Walking/Hiking clothes/boots

[whatever1980]

Doing some camping/hiking this year.

I'm vain and not athletic but not too overweight. I'll be out of my comfort zone so want some good quality kit that is also flattering is that possible?? Prepared to spend money on boots and coat (longline).

What should I get?

Boots? I saw Meghan's kamik boots but don't think they're hiking boots?

Trousers? Leggings (showerproof/fellow lined) seem to be in?

Coat? Want longline waterproof to cover bum and thighs

Please help!

I like my acai hiking trousers.

What gear you want will depend on what sort of hiking you’re doing - where are you going? What will the weather be like? And what sort of hiking are you expecting - something really challenging or gentle walks?

I usually hike in these boots: www.on-running.com/en-gb/products/cloudrock-waterproof

Sweaty Betty leggings: www.sweatybetty.com/shop/bottoms/leggings/power-7-8-gym-leggings-SB5400_NavyBlue_78Length.html

A sports bra, sports vest, with a fleece on top if it’s cold: eu.patagonia.com/gb/en/product/womens-retro-pile-fleece-jacket/22795.html

And a North Face jacket - either just a waterproof shell or a triclimate one (which has an inner thermal layer and an outer waterproof layer): www.thenorthface.co.uk/shop/en-gb/tnf-gb/women-jackets-coats-triclimate-3-in-1-jackets

Add in some good socks and a backpack and good to go.

These (either all or some of the layers) would be good for most hike in the UK in reasonable weather. If it was cold or I was doing something more challenging or going higher - like Ben Nevis or Snowdonia - I’d plan to have all of the layers to hand and I’d want proper waterproof hiking trousers rather than leggings.

If however you’re doing easy day hikes and no risk of snow/cold winds/lots of rain and no really difficult surfaces (slippery rock or really uneven terrain) you could get away with anything really - sensible boots/trainers and comfy clothes.

There is loads of hiking stuff out there and plenty is quite stylish (well, for hiking stuff) but I’d start from what you need in practical terms!

Brands you might want to look at are Sweaty Betty, Patagonia, North Face, Cotopaxi, and shops like Snow and Rock, Mountain Warehouse etc that sell lots of brands if you want to try on a few.

Have fun!

I would also say hiking jackets don’t tend to be long coats - they’re not as practical/don’t allow the same movement and don’t underestimate how warm you’ll get hiking! Especially climbing. If you’re doing walks rather than hikes you could look at a good waterproof from somewhere like Sweaty Betty that’ll do you for normal life too (I.e won’t look too technical!) www.sweatybetty.com/shop/tops/coats-and-jackets/mission-waterproof-parka-SB6171RET_MountainGreen.html

And if you’re going somewhere it’ll get cold I forgot to mention stuff like a buff, gloves, etc - definitely you’ll want this if you’re somewhere like Snowdonia or Scotland (even in summer).

Thanks @LaPampa and @Amelion brilliant suggestions

Hiking round Ireland and Scotland. Some
of the peaks in Ireland so not freezing

Acai good for easy walking but not massively breathable . I wear Sweaty Betty leggings/shorts for summer mountain walking (Scotland) plus layers- merino, fleece, light down layer as even in June can be cold at the top, Mountain Equipment waterproof (hip length). Trail shoes fine but if somewhere where you might twist an ankle, get a decent outdoor (not fashion a la Meghan) boot.

Definitely a buff/hat/gloves. We went up Schiehallion in August - it was 5C at the top. Need to think if you get an injury and have to wait for help so always take an extra layer.

Another tip- start off wearing less than you think as it stops you sweating, getting damp then getting a chill at the top of the mountain. Pack the layers in your bag.

Boots are key

Comfort and support

Cotswold outdoors usually have good value and sensible advices , Tisos also

Avoid denim

After that , it's about adjusting your walk to the weather

Layers are good , flexible as you get warm going uphill and freezing when you stop for lunch

I had snow in Ireland in late April

Another vote for Açai. I have thermal waterproof and non-thermal trousers from them.

Patagonia (patagucci) is worth a look.

If you're coming to Scotland get a waterproof jacket. Actually, just get waterproof everything. It might be 20 degrees and glorious sun at the bottom of a hill and 6 degrees and a howling gale at the top, so go with waterproof layers.

