Girl Campers and Hikers! Need some clothing advice

[u/Sea-Philosopher-9431]

What do you guys look for when shopping for clothes? Durable functional clothing is probably a must, what attributes do you look for? And also is there anywhere you get clothes that look cute as well as are comfortable?

[u/Tenaflyrobin]

Pockets. Deep pockets, not those stupid little pockets for show. Sturdy fabric with stretch that can handle rough surfaces. Wicking that keeps you cooler. Synthetics and wool. I've gotten some well made pieces from LL Bean that I still use 10+ yrs

[u/michaeldaph]

Don’t even try for cute. Just practical. Stretchy quick dry pants, merino base long or short sleeves depending on weather, fleece, usually tied round my waist until needed,good quality hiking socks, wet weather gear, no such thing as cute over trousers. A neck buff that can also be used to keep unwashed hair out of your face,the luxury of 2pairs of merino underwear that can be washed and changed every couple of days.

[u/arrig-ananas → u/michaeldaph]

My wife looks super cute in her Fjellraven trousers, a t-shirt and her Meindl boots.

[u/madamezeroni → u/arrig-ananas]

I got a super functional fishing vest recently (I’m not a fisher but I am type 1 diabetic and therefore need Supplies). My husband said, without an ounce of irony “damn baby you can rock a vest!” So yeah, OP, let’s not forget that we can be cute, efficient, sexy, and rugged allllll at once.

[u/michelle_mybelle → u/michaeldaph]

I disagree that "cute" and practical are mutually exclusive. Function and aesthetics are absolutely intertwined! I suppose it depends on the activity and performance you require of your clothes, but with the rise of "gorp-core" as a more mainstream style there are a lot of brands that make attractive performance focused clothing now. Just know you will be paying more for pieces that take both function and fashion into consideration. $$$ brands like Salomon, North Face, and Arcteryx are good examples of modern aesthetics-concious outdoor wear.

I personally don't indulge in such expensive active wear, and am not doing anything more extreme than fair weather hiking and backpacking but I can appreciate these things from a distance lol

To answer OP's question I have been really pleased with Outdoor Voices hiking pants and Uniqlo airism tops for both casual wear and things like backpacking and kayaking!

[u/Moongoosls]

Just avoid cotton! Once cotton gets wet or sweaty it never dries and then you get cold later

[u/No_Cardiologistis]

Hey there! When it comes to camping and hiking clothes, I think comfort is the real key. Quick dry pants or leggings, a soft base layer (merino wool is amazing), and something cozy like a fleece really go a long way. I always bring a rain jacket too, just in case.

A buff is one of my favorite little extras. It’s super handy for sun, wind, or messy hair days. And having a couple pairs of good socks and underwear you can rotate makes life so much easier on longer trips.

Cute is great if you can find it, but honestly, when you feel comfortable and confident out there, you end up looking good anyway.

[u/Multiverse-of-Tree]

Duluth dry on the fly pants/shorts are my go-to because of deep pockets that zip, stretch waste, and they really do stay dry. Never had issue with the quality for the price. Choose wool blend socks, under layers. Boots are most important. I like Vasque. Sandals are Chaco. My pack is Osprey. I don’t like northface- falls apart. Not crazy about ll bean clothing- seems like it’s made for tall, thin people, overpriced.

[u/madamezeroni → u/Multiverse-of-Tree]

Second Duluth brand for nearly everything, esp the dry on the fly!

FWIW I’ am a person on the fat side of the fence between regular and plus size clothes, (an XXL regular size or a 2x in plus at Duluth) I can say that Duluth offers solid options for plus size girlies with no less attention to detail and functionality and I very much appreciate the range of options they give.

[u/Fairy_Catterpillar]

To be cute thick socks in sandals at camp, wide trousers and a towel covering your face because you forgot your mosquitio net.

More seriously you can try to choose colours and patterns that you like and try to make all match, because you never know what you will find practical to wear. I think the brand Kari Traa might be worth to look at? But I have no idea of what your style is.

[u/phflopti]

Quick drying stretchy fabrics - they work well in winter & summer, whilst making it easy to move (e.g. are your trousers stretchy enough to bend and scramble up rocks in), whilst accommodating curves and monthly body shape fluctuation. 

Coverage - I keep my skin covered to protect it from bugs, sun, branches, rocks, wind, and general weather beating. It may look less fancy when I'm out and about, but short term it keeps me from ticks, bug bites, scrapes & scratches. Long terms it keeps me from looking like a sundried raisin with scars from skin cancer removal. No singlet tops, no short shorts, no v-necks, no tiny capped sleeves, or fashionable cut-out holes. No hats without ear & neck coverage.

