What to wear on a hike

A wide brim hat and sunglasses for the sun, long-sleeve, moisture-wicking t-shirt and long, stretchy pants for both the sun and the cold. Gaiters (not always necessary)  for protection from moisture (dew) and keeping mud, stones, grass and thorns at bay. 

While I cannot say there is an official dress code for hiking trails, your number one consideration should be comfort and protection from the elements. Remember the “there is no bad weather” saying? And when it comes to hiking attire, there is no one-size-fits-all. I guess by now, you are already aware that, like many other things in life, what works for one, may not always work for the other. A confirmation of our uniqueness and the importance of embracing that.

When I started hiking, I was drawn to the multi-pocket cargo pants and the multi-pocketed fishing vests with no consideration for fabric at all. I must confess, while they gave the outdoor kind of look, they made me feel bulky, and they were on the heavy side. I later graduated to lighter hiking pants which looked and felt nicer than the bulky ones. There are beautiful pants out there for both females and males, and some are zip-offs, which can be converted to short pants in an instant. Anyway, beautiful as those pants were, I was to have a rude awakening as I moved from easy trails to those requiring me to really stretch myself. I’m not very small, and being a true descendant of Sara Baartman, I was soon to realise that while those pants flattered my body, when it came to the demands of the trail, they were not fit for ‘my’ purpose. This after I’ve had one too many accidents whenever I had to stretch my short legs. I had to understand that my body requires something stretchy to accommodate my African structure. And may I say, this has been bliss! Simply because finishing a trail with torn pants is anything but nice. And you never know where the tear will occur!

 

What to wear

I’ve seen people dressed like they were going to a club, party or a girl’s night out, especially during the lockdown. And they had handbags! And this may probably explain the muggings that befell most hiking trails, especially those close to residential areas.  Hiking trails can have all kinds of plants, some with thorns, some poisonous, plus insects. And I’m not discouraging you from wearing shorts if you are sure that you will not be exposed to thorny bushes and bugs. I love my bermuda shorts! Your pants choice should also be dependent on the weather as shorts may not be a good idea when temperatures drop. Tank tops are also not so ideal as they expose your arms to direct sun – when hiking, you walk for longer hours than runners. Your exposed shoulders may also experience chaffing from the straps of your backpack. I generally prefer long-sleeve shirts and t-shirts (moisture-wicking) regardless of the temperature. I must mention that I find a sports bra more comfortable than a normal bra when hiking, especially when carrying a heavy backpack. Check what works for you.

A light jacket over your t-shirt is convenient as it can keep the cold breeze at bay without making you feel too hot. Avoid those bulky puff jackets, no matter how cold it is! There are light down jackets which come with their own bags. These are easy to carry.

Fabric

I was to learn early on that just because it looks perfect for the outdoors, it doesn’t necessarily translate to comfortable or convenient. Some fabrics are more amenable to different weather conditions than others. I will not talk about denim here as I have already mentioned it on How do you start hiking? Cotton is another fabric to rethink as it tends to absorb moisture, especially during hotter months when you sweat. Since it doesn’t have moisture-wicking properties and is highly absorbent, it gets heavier when it gets wet.  This means even if the rain stops, you will be left wet and cold for longer. The same goes for track pants and those cargo pants I mentioned earlier. Besides being on the heavy side, you don’t want to be in the rain with those.

Most outdoor places sell moisture-wicking clothes which are suitable for hiking as they can adapt to the changing weather conditions. This means, should you experience rain during a hike, you stand a better chance of having your clothes drying when the rain stops while wearing moisture-wicking clothes than your normal clothes, especially cotton and denim. When you raid your wardrobe for your first hike outfit, you may reach for your activewear as that will work.  The idea is to go for what’s comfortable and a bit stretchy as you will be navigating a terrain that may have rocks, tree stumps and even fallen trees. I must mention thought that while your gym leggings may work for hiking - owing to their flexibility - they are not as durable as hiking pants as they may tear from coming in contact with sharp objects.

I have already talked about shoes in Let’s talk hiking shoes so, whether you’re wearing takkies or boots, make sure there’s a bit of cushioning and traction. And please remember the importance of hiking socks with cushioning to avoid blisters and other discomforts.

Sun protection

A wide brim hat is an essential part of your hiking gear. I’ve hiked with someone who did not heed this advice. Not only did he put himself at risk for sunburn and the harm that comes with being exposed to harsh sun rays, but the direct sun also affected his pace and energy. Luckily, he’s a tough cookie and the experience did not put him off hiking completely. Please do not forget your eyes. Hikers spend most of the day in the outdoors and it is important to protect your eyes. Note that taking your expensive glasses hiking may not be the best idea. You do not have to make a fashion statement because in the bush, anything is possible!

