What Clothing Should I Wear for Fall Hiking in the Mountains? Adults and Kids

How-ToClothes Shoes and AccessoriesHow-To (02)

Nov 1

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Clothing items are kind of funny things to record a video about. See, they are designed to be versatile enough to handle multiple temperatures and conditions. And in fact, the process of layering those items is supposed to add in even more flexibility and adaptability to an even broader range of those conditions. And that is definitely all true. But at the same time, it is also true that any one set of layers can’t handle everything. And when you add in things like how hard you are working (so, how much heat your body is generating), things can get pretty specific pretty quickly with regards to clothing that will work for you outing.

That’s why, in this video, I was pretty specific about the temperature range and wind chill factors that I said these clothing layers would cover. Even then, what me and my family wear wouldn’t work for someone who is - say - trail running rather than hiking, they’d be generating too much heat. And maybe the clothing wouldn’t be warm enough for someone who is strolling at a leisurely pace over pretty flat ground.

So, take my recommendation into context of your particular situation. How hard are you working? What’s humidity like? There is nothing about the Colorado mountain region that is universally applicable to everyone else’s environment.

and one final note of caution: these layers also assume that - if you do have that “unplanned overnight” that I referenced in the video - you have other ways to help provide “shelter” for you (sleeping bag, chemical body warmers, something). You can move in this kit with temperatures in the teens, but I’m not sure you’d want to sleep out in the open with just this stuff on.

With all the caveats and corollaries, nonetheless I did my best to suggest a system of layers that would cover a pretty broad range of situations, hence the up to 35 degrees (Fahrenheit) of experienced temperatures in which we’ve worn this clothing. And as promised, here is the gear list in its entirty:

Exofficio Give-N-Go Underwear

Men's Give-N-Go Sport 2.0 9" Boxer Briefs

Women's Give-N-Go Sport 2.0 Mesh Boy Short

Boys' X-Temp® Lightweight Boxer Briefs

Injinji Trail Midweight Crew Socks

Men's

Women's

Smartwool Hike Classic Edition Light Cushion Crew Socks

Men's

Women's

Hanes Ultimate® Boys' Ankle Socks

Inov-8 Roclite G 315 GTX trail running shoe