All Vargo Products

Key features to look for in hike clothing

• Moisture wicking: moves sweat to the outer surface while also drying quickly; that lets you break a sweat without feeling clammy or chilled
• Sun-protective fabric: Choose clothing with a UPF rating to protect yourself from harmful UV exposure; a higher rating means better sun protection
• Quick drying: materials that dry quickly keep you cool, comfortable and dry
• Insect repellent: treated with active ingredients to help keep ticks, mosquitoes and other bugs at bay

Hike clothing fabrics

• Merino wool: has fine fibers that make it soft, breathable, moisture-wicking, reasonably quick to dry and not prone to retaining odors.
• Polyester/nylon: Generally less expensive than merino wool, these synthetics excel at wicking sweat and drying fast; many incorporate recycled materials 

Dress in layers 

• Start with a base layer that wicks sweat off your skin; this includes underwear, a bra, hiking shirt and hiking pants
• Add a middle layer to retain body heat in colder conditions; this could be a fleece jacket, an insulated vest or puffy jacket
• An outer layer, like a rain jacket, shields you from wind and rain

Choose a category

• Cargo roof box: Offers the most capacity and easy access to trunk; ideal for longer items like skis or odd-shaped loose gear; requires lifting gear overhead
• Hitch cargo box: Easier to load and unload, more aerodynamic than roof options, but may limit access to your trunk
• Cargo roof basket: An affordable option when hauling bulky items that can’t neatly fit inside a contained cargo box, like camp chairs
• Cargo roof bag: Soft-sided affordable option that doesn't require a car roof rack; can be folded and stored when not in use

What size will you need?

Consider who and what you will be hauling, as well as the vehicle hauling it with.

• Length: If you plan on carrying skis or lengthy items, consider a box that's at least 6 feet long. Otherwise, a length between 4 to 6 feet will work just fine
• Gear capacity: Smaller boxes work well for solo travelers or two-person trips, while families may need a larger box