If you’re into ultralight hiking, you’re probably looking to shed every unnecessary gram. When it comes to lightweight hiking clothing, focus on the essentials. Hiking light means choosing the clothes you need and leaving less important items behind.
To properly define what to wear on an ultralight hiking trip, you need to distinguish between clothing worn permanently and items stowed in the pack for temporary use. When we talk about permanently worn clothing, we mean what you have on your body. It goes without saying that depending on the duration of your hike (a weekend or longer, for example) and your willingness or ability to do a bit of washing, you'll need to adjust accordingly — with spare clothing, or without!
Hiking light: clothing worn on the body
For your upper body, choose a quick-drying half-zip t-shirt or a vest version. The half-zip lets you adjust ventilation to suit the temperature and your comfort. In colder weather, you can wear a thermal base-layer top underneath.
For your legs, choose genuinely lightweight, reinforced hiking trousers. They’ll keep unnecessary weight down while providing effective protection throughout. Underneath, you can wear close-fitting boxer shorts or short thermal underwear of your choice.
For socks, choose socks containing merino wool. They help prevent odours and, above all, are comfortable and durable.
Don’t rush your choice of hiking shoes. They’re essential to your comfort. Don’t prioritise low weight alone, or you could end up with flimsy shoes that wear out quickly. You can find a good balance between quality and weight, particularly by choosing low-cut shoes if the terrain allows.
To complete your kit, grab a cap. It'll protect you from the sun and can help cool you down by soaking it in water during heatwaves. It also provides a little protection against the cold.
Hiking light: clothing not worn permanently.
First in this category are clothes for the evening and overnight. Pack a pair of long thermal leggings to sleep in. This thermal base layer will protect you from low night-time temperatures. You can then either wear your daytime t-shirt to sleep in or pack a spare.
Also pack a neck gaiter, which will serve you both during the day as a neck warmer or bandana, and at night to protect your head from the cold. Gloves will also come in handy. In the evening or early morning they protect your hands from the cold, and during the day they can be used for cold protection as well as protection against impacts and abrasions.
Finally, pack a pair of night socks to alternate with your daytime pair. You can dry a pair of socks in the sun, clipped to the outside of your rucksack while you walk.
Two more items of clothing are essential to pack for the coldest moments or to protect you from wind and rain. First, choose a water-repellent windproof jacket that packs down small. It will be enough in mostly dry conditions. In heavy rain, plan to seek shelter or use your tarp or groundsheet for protection.
For cold conditions, choose a synthetic insulated jacket : it offers a good balance of protection and low weight. It also packs down small, making it useful when you need to make the most of the space in your pack.
Hiking light is a style of hiking that often calls for tough choices. These must be made with your safety and minimum comfort in mind. You'll certainly carry less than on a supported hiking trip, for example, but the rewards are real. This essential clothing checklist for hiking light should help guide you in making your choices and packing your rucksack for days of adventure in the great outdoors!
