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    • The Best Hiking Rain Jackets For Women In 2023
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    • Best Hiking Pants For Women In 2023
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    • The Best Men’s Hiking Boots In 2024!
    • Best Hiking Shoes For Men In 2023
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How To Choose Hiking Boots And Trail Shoes

A key piece of kit you will need for your hiking adventures is a good solid pair of hiking boots or trail shoes so knowing how to choose hiking boots or trail shoes that are right for you is crucial. As with Hiking Jackets, there are so many quality options these days that it is worth taking some time to consider what you will be using your trusty hiking boots or trail shoes for.

If you want to skip straight to our top hiking boot recommendations, you can find the best men's hiking boots listed here, and the best women's hiking boots here listed here. There we compare some of the top hiking boots available on the market today.

Dem Boots

Read through the sections below and then watch the video. After that you'll have a good understanding of all the many things you should consider before choosing a pair of hiking boots or trail shoes that are just right for you. Let’s get to it!

What are my Requirements?

OK, this is probably the most important thing you need to get very clear on first. What do you need your hiking boots or trail shoes for? Do you need a pair of shoes or boots for walking your dog on a short hike at the weekend? do you plan to go off trail over very mountainous and rocky terrain? Do you plan to do long distances but always on very clear trails?

Knowing what your needs are, is really important to help ensure you get the right type of boot or shoe for your needs. Otherwise you'll either end with a boot or shoe that doesn't do what you need it to do, or, which is probably more common, far too much boot than you actually need.

In the sections below I take a closer look at the key areas I think you need to consider when helping decide what kind of boots or shoes you may need.

Terrain

OK, so where are you going to be hiking? What kind of terrain will you be hiking in? Is it the quiet walk on well-established trails option or are you planning to ascend steeper faces with loose rocks and ice all over the place? Will you be hopping into marshy bog land and even crossing rivers or does the thought of that all sound a bit too much?

Crossing the River

This is important so again, take a bit of time and think about where you plan to be hiking and what the boots or shoes need to be able to withstand!

Climate and Weather

The type of weather you will mostly be hiking in, is of course important. If you are in warmer and drier climates, and if the terrain is agreeable, a hiking shoe may be a more comfortable option as opposed to a boot. We look at that in a bit more detail below.

If however you will be walking in deep winter snow or that type of thing, boots are of course the better option. As with Terrain, the extra support that boots will provide in tougher weather like snow and ice, is the wiser choice.

Hiking in Snow

In short, get clear on what terrain you will you be walking on, in and across, and consider what challenges may arise from the climate across the year.

For more challenging and dangerous terrain, the additional support of hiking boots will be your best bet. This is very important so again, take a bit of time and think about where you plan to be hiking and what your boots or shoes need to be able to cope with.

Weight

It goes without saying that a pair of hiking boots will be heavier than a pair of trail shoes. There can also be significant weight differences between different models of boots, for example, one made mostly from leather and one made mostly from synthetic materials. This comes into play more for folks who intend to go out on longer treks and hikes.

If you’re out for longer periods, weeks or even months, the assumption could be that you will be carrying a backpack with you. With this factored into the equation, the sturdier support of boots will be much better.

For the day tripper, this is of course not as relevant so if the other factors like terrain and climate fall into place, trail shoes or a mid type hiking boot will be lighter and so could provide easier mobility.

Hiking Boots or Trail Shoes?

As mentioned above, hiking boots offer the wearer more support than shoes and so it follows that if you will be in environments where harsher terrain may be more commonplace, it’s best to look at boots with good ankle support.

The downside to this is that for this added ankle protection, the weight on your feet will go up which can cause other issues.

It’s worth noting here that there are many different styles and cuts of hiking boots from ones that suit the light to medium hiker to ones that meet the needs of the full on backpacker.

On the opposite side of the coin, trail shoes are lighter and more flexible and will offer a wider range of movement for your feet. They will normally wear out faster than boots though. this is wear it can get a bit confusing for folks as there are so many different options to choose from, it can be hard to know which one you should go for.

Let's look at some of the main categories of shoes and boots to get a clearer idea of what I am referring to.

