Nice hiking wear

[CallMeMousie]

After years of small kids and only getting out for quick runs I'm keen to get back into walking/hiking more in 2024. I've plenty of SB leggings and sports bras but was hoping to pick up more hiking type stuff in the sales. Any recommendations for useful layers/shorts/anything that I should consider.

Also while I don't want to try and look like a 20-something tiktoker I'd still like ideally to have clothes that make me feel good as well as functional - what do edgy 40 somethings wear on hikes now?? Any advice (and sale bargains) gratefully received.

I tend to wear proper hiking clothes when I hike. So made of technical material as I find them much more comfortable and functional. I’d love Fjallraven but can’t afford it and buy Montane instead. Their Ineo pro hiking trousers are like leggings with water resistant, rip proof material with articulated knees so no constriction when climbing. I love their Dart t shirts. Rab jackets are a good fit for me-sometimes, roomy jackets can look extremely frumpy. And boots/shoes, I like the Italian makes like Scarpa, La Sportiva, Salewa etc asI like that Alpine village style.

It depends what sort of hiking you're talking about. A couple of hours flat-ish walking followed by a pub/cafe, I like Finisterre and get a lot of wear or of their clothes. Good sales.
Up a mountain for most of the day in the pissing rain, then technical wear from Decathlon or one of the brands PP mentions - Cotswold Outdoor is a good website/shop to get ideas.

What hiking do you have in mind?

A short, relaxed walk - I’d probably go for Sweaty Betty or Lululemon and my On hiking boots.

But something more serious like a long day hike/munros where I live in Scotland or a multi day hike when I’m on holiday - I’d be wearing my proper hiking gear from proper outdoor brands like Patagonia, Montane, Rab and choosing things for breathability, weight, waterproofness, warmth etc and not looks.

Have a look at Acai. Outdoor clothes designed by women, for women. I've been climbing hills and mountains and hiking for over 30 years, and their trousers are the only ones that have ever fitted properly.

I'd also recommend all tte brands that @ChilliPB has mentioned. I'm a APatagonia girl myself.

Approach shoes- Keen
Boots- Haglofs
Clothing- Mountain Equipment, Haglofs, Norrona, Patagonia

Ah thanks so much everyone! I'm not a hardcore hiker - mainly up to 20k or so in a day, some mountains and hills but more of the paths and scrambles kind than full on climbing etc.

I'm just finding my running clothes aren't waterproof enough and my dog walking gear isn't comfortable enough once you get over a couple of hours on your feet.

Will look over all the recommendations and see what bargains are out there in the sales, much appreciated.

For me if you are doing decent hikes but not anything overly tough or taxing (if you’re headed up a Munro in winter or Helvellyn you need decent kit.)

Get the best walking boots you can afford - if you look after them they will last for ever (I’m still wearing my leather ones I got at 18 a… considerable amount of years later).

Same for socks - best you can afford.

Leggings that dry easily. Tuck them into your socks so they avoid the worst of the mud splashes. Waterproof trousers if it’s pissing down but I get too hot and sweaty in them - much more comfy in something that wicks sweat away or dries quick if they get a bit damp.

Layers - thermal vest or tshirt, flannel shirt or fleece, good waterproof that covers your bum. I wear one of DP’s shirts as they are always thicker. Tend to spend hikes stripping layers off then putting them back on again. Layers you can tie round your waist are handy.

In backpack - hat, gloves, extra layer, spare socks.

I really love Decathlon for this sort of thing. Their clothes are well designed, nicely made and inexpensive. For hiking, they even have sweet little skorts and dresses if you so wish.

I'd go elsewhere for hiking boots, but for clothing Decathlon are hard to beat.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/sports/hiking/hiking-clothes/f-gender_women-s

Another vote for Açai - they have THE best trousers and leggings and socks

I really like Revolution Race for outdoor wear, and love Findra for merino and nice layers.

DH worked in outdoor retail for years, and specialised in boot fitting . He'd recommend investing a good hour or more in an outdoor shop trying on boots. Different boots, different manufacturers* fit differently. A good boot fitter will be able to advise on boot styles, socks, lacing patterns and insoles to achieve a good fit, Your are probably more likely to find this kind of knowledge in an independent shop than a chain , although Cotswold Outdoor employ a lot of sports/kit specialists.

• eg Salomon make excellent boots, but theyre just not a good shape for my feet. I ruin Salomon boots and my feet in about 4!or 5 walks because they are just the wrong shape, curve in the wrong places etc and put stresses in the shoe wrongly. Same for Inov8 running shoes, but there is no denying that these are good boots and shoes.

