Fall Hiking Gear Guide: What to Wear and How to Stay Warm!

ByJoseph Burtoni

Fall is the perfect time to lace up your boots and hit the trails. With cooler temperatures, stunning fall foliage, and crisp air, it’s an ideal season for hiking. But, as the weather changes, so do your hiking essentials! In this blog post we are going to look the clothing pieces that should make up your fall hiking gear to keep your warm and dry.

We’ve learned a lot from our adventures in cooler climates, and we wanted to make sure you’re ready to enjoy every moment of your hike.

Here’s a guide to the must-have gear for fall hiking that’ll keep you warm, dry, and prepared for anything Mother Nature throws your way!

Katie in Tokyo, Japan surrounded by beautiful fall foliage

Plan Your Trip With Our Favorite Resources

Flights
Hotels
Tours
Insurance
Other
Katie and Joe in Juneau, Alaska

If you are new here: Hi, we are Katie and Joe!

.. and usually we are “on the go” – as we love to travel the world and explore everything that it has to offer.

Together we’ve experienced 40+ countries and in 2023 we set-off on an epic road trip to see all 63 US National Parks in our self-converted Ford Transit van. As of the writing of this post (October 2024), we’ve officially visited 41.

Do you want to follow along with our National Park journey? Check us out on YouTube and Instagram, or by jumping into our latest National Park video below.

Best Fabrics for Fall Hiking Clothes:

Choosing the right fabrics for fall hiking is essential for staying comfortable and protected from unpredictable weather. It’s important to think through how each piece of your fall hiking gear will come together to keep you warm and dry.

For your base layers, moisture-wicking fabrics like merino wool or polyester are ideal. Merino wool stands out for its ability to regulate body temperature and resist odors, making it perfect for long hikes.

We’ve both been wearing Merino Wool socks for years (all seasons) because it does an amazing job of keeping your feet cool while resisting odors.

Polyester, on the other hand, is lightweight, quick-drying, and more budget-friendly, making it a versatile option for both base and mid-layers.

Fleece is a fantastic fabric for insulation, providing warmth without adding bulk. For outer layers, waterproof and wind-resistant materials like Gore-Tex or nylon are key to keeping you dry during unexpected rain or strong winds.

One important rule: avoid cotton at all costs. Cotton traps moisture, takes a long time to dry, and will leave you feeling damp and cold if the weather turns.

By choosing the right fabrics, you can build fall hiking gear layers that keep you warm, dry, and comfortable, no matter how the fall weather changes.

Joey’s Go To Rain Jacket is the Patagonia Torrentshell (Buy Here)

Essentials for Fall Hiking:

Master the Art of Layering: Fall can be tricky—one minute it’s warm, the next you’re chilled to the bone. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer, add a fleece for insulation, and top it off with a rain jacket. This way, you’ll be ready for cool mornings, warm afternoons, and unexpected rain showers!

  • REI Co-Op Base Layer Merino Wool Bottoms (Buy Here)
  • REI Co-Op Base Layer Half Zip Top (Buy Here)
  • Smartwool Base Layer Merino Top (Buy Here)
  • REI Co-Op Flash Stretch Rain Jacket (Buy Here)
  • Patagonia Fleece Pullover (Buy Here)
  • REI Co-Op Trailsmith Fleece Jacket (Buy Here)
The new “Seasalt Le” Colored Hydro Flask is lovely (Buy Here)

Insulated Water Bottles: Cooler temps might mean you’re less likely to feel thirsty, but staying hydrated is still crucial. An insulated water bottle can keep your water at the right temperature and prevent freezing on particularly cold days.

Keep Your Feet Happy: Wool socks are your best friend in the fall. They’re warm, moisture-wicking, and help prevent blisters. Pair them with supportive hiking boots to tackle rocky or slippery trails with confidence.

  • Darn Tough Calf Midweight (Buy Here)
  • Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew (Buy Here)
  • Darn Tough Hiker Boot Full Cushion (Buy Here)
Katie & Joey wearing REI Co-Op Beanies while in NYC in the Fall

Don’t Forget the Extras: Cold fingers and ears can cut a hike short, so make sure you pack a beanie and gloves. They’re small, but they make a big difference when those chilly winds pick up or the temperature drops.

