What to Wear When Hiking - Are You Prepared?

What to wear when hiking? When you first beginRemove layers as you climb so the heat can escape
hiking you can wear what you already have. If you geteasily. Put them back on when going back down the
more serious about this sport you'll want to invest inhill. Have extra clothes for windy areas, too.
clothes made with performance capabilities designedChoose Fabrics Accordingly:
to keep you warm, dry and comfortable.If purchasing new clothes, do not choose cotton, as it
When you exert yourself during exercise your bodywill absorb water from sweating and rain. When wet, it
loses more heat and moisture than normal. Hiking uphillhas no warming properties and will rob you of valuable
will make you break out in a sweat. Going downhillwarmth and strength. Thicker Cotton clothing can
doesn't require as much effort and your previouslybecome heavy when wet.
sweat-saturated clothing can cause you to becomeWool is the better choice of fabric; however, it can
chilled.become very heavy and can cause uncomfortable
There are strategies you can utilize to help youitching. Many people, including myself, are allergic to
prepare for changing temperatures and conditions.wool. Synthetic, man-made materials are a better bet
today and come in a variety of styles and color
Know Where You Are Going:choices.
If you are hiking up a steep mountainside bear in mindRemember that pests and insects are drawn to
the wind usually picks up and the temperature dropsdarker colors so it would behoove you to opt for
substantially in the evening. Be sure you pack morelighter colors. Black and dark colors also have a
clothes for such an occasion.tendency to draw heat when in the sun and would not
be a welcome side effect when hiking up a steep
Layer Your Clothing:incline.