Hiking Fashion 101
For everyone who isn’t that much (or at all) into hiking, they probably see us as a weird bunch of nature lovers roaming around aimlessly. Naturally, that image goes together with us carrying oversized backpacks, wearing shoes that hurt and tracksuits that stink because we’ve had no place to stop at and take a shower. While we won’t deny there have been situations like these (not too many, thank God!), hiking is so much more than that! Depending on your hiking goals, every hike tour turns into an experience for itself – from epic journeys through magnificent mountains and forests to light, fun jaunts around your neighborhood, local parks or the suburbs (or anywhere else, for that matter). The idea behind a good hike is multi-fold; some use it to get a mental clarity and perspective, others to get in shape, the third to build up strength and endurance in their lungs and legs, the fourth… oh, God knows! We are all in it for different reasons but the beauty of it is that we stand united in the (same) method we’ve chosen – hiking.
A few hiking key points
Before you take up hiking as your sport of choice or your mobile meditative method, you should decide on a few key hiking points that will make the whole experience more pleasurable, fun and safe. The idea is to start light but set high goals; don’t make your first hike the Appalachian Trail but something easier that can be done in a day tops. Decide on the length of the hike before you start hiking. Another pretty important thing to decide is whether you’d like to go solo or with a group; if you love going solo, hike through safe places where you won’t be exposed to dangerous situations. In case you’ve planned a longer hike alone, a smart thing to do would be to let someone close to you know that you’ll be hiking and where, so that they can be alert should something happen. If, however, you are going with a group, you are each other’s support system, so you should be fine regardless of the destination. Depending on the length of your hike, bring enough food and water to get you through the hike.
The right hiking fashion
While some hikers might argue that wearing a tracksuit to your hiking adventures is the best way to go, we’ll have to disagree with that one. Yes, comfort is paramount when you hit the trail but not all comforts are created equal. Experienced hikers know this by now, but we’ll give all of you who are just starting out a few pointers on hiking outfits:
Avoid cotton
Although cotton is one of the most pleasant materials to wear when you are chilling in your home or “hiking” to the supermarket, when you go on an actual hike, it’s better you wear wool and synthetic materials instead. Why? Once it gets wet, cotton becomes a poor insulator that tends to make you feel colder and potentially increases the risk of hypothermia.
Layer up
Depending on the weather you are hiking in, you should choose your outfits wisely: if you are hiking in warm/hot weather, make sure you wear light hiking gear like shorts and synthetic t-shirts. If, however, you are hiking in colder weather, layering up is a must. Include long thermal underwear if possible.
Stay stylish
No, a hike doesn’t mean wearing ultra-ugly clothes; if anything, hiking clothes should be super stylish and cute, especially for women/girls. many people tend to experiment with different fashion styles with regard to their clothes when going for a hike. For instance, cannabis in fashion seems to be adopted by a lot of people (read this to know more) especially trekkers and hikers as a comparison to being close to nature. Many people like to wear cute cannabis-inspired tops with quirky quotes that look good on them. With a gorgeous hiking outfit, you’ll feel even more pumped up about completing your hike successfully, believe us. Everyone has different tastes but if you’re obsessed with quality like we are, you’ll definitely jump onto the Ivy Park clothing wagon and enjoy Queen B’s creations that are made for both curvy and skinny hikers. If Ivy Park creations aren’t your cup of tea, find those that fit your tastes; the idea of good hiking gear is to keep you warm, comfy, wind and waterproof.
Add an insulating layer
Every hiker should have a fleece jacket, comfortable stretchy leggings and a warm wool sweater. These will keep you warm when the weather gets chilly.
Wear hiking socks
Unlike your regular socks, hiking-specific socks are made to offer more breathability and cushioning than cotton tube socks. Wearing these, your feet will stay protected from blisters and any other feet discomfort.
Closing words
Hiking is great, especially if you’re an adventurer. As long as you’re committed and/or have an awesome hiking crew to share your enthusiasm with, all of your hiking moments will be unforgettable! And cute hiking outfits don’t hurt, either!