{"id":197840,"date":"2024-10-08T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-08T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=197840"},"modified":"2024-10-08T07:06:42","modified_gmt":"2024-10-08T14:06:42","slug":"build-a-hiking-outfit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/hike\/build-a-hiking-outfit","title":{"rendered":"However You Get Outdoors, We\u2019ve Got a Kit for That"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As a senior designer at REI, Britt Berg has been asked more than once about her all-time favorite design. \u201cI’m like, we’re gonna talk about five things,\u201d Berg says, laughing. And that\u2019s not just because she\u2019s designed so many wonderful pieces\u2014it\u2019s because Berg knows that there\u2019s no such thing as a magical piece that\u2019s perfect for all activities, in any weather. \u201cIt’s the right tool, the right piece of apparel for the right time,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That can make shopping for outdoor wear an overwhelming prospect. There is<\/em> a perfect base layer, pair of pants or puffy jacket for every occasion\u2014but it requires some self-knowledge to sift through the options and match pieces to your favored activities and the typical conditions they\u2019ll need to withstand, not to mention all the little details that make clothing comfortable, convenient and fun to wear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The minds behind the REI Co-op brand do a little of this thinking before they ever make a piece of clothing. As Berg explains it, each product made under the REI Co-op brand\u2014like Flash<\/a>, Sahara<\/a> or Trailmade<\/a>\u2014is designed to meet a different set of the wearer\u2019s goals. There may be two pieces from different collections designed for the same activity, but each made with variations in materials, fit and features that serve different priorities like packability, layerability or weatherproofness. One product may appeal to someone who wants more affordable options for casual hikes and errands, while another item appeals to someone seeking lighter, warmer gear that layers well with technical gear for long treks and skiing. In other words, Berg says, each one is geared toward \u201ca different kind of thinker.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To spark some fruitful thinking of your own, we\u2019ve put together some kits that will go far for whichever goal is yours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo credit: Brian Chorski<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Errand-Running and Day-Hiking Heroes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some miles, we put in while loaded down with snacks on the trail, some while hauling groceries on busy sidewalks. Either way, a casual trail-to-town<\/a> kit needs to hold up for long days of movement but with no need for technical bells and whistles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For chilly breezes (or unexpectedly strong air-conditioning), the Trailmade Fleece Jacket<\/a> offers everyday coziness at a lower price point. The midweight fleece is a simple design, with a full-zip front for versatile wear, two external pockets, zipper-secured hand pocket and two internal drop pockets to quickly stash a phone or wallet. \u201cCan easily be stuffed into a backpack for a chilly airplane ride and tough enough for a long hike while wearing a daypack. Nice enough for a dinner out when a jacket just isn\u2019t needed,\u201d writes one REI customer-reviewer, summing it up nicely: “Why spend more?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pair it with the beloved Trailmade Pants<\/a>, which look the part both on trail and off, offering a stylishly minimal profile with hiking-friendly features like water resistance and durable double-layer panels in high-wear places like the knees. Further versatility is baked in with bungee adjustments at the hems to fit to different shoes and the option of both a drawcord and belt loops at the waist. As one customer-reviewer gushed, \u201cI wear these constantly for: racing sailboats (lightweight, dries fast, cool, UPF), gardening (adjustable leg height, bug protection, easy washing), hiking (great pockets), and cross-country skiing (over a base layer, dries fast, excellent range of motion).\u201d The Trail 2 Waist Pack <\/a>is the adaptable cherry on top for this kit, ready to hold trail mix for a hike or treats for the dog park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo credit: Brian Chorski<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Warm-Weather Wanderers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Less isn\u2019t always more when you\u2019re a hot-weather hiker (or very serious gardener). A good kit should feel breezy but offer serious protection when the UV index isn\u2019t messing around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For that, you\u2019ll want sun-protective layers<\/a>. Wearing long sleeves on a hot day may feel counterintuitive, but this pastel pal works by providing physical shade, UPF 50+ sun protection and sweat-wicking, quick-drying capabilities. The loose cut and soft material doesn\u2019t feel restrictive on sweltering days when you don\u2019t want anything <\/em>touching your skin. For those days, the Sahara Convertible Pants<\/a> also quite handily turn into shorts\u2014you don\u2019t even have to sit down to remove the bottoms, since they have a full zipper from mid-thigh to bottom hem. Their lightweight, durable fabric offers critical breathability no matter which length you\u2019re wearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just don\u2019t forget that the hottest accessories on blazing days are a full-shade-throwing hat like the Sahara Guide Hat<\/a> and a big reusable water