Hiking clothing is a moisture management problem before it is a warmth problem. You generate heat and sweat while moving and lose both when you stop, so the system that works is one you can adjust rather than one that is correct at a single temperature.
- 1
Avoid cotton for anything that matters
Cotton absorbs moisture, holds it against skin, and stops insulating entirely when wet. In cold conditions that turns a wet shirt into a genuine hazard rather than a discomfort. Synthetic or merino for base layers, always — this is the single most consequential clothing rule in hiking.
- 2
Base layer: move moisture away from skin
A synthetic or merino shirt that wicks sweat off the skin. Merino resists odour and keeps some warmth when damp; synthetic dries faster and costs less. Fit should be close enough to contact skin without restricting movement.
The layering systemHow the three layers work togetherRead Guide → - 3
Mid layer: insulation you can remove
A fleece or light insulated jacket that goes on when you stop and comes off when you climb. The mistake is wearing insulation while working hard, which soaks it with sweat and leaves you colder later when you actually need it.
- 4
Shell: wind first, rain second
Wind is what turns a comfortable 50°F into an uncomfortable one, and a three-ounce wind shirt handles most days better than a rain jacket does. Carry a proper waterproof shell for actual rain, and use the wind layer for everything else.
Shell options comparedHardshell, softshell, and ponchoRead Guide → - 5
Legs, feet, and head
Synthetic or nylon trousers over cotton jeans, which are heavy, cold when wet, and slow to dry. Wool or synthetic socks, never cotton. A hat for sun in summer and warmth in winter — a large share of comfort in both directions comes from the head.
Sun protectionClothing as the first defenceRead Guide → - 6
Keep dry clothes that never get worn hiking
On any overnight trip, a set of sleep clothes that stay in the pack all day. Wet hiking clothes go back on unpleasantly in the morning, and that is the correct trade for a dry warm night. This is a safety measure in cold conditions rather than a comfort one.
What to Wear by Season
| Season | Base | Mid | Shell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Light synthetic or sun hoody | Optional light layer | Wind shirt |
| Spring/autumn | Merino or synthetic | Fleece | Rain shell plus wind layer |
| Winter | Midweight merino | Fleece plus insulated jacket | Waterproof shell |
| Hot and exposed | UPF sun hoody | None | Wind shirt for evenings |