If you're a fan of ultralight hiking, you're certainly on the hunt for every last superfluous gram. When it comes to lightweight hiking clothing, the focus should be on a list of essentials. Hiking light means choosing only the clothing you need and leaving behind what you don't.
To properly define the clothing to choose for ultralight hiking, you need to distinguish between clothes worn permanently and those packed away for occasional use. When we talk about permanently worn clothing, we mean what you have on your body. It goes without saying that depending on the length of your hike (a weekend or longer, for example) and your willingness or ability to do a little laundry, you'll need to plan accordingly with spare clothes — or not!
Hiking light: clothes worn on the body
For the upper body, you can opt for a quick-dry half-zip t-shirt or choose a vest version. The half zip allows a degree of adjustment depending on the temperature and the level of comfort desired. In colder periods, you can layer a thermal base layer top underneath.
For trousers, opt for a genuinely lightweight and reinforced hiking trouser. It's the ideal choice to avoid being weighed down and to stay well protected all over. Underneath, you can layer a close-fitting pair of boxers or a short thermal base layer of your choice.
For socks, it's worth choosing socks made with merino wool, which prevent odours and are above all comfortable and durable.
Don't rush the choice of hiking shoes. They are essential for your comfort. Don't focus solely on lightweight options here — if you do, you'll end up with fragile footwear that wears out quickly. You can find a good compromise between quality and weight, particularly by opting for low-cut shoes, if the terrain you'll be covering is suited to them.
To complete your kit, pack a cap. It will protect you from the sun and can cool you down by wetting it in hot weather. It also offers a little protection against the cold.
Hiking light: clothes not worn permanently.
First in this category are your evening and night clothes. You can slip a pair of long thermal tights into your pack for sleeping. This thermal base layer will be your shield against the low temperatures of the night. You can then choose to use your daytime t-shirt at night, or pack a spare one.
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 you can use them for warmth as well as protection against impacts and abrasions.
Finally, pack a pair of night socks to alternate with your daytime pair. You can dry one pair in the sun, hung from your pack as you walk.
Two other items of clothing are essential to pack for the coldest moments or to tackle wind and rain. First, opt for a water-repellent, packable windproof jacket. It will be sufficient in predominantly dry conditions. In heavy rain, find shelter or use your tarp or groundsheet for protection.
For the cold, the best choice is a synthetic down jacket: it offers the best compromise between solid protection and a relatively light weight. Its ability to compress also makes it a key ally when you're trying to optimise your pack to the maximum.
Hiking light is a style of hiking that often demands tough choices. These choices must be made with your safety and minimal comfort in mind. You'll certainly carry less than with a supported hiking trip, for example, but you'll gain real satisfaction from it. This essential clothing list for hiking light should help guide you in making your choices and packing your rucksack for days of adventure in the great outdoors!
