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Hiking Gear and Clothing

Most recently updated October 30th, 2024

You’ll need some good tread on your boots for this one…

Getting the right outdoor gear and clothing can make the difference between a happy hike and a miserable or even dangerous one.

There’s a lot of advice out there on what gear you’ll need and which products are the best.

On this page, you’ll find my picks for outdoor gear, clothing, and other stuff you might need for your hiking adventures.

If you’re looking for some travel pointers or ideas for your next adventure, check out my Travel Resources page.

For full service active tours at great prices, see my Adventures For You! page.

This page contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, I will receive a small payment at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, and other affiliations, I earn from qualifying purchases. See full Disclosure page here.

Don’t forget your hat! Click to purchase

Usually people say they won’t endorse anything they’ve not used personally.

That’s a good practice, and I’ve tried to do that as much as possible with my picks for you.

That said, I tend to buy decent quality stuff and hang onto my gear until it falls apart, so I haven’t been able to try out all of these brands yet.

But I’ve read the descriptions and/or looked over them in a retail store, and I feel confident recommending these products to you.

HIKING GEAR LIST

My selections below are a result of weeding through many products to give you a sample selection of reliable gear choices for any budget.

For a more in-depth discussion of what to consider for each type of clothing, take a look at my Day Hike Gear Guide.

You can also see some info about less expensive – but still good to have – bits of gear on this post.

NOTE: The photos and grids below show my top picks for you from a variety of brands through Amazon. (Click any photo for more info or to purchase. You can also use the Search bar to find more options.)

PANTS AND LEGGINGS

Decades ago when I was shopping for hiking gear, there wasn’t much available for girls and women that would stand up to actual hiking and sweating on the trail.

Everything seemed to be made of flimsy pastel fabric, and some even had ruffles. Eeeww.

Fortunately, my daughter and I were small enough to be able to get what we needed in the Boys’ department.

Today there are so many options – both in women’s and men’s – for pants, shorts, leggings and even hiking skirts that trying to choose the right ones will make your head spin.

What to Look for in a Pair of Hiking Pants

The main thing you’re looking for is comfort and mobility. (Looking good won’t seem so important if your thighs are chafed raw, so when in doubt go for the larger size!)

Lately I’ve noticed a lot of women and girls hiking in leggings.

I’m personally not a fan of this practice because non-athletic leggings aren’t breathable, and I don’t think anyone needs to see that much detail of my butt.

That said, wicking running tights or athletic leggings can work for hiking, especially in cooler weather.

I also always opt for hiking pants rather than shorts because even in very hot weather, long pants help protect my legs from getting scraped up or bitten by insects – and offer sun protection, too.

MID LAYER (INSULATING)

There are three basic categories of insulating layers: a thin fleece to hike in on colder days, a thin synthetic jacket, and a down puffy jacket for really cold weather.

(I also sometimes top this off with a rain shell too for an extra layer of wind protection.)

Even on a warm day, you should pack an insulating layer.

Women’s full zip fleece – click to purchase

On colder days, you’ll need more layers to put on and take off as the day (and you) warm up or cool down.

You’ll need to gauge the outside temperature and how hard you’ll be exercising to know how many layers you want to start with.

When you sweat and then stop for a break, you’ll get cold very fast.

That’s when it’s good to have a jacket or a fleece handy.

I like a fleece layer with a full zipper, so I can just inzip it if I don’t want to take it all the way off.

BASE LAYER

Your base layer is what you wear right next to your skin. In any season, it should keep your skin as dry as possible (e.g. use a wicking fabric), provide insulation and ventilation.

The purpose of wicking fabric is to pull moisture away from your skin.

Merino wool is a great choice and comes in different weights for any season. It also keeps on insulating you even when it’s wet.

Mens Merino mid-layer – click to purchase

As an alternative, synthetic fabrics dry fast so you won’t wear a cold layer on your skin, risking hypothermia.

Which reminds me – stay away from cotton: it’ll get wet and heavy, and is slow to dry.

