There is one thing worth saying before getting into what to wear hiking in summer: when it gets really hot, a regular hike isn’t something I particularly want to do.
Long climbs and exposed trails can wait for cooler weather. 🙂 In summer, I’d much rather spend the day somewhere in nature with a river nearby.
There might still be some trekking involved – sometimes quite a bit of it – but the point of the day is different. Walk, explore, find a beautiful spot by the water, swim, rest in the shade and continue when you feel like it.
That changes what a summer hiking outfit needs to do, too.
What to wear hiking in summer by the river
You want clothes that are comfortable enough for walking, light enough for a very hot day and practical when you’re constantly moving between dry trails and water. And preferably, you still want to feel good in what you’re wearing.
This is what works for those days.
Start with comfortable shorts
For a summer hiking outfit, shorts are the obvious choice for me.
The main requirement is simply that they’re comfortable. You don’t want anything digging into your waist or restricting your movement when you’re walking, climbing over rocks or sitting on the ground beside the river.
Lightweight sports or hiking shorts are an easy option, especially if they dry quickly. But unless you’re doing a particularly technical trail, you don’t necessarily need specialized hiking clothes for every part of your outfit.
Comfort comes first.
Wear something loose on top
A thick, fitted T-shirt can feel surprisingly unbearable once temperatures climb. I’ve made that mistake before. Heavy cotton that seemed perfectly comfortable when leaving home eventually felt almost like wearing armor in the heat.
A loose top or just cropped sleeveless one works much better because air can actually move around your body.
I personally prefer sleeveless tops, and because there is less fabric involved, I’m perfectly happy wearing cotton. A lightweight, quick-drying sports top would probably be an even more practical choice, particularly if you sweat a lot or know you’ll be walking for longer.
Whatever you choose, the basic idea is the same: light, loose and breathable.
And always pack a spare top. After hours of walking, swimming and sweating in the heat, having a clean, dry one to change into later is one of those small things you’ll be very happy you remembered.
Wear your swimsuit underneath
This is probably my favorite summer outdoor-day shortcut. Put your swimsuit on before leaving home.
If you reach the river hot and desperate to get into the water, the last thing you want to do is find somewhere private to change. You can simply take off your shorts and top and jump in.
A comfortable bikini works perfectly for me. And this is also where practicality doesn’t have to mean giving up on looking good.
Choose a swimsuit you genuinely like, add a good hat and sunglasses, and suddenly a very functional summer hiking outfit also looks put together without requiring much effort.
Regular sneakers can be enough
Not every outdoor day requires hiking boots.
For the kind of summer trips I’m talking about here, I usually wear regular comfortable sneakers. My New Balance sneakers work well for walking and getting to and from the river.
What matters more is knowing the terrain you’re heading into. A demanding mountain trail obviously requires a different approach to footwear than an easy path leading to a swimming spot.
And when water is part of the plan, there’s another pair of shoes I always want in my backpack.
Bring water shoes
Water shoes are one of those inexpensive things that become incredibly useful once you start spending summer days around rivers.
Riverbeds can be rocky, slippery and uncomfortable to walk across barefoot. Instead of sacrificing your regular sneakers every time you want to cross the water, keep a lightweight pair of water shoes in your backpack.
I use a pair from Decathlon, and they’re easy enough to carry that there’s little reason not to bring them. They’re particularly useful if the day includes river trekking rather than simply swimming in one spot.
Water shoes are only one of the extras worth carrying on a hot day outdoors. If you’re getting ready for a trip, I’ve also put together a complete summer hike packing guide with everything else worth checking before you leave.
A breathable hat matters more than you think
A hat or cap isn’t an optional accessory for me on a hot summer day outdoors.
Choose something lightweight and breathable. You’re going to be wearing it for hours, so a heavy hat that traps heat defeats half the purpose.
This is also one of the easiest places to make the outfit feel a little more like you. A good hat, swimsuit and sunglasses can make very simple shorts and a top look great.
More importantly, they help protect you when you’re spending hours outside.
And don’t forget SPF. Apply it before leaving and bring it with you so you can reapply during the day, especially after swimming.
Choose sunglasses that actually stay on your face
Beautiful sunglasses aren’t very useful if you’re constantly pushing them back up your nose while walking.
For hiking and trekking, comfort and fit matter. They should stay in place when you move and feel comfortable after several hours.
Sports sunglasses can be a particularly practical option because they’re designed with movement in mind, although you certainly don’t need to buy a special pair if the sunglasses you already own stay securely in place.
Bring dry clothes for later
Starting the day with your swimsuit underneath your clothes solves one problem. Having something dry waiting for you solves another.
I always pack a change of clothes for later. After swimming, trekking and spending hours outside, putting on something completely dry before heading home feels disproportionately good. It also means you don’t have to spend the drive back sitting in damp clothes.
And please don’t bring a regular beach towel
This lesson was learned the annoying way. A normal cotton beach towel is bulky, takes forever to dry and, when you’re spending the day beside a river, somehow manages to collect every bit of dust, dirt and dry grass from the ground.
A quick-dry towel is much better. It takes up very little space in your backpack, dries faster between swims and doesn’t turn into a heavy, dusty object you have to carry home at the end of the day.
Once you switch, it’s difficult to understand why you ever carried a full-size beach towel on these trips.
Your summer hiking outfit doesn’t need to be technical
There’s plenty of specialized hiking clothing available, and some of it is genuinely useful. But for an easy summer hike or a day that combines walking, river trekking and swimming, you don’t necessarily need to dress from head to toe in technical hiking gear.
Comfortable shorts, a loose top, good sneakers and a few smart additions can be enough. The most important thing is dressing for the day you’re actually planning.
If the trail is difficult, exposed or particularly long, your clothing and footwear need to reflect that. But if your idea of summer hiking looks more like mine – finding a river, walking for a while, swimming and spending most of the day outside – keep things light.
And yes, you can absolutely choose a bikini, hat and sunglasses that you love. Being practical and looking good aren’t mutually exclusive. 🙂
Keep reading
How to choose your first hiking trail
Not every trail feels the same. Here’s how to think about distance, elevation, terrain and conditions when choosing where to hike.
Dog hiking safety checklist: Everything I pack before every trail
Bringing your dog along? Here’s what to think about and pack before heading outdoors together.
