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What to Wear Hiking in Fall

Learn what to wear hiking in fall with our list of the best women’s hiking clothes that are breathable, wick sweat, keep you warm AND look good.

Hiker standing at lookout on hike during fall foliage season in New England

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If you’re wondering what to wear hiking in the fall, you’ve come to the right place. Staying warm and dry on the trail as the weather changes is all about pairing the right combination of fall hiking layers from base to midweight and outer shells.

It may be a little tricky to find a good balance of warmth and breathability at first, but there’s a simple method, which I’ll dive into below, that’ll help you nail it every time.

The layers and clothing I share in this post are great for any fall outdoor activity from hiking to camping to road trips.

Read on to learn all about layering and dressing for cooler conditions, plus how to stay prepared for changes in the weather.

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    The Best Fabrics and Materials for Fall Hiking Clothes

    A golden rule for female hiking apparel during any season is to wear quick-drying and moisture-wicking fabrics like Merino wool blends or synthetics (nylon and polyester).

    Avoid cotton and denim because they retain moisture which can make you cold.

    The best hiking clothes for fall will keep you insulated, but not hot, and have enough breathability so you’re comfortable no matter which way the weather turns.

    The key is to layer, layer, layer.

    Hiker pausing to take in the view of mountains from backcountry trail in Colorado
    Wearing a long-sleeve midweight layer around my waist, along with extra layers in my pack.

    Fall Hiking Base Layers

    A good base layer will do two things: keep you warm and regulate your body temperature. This way, you won’t overheat or become hypothermic while wearing wet clothes that cling to your body.

    These pieces are the building blocks of a fall hiking outfit (and winter hiking outfits, too) because they are closest to your body and are easy to add on to as needed.

    Start with these core items next time you hit the trail:

    Short Sleeve Hiking Tee

    Layer a hiking tee beneath your mid-layers, like this Capilene Cool Lightweight Shirt by Patagonia.

    Made of recycled polyester jersey, this fabric dries quickly and pulls moisture away from the skin, so you stay dry when you start breaking a sweat during the final push to the summit.

    It’s also nice to have the option for short sleeves if you’re out in the sun, the weather warms up, or you get hot hiking uphill.

    Shop the Patagonia Capilene Cool Tee at:

    Warm Yet Breathable Leggings

    As the weather changes, you’ll want to upgrade your hiking leggings to something that provides a little more warmth.

    These REI Flash Hybrid Tights are a little thicker than normal leggings providing all-weather versatility, yet the moisture-wicking fabric allows your legs to breathe on the uphills.

    They are super comfy with a waistband that doesn’t slip while you’re on the move.

    If you’re someone who prefers hiking pants, the Mountain Hardwear Dynama pants are a Bearfoot Theory team favorite for fall hiking apparel.

    Shop the REI Flash Hybrid Tights at:

    Kristen hiking on trail with dog in Colorado with mountains in background
    Hiking in Patagonia’s Capilene Cool Lightweight Shirt and REI Flash Hybrid Leggings

    Fall Hiking Midweight Layers

    Midweight layers give you the right combination of warmth and breathability. These are essential when it comes to determining what to wear hiking in fall.

    Wear items that provide insulation and have good coverage to trap heat but are still lightweight and easy to layer.

    Here are the versatile midweight layers we recommend:

    Long Sleeve Top

    Add a long-sleeved top like the Patagonia R1 Zip Neck Pullover to your list of fall hiking clothes for warmth and adjustability.

    The half-zipper gives you coverage or ventilation, depending on the conditions. It’s fitted but not too snug and is easy to layer over a short-sleeved t-shirt without feeling too tight (although you should size up if you prefer a looser fit).

    Shop the Patagonia R1 Zip Neck Pullover at:

    Insulated Vest

    On cool fall days, wearing an insulated vest is a game-changer, especially for you ladies who run hot and need to let your armpits breathe.

    A vest reduces the weight or bulk that an insulated puffy jacket would have while providing the necessary warmth for your core.

    This Patagonia Nano Puff Vest is made from recycled materials, has a water-repellent shell, two pockets for your essentials, a drawstring at the hem, and when zipped all the way keeps your neck warm in the wind.

    Shop the Patagonia Nano Puff Vest at:


    Fall Hiking Outer Layers

    Even if you run hot, packing an outer layer and extra pieces for warmth will help you be prepared for any sudden changes in the weather while hiking in the fall or the fact that the sun goes down earlier.

    For example, in September, I was hiking a 14er in Colorado on what started out as a beautiful, sunny day at the trailhead. Two hours later, it was extremely windy and cold at the summit and then hailed on the way down.

    You might not always end up needing your outer layers, but you’ll be glad to have an extra line of defense against the elements when the conditions call for it.

    It’s worth sizing up your daypack so you can fit all the fall hiking apparel you need.

    Insulating Hoodie

    The Arc’teryx Atom Insulated Hoodie is a durable jacket that provides a ton of warmth without leaving you a hot, sweaty mess.

    It’s easy to layer under the vest if it gets really cold. While it won’t function as a rain jacket, the synthetic material is water-resistant and will fight off moisture if it starts to drizzle.

    Plus, this hoodie is so lightweight that you will barely notice when it’s on, and it’s easy to stash in your pack whenever you take it off.

    Shop the Arc’teryx Atom Hoodie at:

    Kristen standing in front of mountain peak wearing Arc'teryx jacket
    Staying warm in my Arc’teryx Atom Insulated Hoodie

    Rain Jacket

    The fall season can bring unpredictable weather, which makes rain gear an essential clothing item on most fall hikes.

