Getting Started with Hiking - coolhikinggear.com

What Shirts and Tees are Good to Wear Hiking?

OK, in the last post, we looked at hiking pants and / or shorts for the trail when getting started with hiking. Today we’re moving swiftly along to the upper regions of the body to look at shirts and tees.

What Shirts and Tees are Good For Hiking?

As with any part of your hiking gear, you need to consider many factors about the environment you plan to go hiking in when choosing what shirt or tee to wear out on the trail.

If you’re new to hiking, it is best to wait for favorable weather for your first time out, ideally in summer or warmer days of the year. The reason for this is that if you’re just dipping your toes into the world of hiking to see if you want to try it, you’ve no immediate way of knowing if you’ll like it as a pastime on an ongoing basis. With that in mind, you don’t really want to go out and buy loads of new gear until you’re sure that hiking is for you. Ideally you want to be able to make do with what you already have where possible.

No Cotton

Cotton always get’s a bad rap when it comes to hiking as if it get’s wet, it will really increase the speed with which you cool down and that can cause problems very quickly. However, if you know the weather is in your favor, and you’re only going out on well marked trails for a few hours to test the water, I think you’ll be OK with a cotton shirt. I do stress though that, that really is not ideal. One cotton item of clothing should be OK for a short hike in good conditions as long as you don’t go too far and stay on well marked and easy to navigate, back to base, trails.

Many folks will have tees they use for other sporting activities, say running, going to the gym and so on. These can also be a good temporary option when you’re just starting out hiking. The reason for that, is that similar to some hiking gear they will most likely be:

Made from synthetic material (Some wool blend is fine too though)
Be breathable to some degree and so allow sweat to wick away from your skin
Feels comfortable on the skin

Now, as you get more into hiking, I do recommend you purchase some proper hiking tees. If it’s a colder time of year you will need base layers too as part of your overall gear set-up.

You can also get shirts with special additions like UPF protection and insect resistance. These are really good things to look for too but at the start, as mentioned above, I strongly advise that you don’t throw yourself straight into very deep and wild locations, keep it safe and simple 🙂

The tee, pictured at the start of this post, is a good example of a hiking tee. Below, I’ve listed a couple of examples of hiking shirts. These are mainly to give you an idea of what you should be looking for when the time comes and you decide to purchase hiking specific gear. You can click on the pictures to learn more.

Note: these links are sponsored links. You can read our full Affiliate Disclosure Statement here.

Columbia Silver Ridge Men’s Hiking Shirt

Brief Product Description:

I don’t want to go into loads of detail here for this but the Columbia Silver ridge shirt is a nice option for hiking / camping specific. It’s made from, nylon basket weave, so fits the bill for outdoor use in terms of material make-up. this is a very versatile shirt that you can easily utilize elsewhere, not just on the trail. For example, day-to-day use, if you play golf, etc.

Remember, if you’re not ready to purchase try and find a shirt that you already have made from similar materials. You probably have something lying about the house that will do the trick. If you can avoid cotton, please do.

Columbia PFG Bahama II Long Sleeve Shirt For Women

Brief Product Description:

OK, so moving on to the ladies, we have another example of a good hiking shirt that would be suitable for the trail. Again, this is not meant to be a product review but as with the men’s shirt, this is made from nylon, polyester and polyester mesh. Perfect for the trail but is also great for casual use too.

The Columbia PFG Bahama II hiking shirt also features lots of the necessary capabilities I referenced above, that you want a hiking shirt to have. It provides good sun protection and excellent breathability, so a very nice option, a best seller on Amazon too.

Conclusion

So today, I just wanted to quickly spin through another part of hiking gear that you need for the trail. Remember, you don’t necessarily need to go out buying every piece of gear when you’re just getting started hiking as you may well already have plenty of gear that will see you through on your first few experimental hikes.

I stress again though, that if you are using gear that is not hiking specific, choose your day well to get good weather, keep your hike relatively short and only hike in places you can easily get back to safety from i.e. clearly marked trails. Common sense is always a critical component when it comes to hiking.

