Blooming alpine meadows in spring, clear blue skies in summer, rustling leaves in autumn and snow-covered landscapes in winter. Anyone who walks in nature knows that hiking is a special experience in every season. The onion method, functional clothing, hood or sun hat: the right clothing is the be-all and end-all. And with the right equipment, even wind, rain or heat can’t hurt you so quickly.
Read our tips now so you can be well equipped and optimally dressed to explore the mountains.
Pleasant temperatures, bright colours and a magical atmosphere: these are the characteristics of the transitional times. While everything blooms wonderfully in spring, autumn enchants hiking enthusiasts with a colourful splendour of leaves.
But the months between winter and summer are of course not always beautiful. They can be associated with wetness and cold. If you still don’t want to miss out on mountain experiences, you should think hard about your outfit and shoes. Then you will be cosy, warm and dry even on cooler days.
Wet, damp weather – and you get a cold. So that you don’t get cold and sick after a mountain tour, we recommend the onion method. Depending on the wind and weather, you should wear up to seven breathable layers for a mountain hike on cooler days.
It is important that the bottom layer lies close to the skin so that it can absorb sweat. Furthermore, the individual layers should work well with one another. Clothing guarantees the greatest possible comfort during the hike and offers solid protection against any uncomfortable weather.
Because the weather in the mountains is often unpredictable and can change from one minute to the next, you should always carry a water-repellent jacket and trousers in your backpack. In addition, some extra pieces of clothing would be useful. The clothing should not only prevent water soaking through, but also allow sweat to escape. Ventilation slots are also important to regulate the release of body heat. In addition, the wind that can be quite cold on the mountain can be kept out by the outer material.
Good hiking clothing can be worn like a second skin on the body, offers optimal protection and ensures that heat or moisture does not come directly to the body.
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As in autumn and spring, the onion method is also recommended in winter. Clothing must provide optimal protection against moisture, especially in frosty temperatures. This not only means that the moisture from the outside – in the form of snow or rain – must not be allowed to soak into clothing.
It is also important that sweat is quickly transported away from the body. The first layer should therefore consist of a tight-fitting functional top. It is best to wear breathable materials such as fleece as intermediate layers.
The job of a good outdoor jacket is of course to keep you warm and dry during a hike. One of the most important questions you have to ask yourself when buying: which do I prefer – down or synthetic fibres? Both offer different advantages and disadvantages. Down is usually lighter and offers optimal heat regulation. However, it is much more sensitive to damp and wet weather conditions. Synthetic fibres (such as Primaloft) are water-repellent. On the other hand, the do a little worse in terms of thermal insulation and weight.
Tip: If you don’t want to forego the advantages of a down jacket and still want to be protected from moisture, you should also pack a rain jacket.
Where does most of the heat escape from the body? Exactly, from the head and hands! No matter how good your multifunctional clothing is – if you don’t protect your head and hands, you will become an ‘icicle’ in no time. Therefore: don’t forget your hat, scarf and gloves! If you get cold fingers quickly, you should also consider whether mittens might be better. They keep the fingers warmer than gloves, even if they make it a little more difficult to reach into the backpack. If you have protected your head, hands and neck from the cold, you are well prepared for your winter hiking trip!
If you only think of sun and hot temperature in summer, you have never been in the mountains. Because, especially here, it can quickly get cooler. In order to be optimally equipped for a hiking trip on summer days, functional clothing with a zip system is recommended.
By the way: even if trekking sandals are tempting – they are not recommended for use on the mountain, even on hot days. They do not offer the same support as more robust hiking boots, and in rough terrain you can quickly find stones between your toes. A light hat or cap is the best head covering. In light colours and made of breathable material, both protect the head from direct sunlight and prevent heat from building up underneath.
In the onion method too much bother in summer? No problem! Wearing functional clothing that can be zipped off will make your summer hike a lot easier. Trousers and jackets with an integrated zip system are especially good for relaxed hiking tours. Are you too warm or too cold?
Simply lengthen or shorten the trousers using the zip! There is also a solution for the hiking jacket. Thanks to a clever fastening system, the individual parts can be linked together. An additional layer of fleece can be zipped on and you are comfortably warm again even in shady forests.
Tip: Don’t save in the wrong place and invest in good outdoor clothing and sturdy shoes! A hike can be a lot of fun in any weather!
