Best Hiking Clothes for Women Guide 2022 - Mindful Travel Experiences

Let’s explore hiking clothes for women and hiking gear for the same.

As we have pointed out in another article, men’s and women’s needs are very different regarding outdoor clothing.

It’s not only about style, though this is arguably important for most women – it’s also about materials, comfort, and weight.

Check our guide for hiking clothes for women below, with lots of tips and advice.

Table of Contents

Hiking Clothes for Women – The Essentials

Hiking clothes for women are tailor-made for women’s needs.

Apart from keeping you dry and comfortable, they are also designed to make you look good!

You can find women’s tops in bright, cheerful colors, while choices for women’s hiking pants are generally more limited.

Depending on the time of year you are going hiking, you will need different types and combinations of clothes.

Whatever hiking clothes you choose, make sure the fabric is lightweight, breathable, quick-drying (moisture-wicking), abrasion-resistant, and sun protective.

You may also want to consider using UV-protective clothing. For summertime, it is imperative to have such hiking clothes.

Also, read our extended hiking for beginners guide.

Hiking Clothes for Women: The Underwear

This gear is often neglected, but it can make a huge difference, especially if you are voluptuous.

Always use a well-fitting sports bra with no metal or plastic parts that could irritate the skin, especially if you are carrying a heavy backpack.

As for your panties or briefs, make sure they are well-fitting and flexible, and avoid thongs – you don’t want any chafing in your private parts while hiking.

Hiking T-shirt

When hiking, you will generally need two or three layers of clothes.

The first one is typically a T-shirt.

You can choose a short-sleeved or a long-sleeved shirt, depending on the time of year and your preferences.

Avoid tank tops if you are carrying a heavy backpack, as your backpack straps could hurt your bare shoulders.

Hiking Jackets

There are different types of outdoor jackets that you can choose from.

You generally want your jacket to protect you from the cold, wind, and rain.

That could mean carrying more than one jacket with you, for example, a fleece jacket to keep you warm and a rain or windproof jacket on top.

In winter, you will need more specialized gear.

Hiking Pants

We recommend wearing hiking pants whenever you go for a hike, as they can protect you from the sun, the cold, thorny bushes, and insects.

Women’s pants are cut differently from men’s, as they have a smaller waist.

Choose the length that fits you most – if you are mostly hiking in spring or summer, capri pants might be a good option.

Since pants cover around 50% of your body, you understand that it is essential to know which hiking pants to choose. To gain that knowledge, we need to get deeper into the technical details that will help you with such a choice.

Here we go, then.

Materials of Pants

In case you don’t know, by checking the label on pants, you will find that they are made mostly from nylon (around 97%).

So, regarding the materials part, there are a few things to tell.

To be more comfortable when walking, better choose pants of the elastic type. They fit nicely on your body and allow a better range of motion.

You will be far more comfortable if your trip engages climbing or striding.

I prefer lightweight pants but also offer protection from the wind and rain while they “breath,” so you sweat less.

As you look around in outdoor stores, you will also see hiking trousers with less nylon but more cotton (which is rare).

These pants are often advised to be treated with beeswax. Yet, why get into so much trouble?

Better avoid the rain hiking pants that are labeled as absolutely waterproof. They are indeed, but you will sweat a lot when you walk.

Number, Style, and Variety of Pants Pockets

Most people avoid filling their pockets with many things, adding extra weight to their feet and making walking less comfortable.

Most hiking trousers usually have cargo type of pockets. Some pockets even have smaller compartments to fit specific things per pocket.

Remember that whatever protrudes quickly gets entangled at branches and low planation.

Shaped Knees & Crotch

Have you seen these pants where they make a curve in the knee area when you hold them up straight? That is what we are talking about. These pants try to imitate how a person naturally stands and walks.

That is why the knee area is not straight but curved on purpose.

Others even have an extra cloth (sometimes elastic) in the crotch area at the inner thighs. That gives a broader range of motion but not so wide as the stretchy pants offer.

Many people who wear such pants say that they provide extra comfort. Such hiking pants were popular among climbers (who needed that additional range of motion).

Water Resistance Efficiency

If you hike in summertime, no hiking pants will be waterproof unless you want to sweat heavily. Most hiking pants react pretty well to light rain. To ensure they do, check for an indication labeled DWR (Durable Water Repellent) before buying them. On such pants, water usually makes tiny beads and rolls down.

The more nylon in the fabric, the better the water resistance is. So if your pants are primarily cotton, it won’t help.

