Best Hiking Gear and Clothes for Women [2024] — Nomads in Nature (2024)

Whether you are a beginner hiker or a backpacking pro, this list of women’s hiking clothes and gear will introduce you to quality-made items made specifically for women who love hitting the trails.

None of this gear contains paid reviews, and I’ve narrowed it down to only the good stuff!

We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases at no extra cost to you.

Best Hiking Gear for Women

After hiking and backpacking across North America to SE Asia I’ve been able to round up the best hiking gear from clothing, boots, packs, trekking poles, watchesr, and even must-have hiking apps.

When hiking, my go to attire is a sports bra, sweat-wicking shirt, lightweight jacket, stretchy shorts or pants, and a pair of trail runners or hiking boots (depending on the terrain).

Hiking Jackets —

I have 3 favorite hiking jackets in my lineup that I rotate throughout the year.

1. A rain jacket that is lightweight and packable is going to be the most important and most likely to be used throughout the year.

   I highly recommend the REI XeroDry GTX Jacket or the Black Diamond StormLine as they’re both extremely durable, made with Gore-Tex to be ultra wind-proof and waterproof, and have great pockets.

2. Insulated Jacket: the Outdoor Research SuperStrand Jacket is ultralight, water-resistant and windproof, making it perfect for backpacking. I’ve successfully tested it down to 30F and love how it layers comfortably.
   

3. A Down Jacket that is lightweight yet warm is essential for cold morning or winter hiking. I swear by the O.R. Helium Down Hoodie because of how lightweight yet warm it is.
   While down jackets are great for keeping you extra warm, they usually make you feel like a marshmallow, but this lightweight jacket is cut for a women’s body. It can also pack down into its own pocket to fit nicely inside your pack when it starts to heat up on the trail.

➥ More Options:12 Hiking Jackets (tested & reviewed)

Hiking Shirts — Women’s Hiking Clothes

Now days, the best hiking gear has anti-stink formula built into the clothing.

Hands down, lululemon has the best anti-stink formula compared to Patagonia or other merino wool clothing. Their Silverescent™ technology inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria on the fabric and I can get about 2-3 hikes or workouts out of this top before it starts to smell. These tops also layer very well!

• lululemon Swiftly Tank Top | Long-sleeve

If you want a loose-fitting shirt that is also antimicrobial then the Patagonia Capilene line is the best on the market. Plus, the graphic prints they design are really cool!

• Patagonia Capilene Cool T-shirt | Long-sleeve
  

➥ more options: 10 Best Women’s Hiking Shirts

Bras — Women’s Hiking Gear

I have a larger chest and when it comes to activewear bras I’m very picky.

After testing dozens of high-end and Amazon brands, my two go-to’s are:

• lululemon Like a Cloud Bra: perfect balance of soft, sweat-wicking material that keeps you dry for the entire hike. Between the bra straps and cups, it really does feel like it moulds to my chest. I honestly could wear this bra all day.

• On Running Bra: my go-to high intensity bra as it provides the most support without being constricting. It also has a thin padding that naturally moulds to my chest and is very breathable.

➥More options: 8 Best Hiking Bras [A to DD+]

Pants — Women’s Hiking Clothes

In summer or warmer conditions when you need full coverage the North Face Aphrodite Pants and the Athleta Headlands II Tight are my go-to pants. They’re extremely lightweight but engineered with increased abrasion and snag resistance.

When hiking in cooler temps or backpacking, there is no better hiking pants on the market than the Arc’teryx Gamma pants. The material is a durable, lightweight soft-shell fabric that can withstand snags and is also water and wind-resistant.

They have the perfect mid to high-rise waist with a built-in belt to really dial in the fit. The relaxed fit is ideal and the right amount of stretch to move with you for multiple days in the backcountry without getting baggy.

→ More Options: 7 Amazing Women’s Hiking Pants

Hiking Shorts — Women’s Hiking Gear

While there is nothing wrong with a great pair of running shorts, they aren’t durable and the pocket options aren’t great.

Both of my favorite hiking shorts, the Athleta Trekkie Short and lululemon Cinchable Shorts are high rise with a roomy 3.5” inseam.

They are quick-drying, abrasion resistant, and have 4 pockets to store anything from a phone, keys or snacks. Bonus- you can wear these with your everyday outfits too.

➥ Related: 7 Incredible Women’s Hiking Shorts

Hiking Socks — Women’s Hiking Gear

No matter which brand of socks you get, make sure they are merino wool. It is the most sweat-wicking, anti-microbial and comfortable for your feet.

My absolute two favorite brands are Darn Tough and Smartwool.

In Smartwool socks, I prefer the targeted cushion style for my trail running shoes and everyday boots.

With DarnTough, I wear the ultra-lightweight cushion socks with Altra Lone Peaks and the micro-crew lightweight socks with hiking boots.

Plus, Darn Tough has an unbeatable lifetime guarantee - if these socks wear, tear, or develop holes, they will replace them no questions asked.

If you are hiking in high UV rays the Outdoor Research Oasis Hat is a must-have. With a UPF rating of 50, a removable chin strap, and an ultra-wide brim, this hat is ideal for hikes in the hot summer sun.

If you’re looking for a stylish, and comfortable hat the Tilley Western Hemp Hat is made out of breathable hemp that is naturally antimicrobial and it has a wicking sweatband to keep you cool and dry.

Lastly, my favorite ball cap to wear that’s ultralight and sweat-wicking is the lululemon Fast & Free running hat, especially the ponytail version.

➥ Related: 10 Perfect Hiking Hats for Women

There are so many different kinds of hiking shoes to choose from it can be exhausting to figure out which one is right for your body, for the trail, and time of year.

Trail Shoes - Womens Hiking Gear

A budget-friendly option to the Danner boots is the Columbia’s Newton Ridge, just don’t expect to get as many years out of them.

I prefer a level lock that opens and closes securely versus a twist and lock pole that tends to budge in height while hiking.

If you’re a serious hiker, the Black Diamond Distance FLZ poles are absolutely incredible! I love how lightweight they are and how quick I can deploy the poles and then put them back as I tend to do this a lot when hiking.

If you’re on a budget, the Foxelli Carbon Trekking Poles are what I used for years and highly recommend. They’re lightweight at 7.6oz per pole and the cork padding is very comfortable and sweat-wicking.

Buying Tips - Women’s Hiking Gear

Since most of us are buying our gear and clothing online now, I highly recommend reading reviews first on REI or Backcountry.

These websites will give you reviews from people who are most likely outdoor enthusiast and who have tried other comparable brands.

I also find that REI & Backcountry reviewers aren’t “paid reviewers” like how most of the reviews on Amazon are nowadays. Watch out for the plugin though that shows reviews that are directly from the seller’s website.

Also, I can’t recommend enough becoming an REI Co-op member as well! There is a one-time fee of $30 for your entire lifetime and it works for everyone in your household.

I’m always looking for new gear to test out so let me know in the comments below your favorite must-have hiking clothes and gear to help me decide what to try out next!