Welcome to Ask an Outsider. We are here to answer your most pressing questions about enjoying time outside, like whether you can hike in jeans or how to reconcile different trail goals with a partner. Our advice givers are experts from both inside and outside REI Co-op who draw from their own experience and knowledge to help inform yours.
This time, we explore the question: Do I have to look outdoorsy to be outdoorsy?
We asked Heb Murphy, a lifelong REI Co-op Member—she was even on the cover of a co-op member benefits pamphlet as a kiddo—hiker, and internet-beloved minisongwriter with unmatched personal style to weigh in. Not only does she advocate for folks to get outside, period, she also believes that everyone should be able to express themselves in outdoor clothes and gear that help them feel safe and cute.
Read on for Heb’s perspective, and follow her for more hiking hot tips.
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Dear Outsider,
I want to be outdoorsy, but do I really have to dress like it?? I know all the advice says I need a huge backpack and pants made from technical fabrics that wick moisture and have a thousand pockets, but I feel better wearing clothes and using gear that shows off my personal style. Can I just hike in what I own, or do I really have to dress a certain way or carry certain gear to spend time hiking and exploring outside?
Signed,
Cargo Pants Conundrum, REI Co-op Member since 2012
Dear Cargo Pants,
When I was growing up, the only thing my dad loved more than taking his kids to the mountains was a good sale at REI, where he worked for nearly 20 years. That’s how my family ended up with 20 identical pairs of snowboard socks to share, about 15 too many sleeping bags and matching snowshoes. (Disclosure: We never used the snowshoes.) Eventually, I noticed something: One thing all the hiking boots, sensible pants and sun hats had in common was they seemed like overkill for what we were using them for, or they were just plain tacky—er, khaki.
As I got older and developed my own sense of style, I found myself asking, “Do I have to look “outdorky” in order to enjoy the outdoors—and pay top dollar to do it?” Because, really, can anyone go camping or on a hike without spending half their paycheck and dressing like a dweeb? The barrier to entry shouldn’t be that high, right? It’s the great outdoors, dammit! I’m a firm believer that nature is there for us to enjoy for little to no cost.
It took me a while to establish my own relationship with the outdoors as an adult, and to determine the right gear for me. I do love a good pair of moisture-wicking pants, but do I have to look like a fitness instructor from the ’70s if I’m going on a 2-hour hike? And, while I enjoy fun gadgets, what will I actually be able to carry on the trail? Sure, you can absolutely buy the highest-tech clothes and gear, and for some adventures that might be the right move. But if your primary goal is to be your full, authentic self outside, you may be able to wear and bring some of what you already have, or pick up a few necessary items to add a little outdoorsiness to your personal collection.
I’ve learned a thing or two about what’s necessary, what’s nice to have and what’s just plain extra, all while maintaining the desired level of “looking cute, feeling cute.” Because what’s more important than looking stylish in the mountains? Well, I guess safety … but style is a close second!
Here are some of my go-tos, plus a few other choice “not outdorky” items available at the co-op.
Heb’s Trail Favorites
Of course, you should always pack the Ten Essentials on any outdoor adventure, but these are my other essentials if I’m headed out for a day on the trail.
Good shoes
No, I don’t mean the most hardcore hiking boots or clamp-on spiked attachments used for scaling Mount Everest. You just need some supportive shoes that are sturdy enough for the hike you’re hiking. A good pair of trail-running shoes—I love my Salomons—should do the trick on most light to moderate hikes. (Think paved or packed paths, day hikes, no or little elevation gain, carrying a pack weighing under 30 pounds.) Those classic higher-cut, stiffer-soled hiking boots might be overkill unless you know your ankles need it—especially if you’re headed out on rocky terrain or will be under a heavier load, like a backpacking kit. But if you need some extra ankle support on more varied or rugged terrain, great: Do you, and grab the right shoe.
I personally love my Salomon Speedcross 6 trail-running shoes for most of my day hikes: They’re comfy, lightweight, dry quickly after river crossings and they have pull string tabs instead of laces, keeping them nice and snug for hours.
Here are a few other favorites kicks at REI:
Backpack with chest and waist straps
I love to be overprepared when I go literally anywhere, not just the trails, which usually results in me carrying a lot of weight on my back. Chest and hip straps help distribute the load across my upper body, which has been an absolute lifesaver, taking the load off my shoulders. A hiking pack with supportive straps paired with some good shoulder and neck stretches? Yeah, baby. That’s the stuff. The Cotopaxi 18L Del Dia Daypack has been my daily carry for years and I have zero complaints—and I get tons of compliments on it.
Water (and snacks)
This may seem obvious, but tons of hiking accidents occur on short and so-called “easy” hikes, when a lot of people aren’t as fully prepared. If you’re headed out for a couple hours, you don’t need to pack like you’re trekking the whole Pacific Crest Trail, but you need to be ready for unforeseen weather and unplanned circumstances like rain or extreme heat. Don’t skimp on water just because you don’t want to feel weighed down: Always, always, always pack more than you think you’ll need.
Heb Hydration Tip: My own rule of thumb is, if I don’t need to pee every hour on a hike, it means I’m sweating it out instead, which isn’t a good sign. I personally like to drink a liter of water before heading out, carry at least a liter on the trail and end with drinking another full water bottle, usually with added electrolytes to replenish after working up a sweat. And yes, I do pick my best bottle for the occasion.