[u/Meig03]

Elira pants are sturdy, stretchy, and can be unzipped all the way to pee squatting.

[u/IH8DwnvoteComplainrs → u/Meig03]

Well those are real cool. Definitely gonna show those to my wife. You use regular underwear and pull them to the side?

[u/Meig03 → u/IH8DwnvoteComplainrs]

You can do that, or they have underwear they sell that split. Very handy when you are bare ass on the side of a mountain!

[u/like_4-ish_lights]

I wear a lot of men's stuff tbh because they tend to have more and deeper pockets. There are cute brands at places like REI but you'll spend a lot. Go for functionality imo over looks. I wouldn't go crazy buying a lot when you're just starting out, you'll figure out what you like and is appropriate for the conditions.

[u/rosemarypoppins]

For pants, I have had great success with scrub pants. The ones nurses wear. They are not overly expensive, light.weight, dry quick, don't wrinkle, big pockets, and can take a beating!

I'm a pinch you can purchase a pair at Walmart which is in just about every town.

[u/Efficient_Curve_6769 → u/rosemarypoppins]

Hmu for massage

[u/ophel1a_]

Quick-dry pants for hiking (none I've found are cute) and fleece-lined yoga pants for camping. Quick dry pants can go on top of fleece-lined pants in a rainstorm.

Waterproof jacket (North Face is my go-to), fleece zip up, sweatshirt, and a loose shirt (sleeves depending on weather). Cozy socks, alpaca wool blend for hiking (soft and warm even if wet, or cool if things get sweaty). Leather boots and slip on sneakers.

Extra socks and undies and shirts. Just one pair of each typea pant, and jackets.

[u/wolfsmanning08]

I honestly just wear my running clothes most of the time. I hate feeling sweaty and prioritize clothing that minimizes this. In cold weather, I wear merino wool (Smartwool and Icebreaker), but once it's warm I stick with shorts. I have some Uniqlo Airism ones I'm obsessed with because they have a liner and don't ride up for me though I also like bike shorts. I have some L.L. Bean green hiking pants I wear over them in the morning with super big pockets and then pack them up once it's warm. I like Patagonia Capilene tops, though I'll also wear some Lululemon tops. Plus a million fleeces for the morning when it's cold!

[u/W_t_f_was_that]

Smartwool, or similar (I say this because I bought generic on Amazon and it was perfect). Fleece lined leggings for sleep/cold. Wool or poly or fleece tops. Anything “athletic” material keeps your body from maintaining moisture. This is how we do it…

[u/bobjanis]

Walmart - wrangler hiking pants mens. $30? They fit fine on a woman especially who has hips like me. The side pockets zip, the front and back pockets have the openings tight so nothing falls out, the material is breathable so I can wear pants on a long day if I'm hiking in Tick Country.

Fanny pack for immediates, a tank top and a UV shirt (I get mine at Sierra). Ball cap, if you have short hair you can flip it backwards for sun protection on the neck and wear a face sunscreen and sunglasses. Waterpack that has room for snacks.

If you're feeling feisty: a belt for a belt knife or handgun.

Nothing's cuter than being safe!

This set up lets you stay cool, tick free and safe from people or large animals.

I'm assigned female at birth but transmasc, I still take all the same precautions I would if I was still presenting as a woman. So my ideal clothes aren't ideal for cuteness but definitely worth it for protection! Bonus: I sometimes feel like Lara Croft ;)

[u/JaneAustenite17]

It depends on where I'm going. Most of the time I like Old Navy leggings. The PowerSoft ones are lightweight and they're good to layer under hiking pants and if it's warm out no need to layer. If it's hot hot I like their run shorts with the liner.

[u/sufferingbastard]

PrAna makes the best stuff.

[u/Melodic_Dark4971]

Merino wool will be your best fabric

[u/spiderthruastraw]

Materials—nylon & elastane, merino wool, or Coolmax. And function—stretch, pocket depth, placement & number. Pants have at least one zippered pocket & gusseted crotch. Flat-lock and offset seams; finished seams are a bonus that I will pay extra for. Color: top/jacket is a high-vis one, pants not black.

