Outdoor adventures feel amazing, especially when the sun shines in full bloom. However, the sunlight also comes with potential risks for adventure enthusiasts.
The blazing heat waves can turn your fun hiking day into a miserable one. Moreover, hiking on warm days eventually means facing blistering days, ticks at night, extreme temperatures in the noon and whatnot.
Apart from all, the primary concern is what to wear when hiking summer. All of this can make hiking a daunting task. But fear not; this detailed guide will make your hiking experience much easier. In this article, we’ll guide you about the best summer hiking clothes to wear in hot weather. Moreover, we’ll also share some tips to tackle blazing heat while hiking on your favorite terrains.
What are the Best Summer Hiking Clothes to Wear in Hot Weather?
Your body is the ultimate part that is most exposed to harmful sun radiations. Therefore, when spending time outdoors or hiking on warm days, the first important tip is to cover your body entirely.
For this, you have to select the appropriate clothes that can reflect sun rays and keep you safe on hot days. But how can you get the best clothes for sunny hiking trips? Let’s find it out, below
#1: Wear Lightweight and Breathable Clothing
To survive in hot weather conditions, you must regulate your body temperature with your surroundings. Thus, dermatologists recommend wearing lightweight and breathable clothes on summer days.
For instance, you can wear shirts made from moisture-wicking material such as nylon or polyester. Outfits made using such breathable materials evaporate quickly, and thus, you’ll feel relaxed and dry. Moreover, a hot tip is to avoid wearing cotton clothes as they dry very slowly and provide comfort when you’re hiking.
#2: Wear Sun Protection Essentials
Besides selecting the right clothes, keeping an eye on your sunlight defence checklist is also crucial. This is because your other body parts, including your eyes and face, also need the same protection when you’re hiking.
For this, you can use sunscreen with high SPF on your arms, legs, and face. Plus, UV-protected sunglasses are also essential to shield your eyes against harmful sun rays.
#3: Wear Hiking Socks and Shoes
How can you forget your body’s most crucial and ultimate support system? Yes, your feet are the ones that need additional sun safety so you can hit the trail and continue a successful summer adventure.
Hence, you need highly supportive and well-built boots that are designed for hiking. Along with sturdy shoes, don’t skip adding breathable wool socks to your hiking gear, as they will prevent injuries or foot pain. We have written a detailed guide on the best hiking socks for both men and women, you can check here.
#4: Hiking Pants and Shorts
Deciding what to wear when hiking in the summer heat is tricky, especially when you have an endless collection of clothes. Sometimes, you might want to wear long-sleeved shirts; other times, you might opt for shorts. Fortunately, there is no dress code when you’re hiking in hot weather.
However, depending on the temperature range and humidity level, it’s best to wear shorts as they help keep you cool. Moreover, shorts and long pants are free-flowing, allowing you to cover long distances when it’s hot outside.
#5: Choosing the Right Shirt for Hot-Weather Hiking
Getting the right apparel is highly significant to protect yourself from intense heat. A well-made shirt helps you keep comfortable by providing continuous airflow and better ventilation. Here are some tips for selecting the right shirt for hot-weather hiking:
- Choose a shirt with breathable and lightweight materials such as merino wool or polyester. These materials will kick the moisture away and keep you cool on highly intense days.
- It should be designed with a high UPF rating to block the harmful sun rays and sunburns.
- The shirt should have an ideal fitting, not too loose nor too flexible, to allow perfect body movement during the adventure
- Opt for a light-colored shirt such as white, tan, or light grey, as they reflect sunlight more efficiently than dark-colored clothes.
How to Stay Cool and Comfortable While Hiking in the Summer?
If you’re an adventure lover, sunny days might be your favorite hiking days. When the sun shines bright and the temperature rises, your temptation to get out on the trail increases. Therefore, here are some ways to stay calm and comfortable during summer trips:
Tip#1: Choosing the Right Fabric
When planning a day’s hike, the first thing that comes to mind is what to wear when hiking summer? Although there is no specific dress for outdoor activities, lightweight clothes with loose fittings are advised. Usually, outfits made with polyester or nylon provide greater comfort and do not chafe compared to cotton clothes.
Tip#2: Staying Hydrated
Your body experiences significant water loss as you go higher, making breathing difficult. Thus, carrying water bottles in your backpack is always great to combat such situations during summer activities.
Generally, it is advised to drink at least one or half a liter of water per hour, depending on the temperature. This way, you can stay hydrated and easily walk on the tough hiking trails.
Tip#3: Essential Sun Protection Hiking Tips
Besides maintaining your hydration levels and internal body metabolism, you should also care for your exposed body parts. For instance, you can use sun safety items and apply sunblock on your arms, legs, face, and neck. For eyes, you can choose to wear quality sunglasses with 50+ SPF so the sun rays do not affect your vision.
Tip#4: Selecting the Right Hiking Gear for Summer
The answer to ‘’what to wear when going hiking in the summer’’ greatly lies in choosing the appropriate hiking items. Before you head out for a summer adventure, here are a few things that should be included in your travel pack:
- You should have durable, moisture-wicking socks to protect your feet from pain and injuries.
- A well-constructed and breathable hiking boots to comfortably cross uneven and sloppy trails.
- You can also keep a warm, wide-brimmed hat to protect your face and neck.
What Gear and Accessories are Recommended for Summer Hiking?
Hiking on sunny days can be more enjoyable when you have the right accessories. When the woods call you, you should be prepared to cross every obstacle without fear. So, without further ado, let’s have a look at the must-have summer hiking tools:
1. Choosing the Best Hiking Boots
For high breathability on hot sunny days, you should wear the right pair of lightweight hiking sandals like Chacos. The best thing is hiking sandals have durable rubber outsoles and open-heel designs to keep your feet cool and comfy.
