If you want to enjoy the great outdoors while taking part in a physical activity that's suitable for everyone, hiking is a discipline that's sure to please. In fact, almost 35% of French people aged between 15 and 70 say they go hiking at least once a year. That's a total of 16 million French hikers on coastal and mountain trails.

Always respect the three-layer rule.

To make sure you're comfortable in the clothes you wear during a hiking outing, it's essential to observe the three-layer rule.
Good to know:

  • Choose a garment with a base layer made of synthetic material, which will help wick away perspiration and keep you dry at all times. Depending on the season, choose long- or short-sleeved garments.
  • Choose a garment with a good protective layer with waterproof, windproof and breathable properties to protect you in case of bad weather or injury. Gore-Tex products enable you to combine these three criteria.
  • Choose a garment with an insulating layer, to keep your body warm while protecting you from the cold, while continuing to wick away moisture produced during exercise.

THE PRODUCT EXPERT'S ADVICE:

"In winter, you can choose a base layer made from merino wool. This material has good technical qualities and provides extra warmth for greater comfort. In summer, however, it's best to opt for lightweight materials. Choose a synthetic T-shirt. The latter dries more easily and is often lighter and more breathable.
And don't forget, if you're going out for several days, to opt for fabrics such as wool, because its antibacterial properties help prevent odors. "

Malaurie - product expert for the hiking world

About Malaurie "I'm a great sports enthusiast of all kinds, and lead a two-hundredths life at a time when weekends rhyme with outdoor activity."

How to choose a hiking jacket?

It's essential to choose the right hiking jacket to ensure 100% comfort.

First of all, it's very important to choose a breathable jacket. The Gore-Tex membrane has the reputation of being unsurpassed in this field. In fact, the fabric is developed in such a way that the pores are small enough to prevent moisture from penetrating the interior of the jacket, yet large enough to allow perspiration to escape.

Next, it's necessary to find out the jacket's level of protection against rain and moisture. This value is expressed in Schmerber. The higher the index, the better the jacket's ability to withstand the elements. An index of 2000 mm means that the protection is suitable for outings in fog or on wet days. At the extreme, a 30,000 mm index indicates protection that is perfectly suited to the most extreme situations.

For dry-weather hiking, a water-repellent softshell jacket will do the trick.

Of course, it's never easy to have just one jacket for protection and comfort, whatever the weather or season. Fortunately, there are 3-in-1 jackets, featuring a removable down jacket, ventilation zips and/or mesh pockets that can be added or removed as needed.


How to choose hiking pants?

To stay comfortable when the effort is more intense, the weather is not indulgent and the terrain is hilly. To make sure you have the right outfit for all these conditions, you need to be aware of the following four criteria:

  • Make sure your hiking pants are comfortable for you, and that you'll be able to wear them for long kilometers of walking. Above all, never underestimate the importance of comfort. If you feel comfortable in your hiking pants, you'll find it much easier to feel free to move around in them, whether you're on the flat or climbing. Even the presence of a seam or lining shouldn't bother you.
  • Make sure your pants are strong enough to withstand brambles and rubbing against rocks and branches. To be sure that the bottom of the pants is sturdy, you need to spend a little time on the seams, as this is the part that will be most regularly stressed.
  • You also need to pay attention to the pants' breathability. In other words, they must allow perspiration to escape. With intense exercise, you're bound to sweat, so it's best to use a garment made from synthetic fibers. This material has the advantage of drying quickly and being of excellent quality in both hot and rainy weather.

DID YOU KNOW :

Choosing waterproof pants is essential if you want to go out in difficult conditions. The Gore-Tex membrane ensures excellent wicking of perspiration, without allowing external moisture to penetrate inside the pants.


How to choose a hiking shirt?

The hiking T-shirt is the first layer of clothing to come into contact with your skin. It must therefore be comfortable and light enough to be at one with your skin.

Choose your T-shirt according to the intensity of your effort:

  • Light intensity: Natural materials are preferable. T-shirts made from these materials are often lighter and dry faster. For sunny days with moderate temperatures, you can opt for a shirt that protects you from the sun and wind, from the shoulders to the wrists.
  • Moderate intensity: You can choose a T-shirt made from synthetic materials, as this type of fabric is more breathable and dries quickly.
  • High intensity: Wool fabrics are naturally antibacterial and therefore odor-resistant. This fabric is perfect if you want to leave for several days without any means of washing your clothes.


REMEMBER:

  • RESPECT THE THREE-LAYER RULE
  • DON'T COMPROMISE ON COMFORT
  • CHOOSE CLOTHING ADAPTED TO WEATHER CONDITIONS
  • CHOOSE A TEE-SHIRT SUITED TO THE INTENSITY OF YOUR EFFORT