Depending on the activity, the first thing I typically ask myself is “what should I wear?” Whether I am hiking, biking, running, walking, or backpacking – my favorite items remain the same. Which reminds me of my favorite Scandinavian saying, “Det finnes ikke dårlig vær, bare dårlig klær!” which translates to “There is no bad weather, only bad clothes!” I think about this everytime I prepare for an outdoor activity – I need to bring the right clothes! I’ve definitely invested in some high quality outdoor clothing but let’s be real… I have some inexpensive favorites too. Here are my essentials from top to bottom.
When I found out that every employee at Arc’teryx owned this jacket, I knew there was something special about it. Expensive? Sure. Worth it? 100% YES!!! This jacket is the perfect layering piece and transitions between seasons better than any other jacket I own. My favorite winter, fall, and spring combo is the ATOM LT Hoody paired with my Gore-tex Shell Jacket to keep me waterproof AND warm! These are the best purchases and both are from Arc’teryx, I recommend them to anyone who is serious about spending time outside.
Lululemon Swiftly Tech (Short Sleeve and Long Sleeve)
These shirts are my favorite to pack for an overnight backpacking trip. Breathable enough to hike in yet warm enough to use as a baselayer. I have several of these Swiftly Tech Long Sleeve Shirts and I got them from the Lululemon outlet. The “we made too much” tab on Lululemon’s website typically has these shirts often as well. I have multiple sizes (I like to size up) and choose what I want based on how tight or loose I want the shirt for my activity. Call me crazy (or sarcastic) but sometimes I don’t want my activewear to feel like second skin, but rather I’d like it to be comfortable. These shirts keep me comfortable.
Pants.
I am not going to lie, I am still on the hunt for the perfect athletic pant. I have multiple pairs of leggings ranging from the popular Lululemon, the quality Arc’teryx, the breathable Brooks, but my favorite are my basic Old Navy Activewear Leggings… they are ALWAYS the ones I grab. It never fails. They are also several years old. I haven’t bought Old Navy Activewear for years so I can’t send you to a specific pair but they have a lot of options and reasonable prices. Someday I will try some other brands but for now I am happy with my Old Navy Workout Pants!
Footwear… My footwear varies the most from activity to activity. I could write an entire blog post on active footwear and someday I will, until then, I reference my favorite hiking shoes in this previous post.
Now I am curious, what are your tried and true outdoor clothing items?
*Not sponsored by Arc’teryx, Lululemon, or Old Navy… I genuinely love all these items.
The Salty Exchange 