If you’re looking for the best lightweight hiking clothes for women, you’re in the right place! Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, I’m used to hot-weather hiking, and with proper planning, preparation, and clothes, I hike throughout our long, hot summers.
Below is my guide to the best summer hiking clothes for women.
Quick links to my summer hiking clothes
Hiking tanks for warm weather: Vuori Pose Plyo Rib Tank | Rachel Pohl Art Eco Crop
Best hiking shirts for summer: REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie | Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Long-Sleeve Hoodie
Lightweight hiking shorts: Patagonia Trailfarer Shorts | REI Co-op Swiftland 5″ High-Rise Running Shorts
UPF hiking pants for warm weather: REI Co-op Trailmade Barrel Hiking Pants
My must-have summer hiking accessories: Altra Lone Peak 9 Trail-Running Shoes | Gregory Nano 18 H20 Pack
>> While exploring, make sure to leave it better than you found it. Not sure what that means? Here’s a quick guide to the Leave No Trace principles.
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Summer Hiking Clothes For Women (+ Cute Outfit Ideas)
Table of Contents
What To Wear Hiking in Summer
When I’m preparing my summer hiking outfit, I keep a couple of things in mind to keep me safe and comfortable on the trail.
Light colors keep you cool. Light colors like white, tan, or khaki reflect the sun’s rays rather than absorb them. I avoid wearing dark colors like black.
Loose breathable clothing helps regulate your body temperature. Baggier, loose-fitting, breathable clothing keeps your body cool. I usually opt for baggier styles that let airflow in, or I simply size up!
UPF-rated clothing > reapplying sunscreen. While all clothing blocks the sun’s rays to an extent, UPF clothing provides guaranteed sun protection. Plus, it’s easier to wear a UPF-rated shirt than reapply sticky sunscreen every hour.
Cover up to stay cool. It might seem silly to wear long sleeves and pants in the summer, but the extra coverage provides necessary protection from the strong sun. And as someone with pale, sensitive skin, I’ll almost always opt for a long-sleeve sun shirt when hiking in the summer.
Best Hiking Shirts For Summer
The best hiking shirts for summer keep you cool and protect you from the sun. As you shop for hiking shirts, consider the moisture-wicking fabrics, UPF protection, and lightweight long-sleeve designs to keep you cool and protected from the sun.
Women’s Tank Tops For Summer Hiking
If you’re looking for hiking tank tops for summer, I love the eco crop tops from my friend Rachel Pohl Art! While some wear them with no bra underneath, I wear them with my favorite slim back sports bra from Beyond Yoga.
One of my go-to summer hiking tank tops (that I also love wearing casually) is the Vuori Pose Plyo Rib Tank. It features a built-in shelf bra and is perfectly cropped, but not too short. I wear it everywhere, from the trails to traveling, paired with jeans, denim shorts, and cute skirts. This tank is such a staple in my wardrobe; I have four colors.
Another favorite budget-friendly summer hiking tank top is the Active Pursuits Tank from REI Co-op. At just $25, this tank is soft, stretchy, and comfortable under backpack straps. I love the slit in the back, which can be tied into a cute, flattering knot.
Best Short Sleeve Hiking Shirts
For short-sleeve summer hiking shirts, I love the Patagonia Capilene Cool Trail Crop Shirt. As aptly named, this shirt is made of moisture-wicking fabric that literally feels cool to the touch. I love the cropped style, as it’s a bit boxier and gives great airflow on the trail.
A budget-friendly summer hiking shirt for women is the REI Co-op Sahara T-Shirt. It’s comfortable, flattering, lightweight, and has UPF 50. Not only is this shirt great for hiking, but is fantastic for sun protection on the water when kayaking or SUP.
Long Sleeve Hiking Shirts for Summer
The REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie is my top choice for summer hiking shirts. Its lightweight design, UPF 50+ protection, and generous hood offer all the sun protection I need on trails. The dropped shoulders make for great mobility; it’s my go-to for hiking, mountain biking, and summer backpacking trips. I love the classic design and the new straight hem design!
I’m almost always wearing a hoodie when hiking in the summer, and I love the Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Long-Sleeve Hoodie. The fabric is soft and cool to the touch, and has UPF 50+ protection. It has a full hood, thumbholes, and the hem features a drawstring that can be adjusted to your liking.
Another favorite long-sleeve summer hiking shirt is the REI Co-op Sahara Long-Sleeve Shirt. With a button-up design and breathable back panel, it’s perfect for staying cool and comfortable in the heat. The added pockets are nice for keeping small essentials close at hand. I prefer sizing up to a large for a looser fit.
Women's Hiking Shorts for Summer
Living in Phoenix, Arizona, I hike in shorts year-round. During the summer, I’m opting for my lightest hiking shorts, and can most often be found hiking in one of the following:
- Patagonia Trailfarer Shorts – With a 4.5” inseam, these are inner thigh chafe-proof! Super lightweight with no lining, these are my go-to shorts for summer hikes and everyday wear. I love them so much, I have three colors.
- REI Co-op Swiftland 5″ High-Rise Running Shorts – With a built-in brief and barely there lightweight fabric, these are the ultimate hiking shorts for summer. They are high-waisted, have a 5” inseam, and a total of four pockets.
- REI Co-op Trailmade Shorts – Perfect for warm, sunny hikes, these budget-friendly shorts are comfortable and quick-drying. Plus, they have amazingly deep pockets!
