What to Wear Hiking in Hot Weather: 9 Top Tips
Heading out on the trail in warm temperatures is tough, and knowing exactly how to stay cool isn’t easy either!
But the summer months are often when the hiking is best, trails are clear of snow, and the sun is out.
Choosing what to wear hiking in hot weather can be really intimidating, and that’s why I’ve created this guide.
Here you’ll find the best tips on how to stay cool for hot weather hiking, as well as what you should be wearing when you hit the trail this summer.
These tips will help you stay cool and safe, and will keep your hike enjoyable, even when the temperatures feel unbearable.
Top Tips for Summer Clothing for Hiking
When choosing what to wear hiking in the summer, use these tips to help yourself stay cool.
What to Wear for Hiking in Hot Weather
There are so many options out there for hot weather hiking clothes that it can be tough to decide which pieces to purchase.
I’ve compiled a list of a few of the best things to wear for summer hiking, and have included them here- for men and women!
1. Hiking Shorts
When I hike in the summer, I wear shorts because I find them to be the most comfortable and allow some airflow on my legs.
Shorts are a great option for bottoms because they’re breathable and lightweight.
Here are two excellent options for hiking shorts that are sure to keep you comfortable all summer long.
Women’s Hiking Shorts
These Baleaf hiking shorts are budget-friendly and come in multiple colors. They’re super comfortable and stretchy.
They also have zippered pockets, so you won’t lose any of your belongings when you’re on the trail.
With UPF protection, you’ll also be protected from the sun’s rays.
Men’s Hiking Shorts
The men’s Baleaf Cargo shorts are perfect for a day spent on the trail.
They’re great for storing anything that you need to bring with you, but don’t look bulky as other cargo shorts do.
On top of the zipper and button, there is a drawstring closure so you can adjust their fit.
These also are made of a UPF 50+ fabric and are water resistant!
2. Hiking Pants
Pants are another good option for bottoms in the summer, as they protect your skin from the hot sun.
They also can protect you from sticks on the trail, mosquitos, and ticks.
These pants below are both lightweight and breathable, so they’re good for wearing even in the summer.
Women’s Hiking Pants
The Gopune hiking pants are the ones that I use for many of my hikes!
They’re incredibly comfortable and dry extremely fast, plus have zipper pockets!
They’re very lightweight, so are perfect for even those hot summer hikes.
For those on a budget, these are also a great option, as they’re more affordable than others!
Men’s Hiking Pants
These Columbia Silver Ridge pants are convertible.
A zipper allows you to zip the bottom half off right at the knees.
Multiple zippers allow you to carry all of your essentials and a built-in belt helps keep them tight.
The UPF material protects your skin from the sun’s rays.
3. Hiking T-Shirt
Just like bottoms, some people prefer to wear a long sleeve top while others prefer short sleeves in the summer.
And if you’re like me, you might even prefer to go with a tank top to stay extra cool!
Short sleeves are best for staying cool and avoiding sweating too much.
Women’s T-Shirt
This Columbia W Zero Ice Cirro Cool t-shirt is made of 100% polyester, making it extremely lightweight and breathable.
It has Omni-wick and Omni-shade technology, so it keeps you protected from the sun and quickly wicks away sweat.
It also comes in as a fairly affordable option!
Men’s T-Shirt
This Under Armour Tactical Tech shirt will provide you with a super cool, lightweight top to wear on hot summer days.
The material wicks away sweat and also prevents chafing if you do sweat!
It’s very stretchy and won’t restrict your movements in any way while you’re out on the trail.
4. UPF Rated Long Sleeve
While short sleeve shirts seem to be the best for hot weather hiking because they’re made of less material, long sleeves can actually be great too!
Long sleeve shirts help protect your skin better than short sleeves do because your skin isn’t exposed.
The two that I’ve listed below both have UPF to help protect you from the sun’s rays.
Women’s Long Sleeve
This Baleaf long-sleeve top has UPF 50+ protection and comes in so many cute colors!
I love this purple, but there are other options such as white, blue, and pink.
One great part about this top is you can choose between the basic long-sleeve or a 1/4 zip style top.
Men’s Long Sleeve
Here’s the men’s version of the Baleaf UPF protection long-sleeve shirt.
I’m listing it for men as well because it’s a great shirt for such a budget price!
It’ll protect you if you prefer to wear long sleeves in the summer heat over short sleeves.
5. Sturdy Shoes
Even in the summer, you need to have a good, sturdy pair of hiking shoes or boots when you hit the trail.