Overall, I guess the message I want to get across is that, if you’re just starting you may already have a few suitable bits and pieces you can use to give hiking a go. After a few tries in safe areas in good conditions, if you find you like it, you can start getting hiking specific gear items, as referenced here, to enable you to take your hiking adventures that bit further.

Keep altitude in mind for this too as the higher up you go, it will get colder and you will also start to get exposed to higher winds. Again, use your common sense.

OK, as mentioned at the start of these posts for beginners I wanted to take these things on in manageable bite sized chunks. We’re in the sphere of gear and so far we have looked at what hiking pants or hiking shorts you need and today at shirts and tees. Next up we’ll take a closer look at base layers and fleeces for getting started with hiking.

I hasten to add that, for the basics, you of course also need suitable hiking boots or hiking shoes for the terrain you will be hiking in as well as a waterproof hiking jacket of some kind to ensure you can stay dry and warm in any inclement weather like wind, rain, etc. However, we’ll get to those in due course. I’m trying to work from the inside out (Although base layers which we’ll look at next are against your skin, you may not always need one so I’ve added it in with Fleeces as their main function is keeping your core warm).

Finally, wherever you plan to go hiking, at whatever time of year, if you can, get advice from an experienced hiker. They’ll be able to advise you what to wear if you’re not 100% sure.

If you want to go to the start of this series of posts on hiking for beginners, please click here.

Do you have a favorite hiking shirt or tee? Let us know in the comments below!

What Hiking Pants or Hiking Shorts Should I Wear?

This is the third post in a series on some of the initial things to consider, if you are new to hiking, to help ensure you have as comfortable and pleasant a hiking experience as possible when starting out. So far we’ve looked at where to go and how far to go.

Today, I want to begin the journey into the wonderful world of hiking gear. This is a very broad topic and there is lot’s to cover but I am going to try and split it down into simple bite sized sections so you can digest it bit by bit at your own pace.

On the agenda today, is hiking pants and hiking shorts. I am actually editing this post nearly two years after I first wrote it and I can see by the title I put in it that it wasn’t very targeted at what I was trying to get across lol 🙂

It does say it’s about hiking pants though which is pretty much the ball park so, let’s proceed 😉

Hiking Pants or Shorts?

OK, well this will of course depend on many factors like where in the world you live and where you plan to go hiking. This in turn opens the door to lot’s of other variables like the climate where you live and the terrain in the mountains you will be hiking in.

Next up, you need to think of the season and the factors that, that brings into play. Again, this may seem like I am stating the obvious to some here but to people unfamiliar with hiking, there are some serious points to consider.

Even if your climate is pretty good where you are in your nice suburban neighborhood, when you take a three hour drive out to a wide open national park and start scaling trails over hills and mountains, the weather may take on a very different dynamic.

So, with that in mind, on a particular day, shorts could be just fine for your back garden but maybe not such a great idea for when you head out to hike on the trail.

Some Key Tips

OK, the best thing to do is to read this guide on how to buy waterproof hiking pants. However, I will lay out a few key points to consider below.

As a general rule, anything made from cotton is out! Cotton will absorb moisture like your sweat or rain and will eventually be like wearing a cold wet towel, not a good idea!

Ideally you want breathable and flexible hiking pants that allow sweat to wick away from your skin, through your pants and away. You will be looking for synthetic materials mostly so nylon, polyester, spandex or mix of those is most likely what you need.

Next up, you should make a distinction between hiking pants and rain pants (or waterproof pants). Hiking pants are like any other pair of pants except that they will be flexible and may have some water resistance to them.

They will also have the ability to dry quite quickly should they get wet. Full on rain pants are pants you pull on over your hiking pants to really keep the rain at bay as best as possible.

Now, you can get all in one type pants which tick all boxes in one but in general, you will be going up and up in price and cost. Fine for a serious trekker but if you’re new to hiking better to stick with a relatively standard pair of hiking pants that won’t break the bank.

You can find some top examples of good hiking pants like that by checking out the hiking pants page here.

On the matter of whether you should wear hiking shorts or pants. You can just have both! The best thing to get for hotter weather is a pair of convertible pants. You ideally want a pair of rain pants separate to use with your hiking pants if you need to.

