The weather is warming up, meaning more hiking! If you’re new to the wonderful world of hitting the trails, you might be wondering what hiking clothes to wear to stay comfortable on those hot-weather adventures. This guide will equip you with the knowledge to dress for warm-weather hikes, ensuring you stay cool, protected, and ready to conquer every step of the journey. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker looking to refresh your wardrobe or a complete beginner eager to explore the outdoors, this guide is for you!

When looking for hiking clothes to wear in warmer weather you want to look for breathable, lightweight, and moisture-wicking fabrics such as polyester, nylon, or merino wool. These materials let sweat evaporate quickly, which helps keep you cool and dry. 

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Shorts/Light Weight Hiking Pants

Whether to hike in shorts or hiking pants in the summer is totally personal preference. I enjoy feeling the breeze on my legs so I lean towards shorts. When shopping for shorts I like to make sure the pockets have zippers to keep my items safe and that the length of the shorts are long enough that I don’t have to worry about chafing or my shorts continuously riding up. I’ve been wearing these athletic shorts all summer and have them in three colors!

Hiking pants are a good option if you want to keep your legs out of the sun or to protect from scratches from bushes or branches. If you prefer hiking pants, look for lightweight, loose ones that still allow your legs to breathe. The last thing you want is a pair of tight cotton pants making your legs feel suffocated. These lightweight pants from amazon are perfect for summer! I also have these in a few colors.

Hiking Tops

If you’re looking to have extra protection on your arms, consider wearing a UV protecting long sleeve. You can find light weight, breathable ones so you stay cool and you don’t have to worry about sunburn on your arms.

Hiking Shoes

I wear my hiking boots year round, but some people prefer a lighter, more breathable shoe in the summer which is understandable. If you’re going to be hiking through water or heading to a waterfall, you might prefer to wear Chaco.

Another alternative for hiking boots are hiking shoes or a good pair of tennis shoes. Just make sure the tennis shoes have good grip so you don’t slip while hiking.

Sun Protection

Its very important to protect yourself from the sun when hitting the trails! A few ways to do this include:

1. Sunglasses – Look for sunglasses that offer 100% UV protection, blocking both UVA and UVB rays. This helps prevent damage to your eyes from prolonged sun exposure.
2. Hat – Wearing a hat keeps the sun off your face and neck and keeps it out of your eyes. Good options include a sun hat, bucket hat or a baseball cap.
3. Sun screen – You should be generously applying (and re-applying) sunscreen that is at least 30 spf.
4. Chapstick – An easy one to overlook! I have found myself with sunburnt lips too many times, so now I always carry and reapply chapstick that has spf in it.

A Few Things to Remember

• If your hiking at higher elevation, the sun is going to be more intense! It might not seem like it based on the temperature, but you are more likely to get sunburn at higher altitudes.
• You should try to hike early in the morning or later in the afternoon. If possible, you should avoid the hottest part of the day. Even with the correct gear, heat exhaustion is real.
• Always pack enough water! One 16oz water bottle is not going to cut it. I usually hike with my 3 liter water bladder. It is recommend to have 1/2 liter per hour, however I always recommend to have more than not enough.

Also be sure to keep these essentials in your hiking backpack at all times!

New to hiking? Checkout this Guide to Hiking for Beginners so you are ready when you hit the trail!