Temperature changes are frequent when hiking, especially in the mountains where the weather is unpredictable. It is therefore essential to pack appropriate clothing, but also to bring spare clothes. With today's technologies, garments are now more durable and absorb odours less. So is it really necessary to change your hiking clothes every day?
Clothing for the upper body
When hiking, weight matters — whether you're heading out for a day walk on flat terrain or a multi-day mountain trek. It's important to be mindful not to pack too many clothes.
Today, many hiking garments are designed to be worn for several days. When it comes to base layers in natural fibres, merino wool T-shirts are ideal for trekking — they naturally resist odour. However, we advise against wearing synthetic fibres for multiple days unless they feature a special treatment (e.g. Polygiene technology, which actively repels odours).
When hiking, you can wear your T-shirt for two or three days. A useful tip is to pack two base layers, wash them by hand, and alternate them throughout your trek. As for mid layers and outer layers, there's no issue wearing them several days in a row without changing.
Clothing for the lower body
You don't need to change your hiking trousers every day either. These garments are built for extended use, so wearing them for several days is perfectly fine. That said, packing a spare pair is still a good idea — in case your trousers get soaked or torn. Alternating between pairs also gives the previous day's trousers a chance to breathe.
You can pack different types of trousers: lightweight, insulated, convertible, or shorts if you're heading out for several days. This lets you adapt to changing weather conditions and terrain (trails, bramble-covered paths, woodland, rivers…). Setting off on a hike with one pair of trousers plus a spare in your pack is a smart move. Just don't load yourself down with three or four pairs.
Additional clothing to pack
While you can keep most of your hiking clothes on for several days — or wash them along the way — it's also important to plan for a few spare items during your trek.
For a multi-day trek, count on:
- One T-shirt for roughly every two or three days of hiking. When choosing your base layer, you can opt for short-sleeved or long-sleeved T-shirts;
- A fleece. You can also optionally pack a second, lighter fleece to adapt to the climate;
- A jacket that is both windproof and waterproof
- One or two pairs of hiking trousers (or shorts);
- At least two pairs of hiking socks
- A pair of thermal tights, which can be useful both as an underlayer in cold conditions or for sleeping.
Bear in mind that you shouldn't overload yourself when heading out on a hike. Check the forecast in advance, but pack clothing that covers all conditions (cold, heat, rain, wind…) — especially if you're in the mountains. Changing clothes every day while hiking isn't mandatory, but it's worth planning for a few key spare items.