Keep in mind the height you will be hiking to. As you go further up, it will get colder and you will also start to get more exposed to higher winds which of course can make things significantly colder. That being the case, shorts may become less appealing 🙂

In hotter weather it is hard to beat the convertible pants, I like them and use them a lot in the summer. They’re lighter too and many will have some UV protection in them too which can’t hurt on a hot summers day.

Conclusion

In conclusion, you need to judge what is best to wear based on the demands of the climate and the season. As always, if you can get advice from an experienced hiker in advance or from someone who knows the hike and route you plan to be hiking on, you should take advantage of it.

If you would like to see some more examples of good hiking pants check out the hiking pants page. You can get a good idea of what you should be aiming for through that page.

In the next blog post, we’ll take a look at some hiking shirts and tees that are good options to wear on your first hike!

If you want to go to the start of this series of posts on hiking for beginners, please click here or check out the hiking for beginners guide.

New to Hiking – How Far Should I Go?

This is the second post in a series, for people brand new to hiking, on some items for consideration and review before setting out on your first hike! In the last post we started by looking at where to go for a first hike.

Distance may seem simplistic when you’re first starting out but it’s something you’ve really got to consider as you only want to take on a hike that you’re capable of finishing comfortably.

What Distance?

I think this is something that is very unique to each person and most people can really only answer it for themselves.

For example, if you are a very fit individual who exercises regularly in other aerobic activities, like running, rowing, cycling, etc., you are probably more than capable of taking on a longer hike, say three to four hours, up relatively challenging paths and steep hills.

If however, you’ve just quit smoking and the most exercise you’ve been doing are jaunts from your couch to your fridge or into your car, you probably want to take on something much smaller at the start! Starting out by walking in your local park or in your local area for twenty minutes a few times a week and building up to a few hours, may even be the best way to get started before ever venturing onto any trails!

When trying to gauge how far you should go on your first hike always take the following into consideration.

Incline and Altitude

The hike may only be four miles but if the first two miles of that are up a steep incline it will take considerably more effort and take a lot more out of you than going along on a relatively even level.

Incline and altitude are things that can also be very deceptive, slow rises that go on forever can catch anyone out and if you’re not used to consistently walking upwards, you will feel it. Not only when you’re actually hiking but even more so the following day.

In general, altitude, in terms of being in a position where you will experience sickness as a result of it, is not something most newbie hikers need to be concerned with. You normally need to be getting to 11,482 feet (3500 meters) above sea level before that needs to become a cause for concern. If you’re attempting that on your first hikes, you’re either Superman or just plain crazy 😉

Going higher does bring some other challenges though, it can get a lot cooler as you go further up so do keep that in mind too.

Photo Credit: Horia Varlan

Pace and Speed

Will you be taking a nice easy pace or do you plan to go hard and fast? This is worth considering as you don’t want to do the latter and end up running out of steam halfway through your hike.

As you gather more and more experience hiking you will really start to notice how big an impact pace has on your hike. I hike with all sorts of hikers but my core group are FAST! We would do 4 miles (approx 6 km) in an hour quite easily. Of course, on the flat it would be faster and on steep ascents over rocky terrain it would be a bit slower but we’d comfortably keep that pace.

Now, here’s the thing. I know people in that group who can go even faster! Of course on the other side of the coin, I also know other groups who like to take a nice and easy pace. It really is a mixed bag and very personal but it is something that is important, especially in bigger groups as gaps can very easily form in bigger groups with slower folks being left behind. Not good in case people get lost, especially in bad weather.

In summary, when you’re starting out, find a suitable pace that you, and your hiking friends, are comfortable with. If you’re unsure, better to start slow and take time getting a feel for it. You don’t want to burn yourself out half way into the hike a remember, you’ve got the second half to contend with 🙂

You can also put the slowest person at the front and agree to always keep them as the pace maker. That way, your group should stay together and gaps won’t form.

Terrain and Climate

For a starter hike, I strongly recommend you stick to well-worn trails. However, even at that, it is worth considering what the trails are composed of e.g. a dirt trail when its wet will again take more effort than if it’s dry. If your trail is covered in ice or snow, again more effort will be needed.

Photo Credit: andyarthur

Again, it’s always best to do your research beforehand so check out your hike in advance, ask an experienced hiker or someone who has already done the specific hike a few times.

