Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

A good look for hiking?

109 replies

JulietAconite · 01/01/2019 19:50

I'm going to climb a mountain with a man I secretly fancy madly. What on earth can I wear to look like a genuine proficient walker, yet still look hot?

OP posts:
JulietAconite · 02/01/2019 10:47

Alanna- great tip. Am just off to count my Christmas money to see if I can get some of those walking trousers- form and function

OP posts:
Arkengarthdale · 02/01/2019 11:28

Alanna those walking trousers look fab!

I remember when you couldn't get any women's technical clothing for fell walking or mountaineering, you had to wear men's. Rohan didn't start making woman-shaped trousers for ages. We used to wear cord breeches! I used to drive the Land Rover because I always looked like a sack of spuds 😂

WhereDoesThisToiletGo · 02/01/2019 11:37

Get one of those Buff things to keep your neck warm, then half way up when you are warm ( /sweating like a pig) you can use it as headband to keep hair tidy. If it's breezy, "artfully tousled" rapidly becomes "pulled thru a hedge backwards" unless you've got either very short hair, or long hair tied back

CosyToast · 02/01/2019 11:41

I think clothing wise it sounds like you're covered, I would definitely recommend plaiting your hair if it's long enough, that'll keep it out of the way! I always hike with a French plait or Dutch braid, I like to tell myself I look cute and outdoorsy 🤷🏼‍♀️ also bring some chocolate bars or trail mix to share at the top - I don't think DH ever notices what I'm wearing but he definitely notices what I feed him 😂

MargotsFlounceyBlouse · 02/01/2019 12:44

Random tip, if you wear specs and have a crap backup pair wear them for hiking. It's not uncommon to trip or slip a bit and I lost a new shiny three hundred quid pair up The Old Man in Coniston Grin I have the coordination of a dizzy foal however which might have contributed.

JulietAconite · 02/01/2019 13:43

@NikiFree tell me what's going on with you?

OP posts:
KittiesInsane · 02/01/2019 14:12

Ha, Rohan were behind the times, Arkengarth, but Craghoppers did women's stretch walking trousers at least 30-cough-cough years ago.

They lasted for ages too.

FinallyHere · 02/01/2019 14:47

Another set of thanks for the AcaiActive trousers, they look great. I have made a note of them as a prize for myself to keep going with the walking. I tend to get very hot, though, are they to keep you warm?

ForgivenessIsDivine · 02/01/2019 15:07

www.girlsup.fr/52-running

I love the things on this website though a bit more geared to skiing and snowboarding, I love the cross country skiing gear!!

AlannaOfTrebond · 02/01/2019 15:09

@FinallyHere, my pleasure. Acai are only a small company, but I've loved their products and customer service so wanted to spread the love.

They do two types of the skinny trousers, thermal and a lighter summer weight pair. I don't find the thermal ones overly warm though as they breathe well. One thing to note is that they do come up long, I'm 5'10 and the regular are an ample length for me.

BusterTheBulldog · 02/01/2019 15:16

Sunglasses and layers - my biggest problem is getting too hot and sweating!

JohnMcCainsDeathStare · 02/01/2019 15:24

I'd wear shorts over running tights - a bit more warmth and pockets,

Nearly · 02/01/2019 15:27

So happy I found this thread as my partner and I are hoping to start walking this year and have no gear or an idea 😂

Love the acai trousers but don’t want to spend too much to begin with and am sure money would be better spent on boots and a jacket.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the Peter Storm leggings?

Nearly · 02/01/2019 15:28

Also can anyone recommend a brand of boots please?

ForgivenessIsDivine · 02/01/2019 15:52

Boots: Salomon, Scarpa or Merrell.b

MikeUniformMike · 02/01/2019 15:55

Camelbak-type backpack would be my recommendation. A medium size one not a tiny one.
Make up - stay put stuff but not too obvious. Tinted lipbalm is useful.
Borrow kit if you can so you look like you've done it before.
Avoid too many colours. Bright bag or bright jacket should be enough.

AlannaOfTrebond · 02/01/2019 16:21

Totally forgot Camelbak - and mine goes everywhere with me! I have the Mule, good for day hikes, cycling and many other activities.

I would also suggest Bridgedale merino walking socks, so comfortable and breathe brilliantly. Expensive, but I can wear mine for at least 4 days before they need washing.... In fact I'd recommend Merino pretty much anything, I love the stuff.

*General recommendations - I'm not suggesting spending all this money for one date.

FinallyHere · 02/01/2019 16:25

@AlannaOfTrebond Thank you kindly

As for a brand of boots, @Nearly I would encourage you to find a specialist shop and try on lots of pairs, to find something that will suit your feet. Oh, and get some walking socks, too. I scoffed initially but found they really made a difference to my comfort.

MikeUniformMike · 02/01/2019 16:26

Mine's a Mule too. Old and stained but still working.
Borrow a camelbak. Ask any cycling pals.You need enough space in the bag for stuff. Pen, paper, (head)torch, compass, whistle etc and Kendal mint cake. You might want to pack condoms. Be prepared!

KittiesInsane · 02/01/2019 16:28

Condoms in the daysack? For January?

That's... dedicated.

brokenhead · 02/01/2019 16:31

I've just had a really good idea

A selfie stick so he has to pose beside you for pics

And then text you looking for them

Come on give me the medal

MaudesMum · 02/01/2019 16:45

Tissues. Lots of tissues. There's nothing like a stiff breeze to make your nose run in an unappealing fashion.

MikeUniformMike · 02/01/2019 16:50

You never know...
yes to tissues.

MissElaineNeus · 02/01/2019 17:22

These leggings are brilliant though not cheap. Probably more spring than winter though.

www.fjallraven.co.uk/shop/fjallraven-abisko-trekking-tights-w-F89586-dark-grey/?sku=7323450305482

MargotsFlounceyBlouse · 02/01/2019 17:32

Oh go on then I'll nerd out on this Grin I take a microfibre cloth as a hanky as I get runny nose too.

Also vaseline stick for wind chapped lips.

A plastic rigid cheapy headband is handy for pushing loose stray hairs out of your face. I wear plaits usually but the wispy stragglers can be annoying.

Agree layers. I wear wickable long sleeve t shirt with craghopper trousers, then fleece over top then anorak, and have a duvet coat plus top and bottom waterproofs in bag. Sounds a lot but you can react to the weather and duvet coats scrunch up and can be a blessing to put over anorak once you reach the top and stop moving and the chill sets in. Merino leggings from Aldi under trousers if properly bitter.

My boots were 80 quid or so from Go outdoors.no idea of the brand I just tried lots on and these have taken a lot of hammering.

I'd recommend smooth bamboo or thin socks as opposed to thick woolly ones. Even wading through snow your feet probably won't be cold as long as your boots are decent and thick knits have caused chafing and blisters.

In my bag along with duvet coat plus waterproofs I have foam seat mat, bottle of water, pack of sandwiches beany hat neck warmer and thin gloves. You need to be able to grip but you're likely to get damp so the cheapy pound ones work fine even with the odd scramble.

I like to have the option of a stick, as my partner says it's like a personal bannister, and if icy crampons are magical but the cheap ones rarely manage eight hours of rocky bits.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.

Swipe left for the next trending thread