As tempting as it may be to go with your favorite pair of flip-flops, I really recommend going for a pair of hiking boots.
My tried and true hiking shoes are my Oboz Sawtooth II.
Because they’re a low top, they aren’t as hot in the summer and are super comfortable.
They lasted me over 500 miles, so they’re an incredible investment!
Here’s the men’s version of my Oboz!
If you prefer hiking in sandals, you can read more here about hiking in either Tevas or Chacos!
6. Hiking Socks
Have a good quality pair of hiking socks that will keep your feet cool when you hike in the summer!
I’d say it’s one of the most important pieces of hot weather hiking clothes, because you use your feet a lot when on the trail.
Merino wool is the best material because it wicks away sweat and works to keep your feet nice and aired out.
My favorites are the Darn Tough crew socks because there are so many great colors and patterns available.
I also have a few pairs of Smartwool socks, which are also a great option!
7. Sun Protection
Protecting your skin is one of the most important factors of being outside and hiking in the heat.
Apply sunscreen before you head into the sun, and again at least every 2 hours to ensure that you don’t get sunburnt.
On top of that, throw a sun hat on such as this Columbia hat that has a UPF rating of 50 and will keep the sun off of your neck.
Also, ensure that you have your favorite pair of sunglasses with UV protection to protect your eyes.
8. Cooling Towel
Cooling towels aren’t a ‘must-have’ for hiking in the summer, but they are really nice to have around and will help you stay cool.
Simply dip it into some cool water and drape it around your neck to cool off.
This cooling towel comes in tons of cool colors and packs up into a small pouch, making it perfect for keeping in your hiking backpack.
9. Lightweight Backpack
Having a lightweight backpack makes hiking in the summer heat much more comfortable.
The less weight you have to carry, the easier the hike will be, therefore making it so you don’t have to work as hard.
I love my Osprey Tempest 20 because it weighs only 30 ounces and is perfect for daypacks. (men’s Talon 22)
Read this next –> The Best Daypacks for Women (2022)
Tips for Staying Safe During a Summer Hike
🌞 Start as early in the day as you can to avoid the mid-day heat.
🌞 Carry more water than you think you’ll need (0.5 liters/1 hour of hiking), or have a water filtration system.
🌞 When drinking a lot of water, balance it out with salty snacks to avoid overhydration.
🌞 Apply sunscreen even if you think you won’t burn.
🌞 Hike on shaded trails to avoid getting burnt or heat exhaustion.
🌞 Understand your limits and be prepared to stop if you reach them.
🌞 Don’t hike in extreme heat because it can accelerate the onset of heat-related illnesses and be very dangerous.
FAQs
What Should I Avoid While Hiking in the Summer?
The main things to avoid when hiking in the summer are denim and cotton.
These two materials are very heavy and can get really uncomfortable really quick, so you should avoid them at all costs.
What Temperatures Are Too Hot For Hiking?
If the temperatures are going to reach above 90 degrees, I would really consider postponing that hike and finding something to do in the A/C.
Not only will hiking in that hot of temperatures be extremely uncomfortable, but it can also be dangerous.
Heat cramps, exhaustion, and stroke are all possibilities when you’re doing physical activities in very hot weather.
How Do Hikers Keep Cool on Hot Days?
You can stay cool while on the trail in a variety of ways such as starting early in the morning, staying hydrated, and choosing shaded trails.
You can read more about staying cool on the trail in my post here.
What Should I Wear Hiking if I Sweat A Lot?
If you find that you sweat a lot when exercising or hiking, you should choose clothes that are very lightweight, breathable, and loose fitting.
These types of clothes will help you stay cooler and might help prevent at least a little bit of sweating.
Should You Wear Black When Hiking?
In the winter, black is a great color to wear while hiking, because it absorbs the heat from the sun.
In the summer, you should avoid wearing dark colors such as black, brown, and navy, because they won’t keep you cool.
Should I Wear Pants for Hiking in Summer?
The answer here is up to you.
Many people wear pants for hiking year round, while others prefer shorts.
Pants will help protect your skin from the sun, bugs, and sticks.
While shorts will help keep you cooler.
You can read more about whether to choose pants or shorts here.
Conclusion: What to Wear Hiking in Hot Weather
Hiking in the summer can be intimidating because you don’t want to get out there and be uncomfortable with what you’re wearing.
Choosing lightweight, breathable, light colored materials will help you stay cool and will ensure that you can have fun on the trail, even in the heat.
This guide will help you figure out what to wear for hiking in hot weather so that you aren’t cooped up all summer long waiting for the temperatures to cool down.