Hiking Shoes (AKA Trail Shoes)

This seems like the most logical place to start to work our way up. Trail shoes are the lightest and probably the most flexible option, in terms of the out-sole, available. They are great for day hiking on well marked trails carrying either no pack, or a lightweight one.

Merrrel Moab Gore Tex Hiking Shoe

What you gain in terms of weight saving, you do lose in terms of support and stability as they lack the support a pair of hiking boots will give you. Another thing to consider is the weather. If you hike in a warm and sunny climate, trail shoes will be that bit more breathable than shoes, first and foremost as there is less of a shoe covering your feet.

If you're planning on doing longer day hikes over uneven and rough terrain, you probably want to be looking at hiking boots as opposed to trail shoes but they are a fine option.

Hiking Boots

Hiking boots are probably the main category that most hikers will be using on a regular basis. There are many variations within the hiking boot category. For example, a mid-cut model as opposed to a higher cut model which basically means the higher cut boots go further up your ankle providing more cushioning and support.

Lowa Renegade Mid GTX Hiking Boots For Men Gallery One

There are a whole range of other things to think about in terms of construction and build but we'll look at those in more detail in the sections below. for now, it's worth thinking of hiking boots as a category of it's own with many options within it.

Backpacking Boots

Backpacking boots are akin to hiking boots but they are built with a construction that provides support for heavy loads i.e. a backpack. Backpacking boots are generally heavier than the hiking boot category and will have much support around the ankle.

Alico New Guide Hiking Boots For Men Side Profile

Now, it's worth noting here that backpacking boots are just fine for day hiking too. However, you will have a bit more weight to be carrying on your feet and they are usually a bit chunkier than hiking boots.

Now, this isn't a big issue if you're a backpacker who likes a day hike here and there too, your backpacking boots can double up fine. I mention this mainly from the point of view of the average day hiker. They will have little need for the extra construction of a tough backpacking boot and so there's no need to spend extra on a backpacking boot.

Mountaineering Boots

Probably out of the scope of most people reading this guide on how to choose hiking boots and trail shoes. mountaineering boots are another category that many people will not need to ever move into but there's no harm in being aware of what they are.

La Sportiva Spantik Mountaineering Boot For Men

What are crampons? Well, in brief they are things you attach to your boots that enable you to walk across ice, glaciers and the like. I will likely do a post on the different types of crampons soon and will link to it from here for those interested.

For most average hikers, crampons won't be something they will regularly use. They're usually used for hiking in hard winter in icy condition or at high altitudes where glaciers and ice are part of the terrain. I had to use them when I climbed Mont Blanc for example.

The Anatomy of a Hiking Boot / Trail Shoe

It's worth taking a moment here, before continuing, to focus on the actual make-up of a hiking boot or trail shoe. That is, to help to specifically clarify some of the lingo you will come across as you search for the perfect boot.

A hiking boot is of course made up from various main constituent parts and these parts have names. Sometimes when you're reading the promotional blurb from a boot seller, it can all sound like double dutch if you don't know what the various parts are. So, let's look at the main parts before we move on to Price.

Anatomy-of-a-Hiking-Boot

1. Scree Collar

This top collar of the boot on the inside, helps to keep scree and any unwanted debris out of your hiking boots.

2. Upper

Basically, when you hear or read someone referring to an 'upper' in a hiking boot, they are referring to the whole top part of the boot. The upper is usually made of leather, textile or a mixture of the two.

3. Tongue

The tongue of your hiking boots is the same thing as a tongue on any regular pair of boots or shoes. However, typically hiking boots will have a gusseted tongue, pictured above as the two dark leather pieces running down each side of the tongue. Again, the purpose of a gusseted tongue is to help keep debris like scree and so on from getting into your boots. It also provides a layer of cushioning around the top of your foot.

4. Lugs

When people refer to lugs they are generally referring to the lug pattern on the outsole (see 8. below) of the boot. The lugs are what makes up the pattern on the outsole and provide the mechanism for traction and grip on surfaces.

5. Lace Eyelets

Pretty straightforward, basically a lace eyelet is what your laces thread through to enable you to tie your boots up.

6. Toe Box

Hiking Boots will typically have some kind of reinforcement in the toe box area. Not exactly the same as steel toe caps in work boots but a similar principle in that the general aim is to protect your toes should anything drop onto them.

