecting the extremities of the body is essential to fight against the cold. Think of equipping yourself with a hat, a pair of gloves and a neck warmer. The latter is more breathable and less bulky than a scarf.

You don't need to buy expensive clothes and shoes to start hiking. However, you should make sure that they are sufficiently breathable, insulating and protective. Even if your first few hikes are fairly short, it's best to be properly equipped to deal with any showers or wind that may occur.