Best Hiking Clothes for Men - Comfortable Hiking Outfits
If you’re looking for the best hiking clothes for men to wear within the extremely saturated athleisure market, you’ve got quite a bit of digging to do.
Over the years, I have been able to test out a lot of men’s hiking clothes on the market and actually enjoy learning about the updated technology for hiking gear.
With that said, I know what it’s like being a beginner hiker and not knowing what is cool or correct to hike in as I started out my hiking journey in Nike Frees and a sling backpack.
Don’t worry, not everything below is going to break the bank. I also have great budget options that I will share with you.
If you’re a fellow long-time hiker just looking for what’s new on the market and worth the upgrade, I’ve also got you covered with the best hiking clothes, shoes, and accessories in 2023.
None of this gear contains paid or sponsored reviews, and I’ve narrowed it down to the best of the best.
We use affiliate links and may get a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you use the links on this post to buy certain items.
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Hiking Clothes
Hiking Hats
Hiking Shoes
Hiking Socks
Hydration Packs
Hiking Accessories
Trekking Poles
Hiking Clothes for Men
If you’re a beginner hiker and wondering what guys wear hiking, you should know that men’s hiking clothes are fairly similar attire to what you would working out outside.
Two main things to keep in mind for hiking clothes: layering is key when hiking and you want to wear fabrics made to wick sweat like polyester (stay away from cotton).
A common men’s hiking outfit consists of a sweat-wicking, UPF-rated shirt, shorts or pants that can withstand a tree branch snagging them but also have a stretch to them (no jeans), a rain jacket or insulated jacket depending on the weather, and a comfortable pair of trail running shoes or boots that have a solid grip.
Men’s Hiking Jacket
Most of the time, you’re probably looking for a hiking jacket that will keep the rain off you or keep you warm during colder months and early mornings.
I like having one rain jacket and one down jacket for both of these circumstances since I usually don’t need the extra warmth during rainy seasons.
O.R. Foray GORE-TEX Rain Jacket
If you want a lightweight rain jacket that is waterproof, windproof, and breathable this is your jacket!
While some rain jackets may need the 3L (layers), having the gore-tex liner makes this incredibly waterproof and wind-proof.
The side zippers are an awesome feature that unzips all the way down to create a poncho-style jacket so you can allow air circulation as you start to sweat climbing the mountain.
When it stops raining, you can easily pack it down into its own pocket too.
I also like the added features of being able to cinch in the waist and tighten the wrist cuffs for when the rain and cold really pick up.
O.R. Helium Down Jacket
There are a lot of great warm and packable down jackets on the market, but I think Outdoor Research has made the best quality for the price.
From cold sunrise hikes to backpacking in 3-seasons this jacket is near perfect.
At only 15 ounces you are getting a very durable jacket that is made of 30-denier ripstop nylon and abrasion resistant. It is filled with 800-down to keep you warm on those colder nights.
The fabric is treated to be wind and water-resistant and even works great for a warm day of skiing.
Buy it Here: REI | Outdoor Research
There is also a non-hooded version.
Men’s Hiking Shirts
Brooks Atmosphere & Dash
Brooks is my go to for men’s hiking shirts. The Atmosphere T-shirt is an all around great workout shirt and I wear the Dash half zip long sleeve anytime I need to layer on a midweight long sleeve.
They have an antimicrobial finish to prevent stink for at least a full day's worth of hiking. Of all the hiking shirts I own, these two are the softest and the atmosphere tee is the most lightweight, which is great for summer hikes or layering for colder mornings.
I’ve also had these shirts for 8 years and they still hold up and perform as well as day one.
Atmosphere Tshirt: REI (on sale)
Dash Long sleeve: Amazon | REI
Patagonia Capilene Cool Trail Shirt
One of the most comfortable and sweat-wicking lines of shirts on the market is the Patagonia Capilenes’.
From the short sleeve to the long sleeve, these shirts are extremely breathable, soft, sweat-wicking, and have a UPF rating of 50.
Most importantly, it has odor control that inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria.
Best Men’s Hiking Shorts
KUHL Renegade Shorts
Plain and simple, these shorts have it all: abrasion-resistant, water-repellent, 8 pockets (2 with zippers), soft with the perfect amount of stretch.
