You are exposed to the elements when you travel. Staying warm, cool, dry, and comfortable is essential to you enjoying your vacation. If you can look good too, that’s all the better. Here are our tried and true favorites.
Columbia Women’s Saturday Trail Pants-I can’t believe it has taken me this long to try hiking pants! I bought these right before we left for Europe. The fabric is light, soft, flexible, and wrinkle and stain-resistant. Just perfect for walking around town or hiking a trail. (Confession- I now own 3 pairs of these in different colors and even bought a pair for my mom).
I love the snaps, so I can roll them up on a hot day, and the pockets are great for carrying a few things.
Exploring a national park is quite an adventure. Being prepared for the situations that will arise makes the trip much more enjoyable. A lightweight travel vest can be a real lifesaver. For Christmas, I gave Matt this 9 pocket SCOTTeVEST to carry around his maps, phone, camera equipment, ChapStick, wallet, chargers, and whatever else he feels he needs. It has a variety of pocket sizes including one that is big enough to hold an iPad. Made of soft yet durable material, the SCOTTeVEST is cool and comfortable to wear, even on hot days.
Pay close attention to this……. You don’t ALWAYS need hiking boots. If you aren’t a big hiker and will mostly be walking to viewpoints, on asphalt trails, or boardwalks, a good pair of trail runners will keep your feet much more comfortable.
Asics is my preferred brand and I wear them for hiking, running, and walking. They are a great value and I can usually find a pair for between $50-$80. I’ve found their foam system superior to other brands (been a runner for 26 years). Nothing feels softer on my feet and can endure the constant impact I put my shoes through. I’ll be an Asics customer for life. The Asics Venture is my favorite shoe and comes in men’s and women’s sizes.
If you are doing major backcountry hiking with big rocks and mud, wear something with more stability or hiking boots.
Hoka One One Lowtop Sneaker. Matt gets significant leg pain because his feet pronate (vibrate) when he walks or runs. These shoes have taken care of that and made hiking possible for him again. The wide base with a sturdy grip has made a huge difference. If you are looking for comfortable, lightweight running shoes that offer excellent stabilization, these shoes are a good bet.
ALTRA Men’s Olympus 5 Hike Low GTX Trail Running Shoe. If we are hiking on rough terrain, Matt loves these shoes. They are waterproof and have a really hard sole that protect his feet from the rocks.
If you buy one thing off of our recommended list, buy these CS Celersport Socks. They are the same price as socks at Walmart, but they are SO much better! They provide great cushion and my feet never sweat. I wear them every day AND when I go on long hikes.
A good pair of sunglasses is a must. I love Goodr sunglasses because they look good, are lightweight, and only cost around $25.
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