  • Sunday Afternoons Feel Good Beanie (Buy Here)
  • REI Co-Op Ribbed Watch Cap (Buy Here)
  • Smartwool Merino Reversible Cuffed Beanie (Buy Here)
  • Arc’teryx Bird Head Toque Beanie (Buy Here)
  • REI Co-Op Lighweight Beanie (Buy Here)

Emergency Blanket: Lightweight and compact, an emergency blanket is great for unexpected cold snaps or emergencies, providing a quick way to retain body heat.

Gaiters: Useful for keeping debris, mud, and even light snow out of your boots, gaiters can be a lifesaver on fall hikes with more unpredictable trail conditions.

  • Outdoor Research Low Gaiter (Buy Here)
  • REI Co-Op Swiftland Running Gaiter (Buy Here)
  • REI Co-Op Backpacker Low Gaiter (Buy Here)
REI Co-Op Lightweight Beanie
Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Socks

Energy Snacks: With cooler temperatures, your body burns more calories to stay warm. Pack some high-energy snacks like trail mix, energy bars, or jerky to keep your energy levels up during longer hikes.

Grab your FREE National Park Day-Trip Checklist Here!

Grab our free checklist to ensure you’ve got everything you’ll need to explore a US National Park.

Sign Me Up

Trail Map or GPS Device: Fall weather can sometimes bring fog or low visibility, so having a reliable trail map or GPS device is key to ensuring you stay on course, especially on less-marked trails.

Buff or Neck Gaiter: A versatile piece of gear, it can be worn as a scarf, face covering, or headband to help keep you warm on chilly days or to protect your face from wind.

  • Rei Co-Op Merino Wool Neck Gaiter (Buy Here)
  • Arc’teryx Rho Neck Gaiter (Buy Here)
  • Buff Merino Lightweight Neckwear (Buy Here)
  • Smartwool Merino Neck Gaiter (Buy Here)
  • Buff CoolNet UV Neckwear (Buy Here)
Honey Stinger Waffles
REI Co-Op Flash Stretch Rain Jacket

Headlamp or Flashlight: As the days get shorter in fall, it’s easy to get caught on the trail when the sun goes down. A headlamp ensures you’ll always be prepared, especially if your hike takes longer than expected.

Trekking Poles: Fall trails can be slippery with leaves, mud, or even early frost. Trekking poles help with stability and balance, especially on uneven or rocky terrain.

  • Black Diamond Distance Z Trekking Poles – Pair (Buy Here)
  • Rei Co-Op Trailmade Trekking Poles – Pair (Buy Here)
REI Co-Op Ruckpack 18 Daypack
Arc’teryx RHO Neck Gaiter

Day Packs: Keep everything safe and secure while you’re on the trail.

Microspikes: Essential for those frosty mornings when the trails can be icy.

  • Hillsound Trail Crampons (Buy Here)
  • Kahtoola EXOspikes Traction System (Buy Here)
  • Kahtoola MICROspikes Traction System (Buy Here)

America The Beautiful Pass: Heading to one of the 420+ National Park sites? Skip the entrance line with an America the Beautiful Pass.

Final thoughts on what to wear hiking in the fall.

With the proper gear, cooler temperatures won’t stop you from hitting the trail and seeing the stunning fall foliage. Remember, you can always take layers off so bundle up for your outdoor adventure.

Our Top Blog Posts

  • Our Camera and Vlogging Gear: The Ultimate Set-Up 2024 (Read Here)
  • US National Parks That Will Require Reservations in 2024 (Read Here)
  • A Comprehensive Guide on How to Plan a Trip to a National Park (Read Here)
  • How to visit US National Parks FOR FREE – 6 Free Days in 2024! (Read Here)
  • 100 Gift Ideas for the National Park Lover in Your Life (Read Here)
  • 6 Months in Our Self-Converted Van: What We Love And Hate About Our Ford Transit 350 HD Build (Read Here)

Pin For Later: Fall Hiking Gear Guide: What to Wear and How to Stay Warm!

0 Shares

Joseph Burtoni is the Co-Owner of Katie And Joe On The Go, a blog that shares their love of unique destinations, travel experiences, US National Parks, Van Life, and more.

After 10+ years in the advertising industry as a Director of Social Media, bouncing around the globe working for some pretty cool companies like Mercedes-Benz, Ram Trucks, NIKON, and more; he realized he wanted more out of life.

So he made the leap into full-time travel with his partner Kathryn and are now educating others how to do the same thing.