Women's Hiking Pants for Hot Weather
My hunt for the perfect lightweight hiking pants for warm weather has ended with REI Co-op Trailmade Barrel Hiking Pants. They have a modern, relaxed-fit silhouette, lots of pockets, and hike-ready features, like double-reinforced knees. They are made of a lightweight UPF 50+ fabric that repels water and dries quickly.
If you prefer a less-baggy style, I also love the original style REI Co-op Trailmade Hiking Pants.
Hiking Jacket for Summer
When I’m summer hiking in my hometown of Phoenix, Arizona, I don’t pack a jacket. But when I take road trips north to Flagstaff or Colorado for summer hiking, I’m always sure to pack a jacket, just in case.
My go-to hiking jacket is the Patagonia Nano Puff Insulated Jacket. If there’s rain in the forecast, I’ll pack my REI Co-op Trailmade Rain Jacket.
Hiking Shoes and Socks for Summer
Beyond warm-weather hiking clothes, we need to talk about what to wear on our feet when hiking in the summer.
It might seem counterintuitive to wear wool while hiking, but merino wool is a superior fabric for outdoor use! It’s moisture-wicking, temperature-regulating, and a fabric that is designed to last. All of my summer hiking socks are made of merino wool and are from Darn Tough. And I know $25 for a single pair of socks is steep, but after getting crazy blisters from hiking in cotton socks, I’ll never look back.
Personally, I love hiking in trail runners. They are lighter than traditional hiking boots and feel cooler on my feet. I’ve been wearing the Altra Lone Peak 9 Trail-Running Shoes on all my hot-weather hikes for about a year now and can’t stop raving about them. They are comfortable right out of the box, and after 50+ hikes this year, they have held up wonderfully.
Summer Hiking Gear For Women
Now that we’ve covered the best summer hiking clothes for women, let’s talk accessories!
Hiking Backpack
A backpack is a hiking essential because you need to carry the 10 essentials. During the summer, I only hike with backpacks that allow me to carry a hydration bladder. If you prefer hiking with water bottles, be sure to bring at least 1 liter of water for every hour you plan on hiking.
Trekking Poles
Don’t underestimate how handy trekking poles can be on long and steep hikes! They help with balance, reduce stress and joint impact, and give a great full-body workout. I’ve tried a couple of different brands of trekking poles for hiking and backpacking. My favorite budget-friendly pair is the REI Co-op Trailmade Trekking Poles. If you’re ready to invest in a super lightweight pair of poles, I can’t say enough good things about the trekking poles from Leki.
Sun Protection
Arguably, the most important thing I wear on my hot-weather hikes is a sun hat and sunglasses. Any baseball cap and pair of sunglasses you have will work! Here are some of my favorite hot-weather hiking accessories.
Bandana
I have a collection of 100% cotton bandanas I use for sweat, snot, and anything else I can think of. When hiking in the summer, I love getting them wet and tying them around my neck for a refreshing reprieve from the heat.
Kula Cloth Pee Cloth
One of my favorite hiking hygiene products is my Kula Cloth pee cloth ($20 at REI)! Made for people who squat when they pee, Kula Cloth reduces the amount of toilet paper going into (and often being left in) nature and eliminates the ‘drip dry’ method.
Summer Hiking Tips
Here are some tips to help you stay comfortable and hydrated on the trail:
From high temperatures to potential dehydration or sunburn, summer hiking can pose many challenges. However, with proper preparation, the right gear, and taking the necessary precautions, you can still have a safe and enjoyable summer hike!
Here are some summer tips to help you stay comfortable and safe on the trail:
- Pack the Ten Essentials: In addition to a working knowledge of the Leave No Trace principles, here are some hiking essentials that everyone should consider bringing along for the adventure:
- Navigation tools: Map, compass, Alltrails reference, (optional) GPS device
- Sun protection: Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a trusty hat
- Insulation: Extra layers to keep warm – think a fleece layer, an insulated jacket, and a rain jacket
- Illumination: Headlamp that is fully charged/has extra batteries
- First-aid supplies: First-aid kit custom to your needs
- Fire starter: Waterproof matches, lighter, or fire starter kit for emergencies
- Repair kit and tools: Knife or multi-tool, a bit of duct tape
- Nutrition: Extra snacks to keep you fueled (my favorites are dried mango, mixed nuts, apple sauce, and bagel sandwiches)
- Hydration: Water bottle or hydration bladder, and water filter
- Emergency shelter: Emergency blanket or bivy sack
- Avoid hiking during the hottest time: The hottest part of the day is in the afternoon, so start your hike early in the morning. If I’m attempting a summer hike in Arizona, I get to the trailhead before the sun rises and am back at my car within an hour.
- Carry enough water: You should not only hydrate before your summer hike but also bring plenty of water with you. It’s recommended to drink 1.5 liters of water per hour. I like to hike with a 3-Liter hydration bladder to ensure I bring enough water.
- Turn around when your water is halfway gone: No matter how far you intend to go, safety first! Once your water is halfway empty, it’s time to head back to the car.
- Recover with electrolytes: When you sweat, you lose essential electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Drinking water alone may not be enough to replace them. Consider adding electrolyte tablets to your water and snacking on foods high in electrolytes, such as bananas, nuts, and seeds.
And as always, check the weather forecast before heading out and listen to your body. If you feel overheated or dehydrated, take a break and rest in a shaded area.
Happy hiking, friends!
