Whether you’re an experienced hiker, or new to the hobby, there’s always more ground to be covered. Hiking usually consists of scenic terrain, appreciating nature, and some people use it to challenge their fitness goals. It’s a worldwide hobby with endless opportunities to travel and experience new environments.
Which is why you should be conscious of how you prepare yourself for these adventures. Summer hiking clothes, supplies and awareness play key roles in a fun filled trip in warm weather. Hiking in your hometown, or even your home country, may be drastically different from booking a trip overseas to conquer new territories.
When considering a trip somewhere you’ve never been before, be sure to check the conditions. Not only does the weather play a huge factor, but also the level of experience you may require to hike certain trails.
Be aware of what to wear when hiking in the summer time, as different regions may have extreme shifts in heat, humidity and even unexpected rain showers. Particularly a hiker needs to be prepared for unexpected weather like wet conditions and have rain jackets ready, just in case. You may also like to checkout our best hiking clothes post.
Hiking shoes for summer
First and foremost, your hiking shoes. A comfortable pair of hiking boots or sneakers are crucial. Ensuring comfort throughout your trip will keep you going longer and help you push yourself to the end of your trail with ease. Although some like to argue that during summer hiking boots can be burdensome, as they lock in the heat.
In this case, and contrary to popular belief, hiking sandals can be just as efficient, while also allowing your feet to breathe. They specifically design hiking sandals to be safe and offer the same sturdy support as boots. They’re lightweight and can even get wet, perfect for those quick dips you might take to cool off on your way.
But first some summer hiking essentials.
Tips for summer hiking
Speaking of cooling off, it’s essential to know when your body needs a break! You lose fluids twice as fast in the heat. To supplement this, you need to double your water consumption for every hour you are hiking, some people even freeze their water bottles, and you should also incorporate electrolytes into your diet.
Switching back and forth between water and a sport’s drink like Gatorade will help keep your energy levels up, along with eating salty snacks, more of them than usual.
If you get a chance, go for a swim while hiking. It’ll help bring your core body temperature down and reduce the risk of heat stroke. Remember though, it’s important not to shock your body with freezing water, and equally as important to let yourself dry out.
You might need a bathing suit
This is where your bathing suit might come in handy alongside the rest of your summer hiking gear. Keeping an extra change of clothes is important, since you won’t want to suction yourself back into the sweaty ones you were wearing before your swim.
And this should go without saying, but just because you went for a refreshing swim doesn’t mean you can stop hydrating. Keep drinking water!
Pack extra layers
These tips are especially important when hiking at night. Many people mistake the idea of hypothermia only being a concern during winter months, but that’s not the case. Bring extra layers if you plan on camping out. Long sleeve shirts, light jackets, even hoodies or sweatpants. Not being prepared for chilly evenings can put you at the same risk during summer months.
But watch out for heat stroke
It’s also dangerous to be unaware of the signs of a heat stroke. Regardless of your stance on climate change, we can all agree there are certain temperatures where we draw the line. If you plan on hiking during these hot summer months, try to do so in the early morning, before 10 AM, and avoid going between lunch time until 4 PM, this is when the most heat-related injuries occur. Don’t overexert yourself, and take weather warnings seriously.
High body temperate is the obvious sign of a heat stroke, but you also need to be on the lookout for altered mental state or behavior, excessive sweating, headache, nausea or even vomiting, overly flushed skin, erratic breathing and overly active heart rate.
Whether it was caused from exposure to heat or overly strenuous activity, it’s crucial to take immediate action. Heat stroke can also be caused by dehydration, age, certain medications or certain health conditions, and can cause vital organ damage. The best way to prevent this is to ensure you’re physically prepared and equipped with the right summer hiking clothing and supplies.
Early morning hikes are best, along with shaded trails. Beat the heat! Staying hydrated is crucial, and taking breaks as often as you need them will keep you from wearing yourself out quickly. Wear sunscreen, and a wide-brimmed hat to keep the sun off your face and neck. Pack extra clothing in case you need to change. You can also keep a bandana around your neck and periodically dip it in water to keep you cool.
Hiking shirts for summer
When it comes to shirts, a lightweight long sleeve shirt that is light weight and made of breathable material as an outer layer might be your best bet. Seems silly to wear long sleeves in summer, but it’s actually an advantage, as it helps prevent sun exposure and insects bites. Since it will most likely be your base layer for summer hiking, you have to pick it wisely. While the sun is shining hot, you might not need any extra layer. But your hiking outfits must be packed with insulated jackets
During summer, you’re more prone to being targeted by bugs and insects due to the amount of skin exposure, and each year Lyme disease increases by over 300,000 new cases. Long sleeves will help deter them, but you should still check after each hike, and report an unusual symptoms to your healthcare provider.
Any old long sleeve shirt won’t do though. We generally love cotton, since it’s soft and warm, but that’s the opposite of what you’ll want on a hike, as it retains heat and sweat and will end up uncomfortably clinging to you. Shirts made of synthetic materials like polyester, nylon and merino wool are better options for the outdoorsman (or woman).
Bottoms for summer hikes
When choosing bottoms there are far more options, but many hikers prefer hiking pants. They’re breathable and dry quickly. Also most of them unzip, so they can convert into shorts if the weather gets hotter than predicted.
If zip off pants aren’t your style, you can opt for some lightweight leggings or gym pants. Whatever you choose, be sure they allow for a wide range of movement, as this is the part of your body that’ll be getting the most action. The right summer hiking attire is so important!
June 4th is National Trails day. This is the threshold for summer recreational kick off. There will be thousands of activities going on in parks all over, and summer time is the most popular time to travel and hike, which means more people hitting the trails. While this is wonderful, don’t forget to be considerate, keep trails clean, stay safe, and always be aware of your surroundings, but most importantly have fun!