Cute hiking outfits for women with function and fashion in mind do exist. Here are the pieces that experts recommend for your next trek.
Take a hike, in style
The research is clear: Hiking is one of the healthiest forms of exercise you can do. That’s because hiking offers both mental and physical stimulation that can translate into some important health benefits.
Some immediate benefits of hiking include lower blood pressure, increased immune health, restored attention, and reduced stress levels, according to research published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine.
Research suggests walking on uneven ground also uses 28 percent more energy than walking on a flat terrain, meaning you will burn more calories hiking than walking on a treadmill. Hiking on uneven ground can also help improve sense of balance, boost core strength, and tone muscles.
It’s also a free form of exercise, minus the basic gear you will need to stay comfortable and safe. Hiking also tends to easily accommodate social distancing and other pandemic guidelines, unlike most gyms and workout facilities.
So what’s keeping you from becoming a world-class hiker, or maybe even just hitting a trail close to home? For many people, picking out hiking gear that fits well and meets the technical needs of hiking isn’t easy. Trying to find functional hiking outfits or accessories that are also fashionable and fun is even harder.
We took advice from the experts, and spent hours searching the internet, to offer you some of the best quality, cute hiking outfits for women. Here’s what we found.
Considerations for cute hiking outfits for women
Deciding which hiking shirts, pants, skirts, bras, socks, and other accessories you find cute is a personal preference. But there are some technical considerations you should keep in mind when looking for the right hiking outfit for you.
Fit
It may seem too obvious to be worth mentioning this, but across the board, experts say fit is one of the most important considerations to make when purchasing any type of hiking attire or accessories. When it comes to most hiking clothing, experts agree that whatever feels good and lets you move freely is likely a good fit.
Picking footwear can be much more difficult. The experts generally recommend going to a shoe store, or even better, a hiking store, so you can try on different shoes and get help from people who sell hiking footwear for a living.
“It is a good idea to try hiking shoes and boots on before making a final decision, as they all feel a bit different. Even lace them up and walk around the store or your house,” says Kelly Roberts Lane, DPT, FACSM, of Fix It Physical Therapy in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota. “Make sure to try walking down an incline—most outdoor stores have them—to test if your toes jam into the front of the boot or not and to test if your heel slips.”
Lauren Wurster, DPM, AACFAS, a spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), recommends trying on footwear later in the day when the feet are often most swollen.
“Ultimately, I think that it is more important to look at how the shoe fits your particular foot, rather than purchase shoes for a specific condition or comfort element,” she says.
But don’t worry: The experts say once you find a brand and style of shoe that you love, things typically get much easier from there on out.
Bruce Pinker, DPM, a podiatrist with Progressive Foot Care in Nanuet, New York, says once you find a company or style you find comfortable, you can typically order other styles from the same company and those should fit well, as each brand is often consistent within itself.
Material
The experts say the best hiking clothes tend to feature breathable, synthetic materials that are also super stretchy, durable, moisture-wicking, and quick-drying such as nylon, spandex (also known as elastane), polyester, and fleece.
For hiking clothing, cotton just isn’t a good fit, according to the experts, as it absorbs sweat and moisture and stays wet for a long time.
Pinker says most higher-quality women’s hiking footwear are a mixture of nylon, rubber, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), polyester, velcro, and mesh.
But some experts advocate for real fabrics, in particular types of wool, which have been used in hiking clothing for decades. Kate Van Waes, executive director of the American Hiking Society, says merino wool naturally has all of the normal properties you’d get from breathable synthetics. Still, it is often costly, isn’t vegan, and might not work if you have particularly sensitive skin or an allergy.
For the environmentally and social-justice minded, look for products where a bulk of the material is sustainably sourced or recycled. Some companies, like REI and Patagonia, also make products by people paid fair wages in safe work environments.
Wind and water protection
The amount of protection from the elements you will need depends almost entirely on the type of hiking you intend to do. For hiking in cold, windy, or wet environments, the experts say you’ll need to look for products that offer protection from these elements.
But in most cases, except for extreme environments, the experts recommend choosing clothes and shoes that resist or repel wind and water, rather than going fully wind- or waterproof.