7. Midsole

This is the part of the boot that absorbs the shock and hit from the terrain. It sits between the outsole and the insole. Many times there can be more than one midsole to aid the sturdiness of the hiking boots.

8. Outsole

This one is straightforward enough. It's the outside sole of the boots. This is the part of the boot that provides grip and traction on the ground. Thicker and deeper lugs (see 4. above) provide more grip on muddy ground while thinner lugs and grip lines will provide better grip on rocky ground. You will often find a combination of the two on hiking boots.

The outsole is usually made up of some kind of rubber technology. For example, Vibram is one of the most well known technology's used for the the outsoles of hiking boots and shoes.

9. Welt

On many hiking boots you will see what looks like thick stitching on the rim of the boots where the upper connects to the sole. This is the welting. There are different types of welting. Some common ones are Norwegian, Littleway, Goodyear, Outside Stitchdown, cementing and injection molding. There could be pages written about each of these but as a general guide, Norwegian and Littleway are probably the best options for hiking boots.

10. Backstay

The back stay is a strip of leather that runs up and down the back of the boot lining to stiffen and support the boot and hold up the top, which gets the most movement.

11. Liner

Not visible in the picture above, but all hiking boots will have some kind of internal lining. Some, not all, will have a waterproof liner. Gore-tex is a good example of a lining used in boots to help with their waterproof capabilities.

12. Shank

Again, not visible in the picture above, the shank is a thin metal (usually steel) or heavy plastic strip in the sole of the hiking boots. It is used to help reinforce the wearer's arch and provides support for the bottom of the boot. A full shank goes to the toe while a 3/4 shank goes to the ball of the foot. To the best of my knowledge, hiking boots typically employ the 3/4 shank. the shank is normally glued, whipstitched, or tacked into place.

13. Foot bed / Insole

This one also isn't highlighted in the diagram above as you can't see it from the outside. It's pretty self explanatory really but worth a mention. A foot bed is effectively an insole. They provide cushioning for the base of the foot and they're usually removable in good hiking boots and trail shoes.They can also sometimes have other technological functions e.g. contain microbial protection properties aka: keeping any bad smells away 😉

Price

As with hiking jackets, there is a wide range over what you can pay for a good pair of hiking boots or trail shoes. The selection and quality of hiking boots and shoes available today, similar to jackets, can be really outstanding. Again, this will be reflected in the amount of greenbacks you will need to part with.

As a broad guide, you can spend anything from:

  • Trail Shoes: They range from about $50.00 to $200.00
  • Hiking Boots: Again, starting at $50.00 to $400.00
  • Backpacking Boots: You probably want to be starting at $200.00 and can go up to $400.00
  • Mountaineering Boots: Probably looking between $275.00 to $800.00

*Note: these are just broad range guides that are meant for illustrative purposes only. Price ranges are accurate at time of posting.

There are many factors involved in the price level not least of which is brand name which I look at in more detail below. I personally do believe in buying brand name kit as you are usually guaranteed a certain level of quality and product support via customer service.

Another option that is worth mentioning here, as an aside, is that if you really want a divine pair of boots perfectly made to the nuance of your feet, you can look to get a pair of custom made hiking boots. However, you are moving into BIG bucks territory with them, probably anywhere between $800.00 to $2000.00.

Now, these truly will be boots for life but it's not a cheap initial outlay, but they are an investment. If you have a truly unique pair of feet and you can't get a brand name pair of hiking boots to fit you, this could be the way go too. As I said, not cheap but if you can't get any comfort, it's worth considering if your budget can stretch to it.

Top Tip: Always assess your needs within a price range that is comfortable for you before starting to look and do your best to stay within those limits!!!

Material

Broadly speaking you have two choices, go leather or go synthetic. Both have their advantages and disadvantages so as long as you've taken all the other factors above into consideration, it can come down to personal taste. I know some hikers who only ever wear classic style leather hiking boots and any kind of high tech synthetic boot would just be anathema to them lol 🙂

Largely in relation to climate, you may prefer to have a breathable synthetic pair of boots. This makes sense in warmer and drier climates as getting your feet wet is not a huge deal as they will quickly dry out. In wetter, colder and more humid conditions you will likely lean more towards good waterproof and structural capabilities.