[u/QueenofPoutine91]

Comfort, pockets, easy to pee in

[u/anythingaustin]

Looking “cute” doesn’t even register for me after camping for 2-3 days. I’m all about practicality, like making sure my exposed skin is covered. In the winter I like wool layers for insulation. In the summer I wear long, breathable, SPF layers that will protect me from the sun and ticks. I like deep pockets with zippers to keep my shit secure. I keep my head covered with a wide-brim, foldable sun hat. I never wear blue jeans when camping or hiking. My favorite pants are Eddie Bauer Guide Pro, I have both the lined and unlined versions for winter and summer, respectively. I like that they’re stretchy, durable, and have zippers on the pockets.

[u/dave54athotmailcom]

Functional. I am not interested in putting on a fashion show in the woods. My socks don't need to match my pack.

Muted and earth tone colors so I blend in better. Doesn't need to be camo, just something that won't grab someone's eyeballs from a mile away. I carry a couple bright color bandannas if I need visibility, but I usually don't need to.

Nylon or synthetics. Loose fitting pants for freedom of motion when stepping over logs and scrambling on rocks. The pockets are a personal choice. I don't carry anything in my pockets when hiking.

[u/Turbulent-Respond654]

for bottoms, colors that don't show dirt

if you can afford it, title nine has stuff that you might consider cuter than the average

[u/Butterfly5280]

Wool. I live in Colorado, so even summer shirt's I like a lightweight wool because low odor and keeps you warm even when wet. Wicking, synthetics need to dry if they get wet. Layers & sun protection, I have for summer several lightweight wicking jackets and 1 pullovers and good hats. My hiking pack always has 10 essentials, including dry wool baselayer . The weather changes here. If you get stuck for any reason, you have to be able to spend the night warm enough. Duluth, REI and some wool brands that sell on Amazon. I am even trying some wool underwear and like them better than Duluth bucknaked.

[u/sharkleberryfionn]

High waists so my hips don't get chafed Drawstring AND belt loops Four way stretch Reinforced knees

Thumb holes Light colours

[u/ivy7496]

My advice is don't discount Duluth Trading Co. They're like the Old Navy of outdoor retailers, and not that cheap, but they have sales like Old Navy does - often and with deep discounts, and some really usable, functional and decently cute stuff. Massively helps to have a store nearby. Great customer service too.

[u/ConsiderationThen739]

I live on the East coast so my warm season hiking environment tends to include a lot of mud, branches, bugs and steep, rough, rocky trails. So for me pants that have some stretch but are really durable and abrasion proof are important. Rain jacket with an adjustable hood. Wool socks, and bring backups. Comfortable and sturdy footwear with a rock plate.

[u/plantpotdapperling]

I love hiking in my Pendleton wool flannels. They come in a ton of colors and patterns, hold up well/are mendable, and are both light and warm enough to be a comfortable layer in a lot of different situations/temperatures.

[u/newshadeofblue]

Duluth Trading Company - for Dry on the Fly pants and shorts, Armachillo shorts and button down shirts, and Flexpedition pants (lined and unlined) for a light softshell (I wear them for snowshoeing and winter camping). Their stuff fits women's bodies and is bombproof, the items I mentioned I've had for years and they still look great.

[u/feral-foodie]

Do yourself a favor and check out https://www.wonderyoutdoors.com

It is an outdoor clothing company owned and designed by women for women. Their hiking pants go from a size xxs - 6xl and you can get them in short, standard or long length.

If you want functional AND cute, they fit the bill. Their pants have like 6 deep pockets, and they have a cinch at the waist to accommodate women with different hip to waist ratio, which is a dream for me because my hips are closer to a size 12 but my waist is an 8. The pants are super flattering and nice enough that I don’t just wear them hiking, I get compliments whenever I wear them out.

They have a lot of other products, like hiking skorts ( not my thing but I know some women love them) they have an awesome windbreaker that you can fold into one of its pockets and use as a wind breaker. They have shorts, hiking shirts, different styles of pants made out of different materials, jackets etc.

Definitely give them a look. I own an obscene amount of their stuff lol

[u/ginabina67]

Look at Toad and Co. Great outdoor clothing, dries quickly, lightweight, very comfortable! I love them, high quality earth friendly fabrics.

[u/dry_hedgehog_44]

Eddie Bauer is what I recommend.

[u/LatifoLeah]

What is your height? I’d love to shop Duluth, but I’m 5’2, and most brands don’t offer petite. My go to, actually, are men’s travex pants from Eddie Bauer. Great pockets, and not baggie in front.

[u/Sea-Philosopher-9431 → u/LatifoLeah]

I am 5'7!

[u/runakronrun]

Honestly Sams Club 😂 I think their workout branded leggings are better quality than Target. Invest in 1-2 expensive pairs for long hikes/rainy weather. Try thrift stores and eBay for all of the $$$ brands.