Though some people think we’ve moved past gorp’s glory days, hiking culture, and the best hiking gear that goes with it, is very much alive—and thriving. National parks are more crowded than ever, AllTrails is practically a form of social media, and somehow, there’s always someone in the group chat suggesting a “casual 10-mile-loop” for the weekend. And, of course, the best hiking gear is necessary when you’re suiting up for a long-distance trek or alpine adventure.
Even though most of us aren’t hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, hiking gear is still worth investing in—whether you’re doing a 7-mile loop in a national park or just sweating through your local green space with a backpack full of snacks.
I used to guide multi-day backpacking trips, and I learned a lot about building the right hiking fit. That’s why I compiled this list of my favorite layers and gear that are 100-percent trail-ready, but also make sense in your day-to-day life. Below, you’ll find the basics—pants, tops, and jackets—but also a few extras, from water-filtering bottles you’ll want to bring on international trips to low-top hikers that double as your go-to walking shoes.
The Best Hiking Gear, According to GQ:
The Best Hiking Bottoms
You don’t need to buy a pair of pants destined to live at the bottom of your closet until your twice-a-year trek. The best hiking pants these days are technical enough for rough trails and good-looking enough to wear with your new favorite sneakers in the city. Skip the thick cotton cargos and opt for modern fabrics that breathe better, stretch where you need them to, and actually use all those pockets smartly.
These cargo shorts may look like a fashion piece—and a summer staple at that—but they’re surprisingly trail-ready. The oversized fit feels breezy, not bulky, and the water-repellent finish means you won’t get soaked if you’re hit with a surprise shower. The massive mesh pockets are big enough to stash snacks, sunscreen, or even a small water bottle. Just remember: shorts on the trail = more airflow and more tick checks.
The Best Hiking Tops
Yes, you can hike in that old cotton T-shirt you got from a bar crawl in 2016, but should you? Cotton holds onto moisture and takes forever to dry, which is fine if you’re hiking through the desert and want a cooling effect, but not so great everywhere else. A good technical tee can keep you comfortable, dry, and not smelling like a locker room by mile five.
Icebreaker
Merino 75 Cool-Lite Featherlight Short Sleeve T-Shirt
This might be the breeziest shirt I’ve ever worn—and I’ve tested a lot. It’s fitted, super lightweight, and made from Merino wool, which is fast-drying, anti-stink, and feels so soft on your skin. Also to get very geeky about it, the shoulder seams are offset, which is more comfortable when you’re wearing a backpack. Heads up: the hem is shorter than your average tee, which works great if you’re trying to avoid excess fabric riding up under your hipbelt.
Janji
Sunchaser 50 Hooded Long Sleeve
On some trails, sun protection is critical, and a lightweight, moisture-wicking long sleeve is one of the best ways to get it without slathering on SPF every hour. This one from Janji has UPF 50 built in, and the polyester/spandex blend has a cool-to-the-touch feel that’s genuinely refreshing in high temps. The hood is roomy enough to fit over a hat for extra coverage, and the thumb holes keep your sleeves from riding up while you’re hiking (or running, or scrambling).
The Best Hiking Jackets
There’s rarely a time I wouldn’t recommend bringing some sort of layer while hiking—weather can turn quickly, especially at elevation or in shoulder seasons. A good layering system usually includes three key types: a base layer (moisture-wicking, which we covered above under “tops”), a midlayer (insulating), and an outer shell (protective, for wind or rain). You don’t always need all three, but knowing when to wear what—and having the right pieces—makes a huge difference in comfort.
Helly Hansen
Versatile Half Zip Fleece
When I’m looking for a midlayer, I want something streamlined and sleek so it can fit under any other layers I pile on top. This grid fleece from Helly Hansen is just that. It has a fit that is slim and athletic without being restrictive, and no hood to bunch up under your shell. Plus, it’s not too thin or too bulky—just the right in-between weight to provide warmth when you need it but still breathe easy so you won’t need to shed it as soon as you start working.
Arc’teryx gear isn’t exactly the most budget-friendly, but there’s a reason why it’s so well-regarded in outdoor circles. This rain jacket is constantly ranked among the best of the best, and it’s the only one I’ll reach for if there’s any rain in the forecast. It’s as waterproof as it gets, with a slightly tented hood that sheds water without it dripping in your eyes. And despite it all, it still manages to be packable enough to bring on a long day hike or backpacking trip.