I can hike for hours in these and through the rain without getting uncomfortable.
These shorts also come with an 8, 10, and 12” inseam for a tailored fit.
My only con is that sometimes the button will unsnap when I go to sit, but not enough to bother me.
prAna Stretch Zion Shorts
If you are in need of a water-repellent and abrasion-resistant short that is seriously durable, these should be top of your list.
What makes them so ideal is the slight bit of stretch allows them to move with you unnoticeably as you hike.
prAna makes their clothing specifically for hiking and yoga, and really keys in on making the best in class and comfort because of this.
lululemon Bowline Shorts
These shorts are as comfortable as gym shorts but are also water-repellent and abrasion-resistant.
The shorts come in either 5 or 8 inches in length and are linerless.
Because of the high quality of this fabric, you’ll need to air dry them, but they are still worth every penny.
Buy it Here: lululemon
Related: Best Men’s lululemon Shorts
Men’s Hiking Pants
prAna Stretch Zion Pants II
Just like the shorts version, the little bit of stretch, as well as durability, make the pant version every bit comfortable to wear hiking or doing daily errands.
Plus, they don’t have all the unnecessary cargo pockets that scream 1990s dad look.
The prAna Zion pants also are abrasion resistant, repel light water, and have UPF 50+ sun protection.
They currently don’t make the zip-off version that is pictured, but the full pant version fits the exact same.
Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants
The Ferrosi line from Outdoor Research is highly rated amongst hikers because of their lightweight yet durable wear. These pants are ideal for warmer weather hikes.
They are abrasion, water, and wind-resistant, as well as rated UPF 50+ for sun protection.
I really like that you can get multi-use out of these pants and go from the trails to the city and still look presentable.
The zippered pockets are great so you don’t lose your keys while hiking. And, the option to cinch the cuffs when trekking over mud is a nice bonus.
Hiking Hats for Men
While your regular, everyday ball cap will be better than nothing, having a hat that has a wicking sweatband, wider brim to shade more of the sun, and vents for added airflow make a major difference in comfort.
Outdoor Research Swift Cap
This simple, yet functional hat has a moisture-wicking sweatband and is quick-drying.
The ventilated mesh sides help keep sweat from building up on those hot hiking days and the UPF 50 rating also helps block out harmful UV rays.
This low profile fits nicely under a helmet for climbers and ski tours.
Outdoor Research Sombriolet Sun Hat
For additional coverage from the sun and especially if you’re going to be out on or near the water, the OR Sombriolet is a perfect hat.
From the floating brim to the specifically designed darker under brim to reflect the light off water, it has been well-crafted.
I also really like the fit and shape the stiffer brim gives. This hat also offers UPF 50+ sun protection, adjustable chin cord for windy days, sweat-wicking fabric and vents to keep you cool on a hot summer day.
Tilley Airflo Broad Brim Hat
If you like the more western style hiking hat then take a look at this incredibly made hat from Tilley.
It has a wide, stiff brim to keep the sun off your neck and face. A soft and comfortable sweat-wicking band with mesh vents at the top for superior air flow.
Includes a hidden hook-and-loop pocket in the crown for storage of ID, hotel key or money.
Additionally it is rated UPF 50, repels rain and will float on water.
Best of all, Tilley guarantees for life that their hats will not wear out, shrink or fall apart.
Men’s Hiking Shoes
From water hiking shoes to trail runners, here are my top picks for men’s hiking shoes.
Hiking Sandals
Teva Universal Trail Sandals
These are the hiking sandals I grab most for and can attest they are very comfortable when going from water to trail.
The padding that is layered under the straps is a must for me since it makes it so the straps never rub or cause blisters, even right out of the box (unlike Chacos).
The Vibram soles is essential so the sandals don’t slip on rocks or tree roots when they’re wet.
KEEN Newport H2 Water Sandal
If you want a water hiking sandal that offers more protection than the open-toe sandal, these hiking shoes by KEEN are one of the most highly rated water shoe, especially for comfort and durability.
I would also recommend these if you plan to hike over 5 miles and need more arch and foot support than the Teva offers.
Men’s Hiking Shoes
If you’re just starting out with your first pair of hiking shoes, I highly recommend considering a trail running shoe first.
Trail shoes are the most comfortable of all hiking shoes since they are very similar to tennis shoes with added traction.