bottle<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants, $89.95<\/a><\/em>. Illustration by Emily Irelan<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Travelers and Shoulder Season Stars<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, the weather is confused\u2014and so are you. It\u2019s not easy to dress for the muddy, sorta-warm -sorta-cold times between seasons, or just when you\u2019re on the road and switching between outdoor temps, plane temps and maybe even time zones. In times like these, smart layers can bring order to the ordeal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start with a simple base<\/a> that dries quickly to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer, then top it as necessary. The Trailmade Rain Jacket<\/a>, a two-layer waterproof-yet-breathable shell, keeps out whatever elements you may encounter. It includes serious wind protection without threatening to put you into sweaty territory. For colder conditions, add in the Magma 850 Down Hoodie<\/a> for top-notch warmth and travel-friendly packability. The only thing left to commit to is the hemline\u2014unless <\/em>of course, you have a convertible option. The Sahara pants can fit in just about anywhere, any time of year. One REI Co-op member put that to the test<\/a> by bringing hers to 13 countries, 14 national parks, several cross-country road trips and deployments with the Army Reserve over the last 12 years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For your feet, merino wool is a favorite material for its flexibility, being cozy but breathable (and, importantly, odor-banishing). The merino-blend Trailmade lightweight hiking socks check those boxes come in quarter<\/a> and crew<\/a> heights for different coverage preferences. And the snugly adjustable, ventilated On The Trail Cap<\/a> can be easily tossed in a backpack or luggage for unexpected jogs or bad hair days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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REI Co-op Magma 850 Down Hoodie<\/a>, $249.<\/em> Illustration by Emily Irelan<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Backpacking Buddies<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Long treks call for more thought about the weight you\u2019ll be lugging around, and require more technical pieces that can hold up to multiple days of use in rugged backcountry conditions. If you\u2019re heading above treeline (lucky you!), you\u2019ll likely want a kit that keeps you cool while you\u2019re on the move, but transitions to protect you from significantly colder, windier conditions at a moment\u2019s notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hitting the sweet spot between warmth and weight, the Magma 850 Down Hoodie<\/a> packs maximal weather protection into a lightweight, simple-as-possible package. In other words, as Berg says, \u201cHow can we make this one everything you need and nothing you don\u2019t? Meaning minimal but not minimalist.\u201d Designers trimmed down the adjustable components on the hood of the Magma 850 so there would only be toggles and bungees at the front. And they moved the chest pocket to the outside so you don\u2019t have to unzip your jacket to access it, letting cold air in. They added warmth to that pocket by adding synthetic insulation without quilt lines. The Magma 850 is designed to fit over a base layer with the right amount of air space between each layer, translating to more insulation. It also has a \u201cdraft tube\u201d in the neck to keep cold air out, a feature designers borrowed from sleeping bags. \u201cI\u2019m obsessive, I will admit it,\u201d Berg jokes. The Magma 850 is water-resistant, but for very wet conditions, bring a waterproof shell along too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Underneath, Sahara convertible pants can add versatility, but for buggy areas or frequent cold-weather hikers, a full-coverage option like the Trailmade pants can do the trick every time. All that\u2019s left to pack is a good pair of trekking poles<\/a> to keep you feeling as stable as those mountain goats in the distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
Photo credit: Brian Chorski<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As a senior designer at REI, Britt Berg has been asked more than once about her all-time favorite design. \u201cI’m like, we’re gonna talk about five things,\u201d Berg says, laughing. And that\u2019s not just because she\u2019s designed so many wonderful pieces\u2014it\u2019s because Berg knows that there\u2019s no such thing as a magical piece that\u2019s perfect […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30740,"featured_media":197845,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[387],"tags":[1812,724,707],"internal-tag":[],"class_list":["post-197840","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hike","tag-co-op-brands","tag-gear","tag-hiking"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/rei.com\/blog\/hike\/build-a-hiking-outfit","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"However You Get Outdoors, We\u2019ve Got a Kit for That","url":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/hike\/build-a-hiking-outfit","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/hike\/build-a-hiking-outfit"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/10\/CB_Fall_Hiking_Hero.jpg?resize=150%2C150","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/10\/CB_Fall_Hiking_Hero.jpg?fit=2000%2C1000"},"articleSection":"Hike","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Ever Meister"}],"creator":["Ever Meister"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Uncommon Path \u2013 An REI Co-op Publication","logo":""},"keywords":["co-op brands","gear","hiking"],"dateCreated":"2024-10-08T11:00:00Z","datePublished":"2024-10-08T11:00:00Z","dateModified":"2024-10-08T14:06:42Z"},"rendered":"