And don’t forget sunscreen! I know there is a misconception that the dark skin does not need sun protection. IT does! And maybe a necessary reminder is that this is for every time you’re exposed to the sun, which may be everyday!

Backpack

I know it’s not clothing, but it is an important part of your hiking gear. As mentioned in Some trail etiquette, a backpack is not only important for keeping your essentials, but also one way of ensuring that you do not litter. So, make sure the one you have fits you perfectly and it is not overloaded. I’ll write more on what to look for in a backpack because yes, that backpack they gave you when you joined a gym, or the one your child uses at school is not suitable for hiking. I do not want to talk about the drawstring bags. Those things will dig through your shoulders. As they say, if discomfort was a person! The idea is not for you to spend money here, but to ensure that your back is always supported during your hike. Whether it’s a small pack for the water bladder only or a small backpack, there are basics that it should meet for your support.

Finally

The aim is for you to enjoy putting one foot in front of the other. Dress comfortably and aim to always have a light jacket and a light rain jacket in your backpack. Remember! You are going to sweat and there’s a possibility of getting really dirty or feeling roughed up. That’s why it’s called adventure. You never know what to expect. And on that note, don’t wear anything that you don’t want stained or ripped! Happy hiking!

 

Anything is possible...

Td

 

Breaking in new hiking boots

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So, you were able to get advice on which pair of hiking boots to buy, you got your perfect fit and you’re eager to take them for a spin. Not so fast, please! I understand the excitement and the urge to take them to your next hike, but that may leave you feeling let down by your new buy or the shopping assistant, or both. Your new boots need some breaking in for them to serve you well. It is crucial that they are a good fit as no amount of breaking in will correct a poorly fitting pair.

Patience

We live in an era of instant gratification where we’re used to popping something into a microwave, air fryer or pressure cooker for an almost instant meal. Well, with your new hiking boots you may have to practice a little patience. It is important for your pair to be in sync with your feet, and that will not happen instantly. By taking time to break in your new pair of hiking boots, you will be setting yourself up for many comfortable trail moments with your pair. Light, synthetic boots may not need that much breaking in, but I still recommend getting used to them before taking them to the trail. Leather boots may require a longer period to break in as the leather needs time to soften up. As a hiker, you will soon learn the Swahili term, pole pole which means slowly slowly. A similar term I learned while hiking in China is màn man de màn man de. While these terms are generally used to remind hikers to take their time, especially on inclines, it may be beneficial to apply the same principle to your new hiking boots. Take time to get used to them; you’ll thank yourself later.

 

How do you do it?

Wear them at home

The best place to start is always where you are. And in this case, that will mean your house. I must confess that I’m always barefooted in the house. So, even if you, like me, don’t fancy wearing shoes in the house, I’d advise you to ‘get out of your comfort zone’ and just do it. Make sure you wear the socks you’ll be hiking with and tie the boots as you would when hiking. Avoid tying them too loose or too tight so you can continue doing life your way. They may feel a bit stiff, but they shouldn’t feel too tight or uncomfortable. 

·       Take them to the shops, work or around the block

Once you’re comfortable walking with them around the house, you can increase the distance by taking them to the shops, and if your work wardrobe allows it, take them to work. That at least will ensure that you wear them for the better part of the day, and that will give you an idea of how you will feel during a hike. Always listen to your feet and never ignore any discomfort. Adjust the laces, change the socks, and do whatever brings comfort to your feet.

 

·       Take them to the trail

The next step will be to take your hiking boots for a ride on rugged terrain for a proper breaking in. Put on a light day backpack and go test your new buy. The more you use them, the more you will enjoy them. The slowly slowly concept is still relevant here. Start with a shorter distance and a light daypack and gradually increase both distance and weight. Before you know it, both feet and boots will be in sync, and the more mileage they cover, the more you will love them.

 

Remember

Hiking boots are not very cheap, but getting a proper fit may be the best investment for your feet and hiking journey. I had to buy many wrong boots, both in make and size, before I found my perfect fit. I made the mistake of hiking with boots that are not properly worn in, and I’ve had monstrous blisters and a lot of discomfort to show for that. I hope through sharing these tips, your journey will have fewer discomforts.

Màn man de màn man de! Pole pole! One step at a time!

Td

 

 

Let’s talk hiking shoes

 

The jury is still out on whether it’s best to hike with hiking boots or takkies. So, my advice here is based on my personal preference, informed by personal experience. I’ve said it before, I’ve seen people completing multiday hikes with running sneakers. Would I try that? Definitely not! And not because I think what they’re doing is wrong, just that it’s not for me. So, yes, different strokes…!