The Best Hiking Sunglasses
There’s not a huge difference between sunglasses made for hiking and the ones you’d wear for running or cycling—but a good pair should stay put on your face, offer legit UV protection, and be comfortable enough to wear all day. If you’re hiking on snow, ice, or at high altitudes, you’ll want extra side coverage to block peripheral light that can make it hard to see.
District Vision
Kazu Tourer
I love the look of almost every pair of shades from District Vision, but the Kazu Tourer is the most trail-ready. The design draws inspiration from alpine mountaineering glacier goggles from the ‘60s and ’70s, but adds enough modern touches to make them reasonable for everyday use. The integrated side panels block out peripheral light, which is especially important in the snow, but it’s subtle enough that it won’t make you look like you’re ready to summit Everest. They’re also super well-ventilated, so they don’t fog up or get slippery when you sweat.
Playing music out loud on the trail is a faux pas, but these futuristic shades let you listen privately, thanks to built-in open-ear audio. I mostly use them for running, but they stay put and offer great coverage, so I trust them for hiking too. And you don’t need to use the headphones for them to be impressive—the lenses change tint with the swipe of a finger so you can adjust to the light conditions on the trail. Once I tried these sunglasses, I wondered why other brands weren’t following suit. But keep in mind you’ll need to charge them to adjust the lens tint.
For footwear, you pretty much have two options: ankle-covering boots that offer more stability but are a bit heavier, or low-top hiking shoes and trail runners that are lighter but less protective. (I personally don’t want something to restrict my ankles while I’m hiking, so I prefer low-top, but my ankles are bombproof.) Your choice should come down to the terrain you hike and personal preference. If you’re carrying a heavy pack or navigating steep, uneven trails, a boot might be worth the extra weight. But for most day hikes, low-tops offer plenty of support with a lot more flexibility and comfort.
Salomon
X Ultra 5 Mid Gore-Tex
I beg of you, please don’t wear your XT-6’s hiking. They won’t be nearly comfortable or grippy enough for serious trails. (Save them for the ‘fit pic.) The X Ultra 5 Mid, on the other hand, is a real hiker—stable, grippy, and surprisingly comfortable right out of the box. I tested this a new iteration of a long-standing crowd favorite on muddy upstate trails and appreciated how secure they felt. Note: They run a bit narrow, so wide-footed folks like me should go for the wide version. There’s also a low-cut model if you want less ankle coverage.
While the best trail running shoes are a good option for hikers, these Merrell shoes are a bit stiffer and more protective. Don’t let the heft slab of cushioning fool you—the foam is dense enough that you won’t be struggling to balance. I’d go with the non-waterproof version for better breathability, unless you’re regularly hiking in wet or muddy conditions.
The Best Hiking Water Bottles
You don’t need a gallon jug sloshing around in your pack: I prefer carrying a water bottle that’s light, easy to clean, and ideally not clanking around like a bear bell. It should also be big enough that you won’t worry about running out of water at mile five, but not too massive that you’re adding unnecessary pack weight.
Hydro Flask
32 oz Lightweight Wide Mouth Trail Series
Hydro Flask bottles are basically the Patagonia fleece of water bottles: ubiquitous, reliable, and classically good-looking. But they’re not known for being lightweight. However, the Trail Series version sheds some ounces (25 percent, actually). It still keeps your water cold for hours and fits in standard backpack sleeves.
This water bottle has a built-in filter so you can fill up to your heart’s delight in any stream you pass without worrying about parasites or floaties. At 22 ounces, it’s not quite enough to cover you for a full-day hike, but it’s perfect for topping off on the go or stashing in your pack, especially if you’re hiking where water is plentiful. Personally, I like to carry a larger bottle (like the Hydro Flask) or a hydration pack and use the collapsible version of this Lifestraw bottle to refill it.
The Best Hiking Accessories
Sometimes, extra gear can make a big difference. These accessories aren’t necessary for a hike, but can help boost your safety, especially if you’re venturing out alone.
If you like to track your hikes, you can do it on this watch, which I wear for all my outdoor activities. Compared to bulkier GPS watches, this one is surprisingly light and comfortable—even under layers—and the screen is easy to read in direct sun. You can also use it to navigate: Just upload your GPS route before the hike and set it to navigation mode. I’ve used it on multiple hike and bike tours, and this feature has definitely kept me from wandering off-route.
Black Diamond
Spot 400-R Headlamp
You probably won’t need a headlamp—until you really, really do. This one’s compact, micro-USB rechargeable, and has enough lumens to light the way if your hike runs later than expected (which, for me, is most of the time.) I keep mine in my pack at all times because it’s so small I forget it’s there until it saves the day. Trust me: This is one of those items you’ll never regret bringing.