Brooks Cascadia 17
If you want a hiking shoe that can also be used as a trail running shoe, these are my number one pick.
I wore the same Cascadia trail shoes for 5 years over hundreds of miles before they wore down.
The stability and grip are phenomenal and they have a slightly wider toe box for added comfort, but nowhere as wide as the Altra Lone Peaks.
Cascadia’s are incredibly comfortable trail shoes for long day hikes to backpacking.
Altra Lone Peak 7
The Lone Peaks by Altra have gained so much attention over the past few years it is hard not to add them to this list.
Altra was one of the first to the market with the “zero drop” heel and wide toe-box style.
The zero drop and wide-toe box increases your foot's flexibility to move and makes these shoes feel broken in from day one. I think everyone should at least try on this shoe to notice the difference.
Keep in mind, if you aren’t used to a zero drop (most shoes have a 10mm drop from the heel to toe) it can be rough for your Achilles and calves at first. Start with only a couple of miles at at time.
The only drawback I have with these shoes is they won’t last more than 150 miles, but REI does offer a solid 1-year warranty.
Hiking Socks
Darn Tough Merino Wool Socks
Truly the greatest hiking sock to ever be made is by Darn Tough.
Made and shipped out of Vermont, these socks give the perfect cushion and the best chance at no blisters from your trail shoe to your backcountry boot.
You may think $20 is expensive, but Darn Tough has a true lifetime guarantee where if these socks tear or develop holes, Darn Tough will replace them no questions asked. Something to consider when you notice how many of your current socks have holes in them.
The ultra lightweight with cushion is nice with trail runners in summer, and the lightweight with cushion is nice for both trail shoes and hiking boots in temps above 50F.
Hiking Day Pack for Men
I think the most useful size backpack for day hiking is 20-25L.
This size is small enough to barely notice the added weight, but it can still carry 2-3L of water in the bladder, an additional 2 water bottles in the side pockets, small lunch, snacks, a place for your hiking poles, and a few clothing layers for varying weather.
Gregory 24L Hydration Pack
Gregory makes their hiking backpacks on an entirely another level. I’ve tried other well known brands (Osprey, Deuter) and still use Gregory for both my day pack and backpacking pack.
While they all make quality and durable packs, Gregory makes theirs the most comfortable, specifically once weight has been added to the pack and your trekking uphill.
The Inertia is very lightweight for its size and it comes with a 3L bladder. Whereas the Miko is going to be more comfortable for longer treks, but you’ll have to purchase the bladder separately.
I also think Gregory makes the best and the easiest water bladder to quickly take in and out.
Buy Here: REI (Miko 25L) | Amazon (Inertia 24L)
Hiking Accessories for Men
Foxelli Carbon Trekking Poles
Hiking and trekking poles can be as cheap as $20 or expensive as $200. It’s most important you consider the pole weight and extension system.
I do not think there is a better pole on the market for the money than the Foxelli carbon poles .
The level lock system easily adjusts to your desired length and as someone who is 6’5 that has to extend the poles the full length, I can appreciate how secure the pole still feels completely extended.
These poles are nearly as lightweight as the $200 brands and the cork grip is ideal for wicking sweat and max comfort.
Buy it Here: Amazon
Goodr Sunglasses
For $25 these polarized sunglasses are the most comfortable and durable pair I’ve ever tried at that price point.
They have a UV400 protection that blocks 100% of harmful UVA and UVB rays. The frame is fitted with a nice silicone so they stay on well during sweaty hikes but not too tight where I get a headache.
Coola Organic SPF 50 Sunscreen
If you aren’t a fan of wearing sunscreen during workouts or hiking because of the greasy, sticky mess once you start sweating, then you really should try this sunscreen by Coola.
I normally wouldn’t spend extra money on sunscreen, but after getting a free bottle from a marathon expo, I can’t go back to any other sunscreen.
Buy it Here: Amazon
All Trails Hiking App
AllTrails is one of the most popular hike planning apps available and is the one we always use.
The free version allows you to find trails, view maps online, read reviews, and follow routes while online. If you opt for the premium version, which is $30 annually, it gives you access to save routes offline and follow the correct path even with no service.
I can’t tell you how many times this route finder has come in handy when on the trail and offline.
