Gear Up for Warm Weather Treks With These 10 Trail Essentials.
From day hikes to overnight loops, these are some of our favorite must-haves for staying comfortable, light, and ready to go on summer trails.
Hiking Clothes: Comfort That Moves With You.
Breathability & lightweight fabrics matter most when temps start to rise.
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Lightweight Traveler Pants – Built to breathe and weighing on 11ounces, these are your warm-weather MVPs. They dry insanely fast, look sharp, and have enough stretch for scrambling, climbing, or kicking back post-hike. AND they’re equipped to protect you from ticks & mosquitos.
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Traveler Tee – Hot weather? No problem. This tee wicks sweat, resists odors, and regulates temperature—basically, it’s your trail-ready second skin. It’s almost see-through but because merino wool is natural sun protected your skin is still safe.
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Traveler Socks – Don’t underestimate what’s between you & your boots. These socks offer cushion and breathability without the bulk. They’re made with merino wool so they can fight the odor you build up over a long hike as well - talking to all those stinky feet folk out there…
Footwear: Grip Matters, But So Does Comfort.
Summer trails are often muddy, wet, or unpredictable and if you see yourself jumping river rocks you’ll want the right undercarriage on the shoes as well.
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Altra Lonepeaks – Altra’s wide toe box and cushioned feel keep your feet happy on longer routes. The Lonepeaks have been my go to trail show for years now. I started with their 3.5s and I believe their most recent model is the Lonepeak 9!
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Sandals – TEVA’s are great for dry heat and river crossings—versatility is key. You can’t go wrong with the OG Classics but if you’re looking for something with a little more trail strength in both grip & support these Terra Fi’s have also been in the gear closet for a number of years.
Water & Safety: Hydrate and Stay Prepared.
No matter the season, you need water and a plan but especially when its hot out!
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Grayl Water Purifier Bottle – Instead of packing a full day’s worth of water, fill up from streams and creeks. This purifier does the work in under a minute and it does much more than a filter.
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Garmin Watch or inReach Mini – Know where you’re going and let others know where you are. These tools help you track routes, check elevation, or send SOS messages from the backcountry. Also great for tracking your hike times, elevation and such so you can gain Kudos from Strava friends or track your progress along the way.
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Adventure Medical Kit (Ultralight) – Cuts, scrapes, blisters—it all happens. This small kit punches way above its weight class and disappears into your pack.
Warm-Weather Accessories: Sun Protection & Packable Versatility.
The little things can make or break your day on the trail.
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Neck Gaiter or Lightweight Sun Hat – A good gaiter shields your neck from sun or wind, while a packable hat keeps the sun out of your eyes without trapping heat.
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Badger Sunscreen (SPF 30+) – Sweat-resistant, reef-safe, and made from natural ingredients. Reapply often and don’t forget the ears and nose. This has got to be some of the safest sunscreen out there for you and our environment.
Final Tip: Pack Light. Live Smart.
Every piece of gear on this list pulls double-duty—just like it should. Stay light, stay cool, and don’t overthink it. Your summer hike should be all adventure, no extra baggage.
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Pack smarter this season with gear Made For Adventure. Anytime. Anywhere.