Another thing to keep in mind when looking at your boots is the sole and support of the boot. If you are going to be hiking on very rocky shale and over wet rocks, strong ankle support and good grip on the sole will be a must. As a general rule, ankle support and good grip are crucial regardless of where you're hiking.

Many times, boots will be a mix of both leather and synthetic materials, a leather upper with synthetic padding and ankle support being a common mix used for many types of boots on offer today. This is fine and can work well. Again, it depends on your needs, the primary factor in choosing boots or shoes is always 'what do I need them for?'

Brand

Again, there are oodles of great brands to choose from. If this is your first time buying a pair of hiking boots or trail shoes, it might be worth checking into some user reviews to give you an idea of other peoples experiences with different makes and models.

You can find our top recommendations for the best men's hiking boots listed here, and the best women's hiking boots here listed here. There we compare some of the top hiking boots available on the market today.

Size & Fit

Number one on the search criteria is of course picking the best sized, or should I say ‘best fit’, option for your feet. Note I say ‘best fit’ here as I have found considerable differences between a ten and eleven on different makes and models of boots and shoes.

That is, I am normally a ten but for some bizarre reason, I have had times when the ten wasn't a good fit and the eleven turned out to be the more comfortable option!

Shoe Measure

Some things to keep in mind:

  • You want your foot to be held secure in the boot or shoe with wriggle room for your toes.
  • The fit should be snug but not rigid.
  • You need some element of flexibility to enable your foot to move a bit inside the shoe but not so much that the foot can slide back and forward.
  • It is a good idea to break boot's or shoes in by using them in the house or by going out for a short walk in your neighborhood before using them for hiking.

I expanded on these points in a bit more detail in a post called finding the perfect fit which although covers broadly the same as the bullet points above, is worth a quick scan. Another thing to keep in mind is that some models of boots and shoes are better for particular feet types. For example, if you have flatter and wider feet, certain models of boots will be better suited to you than others.

The ultimate way to know is of course in trying the boots on. However, if you're buying online and doing some initial research, a good source of this type of information are user reviews. Nothing beats other folks experience and they will often refer to things like this in their personal reviews.

Top Tip: Putting on any hiking socks you plan to wear with the boots is a good idea when trying to find a good fit!

How Do I Choose?

How you choose between boots or shoes should of course be based on the answers to all the questions above. Personally, I like to have both hiking boots and shoes. I utilize them as best required by the hike or trek I plan to undertake taking into account the time of year, terrain, etc.

For example if I'm heading out on open mountain, I will always wear my boots. If however, I will be hiking along well marked trails on a hot sunny day, my trail shoes would be the preferred option.

As a side note, I also find my trail shoes very versatile and will often use them for general day-to-day use. Boots can of course be multi-purpose too but I tend to keep my hiking boots solely for hiking while I will use my trail shoes from time to time when I'm just out and about. I think trail shoes are just perfect for city breaks where sight-seeing from pillar to post is the order of the day!

Recommendation

If you're an average hiker who might dip in and out of the odd longer trek across the year, enjoys some challenging terrain, is not afraid of hiking in tough climate's and you want a good long term hiking boot that should cover your needs most of the year round, I recommend:

  • A one piece heavy leather hiking boot
  • With a resoling option
  • With strong ankle support

A good leather hiking boot will likely cost a bit more but it is a long term investment, possibly even life long if you care for your boots properly!

For more information on helping you to choose the right hiking boot or shoe for you, check out the video from Sierra Trading Post below:

Conclusion

If you think hiking boots are the way you need to go, you can find our top recommendations for the best men's hiking boots listed here, and the best women's hiking boots here listed here. There we compare some of the top hiking boots available on the market today.

The selections linked to from there feature the best and most popular quality options available. You can be certain that your hiking needs will be met by one of those pairs of boots. Take the time to consider the questions in the sections above before going into the detailed specifications of each one.

A full review of some of the top trail shoe options will be added to the site soon so be sure to check back if you think trail shoes are what you need!

What do you look for when you're picking a pair of hiking boots? Have you any special tips for choosing a pair of hiking boots not listed above? Please share them in the comments below.

