What to wear for your hiking activities?

Depending on the type of hiking activity, your equipment and clothing will vary. Some activities will require more technical, resistant and insulating clothing than others which will favour lightness, comfort and mobility. In order to choose the right clothing for your hiking activities, you need to consider each activity and its needs.

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What are hiking activities?

Hiking is a long walk in the open air. It can be done alone or in a group and can be done in different ways. Each activity is more or less technical:

Hiking: the best known and most practised activity. Its equipment varies according to the environment, the difficulty and the duration of the hike.

Mountaineering: climbing in high mountains on rocky, snowy or icy terrain. In addition to physical ability, specific equipment is required to cope with the sometimes extreme conditions.

Nordic walking: an endurance sport that requires little technical equipment

Snowshoeing: allows you to hike in winter when there is snow. Clothing is not as technical as for mountaineering, but needs to be sufficiently insulating to fight against the cold.

Ski touring: a leisure activity that is practised on snowy terrain. It requires equipment adapted to the ascent and descent of the mountain.

Essential clothing for different activities

Some activities, such as Nordic walking, require very little essential clothing. You'll want to focus on freedom of movement with clothing like running tights and a technical t-shirt.

Dressing for hiking will depend on many factors. Outdoor trousers (more or less technical depending on the season and the environment) and several layers that vary for the upper body (t-shirt, fleece or down jacket and protective jacket) are sufficient.

Snowshoeing and ski touring often take place in the mountains and in a cold and snowy environment. It is therefore essential that your clothing protects you from the cold and bad weather (snow, rain, wind, etc.). Gloves are also essential.

Finally, mountaineering requires more technical clothing such as mountaineering trousers, waterproof overtrousers, gloves, under-gloves, gaiters, a waterproof jacket, warm socks, etc., as well as all the accessories required for this activity (helmet, harness, ice axe, crampons, etc.).

Clothing for hiking activities is different depending on the type of activity. Some, such as Nordic walking, require simple clothing, others, such as hiking, require clothing that changes according to several factors, and others, such as mountaineering, require highly technical clothing to face the harsh conditions of the high mountains.