    While it isn’t as warm as an insulating jacket, nothing beats the wind and rain like a rain shell and the Outdoor Research Aspire II Rain Jacket is our current pick.

    This rain jacket is made from lightweight GORE-TEX PACLITE fabric and has fully taped seams. When you aren’t using it, it won’t take up much space or weight in your backpack. I took this to Italy last year and loved how comfortable it was to hike in. I never felt restricted or too stuffy.

    If you’re pretty certain it is going to rain, it’s also worth throwing a pair of rain pants in your pack as well.

    Shop the Outdoor Research Aspire Rain Jacket at:

    Woman wearing the Outdoor Research Aspire II rain jacket in Italy
    Hiking in October in Italy wearing the Outdoor Research Aspire II Rain Jacket

    Fall Hiking Accessories

    Gloves

    Toss a pair of gloves in your pack to complete your fall hiking outfit and keep your fingers toasty.

    On cold mornings or on mountaintops, these Outdoor Research gloves provide a lightweight, warm layer.

    As a bonus, they’re touch-screen compatible so you can still use your phone or GPS device to take photos or navigate while you are hiking.

    Shop the Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor Gloves at:

    Beanie

    Is your fall hike surprisingly chillier than you thought it would be? Find yourself in a windy spot for lunch? Pull on a cozy beanie to keep your ears and head warm.

    Luckily, some female hiking apparel (this beanie included) is cute, functional, and durable. Triple whammy.

    Shop the Patagonia Snowbelle Beanie at:

    Kristen sitting on rock overlook enjoying view out over canyonlands in Utah at dusk

    Buff

    Made from recycled polyester, I learned just how versatile the Buff is on my Everest Basecamp Trek a few years ago. When the wind started to howl I just pulled the Buff up over my neck, mouth, and nose and I was a lot more comfortable.

    I also used one in Patagonia when hiking the W Trek in Torres del Paine. Wearing it as a headband over my hat, the Buff served as an ear warmer and prevented my hat from blowing away in the wind. It has a UPF rating of 50, so it even provides sun protection.

    Shop Buffs at:


    Fall Hiking Footwear

    Hiking Socks

    While you should say no to cotton socks all year round, it’s even more important in cooler, wetter months to wear wool or a comparable synthetic on your feet.

    Wool socks are much better at regulating temperature, wicking away sweat, and keeping your feet dry in rainy conditions.

    My go-to for hiking socks? Darn Tough all day long.

    Shop Darn Tough Socks at:

    Waterproof Hiking Boots

    In the fall when you are more likely to encounter rain is the time to make sure your hiking boots are waterproof (you can learn about the pros and cons here).

    Wet feet might not be a deal breaker in the summer, but in the fall when temps drop, soggy boots can be a serious problem resulting in numb toes or gnarly blisters.

    Waterproof hiking boots have a water-repelling membrane (often made by Gore-Tex) that is layered into synthetic or leather materials. They are typically slightly heavier and less breathable than non-waterproof hiking boots, but they are also warmer.

    My favorite waterproof high-top hiking boots with ankle support are the Oboz Sypes.

    Shop the Oboz Bridger Boots at:

    REI Backcountry

    READ NEXT

    Looking for more fall outdoor tips for hiking and camping? Check out these posts:

    What are your favorite clothes and layers to wear hiking in the fall? Let us know in the comments below!

    Bearfoot Theory | Fall is upon us, bringing a palette of warm hues and cool, crisp air perfect for hiking. But what to wear hiking in fall to stay cozy yet stylish? Look no further! This latest blog post breaks down the essential pieces for your fall hiking outfit, ensuring you step out in both comfort and style. Get ready to hit the trails with the best advice on what to wear hiking in fall, from the top layering tips to the must-have accessories. Discover your go-to guide now!

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    14 Comments

    1. Love this. I never realised how important proper socks were until I was given a pair of smart merino wool socks… literally in my bag every time I go camping now!! Affectionately called “sacred socks”!

    2. Fantastic tips! Fall is my favorite time to go hiking, I’ve recently started setting up trail cameras to try to capture some local elk photos. I’ll have to keep these tips in mind for next year, it’s already too cold for me to keep going out there. https://www.critterlick.com/

    3. This was really great information. I’m going for my first hike this weekend. Now I’ll be properly prepared. Many thanks!

    4. Thank you Kristen!
      I’ve been looking for proper socks for quite some while.
      So far I’ve only been layering my socks instead of getting proper wool socks. My tip for clothing and especially hiking boots is to impregnate it very well. As the trails can be really muddy in fall, I HATE cleaning my boots afterwards.
      So I impregnate them with a nano coating from nano care: https://nano-care.com/products/nano-coating/ and the dirt washes off so much easier!

    5. Kristen
      I work at an REI in softgoods and footwear and I concur on every item. The Arcteryx Atom jacket is sensational. Oboz, for many customers I encounter, is an unknown but once the customer tries it on, more often than not, they’re sold. It’s all about how it fits and the performance.

    6. Great read overall, and pretty good gear picks! I’ve learnt about necessity of proper layering during hunting with my dad. Trust me, last thing you wanna do in Fall(or winter for that matter) is find yourself freezing in the hunt stand with many miles separating you from you camp. Mess up like that 1 or 2 times and you never going to forget about proper layering 😀 Not really hunting anymore and switched to more of camping/hiking routine, but still using mostly hunting clothes(usually from https://gritroutdoors.com/apparel/hunting-clothing/ since I find it pretty warm and I don’t really mind the camo). Recently even picked up a new Browning Jacket+ pants, still have my Arcteryx hoodie. Should be more than enough for early fall.