Thru-Hiking Clothing List (What I Actually Wear on Trail)

Written By Lauren Roerick

What I Wear Thru-Hiking: My Complete Clothing System (After 13,000+ km on Trail)

If you’re planning a thru-hike, one of the biggest questions is always: what clothes do you actually need?

After hiking more than 13,000 kilometers across long distance trails like the Pacific Crest Trail, Te Araroa in New Zealand, the Colorado Trail, the Hexatrek in France, and more, I’ve learned that thru-hiking clothing isn’t about having lots of options, it’s about having a simple layering system that works in all conditions.

On most thru-hikes, you’ll wear the same outfit every day for months. So your clothing needs to be comfortable, lightweight, quick-drying, and versatile. This is where a lot of people will tend to overpack, but one outfit for hiking and a base layer for sleeping is really all you need. After many days in the back country you’ll be smelly and dirty regardless, so it’s best to just embrace it and save the weight.

This is the exact clothing system I use when I thru-hike now.

*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my links — at no extra cost to you. I only recommend gear and products I genuinely use and love. Thanks for supporting my work!

My Thru-Hiking Clothing System

1. Sun Hoodie / Hiking Shirt

This is the piece of clothing I wear the most on trail — usually every single day.

A good sun hoodie protects you from the sun (some level of UPF), keeps you cool, and helps prevent constant sunscreen use. I’ve worn a sun hoodie across deserts, mountains, and exposed alpine environments, and it’s one of the most important pieces of clothing I carry. Plus the hood is helpful in wind to keep your hat from blowing away and to keep you ears and neck from getting fried in the sun.

What to look for:

  • Lightweight

  • Breathable

  • Quick drying

  • Hood big enough to go over a hat

  • UPF sun protection

Options:

2. Hiking Shorts

I hike in running shorts because they’re lightweight, comfortable, and dry quickly. When you’re walking 20–30 km a day, comfort matters more than anything else. For certain countries I have chosen to hike in pants or a zip-off hybrid and I’ll list those as well.

What to look for:

  • Lightweight

  • Quick drying

  • Comfortable waistband

  • No chafing

Options:

3. Underwear

This is more important than people think. Bad underwear = chafing = misery.

You want something that dries quickly and doesn’t hold moisture.

What to look for:

  • Quick drying

  • Breathable

  • Comfortable for long days

  • Seamless if possible

Options:

4. Sports Bra

You’ll be wearing this every day, so comfort is key. Everyone is different for this particular item, so go with what feels best for you. Look for something moisture-wicking and comfortable, ideally without underwire or large clips for adjustment that can rub against your backpack and cause sores on your skin.

What to look for:

  • Comfortable for all-day wear

  • Quick drying

  • Enough support for hiking long distances

Options:

5. Socks

Your socks are one of the most important pieces of gear you’ll bring. Healthy feet are everything on a thru-hike. Socks that wick away moisture and dry by morning help keep your feet from blistering, which means you can hike further. Having a dry pair to put on at the end of the night can be a big morale boost.

Most thru-hikers carry:

  • 1 pair for hiking

  • 1 pair for sleeping

Options:

6. Hat

I usually carry:

  • A hat for sun

  • A beanie for warmth

Sun hat options:

Thru-Hike Gear Planning Check List (Printable)
Thru-Hike Gear Planning Check List (Printable)
$4.99

Getting ready for a thru-hike? This checklist will help you plan your gear and make sure you’ve got the essentials covered.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed and forget crucial pieces before you hit the trail. Use this check list to bring you peace of mind and make sure you’ve got all your bases covered before you go!

Whether you’re aiming for an ultralight setup or prioritizing comfort, use this guide to stay prepared and feel confident on your hike.

Happy trails!

7. Trail Runners

Most thru-hikers wear trail runners instead of boots now because they’re lighter and more comfortable for long distances.

Options:

Clothing I Carry in My Backpack

8. Fleece Mid-Layer

This is what I wear while hiking in cold weather or in the mornings and evenings.

Options:

9. Down Jacket / Puffy

This is for camp, cold mornings, and breaks. Once you stop hiking, you cool down fast, so this layer is essential.

Options:

10. Rain Jacket

Your rain jacket is also your wind jacket, and sometimes even an extra warmth layer. There are a number of lightweight options on the market, but I prefer to bring something a little more robust after having a super light rain jacket wet through in cold conditions. The little bit of extra weight to carry is worth it to me for knowing I can stay dry.

Options:

11. Base Layers Top & Bottom

I use a base layer top and bottom for sleeping and for cold weather hiking. A lightweight wool is my preference, but synthetic is also fine.

Options:

12. Beanie, Gloves, Buff

Small items, but they make a big difference when it’s cold. Plus a buff can serve multiple purposes, including a hat, eye cover, neck warmer, towel, tube top, bandage, etc.

Options:

  • Beanie: Merino beanie

  • Gloves: Thin liner gloves

  • Buff: Buff Original or Neck gator of any kind

  • What I carry: Buff and possibly gloves

My Thru-Hiking Clothing Philosophy

After thousands of kilometers on trail, here’s what I’ve learned:

You don’t need a lot of clothes to thru-hike. You just need the right clothes. I prefer clothing that serves multiple purposes, rather than bringing multiple items.

My entire clothing system usually looks like this:

Worn while hiking:

  • Sun hoodie

  • Shorts

  • Underwear

  • Sports bra

  • Socks

  • Hat

  • Trail runners

Carried in backpack:

  • Fleece

  • Down jacket

  • Rain jacket

  • Leggings

  • Sleep shirt

  • Sleep socks

  • Beanie

  • Gloves

  • Buff

That’s it. That’s my entire wardrobe for months.

Final Thoughts

When you’re thru-hiking, your clothing becomes a system — not outfits. Everything should work together as layers to keep you warm, dry, and protected from the sun.

Focus on:

  • Lightweight

  • Quick drying

  • Layering

  • Comfort

  • Simplicity

Because when you’re living outside for months, simple is best.

DOWNLOADABLE

If you’re planning a thru-hike, I made a printable Thru-Hiking Packing Checklist that you can download here:

Thru-Hike Gear Planning Check List (Printable)
Thru-Hike Gear Planning Check List (Printable)
$4.99

Getting ready for a thru-hike? This checklist will help you plan your gear and make sure you’ve got the essentials covered.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed and forget crucial pieces before you hit the trail. Use this check list to bring you peace of mind and make sure you’ve got all your bases covered before you go!

Whether you’re aiming for an ultralight setup or prioritizing comfort, use this guide to stay prepared and feel confident on your hike.

Happy trails!

Lauren Roerick https://www.laurenroerick.com
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