I’ve also used wicking thermals to double as a base layer and camping jammies.

JACKETS

I always carry a lightweight rain jacket in my pack (along with a hat and gloves in case it gets chilly).

This is one of those items that every hiker needs, but does unfortunately wear out over time and has to be replaced.

If you hike in some really wet places with torrential rains, it’s also a good idea to keep rain pants in your pack.

Pick some with zippers running the whole length so you can put them on quickly, without taking your boots off.

My picks include a sampling of warmer jackets for cold weather and lighter ones for layering.

Some of the jackets below are waterproof and will also serve as rain jackets.

Each one offers something a little bit different and will fit different budgets and hikes in all types weather.

PACKS

High on the list of “must-haves” for your hike is a decent daypack or backpack.

Not only do your packs take care of your gear, they also can make or break your comfort level while out on the trail.

There are countless variety of good packs out there to choose from to get you started.

BOOTS OR SHOES

Hiking boots may be the most important item in your hiker’s kit.

If you don’t choose your boots correctly, you may be in for a lot of pain – and also the expense of getting a new pair!

Women’s mid-range boot – click to purchase

There are lot of choices now for outdoor footgear.

Trail runners, hiking shoes and hiking boots are all equally good and it really comes down to where you’re hiking, personal preferences, and the weather.

I prefer hiking in boots but I choose as light as possible for the season.

For boots, I prefer mid-rise because I have strong ankles. Waterproof boots are good for wet days and winter hikes.

Mens waterproof hiking boot – click to purchase

For shorter day hikes I might pick trail runners or hiking shoes.

If in doubt, it’s better to wear boots – especially when the terrain is rocky, the weather is wet, or you’re carrying a heavy pack.

When you get your boots, make sure you try them on wearing thick socks that you would wear for hiking.

Then walk around a bit, and make sure you have a little bit of room in front: if your toes hit the front, downhill trails will hurt you.

Remember, feet swell when you’re hiking, so make sure the boots aren’t too snug.

For more detail on how to choose the right boots, and more boot recommendations, see this article How to Choose the Best Boots.

And if you’re still looking for gear and gifts, take a look at our IRW Merch Shop.

You’ll find gifts with the IRW Logo, Holiday-themed mugs and water-bottles, and other fun things to give as a gift.

ONE LAST THING….

Amazon logo

There are some other Idratherwalk.com pages about gear and other hiking stuff that feature Amazon products.

If you’ve been eyeballing something on the pages below, you should take another look to see if anything you want is on sale!

Some of the items on these pages are at a special price for Amazon Prime members, so be sure to get your membership before you buy.

I hope these suggestions have been helpful, and you find what you need!

Thanks for stopping by – see you next time! LJ

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Explore Lake Crabtree County Park – Sail, Fish, Bike, or Hike

Most recently updated September 21st, 2022

Lake Crabtree County Park is arguably the best in-town alternative to a trip to the beach for a quick fix of sand and time on the water.

View of the Observation Tower from the marina

In my opinion, any park where you can take your kids to paddle or even just watch the sun on the water is a big bonus – especially when you don’t have to drive more than 15-20 minutes to get there.

While Bond Lake and Symphony Lake are also centrally located, they don’t have nearly the size or water access afforded by Lake Crabtree.

Ice-sailing on White Bear Lake in Minnesota

I grew up on a large natural lake in Minnesota, with sailboats in the summer and snowmobiles, skis and ice-fishing in the winter.

So lakes make me feel good – and I logged a lot of hours on the Open Play field on the shore of Lake Crabtree when my daughter was little.

These days I spend more time hiking the 6 mile Lake Trail loop than flying kites. But you could do both!

Located in a forested area between Cary, Morrisville, and Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Lake Crabtree County Park offers visitors a 520-acre flood-control lake adjacent to a 215-acre wooded site, with 16-plus miles of trails, picnic areas that are perfect for outdoor games, boating, geocaching and catch-and-release fishing.

