Wearing the right hiking clothes is important for your protection and comfort, especially for us women with delicate bodies. There’s nothing worse than going out to enjoy everything that Mother Nature has given us, only to find yourself getting blisters from a poor choice of shoes or feeling suffocated by restrictive clothing, for instance. Hiking is truly a test of your strength to withstand the elements, and being as prepared as possible will allow you to fully enjoy and connect with nature.
Below, I’ve listed everything that women hikers should consider while getting dressed for a day on the trail. I’ve included some quick reviews on the gear that I personally own, along with other brands that I know to produce high-quality products to help you make the decision for the right hiking clothes.
What to Wear
What you wear will mainly depend on the weather, the anticipated activity level for the trails you’ll be hiking, and your personal preference. I recommend investing in clothes made of synthetic materials or wool, since they are moisture-wicking and will keep you cool. On the other hand, you’ll want to avoid cotton clothing as cotton tends to absorb moisture and dries slowly. In other words, you may end up hiking in a sweat-drenched shirt if that shirt is made of cotton. In addition, it is best to dress in (or bring) layers so that you can remove or add more layers during the day as needed.
If you’re just starting out and can’t afford to buy new activewear just yet, it wouldn’t be terrible to make do with what you have and buy pieces as you see fit. However, I highly recommend at least investing in a good pair of hiking boots or trail running shoes. For that reason, I’m going to start this list of hiking clothes for women from the toes up 😊
Footwear
Wearing the right footwear can make a world of difference in your enjoyment of the outdoors. Too many times I have seen people wearing stylish sneakers or regular running shoes on the trails, and I can tell that they are struggling. While those types of shoes aren’t the worst things you can wear, they also won’t do much for you on the rugged terrain. Hiking boots and trail running shoes, on the other hand, can provide excellent support, waterproofing, and traction depending on the shoes you get.
Hiking Boots Vs. Trail Running Shoes
Online, there appears to be a divide among hikers on the topic of footwear. Some hikers say that they’ve ditched hiking boots completely for the lightweight and breathable nature of trail runners. On the other hand, a lot of hikers prefer hiking boots for their durability and ankle support.
I own both, and typically pick which one to wear depending on the terrain/trail and distance.
My trail runners have more tread on them, so I like to wear them more for trails with loose terrain and steep inclines. I also like to wear them for river crossings (if I don’t bring sandals), since my hiking boots would take forever to dry.
The hiking boots I own are waterproof, so I will wear them if I’m expecting mud and/or shallow streams on the trail. I’d also consider wearing my boots if the area is known for venomous snakes.. Not that boots would protect me 100% – I just feel safer. I’ve never felt like my ankles were going to give out on a day hike, but if I did, I would definitely wear my hiking boots because they have better ankle support.
If none of the above conditions apply or I don’t know what to expect, I will usually go for my hiking boots.
My Gear
These are the hiking boots I own:
Women’s Norwood Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots by Timberland
Quick Review: I love that they provide just the right amount of support without being too big and clunky. I also really love the styles that Timberland offers.
These are the trail running shoes I own:
Women’s Nike Wildhorse
*I own an older version than the one linked above.
Quick Review: I’m not particularly opinionated about these trail runners. They’re comfy and do their job. For my next trail runners, I will definitely get a different brand though.
More Brands to Consider
Sandals
Some people say they wear sandals when hiking 😱😓 Yea, I don’t recommend that. Emil pulled a muscle in his ankle while hiking on rocky terrain in “hiking sandals” before. The doctor put him in an ankle boot, and he was out for the whole summer. Don’t put your hiking adventures at risk! Wear footwear that will provide the proper support for your feet.
With that said, there is a time and a place for sandals, and that time/place usually involves water. If at any time the trail crosses a river, I will whip out a pair of sandals from my pack when possible. 
A large majority of hikers love Chaco sandals. For me, they weren’t comfortable. I actually prefer Keen sandals, even though they aren’t as stylish. They form to my feet perfectly. Neither brand is better than the other, just be aware that you may need to try your sandals on to see which fits you best.
Socks and Liner
Since hiking boots are dense and rugged, you’ll want to wear them with a good pair of hiking socks that won’t fall apart with strenuous activity. Wearing thinner socks could also cause skin chafing and blisters from the abrasion.
Darn Tough makes a superior hiking sock that will last for years (also availble on Amazon). It’s made of wool, which will prevent odor and bacteria growth. Smartwool is a good brand as well.
For some people with sensitive skin, however, the wool can cause skin irritation. So you may need to wear a silk sock liner underneath.
Make sure you bring your hiking socks with you when trying on boots, because you may need to go up a size to accommodate the extra bulk depending on the socks you get.
