Hiking calls for clothing suited to the activity. Today, hiking clothing is made from fabrics with advanced fibres that provide protection, breathability and freedom of movement. To help you choose, we explain everything you need to know about technical clothing for hiking.
Waterproofing and durability in technical clothing
Before buying hiking clothing, consider factors such as waterproofing and durability. These qualities will help you adapt to different conditions.
Today, membranes such as Gore-Tex® can withstand several days of bad weather. Their membrane construction keeps water out while allowing perspiration to escape. This combines waterproofing, breathability and wind protection.
Other garments have a water-repellent treatment and are ideal if you plan to hike in fair weather. Their fabric is designed to let water run off. They can withstand light rain, but have their limits and will not cope with a heavy downpour.
Breathability and wind protection in technical clothing
Wind can cool your body quickly. Windproof clothing helps retain the heat your body generates. Its membrane makes it both waterproof and windproof, protecting you from rain as well as wind.
Finally, the more waterproof a garment is, the less breathable it tends to be. It is important to find a balance between the two. Fabric breathability can be measured in two ways:
- MVTR, or moisture vapour transmission rate, measures how much water vapour a fabric lets through in 24 hours. The higher the figure, the more breathable the fabric. A jacket is considered breathable from 10,000 MVTR upwards.
- RET (Resistance to Evaporative Heat Transfer) measures how strongly a fabric resists the release of moisture. The lower the rating, the more breathable the garment. A RET below 6 is highly breathable; 6 to 12 is breathable; 12 to 20 is less breathable; and above 20 is not breathable.
The three-layer system
When dressing for hiking, the three-layer system is a reliable approach. The first layer wicks away sweat to keep you dry. This is usually a technical base layer. The second layer adds warmth with a fleece or down jacket. The third layer protects you from the elements. This is typically a windproof jacket that is water-repellent or waterproof.
Softshell jackets are an exception to the three-layer system. Their construction lets you wear them as either a mid-layer or an outer layer. A softshell has several advantages: it is warm, windproof and more breathable than a conventional outer layer… Its water-repellent finish can also handle light showers, but it is not waterproof.
Choosing technical clothing helps you hike comfortably and safely. Consider the climate, season and forecast when choosing what to wear. If you are going hiking, especially in the mountains, equip yourself with waterproof, breathable and windproof clothing suited to your activity.
