Layer up this Spring with These New Hiking Essentials
Gear up for a hike with these shirts, jackets, pants, and more from our favorite brands.
Thomas J. Story
It can be a tricky feat, packing for outdoor adventures in the spring.
Depending on where you are in the West, temperatures can be drastically different. There may be rain in Seattle while the sun is shining in Palm Springs. So, when it comes to gearing up for hiking, biking, and the like, we’re looking for breathable apparel that can be easily layered.
And good news: We’ve already found a few favorites after extensive testing in wide-ranging climates from snowy southern Utah to the arid heat of the California desert.
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This season’s new collections offer myriad options that are both versatile and stylish. Vuori’s performance apparel products span bright long-sleeve crews and durable ripstop pants that transition easily from trail to backwoods bar.
Prana redesigned a popular stretch fabric to become even more eco-friendly thanks to a years-long testing process that culminated in a 95% recycled nylon blend and water-repellant finish. You’ll find it in a range of women’s pants, joggers, and shorts that come in an array of nature-inspired colors.
Helly Hansen, meanwhile, partnered with experts like the Squamish Search and Rescue team in British Columbia as well as the Seattle Mountain Rescue team to create a series of jackets that are perfect for layering to protect from high winds or cooler weather.
Top it all off with one of Osprey’s new daypacks that, while minimal in design, pack a punch when it comes to on-the-go storage that can last all day. Even better: The brand’s Sportlite series is made with recycled materials.
Here’s a few of our must-have apparel pieces from our favorite outdoor brands’ spring and summer collections:
We only recommend things we love. If you buy something through our site, we might earn a commission.
Topo Shirt
Sturdy construction and just-right sizing make this shirt perfect for layering. Organic cotton and low-water eco-friendly dye make it equally sustainable and stylish.
Osprey Backpack
The perfect companion for a day hike, Osprey’s new Sportlite series is lightweight but still packs a ton of storage space, in four sizes ranging from 15 to 30 liters.
Prana Stretch Pants
With more flare at the bottom, these pants are just as easily rolled as they are worn over your ankles to fend off mosquitos. They’re made with the brand’s redesigned ReZion fabric, which means a flatter button closure and less bulky leg.
Vuori Crew Shirt
Ideal for layering (though it looks just as good in a coffee shop), this long-sleeve is buttery soft and breathable so you can traverse all types of environments this spring.
Vuori Jacket
No joke, we pretty much wear this insulated puffer anywhere; it’s lightweight enough for breezy days by the beach but also protective as a top layer in cooler climates.
Prana Joggers
Prana’s Halle Joggers are made with recycled nylon fabric and offer plenty of stretch, so you can adventure with ease.
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