Conclusion

So, there you have it. If you’re new to hiking this is one of the basic things you need to seriously consider. Ask yourself these questions and be honest with your answers! How fit am I really? Could I walk 10 miles around my local neighborhood? If the answer is no, then you already have a good yardstick to use to help you make a reasonable estimation of what you’re capable of in a more mountainous environment.

Finally, it’s always better to undershoot than overshoot. That is, better to have found your first hike easy, so you can make adjustments to do more the next time out, than, as mentioned above, finding it hard and running out of steam in the middle of it! Next up we’ll start to take a look at gear, which is a very important part of your safety while out on the trail, even when you’re just starting out. Specifically, we’ll start with hiking pants first.

What do you think? Any tips on how best to decide how far you should go out on your first hike? I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below!

Note: When making any significant change to your normal exercise routine, always consult your physician first. See what they advise but they probably will be very happy to hear you’re planning to take on some new hiking activities!

If you want to go to the start of this series of posts on hiking for beginners, please click here.

Getting Started with Hiking – The Basics – Where Should I Go For a Hike!?

Today’s post is the start of a series on some of the basics to consider if you are new to hiking and want to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable hiking experience from the get-go! I want to start to share some thoughts on areas for consideration for people who are completely new to hiking and want to give it a try. Some questions could, and should, be coming up for you like:

Where should I go for a hike?
How far should I go?
What should I wear?
What supplies should I bring with me?
What safety considerations should I take into account?

Etc …

In this series of blog posts I plan to go into these and other areas in a bit more detail for the complete newbie to hiking. Today’s post will consider:

Where Should I go for a Hike!?

The short answer to this, is really anywhere you like that’s legal! However, if this is your first time going for a hike, here are some things you should consider before setting out!?

1. It is best to choose an area that is already well established for hiking i.e. one that is designated for hiking and outdoor recreational purposes. You do not want to wander onto private lands which could possibly get you into serious trouble with either the local law enforcement or an angry farmer with an angry dog!

Photo Credit: istolethetv

Now, if you can’t get immediate access to mountains as they’re too far away, or if you’re not 100% sure of your fitness, it is perfectly fine to go out for a hike wherever you can find that may be suitable. Hiking in towns and cities isn’t really the same thing as being in the mountains but if you are new and want to either try out your fitness or need to wait to be able to get to actual trails and mountains in the countryside, it’s a fine option to get you going.

2. Try pick an area that that is as close to your home as possible. You have enough to be thinking about for your first hike without having to worry about:

How to get to your hike by making it too complicated or
Having to work out a route in an unfamiliar location (this should only ever be attempted by very experienced hikers – as a general safety rule, always stick to well established trails and paths until you know how to navigate your way comfortably.

3. When you’ve found a suitable public hiking area, the best and wisest thing to do before you start out on your first hike would be to pick a well-worn and clearly marked trail. For your first time out, you definitely DO NOT want to be venturing off into the wilderness without appropriate help and guidance from an experienced hiker or guide! A great way to get going safely is to join a hiking club or association.

Photo Credit: pocky

4. Ideally you want to pick a trail in an area that you are also familiar with. If you’re new to hiking it is better to start, if possible, in a place you know relatively well so you can be certain that you won’t get totally lost. The last thing you want on your inaugural hike!

5. It’s always hard to beat experience! Ask someone who’s done the hike, for any advice and tips on what to expect on the trail. Also, if you are in a well-known public park or recreational area, check if there is an information center where you can get advice and guidance.

6. Do your research well in advance and review all available information on the trail you plan to take. For example, how long is the trail and how much of it do you plan to hike? What altitude will you ascend to? Are there any noticeable landmarks you can expect to see on the trail? What terrain you will encounter on the way? And so on.

By doing this in advance you can have a good idea of what the hike will entail and therefore, if it is suitable for you. Also, by having an idea of what to expect, you have more chance of noticing if you’ve wandered off in the wrong direction!

Photo Credit: brittreints

7. For your first hike, wait for favorable conditions before venturing out. This may be tricky if it’s mid-winter but even if it is, aim to pick a day when the weather forecast and conditions are as favorable as possible and of course, always wear suitable clothing, good boots and rain gear are always a must!

