What to Wear on a Rainy Hike
I talk a lot about how much I enjoy the rainy season here in the Pacific Northwest, but the truth is that you have to have the right gear on to enjoy it. Here are my recommendations:
Base Layers-I always start my layering process for a rainy hike with my favorite base layers. I never want to feel my cold rain pants touching my skin, so having a great base layer top and bottom prevents that and keeps me warm.
When choosing a base layer, you want it to either be a synthetic polyester blend or wool. Cotton will stay wet and make you cold.
Here are some of my favorite options:
I just had the opportunity to try Eivy recently after many people suggested them to me on instagram, and now I see why! I love the quality of their base layers and the fact that they offer slightly more boxy fits as well. These are really top tier!
Here are two other great options:
Socks- Dont’t forget a pair of breathable wool socks! These are a couple of my favorite options, depending on what cushion level you like.
Mid Layer- This is a layer that you may or may not need, depending on how cold its going to be. I usually only wear a mid layer if it’s going to be near freezing temperatures, but that’s because I tend to run hot on hikes. You can always bring it in your pack if you find that you’re cooler than you thought you would be!
I have only included tops because I only wear mid layers on top. I find that my bottom half usually stays plenty warm from my leg muscles working so hard.
Here are some of my favorites:
I have been wearing the REI Hyperstretch Jacket as my main mid layer since I first got in this past fall. It has been great under both my rain jacket and my snow jacket. It’s the only mid layer I wear skiing. I’m actually wearing it right now because it is so stretchy and comfortable!
This is Adam’s favorite mid layer. Its super cozy and plush on the inside and is of excellent quality, like always with Patagonia.
Rain Jacket- This is the most important part! Having a good waterproof jacket is key when you’re hiking. Here are my top picks:
I’ve been wearing this rain jacket for years and it performs so well! Even once it’s lost the repellent coating, I’ve never had it leak on me. I do recommend washing it and treating it with Nikwax to help maintain its water repellency. I do this about every six months.
The Mazama Trail Rain Shell is another great choice. There are two things that I like about this jacket. The first is that the material it is made out of has stretch to it! The second is that the lining is soft and doesn’t feel cold and clammy against your skin, should you choose to wear it without a base layer underneath.
While I don’t own this Outdoor Research jacket yet, when I upgrade rain jackets this is what I plan on purchasing. It’s lightweight and has GORE-TEX breathability and waterproof ratings, in addition to offering a large range of sizes (XS-4X).
Rain Pants- If you think you don’t like hiking in the rain, maybe you just haven’t worn a great pair of rain pants yet. Having waterproof pants makes such a difference for your overall comfort level while out in the rain. Here are some that I recommend:
Not to be dramatic but these pants have been life changing. They fit so well and actually come in lengths, so I was able to get rain pants that are long enough on me! They also have stretch to them so they are so comfortable. They make rainy hikes so much more enjoyable!
These are another great rain pant option from REI. I think these function better as a “just in case” rain pant to have in your pack. They’re a bit louder of a material when they brush together as you walk and kind of boxy. In contrast, the Columbia pants feel like a really comfortable and waterproof pant for going out on intentionally rainy hikes.
Waterproof Shoes- Having dry feet is key to enjoying a rainy or wet hike. I always prefer waterproof boots for wet hikes. Here are my two top picks:
I also recommend getting a rain cover for your backpack! I use a Juno 30 from Gregory Packs for day hikes and this raincover.