Some types of waterproof clothing are breathable, Van Waes says, but these materials are also quite expensive. Same with windproof materials, she adds, which can be breathable but, again, are often expensive.
“There are cheaper water- and windproof materials, like rubber, vinyl, [and] polyurethane,” she says, “but those are not breathable and therefore terrible for hiking.”
Sun protection
For almost any type of hiking, and other activities outdoors, experts suggest taking advantage of the wide array of hiking attire that contains sun protection, often between 30 and 50 UPF. Van Waes says another way to get sun protection is to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
She says generally, almost any long-sleeved shirt or long pants are going to give you sun protection unless you can see through the material, but even then, it’s better than nothing.
“I generally do like a light long-sleeve layer, even in summer, rather than sunscreen because it feels less sticky and sweaty and because I don’t have to worry about re-application or missing a spot,” she adds.
Considerations for different body shapes and sizes
Many brands, especially new up-and-coming brands, are now making styles catering to women of all different shapes and sizes. Some even produce clothing and accessories exclusively with larger, curvier, or bustier women in mind.
Nailah Blades, founder of Color Outside, says she loves Alpine Parrot, a new hiking apparel brand specifically for women sizes 14 to 24 that makes incredible hiking pants.
How easy they are to pack and layer
Many hikes can present varying environmental conditions that require extra planning and packing.
“If you’re venturing out away from many people who can help in an emergency or [on] a longer hike, then make sure you’re prepared for unexpected weather changes by having layers, extra socks, and a breathable rain jacket in your backpack,” advises Van Waes.
That means it’s important to see how heavy extra garments and accessories are and how easily they collapse or pack. If you’re looking for cold-weather gear, make sure the pile, or filling layer, isn’t too thick or bulky, which can make it nearly impossible to bring as an extra.
Also, ensure heavier-duty cold-weather clothing can easily fit over base layers. The experts say a product gets bonus points if it can pack down into itself to become a small pack or attach to belt loops or backpacks.
Durability
Most synthetics like nylon and polyester are fairly durable.
But if you’re doing long hikes, a lot of hiking, or hiking in places with plenty of rocks, sticks, brush, and other objects that can pierce or rip fabric, the experts recommend getting products made out of nearly indestructible materials like ripstop and Gore-Tex.
Products with extra reinforcement in areas most likely to come into contact with environmental hazards, such as the knees and bum, also offer more durability.
Undergarments
When it comes to socks and undergarments, the experts say there are more options now than ever before to make your hike more comfortable and enjoyable.
“I think the sock choice is really important,” Lane says. “A sweaty, wet foot is no fun. They make such great socks now … quick-drying, light, they wick the sweat away and keep your feet dry.”
Blades says to avoid cotton and opt for wool and synthetic fabrics instead.
Picking a good sports bra that offers enough support and coverage is also important for women hikers.
“I think sports bras are helpful when hiking for the additional support as well as an additional layer of clothing,” Blades says.
Most experts recommend picking a sports bra with support but without uncomfortable restraining features like underwire.
When it comes to underwear, the experts say to look for undies with similar properties as other hiking clothing, such as being moisture-wicking, quick-drying, anti-odor, breathable, and stretchy.
Cute hiking outfits for women
Everyone has different ideas about what defines cute. You’ll also need different gear depending on what type of hiking you plan to do. But according to the experts, a few features and companies make certain products stand out from the rest.
And we did a deep dive to find out which of the products had the most fashion potential.
Here are some of the cutest hiking outfits and accessories that meet expert guidelines:
Torrid Multi Camo Active Wicking Bike Short
Not every hike requires hardcore gear or even gear designed especially for hiking. If fashion is a bigger priority than convenience or practicality, but you still want to stay comfortable, this Torrid hiking short may be a good option.
This striking camo pattern adds an air of fun and personality but is not too dark, making it easier to spot pesky insects or ticks that may attach to clothing during hikes. The short fabric is also super stretchy and made of a moisture-wicking, quick-drying combination of nylon and spandex.
As a bonus, this hiking outfit is designed with plus-sized women in mind and hugs curves in all the right places. They also have a wide, flat waistband for comfort even after hours of hiking.