@MrsRachelDanvers pretty much described my hiking outfit. I have the Montane Ineos trouser/leggings - the only downside is I'm 5ft tall and they're a bit long but I just out up with a few wrinkles round the ankle or I wear SB 7/8 leggings! I wear rab on my top half, love all there layers from base to waterproof. Also have the odd montane top which are good. I have hiking boots but for low level long hikes tend to wear waterproof trail shoes as they're so much lighter.

The only thing I've never found is a way to keep my bum warm, lol!

Can't imagine the effort of trying to look 'edgy' when walking.
Mountain warehouse and decathlon will do for me.

I have trousers from Revolution Race, they're not cheap but their sizing measurements are really accurate. I find in high street stores there's usually only one type of hiking trouser for women and inevitably they are too big. The RR trousers are reasonably waterproof too.

Top half I wear layers, but just clothes I would wear normally so a t shirt, long sleeved t shirt and then either a fleece or a wool jumper on top. Jacket varies depending on whether it's raining or not - nothing technical or expensive.

Boots: I have Merrell lightweight trail boots for when it isn't pissing down, however they are my second pair and I think the quality is declining so will probably change brand when they fall apart. My wet weather pair are some Altberg army boots which are pretty good.

Socks: BAM hiking socks. Not cheap either but they are very good, they have sales on quite a lot.

I’m a mountain leader and live and work in the Lakes. I agree with alot above about technical kit.

My two fave bits atm for wet winter are my helly hansen merino base layer and my paramo smock.

Another vote for Acai, Ive done mountains, gorges, clambering, bouldering, abseiling, hiking, and they’re amazing trousers.

Alpkit - I've had great kit from them, affordable and always a good fit.

Alpkit is fantastic!

Mines a mixture of Patagonia, berghaus, mountain warehouse, Salomon. Key items are well fitting boots, good socks and waterproof jacket that's really waterproof.

Rohan trousers are good. I like the the stretch bags. They dry quick and aren’t leggings.

Merino socks are a must have for me. I pick them up when on sale if I can.

I have North Face approach shoes which I use in fair weather. I have Danner Mountain 600 boots for more support and longer treks. I like the traditional brown leather hiking boots. I have wide feet and they are very comfortable and well sized.

I love Athleta bottoms for mild weather, they are a nice weight, stretch and design. They have useful pockets and they don't loose shape for me.

For poorer weather I have a mix from Jack Wolfskin, North Face and Mammut. But these days even H&M do some great hiking clothing for adults.

I swear by my Odlo base layers and glove liners.

I hike to around T3/T4 level in Switzerland, as I've recently been unwell/unfit, but these brands also work well at higher and more challenging levels and conditions.

I have lined Fjallraven Abisko hiking tights which are functional and look good on. Lululemon leggings are my everyday staple.
A Paramo smock or Buffalo mountain shirt are both great pieces of kit.
Icebreaker merino base layers, not cheap but very high quality and again look good on.

Arc'teryx Kyanite hoody or Patagonia R1 or R2 Techface as a mid layer.
I love the Paragonia Synchilla fleeces, they do some really funky retro patterns. I wear those and the Retro Pile fleeces a lot.
I bought some Revolution Race stuff this year and so far I like it, I've had a lot of comments on these trousers in the thunder camo colour:
https://www.revolutionrace.co.uk/women/trousers/walking-hiking-trousers/rvrc-gp-pants-women?Color=6970

I have hiking/waterproof trousers from Arc'teryx, Patagonia, Rab, Mountain Equipment and Montane. None of them are what you'd call glamorous but I'd say Arc'teryx and the Revolution Race ones linked above have slightly more flattering cuts.

I have a beautiful pair of leather Zamberlan hiking boots, they're gorgeous. They're made in Italy and are a narrower fit but I have narrow feet. My other hiking boots are all Salomons which fit me perfectly for that same reason. I have a mix of Salomon, La Sportiva and ON trainers for walking/trail running and everyday wear.

I pretty much live in this type of clothes and/or gym gear.

Wow so many great recommendations thanks you! I'm going to have a good think about boots and invest in some good ones this year. @Vetoncall I also have narrow feet so that's really interesting to know.

Sorry for being so vain and wanting clothes which look good. We live rurally with lots of animals and I WFH so generally my outdoors clothes work their way into my day to day wardrobe. Sometimes it's nice to wear things you just enjoy as well as being functional! Loads of great ideas here, will have a good trawl through tonight.

Interesting about the boots - I also have narrow feet and I remember that when I bought my first ever pair of hiking boots, the retail assistant guided me towards the La Sportiva ones for that reason - he said I had Italian feet rather than German ones! As German brands were generally a bit wider. Now I usually buy Salomons for same reason.