Hiking Pants and Leggings
Hiking pants and active leggings are optimal for hiking, because they’re more breathable, moisture-wicking, and offer more stretch than everyday clothes. They’re also built to last with strenuous activity. Hiking shorts can be a comfy option as well, but I personally can’t stand getting itchy legs from walking through tall brush, or even just brush sticking out into the trail.
That’s not to say you can’t wear jeans while hiking – you can, and some hikers even prefer it. With that said, it is a very small minority of hikers.
Under Armour makes the best active leggings – they’re my favorite choice for bottoms. Eddie Bauer makes a good variety of hiking pants too.
Moisture-Wicking Top
Active tops, running tops, or any top that is moisture-wicking will work perfectly for hiking. I’d also recommend wearing a sports bra instead of the traditional bra while hiking, because it will offer more flexibility with activity.
I actually don’t have any good recommendations for tops or sports bras, so if you have some for me, drop ‘em in the comments!
I currently wear cotton tanks (which as we’ve determined before isn’t the best at moisture-wicking) and Victoria Secret sports bras, so I feel like I could definitely be doing a lot better. What are some brands you guys would like me to review? Let me know!
Wide-Brimmed Hat
I am particularly careful about protecting my face, neck, and ears from harmful UV rays. There was one year, when I was living in Florida, I spent a long few days out on the beach. I got so tan that I couldn’t wear any of my skin makeup for several months – it just didn’t match anymore. 😭
Can you imagine the skin damage that would result from getting that much sun on a regular basis? The effects are obviously long-lasting. A large amount of exposure to UV rays causes genetic mutations in skin cells that can kill the cell altogether, or cause uncontrolled growth aka cancer. At the absolute minimum, it causes premature aging. For this reason, I try to wear a wide-brimmed hat on trails that I know are more exposed to the sun.
This is the hat I use:
EvoShield Bucket Hat
Quick Review: I like it, because it’s packable and washable.
Other Brands: Outdoor Research makes some really nice hats that offer great coverage as well. If you’re looking for something less hiker-ly, Billabong and Quicksilver have some really cute wide-brimmed straw hats too.
Dad hats work too, but you will not get nearly as much protection, especially for the ears and neck. Nevertheless, a hat is never an alternative for proper sunscreen.
Sunglasses
Did you know that eyes can get sunburnt just like skin? It’s true, and also very damaging. That’s why it’s important to protect your eyes with sunglasses that provide UV protection. Make sure you buy one that clearly states it “blocks 99% of UV rays.”
I tend to lose my sunglasses and damage them often, so I usually just buy something cheap and generic.
Rain Jacket
I always bring a rain jacket, because getting caught in the rain without one has to be one of my biggest pet peeves. Even if there is no rain expected according to the weather report, that can change quickly in some places. Plus, my rain jacket is light and packable, so it isn’t really an inconvenience to bring in my pack. It can also function as a windbreaker if for some reason you didn’t pack a jacket.
Winter Clothes
Don’t let cold winter weather stop you from enjoying the outdoors. Instead, pack on the layers to ensure you’ll stay warm. A great man once told me, “There’s no such thing as bad weather – just bad clothes.” …I think it was a Scheel’s employee, but you get my point 😅
Base Layer
My absolute favorite base layer is Under Armour’s base layer crew and leggings. It varies in warmth, with 1.0 being the coolest and 4.0 being the warmest.
I went out on my balcony wearing only the Under Armour base layer 4.0 (with boots and a beanie) when it was 6°F (-14°C). I was out there for half an hour, and while I was still a bit cold, I was completely comfortable.
However, you will definitely want to consider the level of activity you’ll be doing while wearing a base layer, and the temperatures you’ll be experiencing. If you’re going to be more active, you won’t need as warm of a base layer since your body will be generating more heat.
Outerwear
As far as winter jackets go, I am sold on Columbia’s Omni-heat technology. I have worn products by more prestigious brands, and they were not as warm as jackets with Columbia’s Omni-heat. The Omni-heat technology is used in a variety of their clothing products, such as jackets, pants, shoes, and vests. You can tell if an item has it, because the inside will be lined with a reflective foil-like material, similar to a space blanket.
This is the winter coat I own: Women’s Carson Pass Interchange Jacket
Quick Review: Out of all my heavy winter jackets, the is my favorite. It’s a 3-in-1 jacket, so I can wear it altogether as a winter coat, or separate it to wear as a puffy jacket and rain jacket. The look is very versatile as well – appropriate for hiking or running errands.
Packable Jacket
If you’re just looking for a jacket to bring along in your pack during the fall months, I’d recommend a packable jacket instead. Eddie Bauer makes packable jackets really well, in my opinion. Being able to fold it up into its pocket to save space is always handy, and you’ll never have to sacrifice warmth for space again.
Beanie, Ear Warmer, Winter Gloves
Permethrin
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