BALEAF Women’s Hiking Cargo Pants
This hiking pant from BALEAF offers all the bells and whistles hikers love, like plenty of deep, zippered pockets, an elastic drawstring waist, fitting around the knees for added mobility, and cinchable cuffs to keep bugs and the elements out.
The materials are UPF 50, breathable, lightweight, water-resistant, moisture-wicking, and quick-drying. At around $35 these hiking pants are also a cheaper option than many high-quality hiking pants.
If you’re looking to increase the cuteness factor of your hiking pants, order the pants in one of the many fun, vibrant colors they come in, such as purple, teal, or orange.
Patagonia Powder Town Beanie
For trekking in colder weather, a good, warm, comfortable hat is a must-have. This Patagonia favorite is made of moisture-wicking, quick-drying recycled polyester fleece that is also itch-free.
With a wide cuff, the hat also holds warmth and offers less risk of slipping or moving around too much. This outdoor hat covers most of the basic hiking needs, but let’s face it, it’s also just cute.
It comes in eight different color combinations with mixtures like bright orange and teal, and one style looks like a mountain peak with a sunset background.
Athleta Printed Mesh Racer Run Short 4″
These Athleta shorts are the perfect mix between running and hiking shorts. They have the loose fit and length of a good running short, but with extra features that come in handy while hiking, like secure, zippered pockets in the front and back and an internal hanging pocket for valuables.
The shorts also contain mesh areas for increased airflow and a stretchy, quick-drying, wrinkle-resistant, lightweight, silky sleek, UPF 50 poly material made from recycled plastic water bottles.
For comfort on longer treks, these shorts offer a wide, flat, elastic waistband with an internal drawcord closure to tighten or loosen the fit.
As this is a list of cute hiking outfits for women, we’d be remiss not to mention the nine fun, super-trendy patterns these shorts come in.
The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket
The North Face has been making top-quality hiking gear for decades, and this jacket is a retro tribute to some of their most famous, and fashionable, items.
Almost all the experts suggest that if you’re hiking in cold, or unpredictable, environments you should really keep a warmer, element-resistant jacket on hand. This cold-weather jacket is warm, with a 700-fill down lining, but is still lightweight and compressible enough to fold in on itself to become a small, rectangular, zippered pack, perfect for stashing in a backpack.
For the fashion-minded, this hiking jacket carries the same classic lines and oversized logo as the original 1996 version. It also comes in four colors, three of which are bright and fun, and like many of the products on this list, comes in a range of sizes from size XS to 3XL.
Patagonia Women’s Baggies™ Shorts
These Patagonia shorts offer comfort, quality, and—depending on the pattern or color you pick—a punch of fun. The shorts have a super-comfortable elastic waistband with a drawstring enclosure that won’t create indents or pressure points like snap or button closures.
They have moisture-wicking, super-stretchy, quick-drying nylon that is 100 percent recycled material. To keep you dry even in wet environments, the shorts also have a durable water-repellant finish, and the pockets are lined with mesh to allow drainage.
The shorts come in a whopping 10 color options, four of which include fun color or geometric patterns that would look good on almost any woman (or man, for that matter).
The North Face TNF x TW Women’s Flight VECTIV
These women’s hiking shoes from North Face look so cute and comfy, it’s hard to believe they’re designed for trails. Containing a rainbow of eye-catching colors, they also contain essentials for hiking, like a thick, rugged rubber outer sole and deep lugs in different patterns on the sole to help you keep your grip across a range of environments.
They also have abrasion-resistant, extremely durable panels in the midfoot and a toe cap to protect your feet from encounters with sharp or rough objects.
For excellent airflow, these shoes have an upper breathable-knit fabric and reflective details to make it easier for others to spot you in dim light or darkness.
Smartwool Merino 250 Pattern Base Layer Crew Top – Women’s
The experts recommend always wearing base layers when hiking in very cold environments or those that may be unpredictable. Smartwool is known for its base layers, and this 100 percent merino wool crew neck, long-sleeved, mid-weight base layer does not disappoint.
It’s comfortable, allows airflow while keeping warmth in, and is odor resistant. The seams of this shirt prevent rubbing and chafing during movement, and the sleeves maximize mobility.