Columbia Sportswear PFG Backcountry Convertible Pants – UPF 30 (For Men) – Review

Summary

4.5 StarsAverage Customer Rating:  4.5 stars out of 5 (10+ reviews)Columbia Sportswear PFG Backcountry Convertible Pants UPF 30 For Men

Available Colors: Fossil

Where to Buy:  This product is no longer available. Check out hiking pant options here.

Review

I bought these pants last July. I wanted a pair of lightweight pants that are a bit warmer in the cool of the dawn but with the ability to enable direct and immediate ventilation by removal of the bottoms to convert them into shorts.

I bought these pants mainly for my trip to the Camino last July. The mornings were cool there but the temperatures can get very hot as
you approach midday so these looked perfect for the job. These pants are part of the Columbia PFG (Performance Fishing Gear) line but I found them perfect for hiking too.

I had no issues with these pants. I found them comfortable, lightweight and enjoyable to wear. They were also easy to convert into shorts with a simple zipper around the leg and a boot zip on the side for easy removal over boots. They have good pocket space with touch fastening which is functional and easy to use.

As I was changing gear regularly on the Camino I needed something that was easy to wash and quick drying. These pants fit the bill with regards to that. They were easy to wash (washed them in the shower with me) and dried in no time in the heat of a Spanish afternoon! I give the Columbia Sportswear PFG Backcountry Convertible Pants the thumbs up!

UPF 30 rating may be too high if you will not be in regular or constant hot sun so you might want to review the Columbia Sportswear PFG Convertible Pants – UPF 15 version of these pants.

Links referenced on this page are sponsored links. Please review our full disclosure statement here.

Pros

  • Lightweight, cool and comfortable for the trail in warm weather.
  • Easy to convert to shorts with zips around the thigh level and up the side of the leg for easy removal remove over your hiking boots.
  • As the pants are made from 100% nylon, and with the functional nature of the material, these pants are easy to care for. They wash easily and dry quickly.
  • UPF protection for added protection if hiking in consistently hot and sunny weather.
  • Insect repellent finish is a nice addition to these pants although I’ve had no need for that feature as yet.

Cons

  • Only one color available.
  • The pants are a little bit baggy in the fit (I didn’t really mind this though).

Features

  • From Columbia Sportswear’s Performance Fishing Gear line
  • Omni-Shade® UPF 30 sun protection helps block damaging UV rays
  • Insect Blocker® finish repels bugs and lasts for more than 70 washes
  • Zip-off legs easily convert pants into shorts
  • Quick-drying nylon fabric
  • Button waist closure, zip fly and belt loops
  • Elasticized waistband
  • Mesh-lined hand pockets
  • Zip rear pocket
  • Touch-fasten cargo pockets with drainage holes
  • Zip cuffs for easy on-off over shoes or boots

Specs

  • Pant style: Flat front
  • Pant features: Convertible, UPF Rated
  • UPF Rating: 15
  • Closure: YKK®,Zipper
  • Inseam: Shorts 8″ (based on size large)
  • Fabric: 100% nylon
  • Care: Machine wash/dry
  • Weight: 14 oz.

Other Points

  • Products returned within 6 months refunded by original payment method.

Columbia Sportswear PFG Backcountry Convertible Pants - UPF 30 For Men Reviews

Have you used the Columbia Backcountry Convertible pants out on the trail? What was your experience? We’d love to hear about it in the comments below!

Hiking Boots


Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX Hiking Boots For Men CT
Best Men's Hiking Boots

Ahnu Montara Hiking Boots For Women CT
Best Women's Hiking Boots

A key piece of kit you will need for your hiking adventures are of course a good solid pair of hiking boots or trail shoes. No matter where you plan to hike, you need something reliable and solid on your feet that will keep you comfortable. Above we link to our top hiking boot recommendations.

Some Tips Before you Buy

As with rain Jackets, there are so many quality hiking boot options available these days, it is worth taking some time to consider what you will be using your trusty hiking boots for. 

It’s worth noting that there are many different qualities you can look for in a hiking boot depending on the environment you’re hiking in, e.g. different size cuts, technical capabilities, etc., and, most importantly, what function you need your boots for.

