by Brian Connelly

Whether you live on the trail, in a nearby community, or are traveling a bit further to a trailhead, being prepared is necessary for having an enjoyable and safe experience on the CDT. Read on for some of Brian’s best tips for gearing up for a hike.

A passing hiker I met in Montana once described hiking clothing as being like a cell phone’s network connection – if it’s working well, then you shouldn’t consciously notice it. It’s when things stop working that it can be frustrating, and in some instances, even dangerous. So if the clothing you choose to wear can have such a significant impact on the enjoyment (and safety) of your trip – what exactly should you be wearing?

We’ll take you through the fundamentals of what you should consider when choosing your outfit, provide some suggestions, and give you a couple advanced tips to help you stay dry as you hike the San Juans on a rainy day or stay cozy and warm on a day in Yellowstone.

What to Wear Hiking: The Cardinal Rules

In Scandinavia, they have a saying that translates to “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” So what makes for suitable clothing?

1. Keep Your Core Warm (but not hot)

A basic fundamental of body physiology is that it is your body’s core that generates the heat to keep you warm. So, it should shock no-one that the principal purpose of your hiking garb is to help your body maintain (and regulate) that temperature.

That said, the flip of this is you don’t want to become too hot, which leads us to…

2. Stay Dry

Staying dry in the backcountry can be a tricky proposition, and everyone who has hiked knows there is a distinct correlation between how dry your togs are and the amount of fun you’re having. Additionally, getting wet, especially in high winds, increases the risk of hypothermia.

When it comes to your clothing and staying dry, there are two key elements that you need to consider: precipitation and perspiration. Unfortunately, many waterproof garments can be great at keeping the rain out, but you’ll feel like a soggy swamp inside as the sweat accumulates. However, with careful selection of clothing and a layering system, you can actively keep any rainfall out, reduce the amount of sweat you perspire, and allow any to escape easily.

3. Protect Your Skin

While staying dry and warm should be the most important factor in selecting any outfit for the trails, protecting your skin from the elements shouldn’t be too far behind. You may long for the warmth of the sun’s rays, but you shouldn’t overlook the damage that prolonged exposure can cause. This is even more of a risk at higher elevations along the CDT, where the UV-radiation can reflect off that snowfield you’re crossing.

Choosing clothing that has high SPF values (look for 50+), will help prevent sunburn. In addition, a good sun hat and a pair of sunglasses are heartily recommended. Lastly, whenever the mercury drops, throw on a pair of gloves and a warm hat to help protect your hands and ears from getting “nippy” or, in extreme situations, frostbite.

4. Limit Cotton

A mistake often made by beginners, and which has led to dangerous situations for many hikers around the world, is wearing cotton garments – specifically, cotton t-shirts or jeans. While cotton is cheap and can be trendy to wear around town, cotton garments have poor ‘wicking’ ability and will hold onto this water, significantly reducing the clothing’s ability to keep you warm. 

How to Dress for Hiking – Layering System

Whether you are taking a day-hike to Cataract Lake, exploring the San Pedro Parks Wilderness or hiking all the way from Mexico to Canada, you need to be prepared for multiple weather conditions. That beautiful sunny day can suddenly become a lot damper when an afternoon thunderstorm blows through. To boldly face any weather conditions (without packing a suitcase worth of clothing into your pack), experienced hikers will dress in layers. These layers each have a specific purpose and complement each other. As weather conditions change, it is easy to throw on (or off) a layer to help adhere to our “cardinal rules.”

Base Layer

The base layer sits next to your skin, and its primary purpose is to draw (or ‘wick’) sweat away from your body. In addition, this layer will provide some warmth. Typically, base layers will be constructed of merino wool or synthetic materials that dry quickly and should be comfortable against your skin.

Mid Layer

Your mid-layer is all about warmth and helping you retain your body heat. Depending on your preferences and the prevailing conditions, mid-layer clothing can take various forms: from a simple synthetic long-sleeved shirt offering light protection to a down-jacket.

Shell Layer

Lastly, the shell layer is there to protect you from the elements. Shell layer garments are designed to be water/wind resistant and will tend to be the heavier/bulkier clothing you take with you.

Adjusting for the Expected Weather Conditions

While we would recommend that you wear/pack all three layers on every trip, the layering system should be seen as a framework that you can (and should) adapt based on the hike and weather conditions you expect. There are a wide range of options available for each part of the layering system, and some will be more suited to certain situations than others. To take two extreme examples:

• Short Warm Weather Hike
  • Base Layer: Synthetic t-shirt
  • Mid Layer: Synthetic long-sleeved t-shirt & shorts
  • Shell Layer: Lightweight, softshell rain jacket
• Cold Weather Hike
  • Base Layer: Wool top & tights
  • Mid Layer: Fleece top, fleece-lined pants & down jacket
  • Shell Layer: Hardshell jacket & waterproof pants

The beauty of the system is to make you carefully consider your clothing selection to (1) wick, (2) stay warm, and (3) stay dry – while allowing the freedom to choose based on the situation and your preferences.

Extra Tips

Here are a collection of more tips to help keep you dry, warm, and having fun on the trail:

• Never leave home without a spare pair of socks and gloves in your pack. Being able to change out of a soggy pair of socks and into a fresh pair mid-hike is an almost heavenly experience.
• Do NOT wait until that 10-mile hike next weekend to break in your new hiking boots. Wear them around the house for a few walks around the block before you go for a long walk in the backcountry.
• It’s not just about clothing. Keeping a measured pace and taking regular (short breaks) can help prevent you from sweating too much.

Whether you are gearing up to do a half-day trek, a day-hike, a multi-day section hike, or spending the upcoming months hiking the full trail, choosing adequate hiking clothing is hugely important. Protect yourself, your companions, and rescue workers by making smart decisions on what to wear and pack when you hit the trails.

Brian Connelly is an avid hiker, backpacker, and geologist who has hiked (and mapped) through 27 states and four continents. In his spare time, he writes about outdoor adventuring for My Open Country.