Day hiking is one of the best ways to stay fit. Aside from the physical benefits your get from navigating different elevations, you also get the mental benefits of being outdoors in nature—if you want hard proof of what being in nature does for us, check out The Nature Fix by Florence Williams.
What’s awesome about day hiking is its time capped within the confines of several hours. You could take a quick 2-3 mile hiking in the afternoon, or you can set out in the morning and do a nice 6-7 miles. The types of trails you can find for day hiking are also set for more beginners. So you don’t have to worry about biting off more than you can chew.
Picking the Right Day Hiking Apparel
When preparing for day hikes, you want clothes and gear that are durable and lightweight. They should have a level of performance to them, for these fabrics are often the best for wicking away sweat and providing your body with a full range of motion.
There are a couple of avenues to choose from in creating your hiking outfit. Some people like low-top boots, while others like hi-tops. That’s why we’ve got two stellar picks from GORUCK and Naglev.
For day hikes going over a couple of miles, or trips that may go a little deeper into the woods, a pant with stronger materials is in order. Go with the Foehn Brise Pant we picked out if that’s the case. If you’re looking for a 2-mile stroll in the morning, athleisure sweatpants like these lululemon joggers will do the trick.
Must-Have Day Hiking Accessories
Looking at accessories, we recommend two types of hats—a rugged waxed cap or a warm beanie. Socks are vital to hiking. We’ve got a pair that pulls up to your calves (can help stimulate more blood flow to your legs), as well as a more cushioned-focused crew sock.
And for shades, you can pick an outdoors-inspired design like this pair from Article One x Ciele pair or a classic pair of Aviators from Randolph. Both picks are polarized—hiking shades should always be polarized.
Below you’ll find a number of accessories and apparel fit for day hiking. Shop all of these products by clicking the button under each product. And if you’re shopping any of these on Huckberry, you’ll also get free U.S. shipping if your order is over $98!
Closca Bottle
buy here
Randolph Aviator II
buy here
Vuori Ponto Performance Crew
buy here
Proof 72-Hour Merino LS Tee
buy here
Lululemon ABC Jogger
buy here
Naglev Unico Hiker
buy here
Season Three The Ultralight Hiking Crew
buy here
Foehn Brise Schoeller Pant 2.0
buy here
Proof Moonweight Vest
buy here
GORUCK GR1 21L
buy here
Ciele Athletics CR3 Beanie
buy here
GORUCK MACV-1
buy here
Huckberry Waxed Canvas 6-Panel Cap
buy here
Bellroy Lite Sling
buy here
Amundsen Vagabond Socks
buy here
Article One AO X CIELE
buy here
BUFF® Original EcoStretch Neckwear
buy here
John is the Style & Gear Editor for BroBible. You can contact him on Twitter @johnthompsoniv or via email John@brobible.com
The BroBible team writes about gear that we think you want. Occasionally, we write about items that are a part of one of our affiliate partnerships and we will get a percentage of the revenue from sales.