Head-to-Toe Essentials for the Best Cool-Weather Hiking
I love fall hiking season. Cool temperatures. No bugs. Fewer crowds.
Near my home city of Vancouver, the rainforest comes alive as autumn precipitation refreshes the tall evergreens and fills the salmon streams that wind between. Dew drips off tree branches and wildlife rustles through the dense underbrush. I can almost feel the pulse—the verve—of this rich ecosystem of coastal flora and fauna, of which I am also a part.
Bring on that autumn weather change—I’ll be prepared with my choice kit of apparel and accessories, starting with shoes:
Adidas Terrex Trailmaker 2 GTX
As the alpine trails begin to get rained and snowed out, most of my fall hikes meander through lower elevations. As such, a waterproof hiking shoe is often all I require for such low-elevation jaunts. Bring on the Adidas Terrex Trailmaker 2.0 GTX. An updated version of the original Trailmaker, these kicks feature Gore-Tex and a gusseted tongue to keep water and debris out, an athletic 10-millimetre midsole drop, certified Continental rubber on the lugged outsole and seamless overlays on the upper to help prevent rubs and hotspots.
Price: $160
Buy it here: adidas.ca
Lululemon MacroPillow Crew Socks
The best footwear you can buy won’t mean a thing if you don’t pair it with a good sock. For fall, I search out lightweight socks that are constructed from synthetic materials for abrasion resistance, quick drying and anti-microbial properties. Lulu’s MacroPillow Crew Socks fit the bill nicely. Designed for runners, and made of nylon (93 per cent), elastane (six per cent) and polyester (one per cent), they never chafe, offer a snug fit that doesn’t droop (the heel-cup locks in) and the yard is treated with zinc for no-stink qualities your hiking partners will appreciate on the drive home. (Available in men’s and women’s fit.)
Price: $28
Buy it here: lululemon.com
Helly Hansen Blaze Softshell Pants
Helly Hansen packed these pants with virtually every feature hikers want: reinforced insteps, boot-zips, articulated knees, a thigh-zip pocket and four-way-stretch fabric that’s bluesign® certified and light enough for mild days while being PFC-free DWR-coated for wetter ones. These pants shine particularly in the variable weather of fall—at 440 grams, they feel practically as light as shorts when you’re trekking uphill and the open hand-pockets are excellent for warming your digits on the summit break. (Also pictured at top of article.)
Price: $190
Buy it here: hellyhansen.com
Ortovox 150 Cool Brand T-Shirt
Ortovox crafted a climate-neutral merino wool T-shirt mixed with plant-based Tencel-fibers to add a cooling effect on summer days—but I think it works just as well as a wicking base-layer when the weather changes. The shirt has natural anti-odour properties—and looks good enough to wear even on days I’m not hiking. It’s available in men’s and women’s, offers a relaxed fit and is an essential addition to your outdoors lifestyle closet.
Price: $150
Buy it here: ortovox.com
Mustang Ventus Hooded Windshell
Originally designed for sailors, I appreciate that this shell offers DWR protection from the elements (good enough for anything this side of sustained downpours), ripstop windproof nylon and an oversized hood with tall, stormproof collar. It’s an excellent windbreaker for warming up at lunch and offers just enough rain protection to get back to the car dry if a sudden shower hits. And I love that it’s self-stowable and weighs only 258 grams—I never need leave it behind.
Price: $200
Buy it here: mustangesurvival.ca
MEC x SERRATUS Pace UL 25 Daypack
You’d be hard-pressed to beat the value of this 25-litre daypack. The polyurethane-coated 70D abrasion-resistant nylon construction with air-mesh back and straps means it’s tough and comfy. I particularly like the large rear stash mesh-pocket, and that the front strap-pockets are big enough to hold a flask or water bottle. And if you’re really thirsty—it’s even hydration-bladder compatible. Value-packed!
Price: $140
Buy it here: mec.ca
Explore Nalgene Water Bottle
You know you need a Nalgene, right? They’re the Kleenex of water bottles for a good reason. BPA free, durable, wide-mouthed, dishwasher safe and they look great. We have the Wide Mouth Sustain model in three colour schemes and with classic Explore branding—limited time only.
Price: $22.50
Buy it here: shop.explore-mag.com
Little Hikers
Exploring with kids this season? There’s a plethora of gear to consider—so we recommend starting with the feet.
For the pre-K/Kindergarten crew, we recommend KEEN Little Kids Boundless Newport Sandal ($70). Great for temperate September days, slip-on entry with a Velcro heel (essential for getting on wiggly feet!), oversized protective bumper and quick-dry webbing means your little ones can run and splash to their hearts’ content. Older and more adventurous kids can look to the bungee-laced, waterproof, leather-upper Big Kids Targhee IV Waterproof Hiking Boot ($100).
As the weather continues to cool, look to the The North Face’s 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket ($220). This classic 700-fill bomber-style puffy fends off chills while allowing full freedom to run and play.
And MEC also continues to produce some of the best lines of children’s gear. Essentials include their one-piece raingear, such as the Heritage Newt Suit ($100); and the Cozy Aquanator ($100), a multi-season lightweight rain-shell.
