The summer is a beautiful time to get out into nature and start hiking. However, hiking in the summer can mean being outside in intense heat, so it’s crucial to think about what to wear hiking in summer.
Of course, you want to stay cool and avoid overheating. Still, it’s also vital to protect yourself from sunburn and those pesky summer bugs.
So how do you make sure that you have appropriate clothes for trekking in the heat? We’ve put together this helpful hiking clothing guide to break down exactly what to wear on a hike this summer.
What To Consider When Deciding What To Wear Hiking In Summer
When shopping for clothing for trekking, there are a few key things to look for.
Loose, Breathable Fabric
Many hiking clothing specifically designed for hot climates will have ventilation to release excess heat and regulate your body temperature.
They will also be light and loose to reduce sweating and overheating. Certain fabrics are more breathable than others, such as nylon and polyester.
These are two good material choices as they are relatively quick-drying, so they control sweat and moisture well.
Light Colors
Dark colors absorb the sun’s rays and make you feel even hotter. However, light colors reflect the sun’s rays; thus, they help to keep you cool.
The lighter colors you wear, the better, so opt for white, beige, or light tan.
UPF-Rated Clothing
Just like sunglasses, some summer clothes for trekking will have UPF ratings. This means it is guaranteed to protect against the sun’s harmful rays.
There are different levels of UPF rating, such as UPF 15, UPF 30, and UPF 50+.
Hiking Socks
If it’s hot out, you may be tempted to wear the thinnest pair of trainer socks you have. However, even in the summer, it’s best to wear socks specifically designed for hiking.
This will prevent rubbing and blistering. Also, avoid cotton socks and choose wool or synthetic fabrics instead.
Head Protection
When you’re deciding what to wear hiking in summer, a hat is an essential item.
Regardless of whether you’re a hat person or not, a hat will give your head, face, and neck much-needed protection from the sun. Hats do a great job at preventing both overheating and sunburn.
A UPF-rated sun hat will give you the best protection as the rim goes all the way around to create shade for both your face and the back of your neck.
Shorts Or Pants?
Although shorts are generally a go-to item of clothing for hiking in the summer, many hikers prefer to wear long pants.
This is because shorts may keep you cool, but they don’t protect you against all the bugs that summer brings, like mosquitos and ticks.
If you want to protect your legs, look for a lightweight, loose pair of hiking pants with vents.
The Best Women’s Clothing For Trekking In The Summer
If you’re wondering what to wear to go hiking, here are a few wardrobe staples for women that are useful in most environments and situations!
A Quick-Dry, Breathable Top
I like to wear short-sleeved quick-drying workout tops on my hikes as the moisture-wicking fabric dries up sweat rapidly.
Your hiking top should feel light, breezy, and breathable, and it should have plenty of ventilation holes.
The Jack Smith women’s short sleeve dry-fit shirt is made from a mesh style fabric and has small vents along the shoulders (front and back) and micro air holes on the upper back.
The dry-fit technology helps to regulate your temperature, prevent overheating, and release excess air.
The fabric is soft, lightweight, and stretchy, so rather than sticking to you, it moves around to let your skin breathe without causing friction or irritation.
Lightweight, Stretchy Shorts
When it comes to bottoms, shorts with UPF protection will shield you from the sun’s harmful rays and prevent your thighs from burning.
Your hiking shorts should also be breathable and stretchy enough for comfortable movement.
Another thing I always look for in my hiking shorts is zip pockets. It’s easy to overlook this feature, but zip pockets come in handy when hiking up a steep mountain.
You can keep your phone, keys, and any other valuables safe without the worry of them falling out.
The Baleaf women’s UPF 50+ quick-drying hiking shorts are one of the best items of clothing for hiking for many reasons. They are specifically designed for trekking and are lightweight, durable, and quick-drying.
The four-way stretch fabric they are made from lets your skin breathe and quickly wicks up your sweat.
To make them extra moisture-wicking, they also have a durable water repellent finish that keeps the interior dry. What’s more, they have multiple zip pockets!
Breathable Pants With UPF Protection
Whenever I hike in the late afternoon around sunset, I wear pants instead of shorts.
At this time, mosquitoes are most prevalent, so long pants protect my legs from getting attacked. But, with hiking pants, a lightweight and breathable fabric is a must.
I adore these Xtansuo women’s lightweight hiking pants because the polyester fabric is thin and breathable with a four-way stretch. They’re also quick-drying, so I can stay cool and not worry about sweat marks.
In fact, they are one of the best sweat-resistant pants I’ve found, thanks to their moisture-wicking fabric and durable water repellent finish.
These pants also have UPF 50+ protection to stop harmful ultraviolet rays from damaging your skin.
SOURCE: A BROKEN BACKPACK
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