Camping

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What’s Your Style

Keeping warm is a very important part of hiking, well, it’s important to keep warm on the chilly mornings and when you’re hiking in cold weather, but it’s equally important to keep cool when you’re hiking in the heat of mid-day on a mid summers day. That’s why so many hikers (the really organized ones) appreciate having a great selection of hiking and trail sweaters to choose from. Just like any other sweater designed for any other occasion, a sweater is very much down to your personal style and liking. Do you like the photo? These aren’t particularly hiking sweaters I do admit, but it goes a little way to show you just how many different styles of sweater there are and it’s good fun (albeit a little annoying after a while). Anyway, what sort of things should you look for when you’re at the camping or hiking store choosing a sweater for your next hiking trip?

Hiking & Trail Sweaters

• Hiking sweater warmth – there’s no point in wearing a sweater if it isn’t going to keep you warm is there? However, a really good and efficient hiking or backpacking sweater will keep you cozy and warm without being too heavy. That’s a real key when you’re talking about hiking or backpacking . . . your sweater does need to be lightweight for both when you’re wearing it in the early morning chills or you’ve got it firmly stashed in your pack for when the sun goes down on the hiking trail.
• Hiking sweaters need to compress real small . . . for when they’re in your backpack. A bulky sweater (like your Mom possibly knitted you for Christmas last year) will be very difficult to carry. I know it’ll only upset her when she’s put in so much time and effort, just don’t tell her okay . . . say thanks and don’t tell her that on your next hiking trip it’ll be safely tucked away in the closet at home. Hell, have a photo taken of you wearing it standing by a tree . . . that should do it.

• Trail sweaters need good breathability. You don’t want to end up all hot and sweaty under your sweater, just because it’s called a sweater!
• Trail sweater styles are something which are an individual as . . . . trail sweater styles. You might prefer the pull-over type with a small zipper at the neck for the extra cold days, you might prefer a full-on cardigan with a full length zipper at the front (ignore the pipe and slippers jokes . . . nobody takes pipe and slippers on a hiking trip, well, nobody I’ve met anyway, but I did notice that dude with the fuzzy beard at the last camp-site . . . but that’s a different story).  Trail sweaters with hoods are quite popular these days too . . . I like hoods, they’re just so cozy (especially those with fleece inside).
• Sleeveless Trail Sweaters – or should we call them hiking vests. Call them what you like, there is a real place for these vests on the hiking trail. The thing about these sleeveless sweaters is that they keep your torso warm (where the majority of your organs live and need keeping warm) without cluttering up your arms with additional layers which are, quite frankly, often unnecessary. Hikers like to use there arms for lots of different things and need freedom of movement . . . carrying trekking poles, pointing our stunning scenery, climbing up rock faces, eating trail mix or other hiking snacks, searching in backpacks for important bits and pieces.

Hang on a minute, that looks more like a hiking jacket to me! I think somebody is trying to confuse me . . .

Getting better, but it still looks a little “jackety” . . . . Anyway, I’m sure it’s great for layering and keeping you warm on a chilly hiking trip.