A shell type jacket is better than an insulated one so you can adjust your layers to the temperature. Hood with decent drawstring so it doesn't blow off and storm cuffs to stop the wet travelling up your arm. I have a Berghaus Goretex which is the dogs bollocks - you can walk all day in it and still be dry although it was £££. Long isn't great, if / when you get too hot eg when walking uphill and take it off, you want something packable and light but also a thin or mesh lining so it's not clammy.

Waterproof trousers if you're doing long walks / hills: they all make your arse look massive but better that than trudging for 3 hours in horizontal drizzle with sodden "showerproof" trousers flapping round your legs or worse, wet leggings direct on your skin in a cold hilltop gale, you will then learn the true meaning of miserable.

Boots: proper walking boots for any hills. I would not go for Meghan's stylish kind as if they are anything like Sorels they are a chore to walk in - hot, heavy and rub your calves - and aren't very grippy.

General advice: forget fashion apart from looking for a non-hideous colour and go with comfortable, waterproof, layers and not too bulky. See also midge repellent. Have fun!

Go outdoors is a great shop with loads of brands… clothing and shoes. Take your own thicker socks to try the boots with

I’ve a pair of Karrimor hiking boots, bought over a year ago from Go Outdoors and I love them: comfy; grip well and I actually think they look fairly good, too. I can’t find a link to them - sorry!

Sweaty Betty leggings are fab as a PP said and I actually wear the 3/4 length ones for walking as I get boiling (bloody peri menopause!)

I’ve a Peter Storm parka but as a PP said, the longer coats can be restrictive. I don’t tend to climb/do altitude stuff so being more on the flat means the parka works fine.

All that being said, I think for boots especially, buying the best you can afford is good advice as they’ll last longer and will likely be better performance wise.

Enjoy your walking trips: they sound lovely!

Scarpa Terra boots

I wouldn't go longline coat. It wouldnbe like spending a day walking wearing a dress over trousers. You need something hip or even waist height.

I'm as vain as the next woman but I can't even walk the dog in longline coats as my legs are trapped otherwise.

Invest time and money in good boots and a breathable waterproof jacket. Go to a specialist outdoor shop and try several pairs of boots to find what fits your feet. Lots of boots may be equal on paper, but I definitely have a Scarpa shaped foot and definitely not a Salomon shaped one, although I don’t deny that Salomon make good boots. Also get some wool-rich waking socks eg: Bridgedale.

For these, you can go cheaper - Then add baselayer top (I prefer merino, it’s more comfortable and less sweaty than synthetics, but more expensive to start with), mid weight fleece, trousers (Acai are v popular, but I prefer less fashionable/more practical Sprayway Kiwi Pros), wool rich socks, and a neck tube to keep the draughts from going from your neck. If you really feel the cold, at a micro fleece top, but definitely layers rather than one big insulated jacket at this stage. Then add a wooly hat and waterproof gloves. Look at MountainWarehouse, Blacks/Peter Storm, TKMaxx.

Alpkit do some decent kit at very reasonable prices.

If you already have long gym leggings they’ll probably do unless it’s very cold/windy.

Avoid cotton. If you want natural fibres, merino wool and bamboo are the way to go.

I am surprised people say. Did they get caught on brambles and stuff? I love my sexy craghoppers 😊

Typo. Say leggings *

Açai hiking trousers are lovely …fleecy lined so comfy and warm

You can't go far wrong with a trip to mountain warehouse or go outdoors for kit. If you buy fashion items and they fail eg leaky jacket you will be miserable! Mountain warehouse has longer line jackets, mine comes to just below hips, but a tip, buy a size up on what you would buy from a shop like M&S. check how waterproof it is, higher rating is best, mine is 10,000

I would choose something like craghoppers if you want branded trousers but mine are mountain warehouse, go for a dark colour so you don't notice stains from sitting on grass, rocks etc. also you need waterproof over trousers, these never look stylish but they are brilliant in British summer weather . You don't need specific tops, I just wear vest tops and a fleece

Finally boots, buy decent ones, mine are saloman currently but I've had reike, merrell and mountain warehouse own brand, decent hiking socks are essential so buy them to accommodate thick socks

I'm a hiker. If you're doing any hills don't get a long line coat.

Ideally you need to aim for layers. You might start off cold, then get hot as you're walking, then find yourself in a freezing gale at the summit. Layers means you can adapt as required.

Laughing at semi naked women on the açai website.

Look!