Uncover the Hiking Clothes That Survived My Toughest Trail Tests—And Why They’ll Change Your Outdoor Game Forever
Ever found yourself packing for a trip thinking, “How hard can it be to dress for a hike?” Well, I sure did—until the Utah sun had me reconsidering my entire wardrobe strategy. Turns out, when you’re navigating blazing trails with ultra-fair skin, those sunny tank tops and shorts might invite more trouble than comfort. That’s when I pivoted to long-sleeve sun shirts and shorts, discovering some seriously game-changing gear that blends protection, style, and pure comfort. From lightweight, hooded tops that keep burn at bay to shorts that dodge chafing like a champ, I’m spilling all the essentials that made my desert trek not just bearable, but downright enjoyable. Curious about what hiking clothes actually stand up to the heat and miles? Let’s dive into the gear that kept me cool, covered, and looking sharp on every step. LEARN MORE
When I visited Utah in mid-May, it was hot. I initially thought I’d be wearing tank tops and shorts or pants most of the trip, but quickly realized that sun exposure on the trails would pose quite the challenge for my ultra-fair skin. So, I opted for long-sleeve sun shirts and shorts for most of the trip, and I was super happy with that decision. I love this one from G Gradual that I ordered on Amazon shortly before I left for Utah because it was lightweight, comfortable, and flattering. I also love that it has a hood and that my arms, chest, and shoulders didn’t get a lick of sunburn while wearing it for hours in the desert sun. An honorable mention goes to the Adventure Sun Hoodie from The North Face and the Arc’teryx Sunna Hoody, but I appreciate how affordable this option from Amazon is—and how quickly it arrived when I was in a time crunch.
Okay, these shorts won me over for being plain cute. I like a longer, looser short (especially while hiking), and these cargo shorts scored major points for the total lack of chafing and rubbing. The wide leg fit and curved hem are extremely flattering, while the pockets offer an obvious storage benefit. I actually wore these on a chillier day in Zion, pairing them with a long-sleeve sun shirt layered underneath a hiking jacket that I ultimately peeled off once the sun came out. They looked so cute in photos and while wearing in town for lunch after we were finished on the trails.
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The REI Trailmade Pull-On Pants were one of two pairs of pants that I packed for my trip, and the only pair I actually wore. I threw these on during a chilly day in Bryce Canyon with my hiking boots and hiking jacket (with a few more layers underneath). It was definitely my favorite outfit of the entire trip because it gave major gorpcore vibes and was super functional and comfortable. These hiking pants have a water-repellent and breathable fabric with tons of pockets. I also love the relaxed fit and the tapered leg, which were very flattering.
When I was choosing footwear for my trip, I wanted something sturdy and supportive enough for all five national parks, but still stylish enough to wear with all the cute hikwere they comfortable right out of the box and gave me zero blisters despite minimal break-in time, but they were sturdy and supportive enough to handle about 20,000 steps per day. Plus, they have a classic rugged hiking boot look without looking clunky, and they paired incredibly well with every pair of pants and shorts I wore.
Okay, this jacket might be a little pricey, but it was easily one of my favorite things I brought with me to Utah. It’s beyond stylish (espeically in the Habitat colorway) with a cropped length, relaxed fit, and stand collar. I love that it kept me warm and protected without totally swallowing me up and making me look shapeless like a lot of jackets do. Plus, it’s waterproof and windproof while remaining completely lightweight and breathable. It’s also incredibly durable: I did a bit of climbing and scrambling while wearing this jacket, meaning it had its fair share of scraping against canyon walls, branches, and brush. And it still looks brand new.
This was another one of my favorite pairs of shorts I wore during my trip. This pair is a bit shorter than the FP Movement cargo shorts, but it still offers more than enough coverage and is super roomy without looking baggy or ill-fitting. Like a lot of the gear on this list, the material here is breathable, durable, lightweight, and water-resistant. I actually spilled some water on these shorts while in the car, and I was shocked to see how the beads of water rolled right off. My favorite thing about these shorts is the adjustable waistband and nylon belt—it was functional and, IMO, super cute with the front buckle.
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Don’t underestimate the need for a few quality pairs of hiking socks while hitting the trails. I love that this multi-pack comes in a range of neutral and pastel shades to match all my outfits, and that you get six pairs for under $20! They are made from a moisture-wicking blend of polyester, nylon, and spandex. Combined with ventilation panels on the midfoot, my feet stayed totally dry in these socks, no matter how hot the trails got or how long I was on my feet.
These are a bit of a splurge, but if, like me, you don’t always want to pull out your phone or camera to take a flick while on the trails, a pair of smart sunglasses is too convenient. These stylish Oakley frames are powered by Meta’s smart tech. There’s a ton of features available, from Meta AI to answer your burning questions to immersive audio with speakers built right into the glasses. But my favorite, especially for hikes, is the hands-free capture, which makes taking high-quality photos with your glasses so simple and easy. Not in the market for smart glasses? I also got tons of use out of my Merry’s Wrap Around Sunglasses, which have a sleek, sporty silhouette and polarized lenses.
Shannen Zitz is the Associate Style & Reviews Editor at Women’s Health, where she covers all-things sneakers and activewear. Previously, she was an assistant editor at Prevention. Shannen graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland with a bachelor’s degree in English. If she’s not reading or writing, you can probably find her frequenting the skincare and makeup forums on Reddit or hogging the squat rack at the gym.
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