Layering for Your First Hike: What to Wear (and What Not To)
What Happens When You Don’t Layer for a Hike?
Layering can make or break your hike.
Imagine this.
It’s a beautiful crisp fall morning. You can’t wait to get out to the woods for a hike. You put on your jeans and a sweatshirt to stay warm and toasty. You plan on doing 5 miles today. Not too long, not too short. Should be fun right?
You head out with your water bottle in hand, feeling confident. By the time you hit the trailhead, it’s already warming up.
A mile in and you are absolutely dying of heat.
Your sweatshirt is basically a personal sauna now.
It’s mile 3. By this time you’re dripping sweat. Those jeans are getting damp, sticky, and heavy. You need to take the sweatshirt off, but you do not have anything on underneath it.
You’re hot, which makes you tired and cranky, and you’re frustrated. We’ve all been there.
No one talks about layering until you’re a sweaty mess at mile 3… or mile 1 if you’re anything like me!
Have no fear. I’m here to help.
Let’s break down the magic of layering so your next hike feels awesome from mile 1 to mile 5.
Why You Should Layer for a Hike
Clothing can make or break a trip.
Layering ensures you stay dry, warm, and protected from the elements in any weather. And weather can change on a dime. Being prepared is essential.
If you don’t have fancy hiking clothes, that’s okay. We’ll take a look in your closet and see what will and won’t be a good alternative.
You don’t have to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe, unless you’re looking for an excuse. In that case, who am I to stop you?
You do, however, need to know how to stay comfy and safe in the clothes you already have stuffed in your closet.
You should have seen us when we started. We made all the mistakes. We know the misery of hiking in jeans.
Learning how to layer for hiking is one of the best beginner tips out there. And it doesn’t require expensive gear.
Types of Hiking Layers and Why Each one is Important
So how do we layer like pros without dressing like an overstuffed marshmallow?
Let’s break it down: base layer, mid layer, outer layer.
Here’s the basics on how each layer works:
Base Layer: The Sweat Whisperer
This is the layer that goes right against your skin. Its job is simple: keep you dry, not swampy.
Think of your base layer as your hiking buddy who whispers, “Don’t worry, I’ve got your back… sweat.” It pulls the moisture off your skin and helps it evaporate so you don’t get clammy and cold the second you stop moving.
My personal preference is a nice short sleeved merino wool shirt in the summer, but if you don’t already have one, that old polyester soccer shirt will do the job.
Base layers include your undies. Trust me. They matter more than you think. Nice moisture wicking underwear can help prevent chafing.
What to wear: Synthetic or merino wool shirts, leggings, or long undies if that’s what the temperature calls for. We have a more in-depth dive into fabric types coming soon.
What not to wear: Cotton. It’s the worst. It gets wet and stays wet forever. You’ll feel like a soggy sandwich in the summer and it will freeze you to your core in the winter. Ditch those cotton shirts and undies for hiking.
Bonus tip: Don’t forget socks! Wool or synthetic hiking socks help just as much as your base layer shirt.
Mid or Insulating Layer: The Toast Maker
This is your cozy layer. The one that traps body heat and gives you that "ahh, warm" feeling after a windy climb.
Picture a fluffy fleece, puffy jacket, or that one hoodie you’ve been emotionally attached to since 2012 (as long as it’s not cotton). It’s like a warm hug that says, “You’ve got this.”
You can swap this layer in or out depending on your activity level or how cold it gets. Add it when you stop for lunch, peel it off once you start hiking again.
Unless you’re hiking in freezing temps, I wouldn’t recommend your giant winter jacket, but you probably have an old sweat shirt or light jacket laying around somewhere. As long as it fits in your pack when you get too hot, it will work.
Sometimes I even double up on this layer. If I’m just sitting around camp, I might wear my zip up fleece with my puffy down jacket.
I carry both because they’re lightweight, pack into their pockets (so they don’t take up much space), and I like options. One usually ends up doubling as my pillow for backpacking trips, too.
