5 Important Tips for Choosing Hiking Clothes
Norway has a lot to offer when it comes to outdoor activities. In fact, most Norwegians live by a philosophy that focuses on living in the open air and connecting with nature as much as they can. They call this way of living "Friluftsliv", and the term shows up often when Norwegians talk about spending time outdoors. It makes up for such a big part of their culture that this concept is even taught in schools around Norway!
There’s a beautiful Norwegian saying (and one of our favourites), that goes "There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing", and we can’t agree more. One of the most common questions we get about hiking in Norway is what to wear. What clothes you wear when hiking can make a huge difference between enjoying the landscapes and being uncomfortable – be it too hot, too wet, or too cold.
You might like this: Essential Features of Great Rainwear
Considering Norway’s rough climate, Norwegians know a thing or two about clothing and dressing for the outdoors. In fact, many Norwegian manufacturers have dedicated themselves to designing perfect outdoor apparel of high quality to suit the ever-changing weather found here. The Prest1478 Collection takes a front seat to no other when it comes to creating highly effective outdoor apparel for Norwegian mountaineering.
5 Tips to Consider When Choosing Hiking Clothes
Preparing for the ever-changing Norwegian weather conditions on a hike is essential. With several years of hiking experience and lots of trial and error with varied clothing, we have some fantastic recommendations on what to consider when looking for your next set of hiking clothes.
You may also like: The Best Hiking Clothes for Hot Weather
#1 Layering
It’s important to dress in layers when hiking in Norway. When you layer, you can easily and quickly add or shed a layer or two depending on the weather changes and how strenuous the hike is. The layer closest to your skin is the baselayer (undergarments) that includes briefs, boxers, a sports bra and even thin wool clothing. Kari Traa is a popular brand for baselayers, but people also love the Prest1478 wool t-shirts. This is followed by a mid layer (often fleece or a breathable sweater), and finally the shell/outer layer (jackets) that acts as a barrier with you and the elements.
Top tip: Always bring a daypack with you to carry extra layers that you plan to add or shed.
#2 Moisture-Wicking and Breathability
Have you heard the outdoor phrase ‘Cotton Kills’? If not, pay attention, as this is important. While hiking, you sweat. Cotton sponges up all that moisture and becomes wet and heavy. Wet clothes conduct heat away from the body and cook up an instant recipe for contracting hypothermia (that could potentially be really dangerous). Hence, always choose hiking clothes made of moisture-wicking materials that dry faster. Synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon are ideal as they wick away moisture.
Hiking clothes’ breathability refers to the ability of the fabric to release moisture vapour through it. If your apparel can’t breathe, it starts to get wet by your own sweat. A piece of breathable fabric has two primary duties: quickly transferring sweat to the top layer and quickly drying out the sweat so that it doesn’t soak through the fabric.
#3 Sun Protection
Hiking clothes having an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) protects your skin from the harmful and damaging UV rays of the sun. Exposure to excessive UV rays can lead to sunburn, premature skin aging, and skin cancer. When looking for good sun protection wear, opt for clothes with full sleeves that adequately cover your chest, back, and shoulders. Apart from such clothing, it would help if you never forgot to apply sunscreen with a high SPF rating to all exposed areas of the skin.
#4 Waterproof and Windproof
While hiking in Norway, you are sure to come across bad weather at some point (unfortunately, this is true). Waterproof outer layers keep the rain water away from saturating your clothes. At the same time, the windproofness prevents the wind from whisking away your body heat. These features are especially important in rainy and cold weather. A good waterproof and wind proof jacket will keep you protected from the elements while you enjoy the great Norwegian outdoors!
#5 Weight and Compactness
There’s nothing more annoying than carrying heavy jackets on your hikes that don’t even fit into your daypack/ backpack. Every extra gram count when you are hiking. Also, as a rule, dense fabrics are less breathable. So, make sure you invest in a light weight jacket that compresses and can be stored in a compact space.
Our favourite collection of clothing for hiking? It's Prest1478 of course!
Don't miss a post! Sign up to our email list here!