Unlike many base layers, Smartwool doesn’t compromise on fashion, offering the shirt in eight different styles that range from neutral to fun colors. Our personal favorite style is “deep navy forest scape,” which looks like a forest scene, or “sunset color palm.”
REI Co-op XeroDry GTX Jacket – Women’s
This super lightweight REI jacket is made of two layers of Gore-Tex fabric that is windproof and waterproof yet breathable, and mesh-lined pockets for extra airflow. This jacket also offers options to customize its fit in several areas, like adjustable cuffs, a drawcord hem, and an adjustable hood.
For storing valuables and important items, the jacket comes with zippered hand pockets and one chest pocket. Like most REI products, this jacket is manufactured using fair trade practices and contains materials designed to limit the impact on people and the environment.
It also comes in sizes regular, petite, and tall as well as plus sizes to meet the needs of more women. This jacket also keeps fashion in mind, coming in six bright, fun colors like amaranth coral and skydive blue.
ExOfficio Give-N-Go Sport Mesh Hipkini Underwear – Women’s
Having hike-friendly underwear makes a big difference in your overall comfort. Made of ultralight mesh, these ExOfficio underwear are incredibly breathable and help keep you cool and dry.
Antimicrobial action to reduce unpleasant odors is always a bonus. This underwear also sits a bit lower than some active-wear underwear to make sure the waistband sits comfortably in high- or low-rise pants, shorts, or a skirt/skort. Made of 93 percent nylon and 8 percent spandex, these underwear are moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and super stretch.
And if you aren’t a fan of whitey tighties, these underwear come in a range of fun, vibrant colors like bright red, deep purple, and turquoise.
Kari Traa Rose High-Waist Base Layer Pants – Women’s
Base layers are an important part of any cold-weather hiking outfit. While many brands only offer base layers in neutral colors, these 100 percent merino Kari Traa wool leggings are anything but boring.
These base leggings are comfortable, breathable, odor-resistant, and insulating even when wet. They also offer a four-way stretch, ensuring you have high mobility even when bulking up on layers, and thinner side panels to increase airflow.
These leggings also come in three different fun patterns, and they double as comfy pajamas.
Lulu Lemon Evergreen Anorak
Lulu Lemon is a brand that helps define fashion trends in workout wear, in particular yoga gear. But they also make more technical gear, like clothing designed for hiking.
This poncho-style foldable shell jacket is not only incredibly cute, comfortable, and attention-grabbing, but it also comes with hiking features like being windproof, water-repellant, and a zippered, wide kangaroo-style pocket in the front to stash valuables and other items to keep on hand.
With a relaxed, roomy fit, this shell is also super comfortable, doesn’t interfere with movement, and can still fit comfortably over under-layers. This shell also has a cinch-waist and hem to adjust the size and fit of the shell while also helping keep bugs, and the elements, out.
Tera Kaia TOURA Basewear Top
If you’re looking for a super comfortable, multi-purpose sports bra, look no further than this cute and functional reversible Tera Kaia sports bra that doubles as a regular top and swim top. This bra is moisture-wicking, quick-drying, breathable, and incredibly stretchy, made with 82 percent nylon and 18 percent spandex.
The bra’s fabric is also water-resistant and antimicrobial to keep bad smells at bay. With seamless contouring and stitching, this bra allows your muscles to move. The bra’s multi-strap back gives the bra an extra hit of fashion and it comes in several bold, feminine colors.
The bra comes in a low-cut style for lower-impact hiking or women with smaller busts and a high-cut style for more high-impact hiking or accommodating bigger busts.
knix Luxefit Pullover Bra
Knix doesn’t specialize in hiking gear, but women love their wireless offerings meant to feel like you’re wearing nothing at all. This easy pull-on bra offers good support for a range of activities including hiking, and comes in a range of sizes, from XXS to XXXXL+.
This bra is also seamless to reduce chafing or indents and wide, flat straps that are low-profile enough to comfortably fit under most outerwear or clothing.
With removable cups, this bra is also versatile and can accommodate different fits or support for low-, medium-, and high-impact activities. For a limited time, this bra also comes in a mix of seven different colors and patterns.
