Do you have to change your hiking clothes every day?

Temperature changes are frequent when hiking, especially in the mountains where the weather is unpredictable. It is therefore essential to have the right clothes, but also to have a change of clothes. With today's technology, clothing is now more resistant and less likely to absorb odors. So is it essential to change your hiking clothes every day?

Image by Avi Chomotovski from Pixabay

Clothing for the upper body

When hiking, weight is of particular importance, whether you are going for a day trip on the plains or a multi-day trek in the mountains. It is therefore important that you take care not to pack too much clothing.

Today, many hiking clothes are designed to be used for several days. When it comes to first layers of natural fibres, Merino wool T-shirts are ideal for trekking. They do not absorb odors naturally. However, we do not recommend wearing synthetic fibres for several days, unless they have a special treatment (Polygiene technology to repel odors).

When hiking, you can wear your shirt for two or three days. A good tip is to take two first layers with you, wash them by hand and change them as you trek. Second and third layers are fine if you don't change them every day.

Lower body clothing

Changing your hiking trousers every day is not mandatory either. Indeed, these clothes are designed for a long use and it is not a problem to wear them several days. However, it is a good idea to bring a spare pair of trousers in case your trousers get wet or torn. Alternating trousers also allows your trousers from the previous day to breathe.

You can plan different types of trousers: light trousers, warm trousers, convertible trousers or even shorts if you are going away for several days. This allows you to better adapt to the weather conditions and your environment (trails, areas with brambles, woods, rivers...). It's a good idea to carry a pair of trousers and a spare pair in your rucksack. However, don't load up with three or four pairs of trousers.

Extra clothing

If you can keep most of your hiking clothes on every day, or wash them on the way, it is also important to bring a change of clothes on your trek.

For a multi-day trek, you should expect to have :

• A t-shirt for about two or three days of hiking. When choosing your first layer, you can choose short-sleeved shirts, but also long-sleeved ones
• A fleece. You can also optionally take a second, thinner fleece to suit the climate
• A windproof and waterproof jacket
• One or two pairs of hiking trousers (or shorts)
• At least two pairs of hiking socks
• A pair of tights which can be useful both under the trousers if it is cold or for sleeping.

Keep in mind that you should not overload yourself when you go hiking. Find out about the weather beforehand, but make sure you have clothes that are useful in all situations (cold, hot, rain, wind, etc.), especially if you are in the mountains. It is not compulsory to change clothes every day when hiking, but it is useful to bring some spare clothes.