Gear posts are some of the most difficult ones to write. It should be black and white—“I carry and wear these items”—but they are some of the most fluid and ever-changing posts a hiker puts together. Companies seem to be forever coming out with a lighter or more rugged version of everything in our packs, and trying to stay on top of the latest and greatest means gear posts become obsolete almost as fast as they’re written.
I’m extremely picky about what I carry, and don’t make gear changes because I know what works and don’t feel as though my base weight is that high (less than ten pounds for a full winter pack without food or water). Rather than seeking out the latest and greatest, I stick with what I know works and am loyal to the brands that I carry and wear.
*All hyperlinks attach to the actual item I use. If it says men’s, I wear men’s.
Summer Clothing
Lucy Tank Top (no longer available)
Under Armour Sports Bras (two)
Lululemon Fast & Free Shorts
Smartwool Socks
I prefer to hike in a sports bra and shorts in summer because I overheat quickly and sweat a lot. I carry my shirt in my pack, keeping it dry, so that in the event that I need a dry layer, I have it.
My shorts are the best ones I have ever worn, for both drying quickly and not chafing. I have them in 10” inseam, capri, and full length because I love them so much. In the past, I wore Injinji toe socks, but on the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway last spring the separate toe spacers caused major blisters. Now I wear Smartwool socks and have no issues with them.
Warmer Shoulder Season Clothing
EMS T-Shirt
Under Armour Sports Bras (two)
Lululemon Fast & Free Capri Shorts
Smartwool Socks
Shoulder seasons are tough. What I wear tends to change from hike to hike. Typically, I don’t start wearing the gear listed above until late April because it’s still too cold for T-shirts. I wear my winter gear from early October until mid April, for the most part. If it’s too hot or cold, I’ll take off my top and hike in my bra. If I’m hiking in lower elevations then I’m more likely to wear the gear listed above in late March or October.
Winter Clothing
Smartwool Base Layer Top
EMS Leggings
Mountaineering Socks
Under Armour Sports Bras (two)
Buff Headband
North Face Women’s ETip Glove
The items listed above are my base layers, and are what I hike in most of the time. If it’s colder, I’ll add the following items. Otherwise, I carry them in my pack.
EMS Techwick Mid-Layer Jacket (no longer available)
Arc’teryx Cerium Puffy
Arc’teryx Windbreaker Jacket
Black Diamond Mittens
No Name Brand Winter Hat
If it’s really cold, I will layer Smartwool Thermal Base Layer Leggings under my other leggings. If I’m breaking trail, I will wear gaiters over my socks, but otherwise I don’t.
Accessories
I typically wear a trucker hat while hiking to keep the sun off my face. Sunski sunglasses are also a must, and even if I’m not wearing them I keep them on my hat while hiking just in case. If it’s really cold, I’ll wear goggles, but very rarely. My favorite accessory is my Garmin Fenix 3HR watch. I wear it every day. I use this as a way to navigate, and it has saved me from going the wrong way on more than one occasion.
Footwear
In winter, I wear Salomon XA Pros. Once the snow is gone, I wear Salomon X-Mission 3s. My insoles are Superfeet Trailblazers. I only wear trail runners. I have chronic foot problems (read: plantar fasciitis in both feet) and can’t wear boots because they’re too restrictive. Now that I know what works for my feet, I choose not to change shoes because a change could agitate my plantar fasciitis and make it worse.
Traction
Kahtoola Microspikes
Tubbs Flex VRT Snowshoes
This past winter I finally transitioned to snowshoes for more hikes and am so glad I did. I’ve accepted that it will take longer, but it is worth it to be safe and use the right gear. I have MSR Lightning Ascents and Tubbs Flex VRT snowshoes, but I prefer the Tubbs. The MSRs were too rigid for me and I didn’t like the shape as much.
I’ve used microspikes for years and always get the Kahtoolas; however, they aren’t the best traction on serious icy conditions because the spikes aren’t sharp or long enough to grip. In the past I’ve used Hillsound Crampons, which work well. Just make sure you size them to your shoe correctly.
Wearing the right clothing is important to stay safe and enjoy your hike. It’s not just about looking good, it’s about being safe. Some of my clothing was very expensive and some was very cheap. More than anything, it’s important to find what works for you. Rather than buying what everyone else is carrying, get what works for you and for the conditions you hike in. Test out your clothing just like you would your gear, and when you find a system that works, stick with it. Happy hiking!