I own a pair of hiking runners with good traction, but I still feel it was fruitless expenditure on my part seeing that I hardly ever use them, simply because I’m comfortable with some ankle support. And I know this may also sound wasteful, and I’m not suggesting that you do this, but I have three pairs of hiking boots for different terrains. I still say I’m not suggesting that you go and buy three or four pairs of hiking boots. I’m just indicating that even boots specifically made for hiking, may not always work for all terrains. I’m not an expert here, so I’ll only share what I saw working for me, and the differences I observed with each pair, including the very first pair of hiking boots I bought.

 
Not all terrains are made equal and your chosen pair must always be equal to the task. (Photo by Tony Sibanda)                                                                 

My first pair

When I bought my first pair of hiking boots, I didn’t have a clue about what to look for. Unfortunately for me, the shop assistants were either not helpful, or probably equally not clued up. It’s been quite a journey but yeah, here I am, giving you tips that will hopefully make your hiking experience less stressful. So, about my first pair, I went for what was then the known brand for hiking apparel, at least in my world. And I bought a pair that I could afford. Did I check if it was waterproof? What the hell is that? Did I check traction? Oh, is it a car tyre?  And support? I had no clue. All I knew was that hiking needed boots, and that’s it! And I was ‘smart’ enough to take that pair on a five-day gruelling hike in China. No, I didn’t get blisters, but my feet felt like I had been walking barefoot on stones. I left the pair in China. And I went on to buy more pairs that were either wrong for my feet or for the terrain, so, a lot of trial and error. Today there are some outdoor shops with staff who are not only informed, but who also care enough to give good advice. So please, no online buying for your first and even second pair. Wrong shoes will potentially give you blisters and leave you feeling so miserable you may hate hiking forever and miss out on the bliss that is being in the outdoors.

What  I look for

I’m still no expert around hiking footwear, however, over the years I’ve come to understand what works for me. Maybe I need to mention that my feet are special in a not so special way. My right foot supinates extremely, which is also called under pronation. These are terms I learnt as I struggled with all sorts of pains which I thought were age related.  My lightbulb moment came when the podiatrist reminded me some years back that for any structure to hold, the foundation must be solid. So, with my weight rolling to the outer edges of my right foot with every step, it means I am misalignment in motion, and that causes many other problems, requiring me therefore to be selective with the type of shoes I wear. And this is something I wish I had known growing up.  As they say, it’s never too late!

Anyway, back to what I look for. I think that sermon was necessary so I don’t come out as a finicky hiker. And I hope I’m sparing you the trauma here. So, the first thing I look for is ankle support, followed by cushioning. Ankle support for me is key because in the outdoors you may have to deal with slippery terrain, loose gravel, sand, stones, exposed roots, and other obstacles that may lead to your foot twisting. I have already mentioned my not so straight gait. Until you feel like you’ve been walking barefoot, you may not understand the importance of cushioning. And you’ll spare yourself that torture by buying well-cushioned shoes.

And then there’s a question of waterproofing and breathability. Yes, it is important to plan for inclement weather; in the bush, nature is king!  And there are streams and some water puddles to consider also. And on that note, maybe I should mention that even with waterproofing, if you’re going to be exposed to rain for a long period or your feet are going to be submerged under water, that will not help. There isn't much you can do when it rains and you have to keep walking, but with river crossings, hiking sandals and aqua shoes may help. I don’t advise going barefoot at all.  It is advisable to have an extra pairs of socks on hand, preferably moisture wicking socks, so you can change should you get wet. More on this in later posts. In hot weather, there’s also a question of sweating, which may cause blisters if your shoe does not breathe. And now that’s no picnic, especially when you still have a distance to cover or even more days!

Leather or synthetic?

I started with leather, and I was comfortable until I tried synthetic, and I never looked back. But what’s important for me besides what I mentioned above, is how light the boot feels. I sometimes do multiday hikes where I must carry my pantry, kitchen, wardrobe and bedroom on my back and the last thing I need is extra weight on my feet. And I’m not suggesting that leather necessarily translates to heavy or synthetic to light. I must mention that with the house that I carry, comes the need for more steadiness of the shoe, hence I mentioned that I have three pairs. One for easy to moderate hikes, the other for moderate to difficult day or even multiday hikes where I don’t have to carry weight; and the last one for those times where I must carry my house on my back, which is mostly on seriously rugged terrain.

When carrying part of your house on your back, you need all the support you can get from your boots.

At the end

Please do your research before buying your shoe. The best advice I got was to buy a size bigger. This was a serious game changer for me. Remember, we wear thick socks to give our feet the much-needed extra cushioning, but our feet still need to breathe! A good hiking shoe should be lightweight but still give you waterproofing, cushioning, support and good traction to enable you to navigate challenging terrain with a bit of ease, putting one well-cushioned and supported foot in front of the other, one step at a time!

 

Td