8. Finally, it’s a good idea to go out with a few people when you first start out hiking. Hiking alone is great but should something happen, you could be in a tricky situation. IF you have some hiking friends with you, they can always go off and get help should it be required.

These are just some pointers for consideration when choosing where to go for a hike if you are new to hiking. If possible, always seek the advice of an experienced hiker or look online for as much information on your hike in advance as possible. Above all, be sure you are comfortable before you set out and don’t forget your fully charged mobile phone and to try stay in areas where you have coverage, just in case!

Conclusion

OK, now this post may seem to some like I am stating the obvious but to some folks who have never really been much further than their urban neighborhoods, there will be some new stuff to think about in this.

I never forget when I was in college in Pittsburgh and there were a few African students from Rwanda studying there. When winter came it, inevitably in Pittsburgh, started snowing. No big deal and something I had seen a thousand times before. Not for those guys! They ran outside and played in it for hours. Why? They had never seen it before. Being from Rwanda, you don’t see a whole lot of snow 🙂

You get my point though, some of the things written here will be new to many and that’s what this series of posts for folks new to hiking is all about. Next up we’ll look at distance and how far you should go on your first hike.

Do you have any other thoughts or suggestions for what to think about when choosing where to go for a first hike? If so, please let us know in the comments below!

The Benefits of Hiking

This post is a short one which looks at some of the benefits of hiking. Hiking is such a great activity to get involved in if you are new to it. There are many, many reasons to get started with hiking and below I touch on just some of them.

Health

Photo Credit: Tax Credits

High on the list has to be all the health benefits that come from hiking. It isn’t rocket science to understand that hiking, walking across terrain in fresh outdoor air, has to be good for you. However, just to confirm, it is a scientifically proven fact that hiking has many health benefits. Some of the main ones are:

Weight loss
Decreasing hypertension
Improved mental and emotional health

There are various studies to support the health benefits of hiking. As the old saying goes, your health is your wealth!

Accessibility

One of the reasons hiking is such a wonderful activity and is popular with so many is that it is relatively accessible to most and anyone can take part in it. It is also great that there are no pre-requisites to get started with hiking except for a fresh pair of legs and a reasonable level of fitness i.e. anyone can do it and enjoy it from day one!

It is also an activity that can be done on a best suited basis, that is, it is very easy for each individual to gauge what their current capabilities are and plan a suitable hike accordingly and therefore only take on what they feel comfortable with.

Social

Hiking is a great way to meet new people. You can simply Google online and you will most likely find all sorts of hiking clubs, associations, etc. to join in your local area. There are many different types of clubs and some of these will specialize in a certain branch of hiking e.g. Nordic Walking, so you should be able to find something that suits you.

Simply find one that you like the look of that suits your needs and get in touch. Many of these hiking groups, clubs and associations are set up to welcome newbies into the fold. The added benefit from expanding your social circle with people who share a similar passion to you is that, as with joining any club, you can get a wealth of experience to reference. This is very useful to have when you are new to hiking, whether you have questions on gear and equipment or what kind of hiking goals you should set for yourself, there will be someone on hand to give you great guidance on the next best steps forward.

Spiritual

I wasn’t sure if I should put this one in here and I can just see some folks frowning as they see hiking and ‘spiritual’ being referenced together! What can I say, I can only go on my own experience and my observations of many others I have hiked with.

Photo Credit: thohal85

At times there is something quite magical and mystical about some of the vista’s one is presented with while out hiking and it can quite literally leave you speechless. That silent moment when you are momentarily encapsulated by the sheer beauty, magnitude and majesty of nature in the wilderness. I can only describe that experience as spiritual on some level. It can be awe inspiring and that alone, while not my primary reason for hiking, is a definite benefit available to all.

Conclusion

So in conclusion, what are you waiting for! If you’re new to hiking get onto Google to see what local clubs and assocaitions you can find or see if there is a safe and easy trail near you to get you and your friends started!

P.S. Out of curiosity, I looked up the definition of Hiking in the Oxford English Dictionary:

‘Walk for a long distance, especially across country’

Not exactly a thrilling description lol 🙂

Until the next time!