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What to wear on a hiking date

What to wear on a hiking date

Have you got a hiking date planned and you’re not sure what to wear?

Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with this simple post about what to wear on a hiking date.

I get it, you’ll want to look cute but you want to look the part too. Thankfully, it’s easy to do!

Here’s how to look great on a hiking date…

Pick a colour theme

The easiest way to bring your hiking outfit together is to pick a colour theme that will run from top to toe. This will instantly change your look from a random assortment of activewear to a cute outfit.

It’s not that everything needs to match, it just needs to go together.

This colour should run from your hat to all your clothing to your socks, shoes and backpack.

Sometimes I like to wear all black in my clothes (because what girl doesn’t have some black leggings and a black sports top?) and then add a colour to my hat, socks and bag.

Create a capsule wardrobe

What to wear on a hiking date…let’s start from the bottom…

You’ll want great shoes

You’ll want comfortable, practical shoes that can handle rocks, puddles and slippery stones. But you also want some that look good with your outfit! I really like the women’s walking boots from adidas. I have the Terrex boots and I really like them.

Socks that match your outfit

Socks are big part of a hiking outfit so make them stand out and don’t overlook them. I usually love white socks but I don’t wear them hiking because they get so dirty! Go for socks that match the rest of your outfit. Make them thick and cosy for extra comfort and style.

Flattering leggings

Most women will hike in leggings and, thankfully, there are loads of inexpensive and flattering leggings available.

Opt for leggings with a slight flare for a modern and flattering silhouette. Leggings with a slight sheen/shine really draw attention to your legs. You could go for ‘butt lifting leggings’ which contour around your bum to emphasise your curves.

If you want your date to notice you from behind then bum scrunch leggings are the way to go! If you don’t know what I’m talking about then get onto TikTok and search for them.

If you think it’s going to rain I’ve got a whole blog post about the best ladies waterproof trousers.

A cute hiking vest

If it’s going to be warm and you’re likely to take your top off then look for a hiking top/sports top with a built in bra.

If you’re feeling confident then go for a cropped style to emphasise your waist.

Layers

It’s all about the layers when you’re hiking and those layers will vary depending on the weather.

On top of your vest you might need one or all of the following:

  • A t-shirt
  • A long-sleeved top
  • A sweatshirt or hoodie
  • A shirt (I like a flannel shirt for hiking)
  • A gilet/body warmer
  • A warm jacket
  • A waterproof jacket

A body warmer is more flattering than a coat

I like hiking in a body warmer or a gilet. I think they look nicer than a regular jacket and they give you more space to move. A gilet shows off your silhouette whereas a jacket often just swaps you.

If it’s that inbetween weather where you’re not sure if you need a jacket or not, opt for a gilet.

Review of the iHood heated vest

A hat will help hide crazy hiking hair

Whether it’s through heat, humidity or rain, there’s a high chance you’re going to end up with crazy hiking hair so you might want to hide this with a hat!

Whether it’s a cute beanie or a hat, you can always wear one on a hiking date.

A small backpack

Take a small backpack and fill it with:

  • Icy water
  • A coffee flask to share (how romantic)
  • Sunglasses
  • A few snacks
  • Your phone
  • A portable phone charger
  • A packable waterproof jacket
  • Sun cream
  • Lip balm
  • Tissues
  • A travel hairbrush with a mirror
  • Blister plasters

If you’re going for a long hike then opt for a backpack with a waist belt as it’s comfier to carry the weight on your hips rather than your shoulders. If it’s not a crazy long hike then any old backpack will do.

Can you wear a full face of makeup on a hiking date?

Absolutely! If you’d normally wear a full face of make up on a regular day then you can totally wear it for a hiking date.

Things to bear in mind are:

Are you likely to get sweaty?

Is it likely to rain?

If it’s likely to rain then go easy on the mascara and make sure it’s waterproof. Wearing a cap will also help keep the rain out of your eyes.

If you’re going to get sweaty then use a good primer.

Personally, I don’t wear a lot of makeup when I’m hiking. I’ll do the basics and I’ll add a bit of fake tan to my skincare routine the day before so I’ve got a sun kissed glow and don’t feel the need to wear much foundation. I like to add tanning drops to my moisturiser.

How should you wear your hair for a hiking date?

Wear it however you feel most comfortable.

If you wear it down then I’d recommend taking a hair tie in case it rains, is super windy, super hot and you do need to tie it back!

I like to wear mine in a high, swishy pony tail when I hike. But if I’m wearing a hat I’ll wear it down and curl the ends.

Read more: What to wear for a camping trip

Read about my favourite romantic hike in Wales: Pistyll Rhaeadr Waterfall Hike