Hiking is a joyful activity but at the same time, it is challenging. Your hiking essentials including hiking boots are mainly responsible for making your experience better or worse. To be on the trail only and go all way for a hike isn’t the only task. It is also important to know what to take with you and when to hike, especially when the weather is changing. What To Wear Hiking In Hot Weather?
For instance, if you’re hiking in hot weather, it can be a worse experience if you’re not fully prepared. Even the short hikes will exhaust you in summer and if you’re planning on taking long hour hikes, then the challenge will pass on to the next level.
We are not telling you not to go on the hikes but rather trying to tell you what to wear hiking in hot weather. Because you can conquer any terrain in any season but with the right pieces of equipment.
Even if you’re an experienced hiker friend and think that you’ve got it all sorted out by asking him a few questions, let us tell you, even the experienced hikers are caught by the scorching heat on the trails.
That is why to avoid getting yourself in trouble and making the mission hiking unsuccessful, there are measures and a checklist that you need to tick before heading out on the hiking trails this summer.
In this guide, we will cover all the aspects of hiking essentials during summers so you can have a terrific experience and enjoy it to the fullest. Before jumping on to what to wear hiking in hot weather, let’s cover the basic tips:
Hiking Trip Essentials
Keep a Water Bottle
First, the thing that we will emphasize is keeping yourself hydrated on the trail. You don’t have to gulp water all at once, just sipping so that your throat isn’t dry and your bp stays healthy. Try adding electrolytes or low sodium salt into the water, roughly estimated, a teaspoon of salt in a liter of a water bottle, which will keep you fresh and active all way long. Some people advise that sports energy drinks can also be consumed but nothing can replace the water.
Take Care Of Your Skin
Another main concern that seems to pop up when hiking in hot weather is the red itchy burnt skin. If you’re sweating during the hikes and your face is getting slaps of hot wind and scorching sun then it can damage the skin cells. That is why use sunscreens with good SPF like 40-60 and wear UPF clothes. Your clothes should be breathable and sweat-absorbent so that your skin doesn’t deal with pimples or rashes.
Pack Food For the Terrain
Facing the heat during the hikes will decrease your appetite or make you moody and picky about the food that you consume. Try to take some protein bars, chips, or small snacks, whether sweet or salty, to savor your taste buds. Since you’ll be hiking, it is a tough exercise which is why you need to make sure to eat and complete the daily calories. If you don’t take into account the importance of consuming required calories then you can get faint in the terrain.
Take Breaks After Some Time
It is often ignored but very important to take short breaks in between the trail hikes. Taking breaks will relax your body and then it can endure the harsh weather much better. Also, take off the boots and stretch the legs and feet to further relax the muscles. Hiking in the hot weather can cause heat burns, headaches, and muscle cramps. So it is important to rest in between and also find a shelter if possible to exhaust off the heat.
When And Where To Hike In Hot Weather
The crucial part of hiking is planning everything beforehand. It means taking into account the pros and cons of hiking terrains and also the weather conditions. If you’re a beginner hiker then try to analyze the weather and start by taking small walks around the city or your block to see if you get any problems. If you’re an intermediate hiker or you often walk in the summer days, then try to visualize the possible threats or concerns that can occur while hiking long terrains.
Anyways, the important part that we will cover here is when and where to hike on the terrains during hot weather.
When To Go Hiking
- We would suggest that avoid going on the hikes in the hottest hours, that is when the sun is at its peak. Normally the time starts from 12 PM and extends to 4 PM or more.
It is so because the hiking terrains are very warm during this period and if it’s your first hike during the summer season then you may get severe headaches or get dehydrated. - Nighttime is an excellent time to go hiking. It is because the hot weathers are exhausting and suck up all the energy from within. So unless it is not an emergency, try to go for night hikes and save yourself from burns and burnout.
Where To Go Hiking
- Try to go for the terrains that have shades or say many trees around them. You can go for forest hikes or on mountain terrains that have cultivated many trees. You will not get sweaty and won’t get any skin burns.
- If you are not comfortable hiking on forest terrains, you can also go for hikes near lakes or fresh rivers. The cool lake breeze will provide coolness and comfort to you while you fight the hot weather.
What To Wear Hiking In Hot Weather
Before telling you in detail about the uppers and lowers that you’ll wear on the terrains, let’s talk about the materials and stuff that is excellent to be used in the hot weather by hikers.
Choose Pastels
When hiking in the hot weather, choose light colors because the sunlight tends to absorb more dark-toned colors. Lighter colors will lessen the heat absorption and you will feel cooler.
Fabric That Dries Quickly
Cotton, polyester, and nylon are the best clothes that you can select while choosing your hiking clothes. It is because they are breathable and dry quickly. So, you won’t be accumulating sweat beneath the clothes and won’t get any rashes or pimples.
Select UPF Cloths
UPF clothes are designed to protect you from the harmful UV rays and in the scorching sun when you’re on the hiking terrain, it’s best that you chose to wear UPF clothes so that your body stays cool and away from the tans.
Clothes With Ventilation
The hiking clothes must have some sort of panels specially for the pants or shorts. It will allow the passage of the airflow through the clothes and will dry out all of the sweat.
Pants Or Hiking Shorts
Short Pants
Many people usually wear short pants during the summer season. It is because they feel cool and sweat doesn’t harm much. While on the terrain if you are wearing the shorts, try using the hiking shorts specially designed with cool and breathable fabric also UPF. Don’t forget to put on body sunscreen to protect your legs from getting burnt from the UV rays.
Long Pants
If you have very sensitive skin and get tanned easily then you must go for the long pants. Many manufacturers have made UPF standard long pants that are breathable and lightweight too. Plus they are easy to tuck into the hiking boots making them perfect for classy fashion. Moreover, these pants will protect you from getting any injuries from branches or rough thongs ofo dry trees that the terrain may have.
Shirts Or Tank Tops
Tank Tops
Tank tops seem to be very casual and trendy in terms of fashion sense. They are breathable and excellent for summers but during the hikes, they will make your body exposed to maximum UV rays. It can cause serious sunburns and damage the skin in the longer run.
Half Sleeve Shirts
T-shirts or half sleeves shirts are a better choice than tank tops. They are mostly made of breathable fabric that lets air pass freely through the fabric and cool you down. Many companies have made special hiking shirts for you to experience comfort while wearing UPF clothing.
Full Sleeve Shirts
Full sleeves shirts are optimum for hiking purposes because they protect you from everywhere. The sun rays cannot reach you in a full way if your shirt is UPF. also, you’ll be protected against many injuries minor or major.
Hats, Caps, and Sunglasses
When all sorted about the clothes, next comes the protection of the head and eyes. Putting sunscreen will protect the face and body while the full-sleeved and long pants and shirts will protect from the injuries. In the same way, wearing hats of a lighter material and lightweight caps will protect the head from the hot waves and rays.
While the sunglasses will protect the eyes from the Uv rays and will enhance the vision on the terrain. Make sure to make an investment and buy good sunglasses that wouldn’t damage the eyes.
Final Thoughts
What to wear hiking in hot weather is the most confusing question for beginner hikers. It is crucial to wear light-toned and breathable clothes because the terrains are very hot during the summers. Also, wear full sleeves rather than half sleeves and vice versa for the pants. Wear sunglasses and hats to protect the head from the scorching heat.
Also, keeping a water bottle or electrolyte water will help you to successfully accomplish the terrains no matter how small or long, and make it a great memory.