TBMPOY Women’s Ski Snow Pants
Finding fun, colorful, and comfortable cold-weather hiking pants isn’t always easy, but these TBMPOY pants meet most hiking needs.
These pants are water-resistant, windproof, and lined with a thin layer of fleece that offers warmth and protection from the elements without the usual bulk of full-on snow pants and room enough to add layers underneath.
Unlike some heavier-duty hiking pants, these pants come with four secure, zippered pockets, three in the front and one in the back, that are large enough to fit most cell phones. With color-blocking and available in a range of eye-popping colors such as hot pink and dark purple, these pants make a great addition to any cute hiking outfit for women.
The manufacturer recommends purchasing one size larger than normal if you think you’ll spend most of your time wearing them with leggings or other base layers.
BALEAF Women’s Long Sleeve Shirt
We love the unreal range of colors this BALEAF long-sleeved shirt comes in, offering 16 different colors to chose from, most of which are bold, bright, and feminine.
But cute colors aren’t all this shirt brings to the table; it’s also made from material that’s UPF 50, moisture-wicking, quick-drying, breathable, lightweight, and 100 percent polyester. This shirt also has a relaxed fit to help you move with ease, allowing it to fit over base layers or bra tops comfortably. For people who hate tags, this shirt is also tag-free to prevent rubbing or chaffing.
Columbia Windgates II Cropped Tank Top
This snug-fitting Columbia sports top is a feast for the eyes, loaded with a multi-colored print in the front and orange and pink color blocking in the back. Unlike many hiking sports tops, the material is UPF 50 and moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and breathable.
With 22 percent elastane, this top is also super stretchy for ease of movement. It comes in a wide range of sizes to meet more women where they are, including plus sizes, and short and wide fits.
Darn Tough Bear Town Micro Crew Socks
Cute hiking outfits for women require good socks. And these women’s hiking socks may be super cute, but they are serious hiking socks, too.
This pair from Darn Tough features light cushioning along the base of the foot and a seamless construction to avoid slipping, blisters, or bunching. Made of a mix of nylon, merino wool, and elastane, these hiking socks are also moisture-wicking, quick-drying, super stretchy, and antibacterial to keep bad smells away.
These socks are super versatile year-round, offering excellent airflow during warmer months and warmth in cooler months. They also have a micro-crew height, which makes them fit more concisely than a regular crew fit and peek out just above the top of most hiking boots and shoes.
Sockwell Botanical Compression Socks – Women’s
These Sockwell socks offer a lot more than pretty botanical prints and color combinations. The socks are high-rise to fit comfortably with hiking boots, even taller snow boots.
They also offer moderate, gradual compression that helps increase blood flow and reduce swelling during hikes. This hiking sock has merino wool and bamboo rayon, making it moisture-wicking, quick-drying, breathable, thermoregulating, and odor-controlling.
Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX Hiking Boots – Women’s
These Salomon hiking boots offer hardcore hiking features alongside a fashionable, cute look. Made of polyurethane-coated leather uppers and Gore-Tex liners, these boots are breathable yet still able to stand up to wet, muddy, windy, or cold conditions.
They also offer abrasion-resistant liners that are quick-drying and breathable, as well as extra safety features such as mudguards, rubber toe caps, and extra gripping on the outer soles.
These hiking boots also have extra cushioning in the midsoles and heel cups.
Give’r 4 Season Gloves
These hardcore Give’r hiking gloves were extensively tested for practicality and durability in some of America’s most famous extreme hiking conditions. Made of a mix of breathable, moisture-wicking, quick-drying synthetic materials and premium leather, these gloves offer the best combination of warmth, comfort, and functionality.
This glove is also waterproof, windproof, and breathable without compromising on comfort or dexterity, and is suitable for both warm, cool, and very cold conditions.
For added warmth, these gloves also have a Thinsulate polyester fleece lining. With their fun, eye-catching mix of sunshine yellow and bright red, these gloves also have a mountain-reminiscent trim across the front.
Mountain Hardwear FireFall/2 GORE-TEX Gloves – Women’s
Mountain Hardwear is a brand several experts recommend for high-quality, yet still fashionable, hiking gear, and these heavy-duty gloves are no exception.
