What you REALLY need to pack for a hiking trip

Social media makes it seem as though the outdoors has a dress code. It doesn't.

This issue is sponsored by LMNT Electrolytes, which is a must-pack for all of my hikes. Adding a pack or two to my water reservoir helps me stay hydrated, energized, and replenish the electrolytes I lose when I sweat. They’re tiny and easy to toss in your bag, and I’ve been a trail angel more than once, handing them out to hikers who are tired, hot, or just need a little treat to keep going. Get a free 8-pack sampler with any LMNT purchase, including their cult-favorites Lemonade and Pink Lemonade Salt, or their NEW lightly-caffeinated Iced Tea Lemonade.

I love hiking. I also genuinely enjoy picking out a cute trail outfit the night before my hike. And I do! I try on different shorts and top color combos, find the right bandana, and add a pair of colorful wool-blend hiking socks. Performing well on the trail and looking cute while doing it can absolutely coexist. The trick is making style serve the hike—not the other way around.

Nowhere was this more evident than my Switzerland trip, where I prioritized function over fashion (despite being served a ton of “what cool girls are wearing on the trail” content on TikTok). Because there is nothing cute about chafing, blisters, being cold and wet, or getting hurt.

Is this dramatic? Is a pair of trendy hiking pants going to make or break a hike? Probably not. But a bunch of new gear bought for aesthetics and not practicality very well might. Here’s what I actually pack for a hiking trip.

@abby.neffREALISTIC hiking wardrobe for a 3 day backpacking trip. Looking cute is a non negotiable for me but I'm also only interested in committing to clothes that are functional. Entire look linked in bio :) @REI @prAna @Patagonia @COTOPAXI @lululemon @HOKA @Vuori Clothing @Gregory #hikingfashion #backpackingoutfit #yosemite #hikingessentials

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Shoes

I know certain brands are having a moment right now (Salomon, Hoka) but none of that matters if they don’t fit your feet. Case in point, I tried on four pairs of Salomon at REI recently, and none of them felt good. They’re fantastic shoes! Just not for me.

Shoes are highly subjective. Everyone’s body, level of experience, and goals on the trail are different. Do you need waterproof shoes? It depends. Are trail runners better than boots? It depends! I wear all variations here, depending on the trail and conditions. But please make sure your shoes are (a) meant for the trail, not the road, (b) comfortable over long distances, and (c) sized appropriately, which usually means going up a half-size. Break them in well before your trip, too, especially boots or sturdier hiking shoes.

I packed two pairs for Switzerland: My trusty Danner waterproof boots, which I’ve worn for three years now, and last year’s Brooks trail runners. I mostly wore my boots, as they are supremely comfortable and I knew we might encounter some snow, water, and rocky terrain.

Pants vs shorts

Pants and shorts are also subjective, but there are some best practices. If you’re hiking in a tick-heavy area (which is many places this summer), light-colored pants are a safer bet. You can even tuck them into your socks to create a tick-proof barrier. If pants aren’t comfortable, pick a pair of shorts that are light, breathable, and comfortable. I like longer, looser shorts for the trail, although bike shorts might also work for you.

The trend now is to wear baggy, loose-fitting hiking pants. They do look cute—but if they’re too baggy, too loose, too long, or too short, they won’t be comfortable. They can chafe, leave exposed skin, or get caught on poles or in branches. If you're investing in hiking clothes, I'd rather see you buy one pair you'll happily wear for five years than chase the styles trending this season.

I packed two pairs of light hiking pants, but only wore them in town. They’re cut looser, but not baggy, and they’ll hold up season after season. I wore shorts on the trail: Two pairs were running shorts with a built-in liner. One pair was looser and longer, which I paired with Huha anti-microbial underwear.

Tops

I’ve come to realize that a sports bra or cropped tank isn’t always the best choice on the trail. Sometimes you want bug prevention, but more often, you want sun protection. I’m wearing far more sun hoodies and light base layers on trails these days. Though they’re long-sleeved, these tops can be surprisingly cooling, offer bug and sun protection, and can be dunked in a river or lake before donning on really hot days.