With that in mind, if you’re new to hiking and have never bought hiking boots before, check out the guide on how to choose hiking boots or shoes. That will walk you through all the many things you need to consider when choosing a pair of hiking boots or shoes.

Hiking Boots Shot

It's also worth stating that in my opinion, there is no such thing as ‘the best hiking boots’ in some kind of universal context. While you can get pretty close to a hiking boot that works well for many, there will always be a significant portion of people for whom the boots just don’t work. Foot sizes differ, tastes differ, hiking styles differ, etc. etc. In summary, Hiking Boots, like any pair of boots or shoes, are a truly unique thing for each individual.

So, what I am listing above is my opinion based on various factors e.g. personal experience, user reviews, etc. However, it’s just possible that what I have listed may not be the best option for you in that category. I hope that doesn’t sound contradictory but what I want to do first and foremost is provide you with good information to help you make an informed decision.

If you'd like to see more hiking boot options, I suggest you check out the best men's hiking boots or the best women's hiking boots. These list out some of the best hiking boot options available in the market today. There, you will find a whole host of other excellent hiking boot options, which are all top performers with good user ratings. Again, you can follow the links on those pages to learn more about a specific pair of boots.

Trail Shoes

The final section on this page shows my favorite trail shoe option. I have to be honest and say that I don’t hike a lot in trail shoes, that is I don't use them to hike in mountains and on the trail that much. I do use trail shoes nearly every day but mainly for normal day to day use. Don’t know what it is, but I prefer my hiking boots for the days on the hills and my trail shoes for knocking about in. I am still very demanding of them though!

Best Trail Shoes

Perfect for trail hiking in Spring and Summer, trail shoes are a great option when appropriate to wear. The best option is the Lowa Lo Renegade II GTX Hiking Shoes.

Lowa Mens Renegade II GTX Lo Shoe
Learn More

I bought the Men's Lowa Renegade II GTX Lo Hiking Shoe's about three months back and I have been very pleased with them. They are comfortable and very sturdy. They've kept my feet dry and comfortable so far this winter and I expect them to last a long time.

I was initially interested in these shoes as the Lowa Renegade GTX Hiking Boots, shown above, have been a top performer with many happy customers for some time now so I wanted to see if the same level of quality would pass into the hiking shoes. I can confirm that to be the case.

They retail at the high end of the scale so definitely in the higher range for a pair of hiking shoes so quality would be expected for sure.
Pros: Comfortable and very sturdy, minimal break-in period, great grip, good multi-purpose hiking shoes

Cons: Definitely a bit heavier and bulkier than other trail shoes

Best Uses: Hiking, day-to-day use

Learn more about the Lowa Men's Renegade II GTX Lo for men here.

Conclusion

OK, so that’s it for now. I hope you found this information useful and it helps you in the process of choosing the right pair of hiking boots or shoes for your needs. Take your time and educate yourself well in the process and, most importantly, be clear about what you need your hiking boots or shoes for.

If you just like to walk your dog in low hills all year round, you don’t really need a pair of full on backpacking boots … you can if you really want to though of course 🙂 You get the idea though, knowing what you need them for is key.

I'll be updating this page as things change but these are my recommendations for now. Happy hiking!

Waterproof Hiking Jackets


Marmot Minimalist Rain Jacket For Men CT
Best Men's Rain Jackets

Outdoor Research Helium II Rain Jacket For Women CT
Best Women's Rain Jackets

A key part of your hiking gear is your hiking jacket. Whether you’re hiking in the depths of winter or need to be kept dry from summer downpours you ideally need to have a hiking jacket that will meet your needs all year round. Above, we link out to our top rain jacket recommendations, click on the image or button to view more.

Some Tips Before you Buy

If you’re new to hiking and have never bought a waterproof hiking jacket before, check out the blog post how to buy a waterproof hiking jacket. That will walk you through all the many things you should consider when choosing a suitable jacket.

Man and Woman In Waterproof Hiking Jackets

If however, you want to get straight to it I've added a short summary guide below to get you started.

Choosing A Waterproof Hiking Jacket - The Quick Version!