However, the good news is that even when such pants soak, they dry relatively fast, primarily due to how they are weaved.

The durability of Hiking Clothes for Women

Depending on the materials, quality of the fabric, and usage, this varies. If your hiking trips happen mostly on rocky terrains or in places where you need to kneel or crawl or go through branches, then you need good fabric.

Usually, summer hiking pants are more prone to tearing and ripping, while winter ones are more durable.

Convertible Hiking Pants for Women

It is a pant, and it is shorts, it is all together! A zipper is located around the knee area, and you can take them on and off.

Suitable to avoid packing lots of clothing, especially in the summertime. Aesthetically speaking, sometimes it looks a bit baggy.

A rising trend is roll-up pants. You don’t have to zip-unzip something. You just roll up and use the attached buttons and tabs to keep them in place. Yet, they usually roll up to below the knee area, and the extra rolled cloth may get you a bit warmer.

The overall thing is that pants need to feel good on you. You need to feel comfortable and walk around comfortably.

Many usually have a pair of regular pants (without shaped knees) and a couple of elastic ones.

We like the elastic ones since they are suitable for all kinds of terrains

We hope you enjoyed these hiking pants tips and enjoy your hiking more.

Hiking Shorts/Skirts/Skorts

Though these are not suitable for cold weather and hard-core trekking, they are a great (and sexy) option for light hiking in warm weather.

Some women like skorts, as they are as comfortable as a short but look like a shirt. Hiking skirts can also be worn over leggings – some women find that more comfortable than hiking pants.

For more in-depth information, read our articles on hiking for beginners.

Hiking Clothes for Women: The Shoes

First things first – the first piece of gear you will need to purchase before you set off for your mountain adventures is women’s hiking shoes.

Your sports shoes are excellent for the gym and your CrossFit sessions, but they are not suitable for the mountain.

You will need to invest in a good quality pair of hiking shoes, which will keep your feet dry and warm and prevent you from getting any injuries.

The type of hiking shoes you choose depends on the hiking you plan to do, the terrain, the season, and (most importantly) your personal preferences.

Though hiking shoes are arguably not the most stylish, this shouldn’t matter. Just purchase the pair that fits best, even if you don’t like the color.

Hiking Boots – heavy, chunky, and sturdy waterproof boots, ideal for rough terrains and rainy weather. There are several subtypes of hiking boots. You can choose between the following types of hiking shoes for women:
Hiking Shoes / Trail Shoes – lighter, more flexible, and more comfortable than hiking boots, but still with a sturdy, gripping sole.
Hiking Sandals – an option if your hike involves frequent river crossings or walking by/on the beach, but not recommended for more extended, strenuous hikes. On a side note, some hiking sandals are adorable and can be worn with your favorite summer dresses.

For more information, you can check out our article on hiking boots.

Tip #1: When you go shopping for hiking shoes, bring the socks you plan to use when hiking.

Consider using padded hiking socks – otherwise, you might get blisters after a few hours of hiking.

If you think padded socks are uncomfortable or too warm for you, use a pair of thick socks that you like.

Tip #2: Hiking shoes might feel a little uncomfortable at first.

Spend some time walking around the store, and try to step up and downstairs if you can.

Don’t hesitate to ask for a different size or a different model, as manufacturers have many differences.

Also, try shopping late in the day, when your foot is slightly larger.

Tip #3: When shopping for hiking shoes for women, go to a well-known store where the salespeople are knowledgeable about hiking shoes and will be happy to help you find the one that suits you the most.

And most importantly, don’t skimp on the quality – after all, you only have one pair of feet.

Hiking Clothes for Women: The Backpack Case

For a short, half-day hike, you might be able to use a backpack you own already, provided that it sits comfortably around your shoulders.

You can store an extra jacket, water, snacks, a small pharmacy, and other valuable things.

For longer hikes or treks, however, you will need a specialized hiking backpack for women to fit all your gear.

Women’s backpacks are made for smaller frames, and they have a slightly different shape than men’s backpacks.

More than Hiking Clothes for Women

Apart from the items mentioned above, you will need a few other things, depending on the season and your needs.

A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are essential for summer, whereas, in winter, you will need gloves, a scarf, and a beanie or a hooded jacket – even ear muffs if it’s frigid.

Don’t judge the temperature by your male friends – men generally have a much higher tolerance for cold weather, so take as many clothes as you think you might need to enjoy your hike.

When it comes to hiking for women needs to change a bit, and gladly technology evolves as it should.