There was virtually no shade on our hikes in Switzerland, and though we kept loading up on sunscreen, I definitely started to burn early in the trip. My light-colored base layer came out on repeat in the afternoons—I wish I had packed a second one.

Sunglasses

The trend right now are large, wrap-around sunnies, which I actually love. (They’re very 80s.) They offer great eye and sun protection, given their oversized nature. But my sister was cursing her sunglasses the entire trip. They were very stylish, but the metal and rubber nose-piece kept getting caught in her hair when she pushed them up, and I had to untangle them for her often.

I packed two pairs of sunglasses—one polarized, one not—and exclusively wore the polarized. They’re all one piece, so there is nothing to get tangled. The polarized lenses made the ice, snow, and lakes pop. And they were so light they didn’t hurt my nose after wearing them for hours.

Pack

Your pack should be chosen for comfort and utility, period. If they have multiple colors, yes, grab a fun one! But wearing a trendy pack that doesn’t fit you well or doesn’t have the right pockets in the right places for the way you hike isn’t doing you any favors. Maybe that’s a trail vest, maybe that’s a 15L pack, maybe it’s a 30L with a waist-strap because you like to bring towels and a hammock and a book. Make sure you try it on with weight inside, so you can properly adjust it before evaluating how comfortable it is.

I’ve been hiking with the same brand of pack for almost a decade. It fits me well, has pockets everywhere, and (bonus) is bright yellow, making it stand out in crowds. I have a 15L, a 20L, and a trail vest, and choose based on the scenario. (I haven’t bought a new pack in years; the one I took to Norway in 2017 is still in rotation.)

Poles

Poles can be a godsend on the trail, and no, they’re not just for old or unfit people. They offer stability on rocks and through river crossings, can make you feel way more secure on steep descents, and give you a little extra oomph when you’re tired. I’m packing them on every hike these days, because you never know where they’ll come in handy.

I didn’t pack poles for Switzerland because they didn’t fit in my checked baggage, and they’re hit or miss for carry-on. But my sister brought hers, so when needed, we just shared. Turns out we pulled them out a lot! The collapsable pairs are easy to stash.

Worth-it trends

Bandanas are trending on the trail right now, and I love this. I always hike with a bandana, because they are both versatile and practical. They can be soaked in water to cool you off, cover your hair or neck so you don’t burn, act as an impromptu towel, or bind a wound on the trail. Silk scarves don’t work well here—look for cotton or a cotton blend.

Kula Cloths are also trending—in fact, I saw more than a few hanging off packs in Switzerland! I’ve been hiking with this anti-microbial pee cloth since they launched. They’re environmentally-friendly, quick-drying, and easy to hand-wash.

I took two bandanas to Switzerland, and bought one there (It’s got cows on it, I couldn’t resist.) I packed just one Kula Cloth, and hand-washed it between hikes.

In closing…

Lately I’ve been hearing from people who want to hike but worry they don’t own the “right” clothes. Social media has made it seem like every trail comes with a dress code. Or that certain clothing will peg you as a “beginner.” Or that you shouldn’t look like a “tourist” (in a place where you are, in fact, touristing.) None of this is true.

Just because girlies in the Dolomites are wearing Arc’teryx jackets and North Face fleeces doesn’t mean you have to spend hundreds of dollars on new clothes, shoes, and accessories. If you want to splurge on a piece you know will last, like my Arctery’x rain jacket (ten years old), yes, I get that. But splurging on trendy pieces that you won’t want to wear next year, won’t hold up well, or are impractical for the task at hand is a lose-lose.

Finally, if you have comfortable, functional pieces that also look fantastic on the trail, I love this for you. Do your hair! Do your makeup! Wear a matching set! Make a TikTok from the trail! I’m a girls’ girl when it comes to supporting women in the outdoors—which is why I’m saying all of this in the first place.

I promise, you don’t need any trending brands or silhouettes to have an amazing hike. So wear whatever makes you feel confident—as long as confidence isn’t coming at the expense of comfort, performance, or safety.

XO, MU