Moreover, the best summer hiking boots are made with water-resistant leather so you can easily cross slippery surfaces. They also feature rubber toe caps and a lightweight design to reduce foot strain. Thus, when choosing the best sandals for summer hiking, consider these factors so you can get the ideal hiking partner for your next adventure.
2. Benefits of Using Trail Running Shoes
How are you supposed to continue a successful trip with blisters on your feet? That’s where the trail running shoes step up.
From providing increased stability on tough terrains to offering maximum cushioning, this pair of hiking shoes can be your favorite for summer. We have written a holistic guide on the best budget hiking boots for every trail. Do have a look. Moreover, Enlisted below are some of their unique benefits:
- Trail runners provide excellent traction and are specifically designed for adventures.
- They feature cushioned EVA midsoles for high breathability and are comfortable to wear.
- They have durable outsoles to increase foot mobility on slippery and uneven surfaces.
3. Proper Clothing for Longer Hiking Trips in Hot Weather
You might be wondering what to wear when hiking summer for an extended period. Well, it is always best to wear comfortable and lighter fabrics that can keep you cool by evaporating quickly. You can also try quick-dry and breathable pants or shirts with long sleeves, as they keep you cool and dry in warm weather.
4. Expert Advice on Hot-Weather Hiking Tools
If you’re a novice trail runner planning your first summer trip on the tricky hiking trails, you need some additional tips to stay protected.
For instance, you might need a GPS to track location without the internet, a flashlight for dangerous nights or a first aid kit box for emergencies. Therefore, expert advice is to keep extra items, such as a power bank, for a comfortable hiking experience.
How to Combat the Summer Heat While Hiking?
At this point, you’ve gained enough knowledge on what to wear when going hiking in the summer. But wait, you’re not fully prepared yet. To survive in the blazing heat rays, you need an extra layer of protection from the sun. Therefore, here are some ways to gain composure in extreme temperature conditions.
1- Wear Optimal Clothing for Hiking in the Heat
First and foremost, you need to learn what to wear on blazing days. To avoid the harmful effects of heat, you need to look for clothes that are light-colored, loose, and reflect sunlight.
For instance, you can try shorts, half-sleeve shirts, or pants, as they are ideal for hiking. Moreover, the right outfit choice will help you spend more time in the woods, and you can reach your hiking destination without any stress.
2- Understanding the Effects of Hot Weather on Hiking
Before you make up your backpack, it’s mandatory to understand how heat waves can affect your trekking and overall adventure. This is because hot weather hiking often comes with severe consequences such as a pale face, headache, and cramps. Thus, a hot tip is to be prepared for sunburns and pack your summer hiking gear for an enjoyable hike.
3- Precautions and Recommendations for Hiking in Summer
Undoubtedly, summer is the favored time for people to hit the trails. With more than 60 million people going on summer hiking trips, there is a huge need to know about safety precautions.
Hence, we have listed the safety guidelines and recommendations that’ll help you choose hiking items.
- Before you leave for the hiking adventure, check the weather updates, as the conditions can change anytime. Keep a raincoat and extra clothes in your hiking checklist for the changing atmosphere.
- Stay on the marked trails and do not venture off-trails or remote areas, as it can increase the risks of getting lost in an unknown location.
- You can also wear a sunblock and keep your sun protection essentials in the travel pack. Plus, it’s great to add snacks or food boxes to your backpack.
What Are the Considerations When Selecting the Summer Hiking Outfit?
To figure out, ‘’what to wear when hiking summer’’, you need to know the three main elements that make up ideal apparel. These are the comfort, safety, and breathability. With these crucial factors in your clothing, you’re all set to hit the trails on a sunny afternoon.
Additionally, here are some key considerations that can help you select the best hiking apparel for summer months:
Selecting Appropriate Clothing for Day Hike
When choosing apparel for summer activities, a general rule of thumb is to opt for a lightweight and highly ventilated fabric. Why? This is because ventilated clothes allow greater air circulation and keep you cool when hiking in warm weather. Plus, pants that are made of mesh linings enhance breathability and provide additional protection from the sun.
Choosing the Best Material for Hot-Weather Hiking
Apart from the apparel design and trends, the choice of the material also matters a lot. Generally, 100% recycled polyester or nylon clothes offer excellent breathability by kicking moisture away from your skin.
On the other side, apparel designed using cotton is best to avoid because cotton absorbs moisture. Thus, in hot summer months, never wear cotton socks or clothes as they can cause discomfort on the trail.
Tips for Selecting the Right Hiking Shirt and Gear
If you want to enjoy a comfortable trip, you must ask yourself ‘’what to wear when hiking in summer’’. Doing so will help you decide the right hiking pants or leggings for hot weather hiking. But is there a one-size-fits-all option for summer adventures? Let’s find out the answer by discussing the tips for selecting the right camping and hiking clothes:
- Go with a moisture-wicking base layer to protect against sun rays.
- Look for high-quality pants or leggings that are great for summer hiking.
- Pay attention to comfort and prioritize breathability.
FAQs: What To Wear When Hiking Summer
Is 80 too Hot to Hike?
What Weather is Too Hot for Hiking?
What Tops to Wear Hiking in Summer?
Should I Wear Hiking Shorts or Pants in Summer?
What Shoes Should You Wear When Hiking in the Summer?
Hike at Your Fullest Even at Blazing Hot Days
To summarize, the hot days of the year are an excellent time for hiking if you know the survival tactics. From leaving your house to completing your set miles, you have to be prepared for every unforeseen situation in this journey. Therefore, this guide on what to wear when hiking summer will make your way easier while chilling in the woods.