In short, in my opinion the best type of waterproof hiking jacket for most hikers is the rain shell jacket option which is normally a 2 or 2.5 layer construction. The reasons for this are covered in detail in the post referenced above but in brief, I think the main reasons for going with a rain jacket are:

  • Rain shell jackets are perfect for layering
  • They are much cheaper than their hard shell counterparts
  • They are lightweight
  • They give good protection from bad weather

Now, I stress, this is not to say that hard shell jackets aren't great for hiking purposes, not at all. They have a lot of great things to offer too and, in most cases, are better quality and will last longer than rain shells. However, I think the basic rain jacket advantages outweigh the advantages of their more elaborate hard shell relatives, for general hiking purposes anyway. Things like weight, packability and so on all come into play and the price difference can be significant.

I will be adding reviews on hard shells in the future too so you can learn more about them too. For now though, I've focused on some of the best rain shells available on the market today, as listed above.

Now, there are many excellent rain jacket options on the market and they are always changing. The choice can be truly mind bending, but that is only a good thing in my opinion. More competition means rain shell jackets should only get better and better as time moves on. Technology, generally speaking, tends to get better and more efficient and so I think what will be available in terms of water resistance and breathability in the not too distant future, will just get better and better.

If you'd like to see more hiking rain jacket options, I recommend you check out 10 of the best hiking rain jackets for men and 10 of the best hiking rain jackets for women.

These list out some of the best hiking rain shell jacket options available today. You will find a whole host of other excellent rain shell jacket options there, all of which are reputable options with good user ratings. Again, you can follow the links on those pages to learn more about any specific jacket.

Conclusion

OK, so that’s it for now. I hope you found this information useful and it helps you in the process of picking a rain jacket for the trail. The core fundamental piece of advice I give before buying any piece of hiking gear also applies, take your time and educate yourself well in the process of learning about what a decent rain jacket should be able to do in terms of capability and, most importantly, be clear about what you need your jacket for.

Remember, a basic rain shell jacket like the Marmot Minimalist will meet most average hikers needs, so you should be good if you stay in the rain shell category. Not only in terms of functionality, but you also won't break the bank. Moving towards hard shell jackets, expect the price to start to rise.

As mentioned above, things are always changing, so I’ll be updating this page as my preferences change but this is my recommendations for now. Happy hiking!

About Me

Hi, my name is Colm and day-to-day I work in I.T. I also happen to be a passionate hiker and love all things to do with the Great Outdoors!

On The Summit Of Mont Blanc

You can see that here on Cool Hiking Gear (.com), I have combined some of that I.T. Knowledge with my passion for hiking to try and bring visitors useful information on all things to do with hiking.

The site is aimed at the newbie hiker but there will be plenty of value for more experienced hikers too. I aim to cover a broad range of hiking topics to get you started hiking on the trail as soon as possible. From gear buying guides to hiking tips, from hiking resources to information on some of the best hiking locations in the world, I truly hope you will find the information here useful.

I also feature gear reviews here on the site in easy to view chunks for visitors to browse, without having to trawl through multiple sites. The range of gear available today is staggering! There are so many brands and different offerings it can be a bit confusing, if you’re new to hiking, to try and understand what they are all about.

My goal is to simplify that element as much as possible for the average hiker.

Some more about me …

I started hiking when I was a kid. Luckily I grew up beside the sea and at the bottom of a beautiful mountain range in the North of Ireland called the Mourne Mountains.

From a very young age, my older brother would take me with him up into the mountains hiking. I guess that since those early times, hiking has always been something I’ve just loved to do.

Growing up beside the sea and spending lots of time in the mountains developed a true appreciation of the beauty of nature within me from a very young age which I cherish to this day. Words can’t describe those peaceful moments of quiet contentment you get while looking out over a panoramic vista surveying the wilderness and sheer magnificence of nature all around you after ascending a peak.

Cool Hiking Gear (.com) is a resource I will develop on an ongoing basis. Not only through listing the coolest and best products available for easy review but also by adding lots of hiking related content from my own experience and from other resources I find as I continue to learn more myself.

So have a look through the pages and products to see if anything tickles your fancy or have a read through the various blog updates that are added on a regular basis. If you have any issues at all, don’t hesitate to contact me!

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