For shorter hikes when I don’t want to wear a whole kit on my shoulders, I grab the cute, colorful REI Co-op Trailmade Hydration Sling, which holds the bare essentials inside, plus a 25-ounce water bottle (included) in its outer mesh pocket. If I’m out for about two hours, my 32-ounce Nalgene is perfect because it fits in a smaller (say, 18 to 20 liter) daypack, and it’s so light to carry. For a longer outing, though, I live by my hydration backpack. You mean I can drink water without slowing down my whole party to take a break so I don’t spill on myself? That’s pretty nice. It does make it harder to use getting water as an excuse to take a break, but that’s a different issue. And I do have to admit, snowboarders sipping from the straws sticking out of their backpacks do look pretty cool, so I’m sure I look just as cool as I’m casually sipping from my CamelBak Hydration Backpack’s 1.5-liter reservoir.
I’ll (obviously) always bring some trail snacks, too, like PB&Js, some fruit and something easy I can snack on, like trail mix. Sure, you can get fancy, dehydrated astronaut food, but nothing says “I’m a real hiker” quite like an authentic plastic zip-top bag of smooshed trail mix crumbs.
Sun protection
As a Black woman, I’ll hear no excuses. You need some combination of sunscreen (applied every 2 hours!), sunglasses and a hat. Bonus points if you can snag one of those wide-brimmed sun shades that looks like it’s made for a beekeeper and covers the back of your neck. Those can feel a little goofy, but I managed to find one that made me feel more like Dora the Explorer and less like an egghead: the REI Co-op Vented Trailsmith Hat. Other favorite hats include the cool, colorful 5-panel and bucket hats from Cotopaxi: They definitely don’t look outdorky. You could wear them anywhere! For full sun protection, UPF-rated clothing like a sun shirt or hoodie won’t wash off (like sunscreen will) and can cover hard-to-reach areas where the sun does, unfortunately shine, like that spot between your shoulder blades. Most sun shirts are lightweight, breathable and colorful, and are a good layer to have on hand. (Remember, you can still get sunburned on a cloudy day.)
Learn more with How to Choose and Use Sunscreen and How to Choose Sun-Protective (UPF) Clothing.
Breathable fabrics
If you’re hiking, you’re gonna sweat, it’s just a fact. Heaven forbid, it might even rain on you. You don’t want to be caught in wet jeans (cold! heavy!) or a leather jacket (too hot! traps sweat!), but you also don’t have to buy an entirely new technical wardrobe either. That cotton top you own is fine on shorter, dry outings (despite what they always say), but cotton gets cold when wet and takes forever to dry (which can lead to hypothermia), so avoid it if there’s any chance of rain or other nasty weather. Opt for moisture-wicking, antimicrobial merino wool, like a top from Smartwool, or shirts made from nylon, polyester or a blend.
Next up, I prefer pants made with durable, breathable nylon and a touch of stretch, like my REI Co-op Trailmade hiking pants. They’re specifically designed to repel moisture, they’re rated UPF 50+ for sun protection and the latest styles—like the relaxed and barrel-leg cuts—are actually flattering?! Wowza.
And, you know what?! I don’t even care anymore: Zip-off pants are cool. They’re extremely handy! Starting out a hike in the cold? Pants. You start heating up about halfway through? SHORTS. You can’t tell me that’s not awesome. Designers are finally starting to make them not look clinical. Dare I say, some of them are actually … cute?! I know. The REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants have been going outside about as long as I have and they don’t scream “gorpcore” as loudly as you would expect.
For other breathable, durable apparel, I also love my Tough Cutie socks (Black-woman owned company, hell yeah), which are thick, durable, dry quickly and live up to the “cutie” in the name. And don’t forget your light jacket! (I have so many to choose from … but the REI Co-op Trailmade fleece jacket is a fave and I can wear it anywhere—indoors or out.)
Trekking poles
Ok, I used to think trekking poles looked outdorky. But, when I carried a pair hiking with my friends and they fell into the water during our river crossings and I stayed dry while balancing on the rocks, who do you think was laughing? At first, I thought the poles were overkill for our moderate hike, but they ended up helping me conserve a lot of energy. Plus, when you don’t need them, the REI Co-Op Trailmade Trekking poles retract to become tiny and you can just throw them in your bag. Perfect! No doubt, they’re going in my bag for every hike from now on, even if kids are laughing at me. I’ll just laugh back when they fall in the water and I don’t.
Headlamp
I love my headlamp, I really do. Sure, if I’m going out on a 2-mile day hike I’m super familiar with, my phone and backup charger will probably do the trick. But a headlamp does make me feel like the real deal, and it’s a lot safer. You can get away with a relatively inexpensive, lightweight, doesn’t-feel-like-a-miner’s cap version like the Black Diamond Astro 300: It’s got one button (easy!), three brightness options (versatile!) and can last up to 140 hours on the lowest setting (handy!). Plus, you’ll only have to wear it in the dark, which means no one has to see you with it on. (Your light will blind them if they look at you anyway.)
Nothing makes you more or less of a hiker; especially not the style or the price of your gear. Your favorite baseball cap will provide just-right sun protection on many trails, and your daily joggers may have plenty of traction for a day hike. Some items, though, can make your time outside a bit easier—and safer. Some are nice to have. And some are just fun. Luckily, designers are finally getting the message and making a lot of these items flattering—even cute!
You can definitely balance feeling like yourself on the trail and being safe. It doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag or a whole new wardrobe. As long as you’re careful, hydrated and well-protected, you’re in the outdoorsy club. No need to get a Subaru, eat dehydrated food or drop $300 on knee-high hiking boots. You can if you want, though! You do you, boo!