What to Wear Hiking in Hot Weather

Knowing what to wear hiking in hot weather can be difficult, but this guide will help you! Hiking in hot weather is already hard, so knowing what to wear and pack helps immensely to make sure you are prepared and protected.

We visited Southern Utah in the summer and experienced our hottest hiking days. We were not as prepared as we should have been, so I want to make sure you are ready before you head out to hike in hot weather!

This guide has everything you need to know about what to wear hiking in hot weather, including pants, shirts, socks, shoes, and must-have additional hiking items.

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Tips for Hiking in Hot Weather

Pack a lot of water. This tip may seem simple, but sometimes we underestimate how much water we need while hiking in hot weather. The general rule of thumb is a half-liter of water for every hour of exercise in moderate temperatures. When you hike in hot weather, you will need to increase your water intake. I always pack more water than I think I’ll need to be safe. Drinking liquids with salt like sports drinks or adding electrolytes to your water is also a great way to keep your salt levels balanced and stay hydrated.
Cover your skin. Covering your skin when hiking in hot weather may sound counterproductive, but I promise, it’s crucial. If you hike when it's sunny (at any point in the year), it can lead to damaging your skin, so you have to protect it! Many hiking clothes have UPF, which helps protect your skin from the sun. The clothes you wear hiking in hot weather should be light, breathable, moisture-wicking, and light-colored. You should also always wear sunscreen even if it’s not sunny and reapply it as you hike. You can also wear a hat and sunglasses for added protection.
Pack easily digestible food. When I hike in hot weather, I know that sometimes my appetite decreases a lot, and my stomach gets picky with the food it can digest. It happens to many people, so it’s crucial to ensure you are taking in enough calories while you hike. I always pack food that is light and calorie-dense. You know your body the best, so make sure to pack things you know you can handle eating even if your appetite changes on the hike.
Avoid hiking in the hottest part of the day. Most often, the mornings and late afternoons are a lot cooler than midday, so I recommend avoiding hiking midday. When we were in Southern Utah, we began our hikes in the morning before noon and around dinner and sunset to avoid the hottest part of the day.
Take breaks as needed. When you're hiking in hot weather, you may need to take more breaks than usual because of the heat.
Be aware of your limits. Hiking in the heat can lead to overheating, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or heat strokes. It’s crucial to know when to stop and turn around. Make sure to listen to your body and make safe decisions!

What to Wear Hiking in Hot Weather

As I mentioned above, the clothes you wear hiking in hot weather should be light, breathable, and light-colored. Some hiking clothes can be sun protective with UPF and have vents to add breathability. Here are some of my favorite things to wear hiking in hot weather!

Hiking Pants

Long pants: If you prefer wearing long pants when hiking, make sure to choose ones that are breathable, lightweight, and moisture-wicking because you do not want them to hold heat. I also recommend finding pants that have sun protection with UPF.

Shorts: If you prefer wearing shorts while hiking, make sure to choose breathable, lightweight, and moisture-wicking shorts at a comfortable length. Some shorts offer UPF 50 sun protection and have a built-in liner to help wick moisture. They come in multiple lengths, like 4.5 inches and 7 inches, so you can choose which is more comfortable for you!

the best hiking shorts

Hiking Shirts

Tank tops: If you prefer hiking with the least amount of clothing in hot weather (I don’t blame you), you may opt to hike in a tank top. Tank tops leave your skin the most exposed, but they also allow for the most breathability. You want to make sure to choose a tank top that is breathable, lightweight, and moisture-wicking.

Short-sleeve shirt: If you would prefer to hike in a short-sleeve shirt, you’ll want to make sure to choose one that is moisture-wicking, lightweight, and breathable. Some also offer UPF sun protection!

Long-sleeve shirt: If hiking in long sleeves is your jam, it’s crucial to make sure you choose a breathable shirt since it will cover your body the most. It should also be lightweight and moisture-wicking, so you can be comfortable while hiking in hot weather. Most also offer UPF sun protection, which is a fantastic bonus to the shirts!

the best hiking shirts

Hiking Footwear

Hiking socks: What type of socks you wear is a personal preference, but you should always make sure they are lightweight, breathable, moisture-wicking, and made of wool or synthetic. I love any Darn Tough Hiking Socks because there are many options for thickness and length, so you can choose what works best for you! They are made of merino wool which helps regulate temperature, which speaking from experience, helps a lot!

Sock liners: I know it may sound counterintuitive to wear two pairs of socks, but I love wearing sock liners under my hiking socks. They help prevent blisters, which can be common when hiking in hot weather, wick moisture from your feet, and prevent hotspots. They aren’t necessary, but I would recommend them, especially if your feet are prone to blisters.

Hiking shoes: Hiking shoes is another personal preference choice, depending on if you like wearing trail runners, hiking shoes, or hiking boots. No matter what you choose, it’s crucial to make sure your shoes are breathable. I prefer hiking boots, so I'll talk about which I enjoy wearing for hiking in hot weather. I currently wear and love the Merrell Moab Waterproof Hiking Boots. These boots are so breathable and perfect for hiking in hot weather! They also provide a good amount of cushion and are waterproof, which are great bonuses. I have worn these on many hot, 15-mile day hikes, and they have been fantastic!

the best hiking boots

Hot Weather Hiking Accessories

Hat: Wearing a hat is fantastic because it helps protect your face, ears, and neck from the sun. I love the Outdoor Research Sunbriolet Sun Hat because it is lightweight and breathable and offer UPF 50+ sun protection. It also has a brim that goes all the way around the hat, protecting your face and neck.

Sunglasses: Sunglasses are crucial when hiking year-round because they protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. You don’t need anything special, except you should make sure they are polarized and comfortable while hiking.

Sunscreen: Sunscreen is one of the most important things to wear while hiking in hot weather! It’s crucial to wear sunscreen on your entire body, even if you wear UPF clothing. It’s also important to reapply sunscreen as you hike. I will only wear lightweight sunscreen that doesn’t leave me feeling sticky. I love the Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen because it’s super lightweight and leaves my skin feeling grease-free.

Hydration reservoir: I love packing my water in a hydration reservoir because it provides easier access whenever I need it, especially when hiking in hot weather. Depending on how long you are hiking, you can choose from a 2-liter or 3-liter bladder. I prefer hiking with a 2-liter hydration bladder and bringing an extra 1-liter water bottle. I have been using the Platypus Big Zip Evo Reservoir for years and love it because it's lightweight, easy to use, and easy to clean.

the best hydration bladders

If you want to learn what to wear hiking in hot weather, this guide is a great place to start! It has everything you need to understand what to wear hiking in hot weather and hiking tips!