They may have a fun, dark stormy print with purple accenting, but these gloves feature Gore-Tex materials so they are windproof, waterproof, and yet still lightweight and breathable. These gloves also come with special overlays to give you extra durability and grip plus heat-retaining layers of synthetic insulation and fleece.
Featuring a pre-curved design that allows the fingers to sit comfortably in their natural position, these gloves are also specially designed for a woman’s hand. To get a better fit and help keep the elements out, the gloves run higher up the arm, contain an adjustable strap across the top of the wrist, and a bungee-cord cinch system at the cuff.
As many people hike these days with a cell phone, these gloves come with touchscreen-compatible strips on the index fingers and thumb. When you’re not using them, you can also hang them from a belt loop or backpack from a durable loop near the end of the ring finger.
Smartwool Smartloft 60 Skirt
Smartwool offers more than their incredible base layers, including this fun skirt. Wear this hiking skirt with an under-layer of leggings, tights, or base layers. It’s also wind-resistant and water-repellant, and contains an inner layer of insulating 50 percent recycled merino wool that is naturally moisture-wicking and odor-resistant without weighing too much.
The skirt also has two stretchy panels on either side to ease movement while keeping the sides of the skirt snug and the elements out. As a bonus, this skirt has a hidden pocket in the outer waistband and a wide, flat elastic waistband that is easy to slip on and off and won’t create pockets of pressure like snap closures or buttons.
This skirt does come in black, which is cute and versatile, but it also comes in a more fun offering—pomegranate—that we just love.
Viakix Walking Sandals for Women
These Viakix hiking sandals have adjustable strapping around the front of the foot, heel, ankle, and toe for extra security and fit, and an ergonomically minded insole and arch support for added comfort and stability.
The sandals are also wider than most regular sandals to allow a roomier fit and accommodate wider feet, and they have a multi-directional series of lugs on the outer sole for better grip.
GoLite ReActive Thong Underwear – Women’s
If you are a fan of thongs, why not try hiking in one? These GoLite thongs come in a range of cute colors and fabric that is extremely flexible, well ventilated, smooth, moisture-wicking, odor-resistant, and retains its shape.
The thongs also have a wider, flat waistband than many thong offerings to keep the waist in place without rolling or bunching and reduce the pressure around the waist.
Lemedy Women Padded Sports Bra Fitness Workout Running Shirts Yoga Tank Top
This Lemedy crop bra-top is a No. 1 seller on Amazon and has more than 42,000 reviews, most of which are high-scoring.
The support of this top is perfect for lower-impact hiking. It has moisture-wicking, lightweight, stretchy, quick-drying material, making it great for almost any activity.
It also contains removable cups for extra, or reduced, support and coverage when you need it. This versatile top is fashionable enough to wear as a stand-alone crop top and comes in an unreal 24 unique colors.
ICTIVE Workout Tops for Women Loose fit Racerback Tank Tops
Made of nylon and spandex, this highly rated ICTIVE top is stretchy, breathable, lightweight, moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and soft.
It also contains a panel of mesh on the top of the back for extra airflow and a gathering in the back that keeps the shirt off your skin to prevent unnecessary sweating.
Fashionable enough to wear as an everyday tank top, this top also comes in 18 fun colors to match cute hiking outfits for women.
(Here are the other great gifts for hikers.)
Women’s Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Fleece Pullover
This Patagonia pullover fleece is an excellent everyday sweater that also works well for hiking. Made from mid-weight, 100 percent recycled polyester, this sweater will keep you warm and dry while wicking away moisture and allowing airflow.
Because it’s not bulky, this sweater is also a great base layer for added warmth under almost any jacket or shell, and it is roomy enough to fit over just about any base layer. The sweater also has spandex around the sleeve cuffs and hem to keep warmth in and the elements out, and a snap-closure pocket on the breast for valuables.
“Patagonia has a lightweight fleece that has lasted me forever and is a staple in my hiking gear; it stuffs well and is a nice layer,” Lane says.
Now that you know about these cute hiking outfits for women, check out the essential hiking gear you need.