A good look for hiking?

[JulietAconite]

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 re going to the loo - and I suspect re anything outdoorsy, really - I found that being capable and matter-of-fact - no fake twisted ankles! - was what my very outdoorsy (now) DH liked. Literally decades ago, when we were first getting friendly, he invited me out for a long day trip on his small boat. So as well as bringing snacks and hot drinks, I quietly made sure we had a suitable bucket on board. He was so relieved - it turned out that he had been worried about how I might cope but had not felt that he knew me well enough to raise the subject. Times have changed since then - people are much more open - so this may be much less of an issue today. But I suggest just being quietly calm and unfussed - and talking a few tissues plus a small plastic bag (leave no litter!) in your pocket.

@Rainatnight @MissWilmotts - I'm normally fine about peeing in the wild, apart from this one time when we had this verrrrrry gorgeous guide (we were doing winter mountaineering) and I had on a new pair of hardshell (waterproof) salopettes - he ended up having to tell me what the easiest way would be for me (as a girl) to pee!! So EMBARRASSING!! - to be fair though, these trousers had braces and I didn't want to undress all of my top layers on a scottish mountainside!!!

Honestly if you like hiking that will be a huge plus point and there will be cosy weekends in cottages before you know it.

Outdoor types love being asked for their opinion on gear too so you could always ask what to take - he might take you shopping, that could be another date.

Whilst I save up for the Acai trousres I bought some Ponte leggings from Sainsburys - they are pretty warm and comfortable. Except due to kids who don't like walking they don't get much use!

The most important thing is comfy, broken-in, waterproof hiking boots.

Nothing is a bigger turnoff than someone who starts whinging that their feet hurt ....

Seduction strategy: wait till get to top and then celebratory hug which leads to snog! Can you update us live on hike do you think? He’ll never notice!

Buster love the idea of the celebratory summit hug turning into a passionate embrace!!
Not sure about live updates- there might be nothing exciting to say hour by hour- but I'll definitely report back if I'm 'successful'!!

I had a new pair of salopettes... He seemed up having to tell me what the easiest way would be for me (as a girl) to pee

MyFamily I swear I'm not the wee troll, but please can you explain a little bit more about this? I've always struggled with salopettes...

Don't forget all the kissing gates. It's practically part of the country code that you have to kiss over each one.

Ooh that's right. And you should ALWAYS follow the country code.

@XingMing Have you seen these Alpkit technical jeans?

@JulietAconite I have “pulled” all (that’s 2 previous bf and DH) my partners in the mountains, either mountain biking, hillwalking or on a geology field trip. You might find that goretex and fleece is a lot more seductive than you think.

@BikeRunSki, I hadn't seen them, but they look promising. Many thanks.

@BikeRunSki, now I'm the one with trouser envy! Those trousers are so nice I've just bought a pair. Thank you!

@BikeRunSki, is the sizing pretty accurate with those? They sound great!

They are pretty true to size. I find them a bit short. I’d normally wear a 32” inside leg.

Thanks. I’m only 5’3”, so they’d probably be ok on me!

By the way please be sure to update because DH is dying for the gossip. He read this thread and is over invested. And says that wind blown hair looks good. Just as well

Also keen for an update!

Make sure you wear in the boots first (with walking socks) so you don't have blisters. Other than that he probably won't care what you wear - as long as it looked "lived in". Good luck and enjoy!

He already knows how you look

He already likes you and wants to spend time with you (hiking)

So you should just be you in the most comfy clothes/footwear you have.

have fun!

Op how did this go?

Is regatta a massive no no?

Get a She-Wee. Mine is the 'extreme' version in its own sealed little box. I can't be having with getting a cold bottom at this time of year, plus the difficulty of finding a spot that avoids the possibility of a large group of bearded ramblers marching merrily around the corner at the least opportune moment imaginable (which is what motivated me to buy the thing - never again!).

And decent gloves - even if it feels warm at the bottom it will be cold at the top and when you stop, so make sure they're in your rucksack, along with a hat. Even in August! (More bitter experience talking). I have Sealskinz gloves which are waterproof and marvellous, cos my circulation is not marvellous.

If you wear rings remember your hands might swell up, so you might want to leave them off. I get sausage fingers.

Definitely double plaits, that's what I do.

i recommend the whiz freedom over a she-wee, they are not ridgid and can be scrunched up in a bag. It is a good idea to practice in the shower a few times first.

Some great links in this thread, thanks.

I cannot believe the OP never updated on her final choice of outfit and its aesthetic and romantic outcome, though

There was a response - in a thread called What happened to the lady who was going to climb a mountain....
Don't know how to do a link on my phone!

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/3477899-What-happened-to-the-lady-who-was-going-to-climb-a-mountain-with-the-man-of-her-dreams-and-sparked-a-run-on-stylish-outdoor-gear