What to wear: fleece jacket or pullover, a polyester, performance blend, moisture wicking or athletic hoodie, lightweight puffer jacket
Why these work: Warm, lightweight, breathable, and layers easily under a shell
What not to wear: Cotton. It absorbs sweat and holds onto it. Once wet, cotton steals your body heat. Denim is also a no no because it absorbs water and dries painfully slow. Heavy sweaters are bulky and don’t provide much warmth.
Outer Layer: The Storm Shield
This is your protection. The outer layer keeps the bad stuff out like wind, water, and maybe even that trail gremlin energy that shows up when snacks run low.
Just kidding. Nothing can protect you from the trail gremlin.
It doesn’t have to be thick, just protective. And yes, you can still look cool in a rain jacket. Bonus points if it crinkles loudly when you move. Like a walking chip bag.
Okay, real talk? I hate that noise. Luckily, there are plenty of quieter options now.
If it’s dry but windy? That bargain bin windbreaker from your college track days will work.
If it's gonna pour? Go full rain shell. If your jacket says ‘water-resistant,’ think of it as ‘sprinkle-proof,’ not storm-proof.” Water-resistant won’t cut it for a downpour, but an old poncho will.
If it’s really hot out I opt to just get wet. The rain will cool me down, but if it’s in the 60’s or below, being drenched will be a problem as the sunsets.
Staying dry isn’t just about comfort. The combination of wet clothes, wind, and stopping for the day can lead to hypothermia faster than most beginners realize, even in mild temperatures.
What to wear: Waterproof or water-resistant jackets and windbreakers.
More tips on rain gear specifics to come soon.
What About Pants?
Ah yes, the eternal question: “Can I just wear jeans?” Technically, yes. Should you? Only if you want to experience a new level of misery. Trust me on this one.
When I think about layering I always think about the top half, not the bottom, but pants are important. Look for something lightweight and quick-drying.
If it’s cold, you can always add a base layer underneath (long underwear or leggings). If it’s warm, shorts can work too. Convertible pants (the zip-off kind) are basically trail transformers.
Personally I won’t wear shorts on trail because I don’t like the idea of getting scratched up on rougher terrain, but that’s just me.
There are plenty of great looking pant options out there that can go from trail to everyday wear. Who doesn’t love multi use products. Kuhl and prAna have some awesome options that I love.
Get your pants right, and you’ll avoid one of the biggest beginner mistakes out there.
Good options from your closet: athletic leggings, joggers, or those old nylon warm-up pants you forgot you owned.
What not to wear: Cotton sweats or denim. They’ll soak up sweat, rain, and tears and stay wet forever.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to spend a fortune on fancy new gear.
Start simple:
Pick a base layer Something that fits close to your skin to wick the moisture away, that’s not cotton (and yes, that includes your undies). Merino wool or synthetics work best.
Add an insulating layer, that old fleece hoodie totally works.
Top it off with something to block wind or rain. That emergency poncho from the rainy concert three years ago will work for now. It’s better than nothing if the weather turns.
Still a little unsure standing in front of your dresser?
That’s okay. Try this:
Base: A fitted athletic shirt (polyester or wool) + moisture-wicking underwear
Mid: A fleece, athletic hoodie, or lightweight jacket that fits in your pack as long as it’s not cotton.
Outer: A windbreaker, rain jacket, or poncho. It the weather calls for rain make sure it is water proof, NOT water resistant.
If one of those items is cotton, swap it if you can. If you can’t, that’s okay, just know where the trade-offs are.
That’s it. You’re good to go.
If you fall in love with hiking, that’s when it makes sense to upgrade to something a little more light weight, durable, and packable. But until then…
Rock what you’ve got. Get out there and hike. And have fun.
New to hiking?
You’re in the right place. Keep exploring the Base Camp Basics section for more beginner tips and trail-tested advice!