Cozy Fall Gear for Hiking and Camping
Autumn is sweeping away summer with a blissful respite from the relentless heat—and all too soon, the chill seeps through my lightweight hiking clothes. It’s time to forgo shorts and sleeveless tees in favour of fleece, flannel and waterproof technology. This list of clothing and gear will help you bundle up, get cozy and feel comfortable on adventures throughout the fall.
Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Light Shacket
This shacket is only available in a men’s version, but I decided to size down and try it for myself—and I’m so glad I did. With 700-fill, RDS-certified down, it’s the perfect companion for chilly walks by glacier-fed lakes or brisk mornings sipping coffee at the campground. Roomy and comfortable yet stylish, it features a snap-button front closure and snap cuffs. Plus, unlike most women’s styles, this one has a ton of pockets: two fleece-lined snap hand pockets, two velcro chest pockets and two internal drop pockets.
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Brixton Bowery Long Sleeve Flannel
This flannel is a steal of a deal, with high-quality fabric and a comfortable, stylish fit. If you haven’t heard of the brand before, Brixton started in 2004 in California with a vintage-inspired newsboy cap. Now, the brand specializes in timeless workwear for creators and builders. This 230 GSM yarn-dyed flannel features two chest pockets, a standard fit, curved hem, clean finished seams and a button-down style. A smart blend of cotton, acrylic and polyester makes a soft garment that offers warmth without being too thick. With different plaid patterns to choose from, it will fit in easily at the campground or viewpoint this fall.
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Lululemon Tech Hiking Fleece
I am all about comfort when it comes to autumn adventures. I love fuzzy sweaters, but I loathe when soft pullovers don’t feature the same fuzziness on the inside. Lululemon went ahead and turned things inside out—and I am so thankful they did. With a 1/4 zip for ventilation and thumbholes to prevent bunching, this cozy yet thin pull-over can accompany early morning hikes or sunset adventures. A mesh panel stretches from the armpit along the underarm for ultimate breathability. Sweat-wicking fleece ensures comfort, a zippered kangaroo-style pocket easily fits your phone—although I do find it a tad bulky—and a secret inner mesh pocket is the perfect spot for your keys. The drawstring hits just below my natural waist, making it best to pair with high-waisted tights (such as the ones below).
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Lululemon Hiking Tight
I pretty much live in my lulus, so I was excited to try a pair of lululemon’s new hiking-specific tights. Still as smooth and stretchy as my yoga leggings, these hiking tights come with numerous features designed for adventures. The first thing I noticed is these tights fit small (size up!). There is a front D-ring to clip a carabiner and hang a water bottle, keys, sunglasses, dog leash, ponytail/scrunchie or pretty much anything you need and don’t want to leave in the dirt. The abrasion-resistant fabric with added Lycra® has four-way stretch with sweat-wicking and quick-drying properties, and drawstring helps customize fit. The deep side pockets are meant to mimic the storage capacity of a cargo pant, but in more attractive tight form, and feature a small zippered section. Above the left-side pocket an inspiring label proclaims, “Detours welcome.” Finally, there is a locker loop on the back to easily hang your sweaty, dirty tights after an epic adventure.
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BUFF Original
Chilly days call for extra layers on your exposed skin. Don’t forget about your neck, ears, nose and chin. Cover up with this sustainable, comfortable Buff Original. Designed exclusively for explore readers by Flaz, graphic designers from Quebec, the green, eco-friendly planet pattern will showcase your love for Mother Earth. The soft microfibre fabric features four-way ultra stretch, UPF 50 sun protection and—best of all—is made from recycled material. Wear it as a headband, toque, hair tie, face mask and more. You’ll always want this versatile coverup in your backpack.
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Unisex Everyone’s Favorite Shallow Beanie
When it’s time for a toque, you want something comfortable and cozy, with substantial warmth and a soft feel on your ears and forehead. Look no further than this classic toque made from recycled polyester and wool. I was surprised by the soft feel of this toque. Wear it cuffed or slouchy, and choose from five colours: surplus green, hardwear navy, trail dust, desert red and black.
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Rechargeable Hand Warmer
Survival Frog’s rechargeable hand warmer and phone charger is a perfect gear pick for autumn. Don’t be deceived—although small, this unit can give off 35 to 48 C of heat. With three different settings and a dual use as a backup power bar, it’s a unique survival tool you’ll want to keep on you this fall. When the QuickHeat runs out of power, simply recharge it using the included USB charging cable. The Lithium-ion battery has a capacity of 5,000 mAh. The device itself is sleek, portable and extremely handy to have on outdoor adventures.
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Collapsible Travel Mug
I love toting a travel mug to the campsite to reduce our wasteful, single-use plastic habits, but it can be annoying to carry around an empty mug that doesn’t conveniently fit in a pocket. Enter the Hydaway Tumbler: a collapsible, reusable mug that fits in your pocket. With new sleeve designs featuring mountains, buffalo and the aurora borealis, the Hydaway Tumbler can accommodate up to 16 ounces of your favourite beverage. When not in use, it folds down to a 3.2-centimetre disc that’s impressively portable. The lightweight, insulated neoprene sleeve doubles as a carrying pouch. A flexible, food-grade silicone straw is included. Despite being quite flexible and rubbery, it holds beverages well, and is BPA-free, spill-resistant and dishwasher safe.
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KEEN Ridge Flex Waterproof Boot
Feel ultra-prepared for fall hiking with the right pair of boots. I received my Ridge Flex back in 2021, and they are still a go-to for cool-weather treks. The flexibility of these otherwise sturdy hiking boots with mid-cut ankle support makes days on the trail three times easier. By creating accordion-like flexion in places where other boots wear out over time, the KEEN.BELLOWS FLEX technology helps you go steeper, farther, longer… and happier. Built for multiday adventures with a little extra cushion and support, these boots feature environmentally preferred leather, PFAS-free water repellency, pesticide-free odor control and KEEN ALL TERRAIN higher traction tread.
Baffin TELLURIDE Boots
Waterproof yet breathable boots are a must-have for the fall season. This RWT™ Northern Rated boot is ideal for diverse environments with both wet and icy conditions. It uses B-Tek™ Dry, a powerful waterproof technology, offering moisture protection with increased breathability. The premium rubber outsole offers flexible durability, while the stylish leather upper features a faux-fur lining. My favourite part? The fixed frost plate that retains heat and reflects cold for temperature regulation and the IceBite™ grip for greater slip resistance on ice. Early autumn snow, here we come!
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K9 Praventa 360 Topical Flea & Tick Treatment for Dogs
I absolutely hate ticks, and I regret to inform you they can still be active in fall, too. (I know, gross!) Get yourself a tick remover tool and pick up treatment for your dog before hitting the trails this autumn. K9 Praventa™ 360 for Dogs is a vet-quality, broad spectrum treatment that provides fast, safe and effective protection against fleas and ticks. Containing Imidacloprid, Permethrin and Pyriproxyfen, it begins working within 24 hours of application and lasts for four weeks, affecting all flea life stages and adult ticks.
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Note: Some of this gear may have been gifted and/or sponsored.