Continue reading Explore Lake Crabtree County Park – Sail, Fish, Bike, or Hike

Get Outdoors with Your Toddler at JC Raulston Arboretum

Most recently updated September 22nd, 2022

Years ago, when my daughter was about 3 years old and I was looking for outdoor activities for smaller kids, a friend introduced me to the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh.

For my daughter – and for me, too – it was a magical place.

This was partly because we were living in a rented townhome with not even a minimal yard, and partly because the arboretum really is magical! 🙂

But seriously, it does seem to be getting more difficult to find simple inexpensive fun outdoor activities for toddlers, especially if you don’t have a home with your own yard.

This is a real shame, because toddlers love getting outdoors to run around in the sunshine, play with bugs, and eat dirt.

Part of a border garden at the JC Raulston Arboretum

Fortunately for me, the JC Raulston Arboretum was only a short drive away, and was a great place to get outdoors and explore without any admission or parking fees – or even funnel cakes or anything-on-a-stick that I had to say “no” to.

Fortunately for everyone, although it has grown a lot in the past 20 years, the JC Raulston Arboretum is still a magical and inexpensive place to take young children to play outdoors.

They can feel the sunshine, eat dirt, and maybe learn a few things about trees and plants, too.

Continue reading Get Outdoors with Your Toddler at JC Raulston Arboretum

Prairie Ridge EcoStation – Easy Family Hikes, Fossils and Fun!

Most recently updated January 16th, 2022

A couple of weeks ago, when I was searching for outdoor activities for kids, I saw an event posting for a Fossil Dig at the Prairie Ridge Ecostation.

My initial thought was, “Fossils? Digging? I must go!” 🙂

But first I had to find out more about the Prairie Ridge park.

Bees take advantage of the flowering plants in the Prairie habitat

I learned that the Prairie Ridge Ecostation is the west Raleigh branch of the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. The main branch of the Museum was created in 1879, when the State’s agricultural and geological collections were merged.

It’s the largest institution of its kind in the South East and the most visited museum in North Carolina.

The main branch is located in downtown Raleigh and there is a third branch in Whiteville (Columbus County, NC).

The Prairie Ridge Ecostation , located off of Reedy Creek Road in Raleigh, offers outdoor experiences and learning for kids and adults year-round, and charges no admission. Continue reading Prairie Ridge EcoStation – Easy Family Hikes, Fossils and Fun!

Starting Small – How to Hike with Kids in Tow

Most recently updated January 18th, 2022

Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes

Have you suddenly become a home-schooler and/or a remote worker because of the new social distancing requirements?

Hopefully, this won’t last forever.

Meanwhile, you could take the kids outdoors for a hike to make it feel a little less oppressive.

In spite of my asthma, I’ve always been an active person.

Becoming a mother didn’t change that, or my desire to be outdoors in Nature.

But it did change how I could participate if I wanted (or needed) to include little ones.

Here’s how I did it!

When I first discovered recreational hiking, I was working at a full-time tech job, a single mother of a toddler with few babysitters around, and my closest family was 1500 miles away.

So most of my activities (outside of work) included the company of my little Mini-Me, and hiking was no exception.

Continue reading Starting Small – How to Hike with Kids in Tow

Simple Ways to Start Hiking – With Kids or On Your Own

Most recently updated January 18th, 2022

Estimated Reading Time: 4.3 minutes

When I first began hiking as a hobby, I was working at a fulltime tech job, was a single mom of a toddler with few babysitters available, and my closest family was 1500 miles away.

Of necessity, most of my activities (outside of work) included the company of my Mini-Me, and hiking was no exception.

Hiking at Hanging Rock State Park with Peanut!

My daughter loved the adventure, seeing new things, and being an intrepid explorer with her Mama!

We explored local parks and greenways, both on foot and on bikes and rollerblades.

Then, when she was old enough, we were able to visit a lot of State Parks, and go on longer unpaved trails with more varied terrain.

Continue reading Simple Ways to Start Hiking – With Kids or On Your Own