Outdoorsy Girl Capsule Wardrobe
aka if I had to start over - this is what I would buy first
Getting into the outdoors is expensive. And looking online you see people with seemingly infinite outdoors outfits on rotation (and we won’t even get into the gear here today) it can be confusing to decipher what you actually need when it comes to a hiking capsule wardrobe.
In a failed attempt to pare down my outdoor wardrobe I did an inventory of my outdoor clothing closet and put together this outdoorsy girl gear list - of what I would want to bring with me if I were to move into a van, go on an extended trip or if god forbid for some reason lost my gear closet… this is my ultimate outdoor girl capsule wardrobe.
You may note that they are all neutrals. This was not planned, but is likely indicative of my personality. If you are looking for a rainbow explosion inspiration when building your outdoorsy gear - I receomnd checking out my good friend and favourite YouTuber - Miranda Goes Outside.
In my favourite down jacket and Danner Boots
A Hiking Capsule Wardrobe for Outdoorsy Girls - Tops
1. sports bra
To be fair, I could easily go with a low support. We are not looking for high impact activity here. Just something really comfortable that provides you enough support and is sweat wicking and quick drying.
2. tank top
This could alternative be a short sleeved shirt. I don’t personally love the feeling of short sleeved shirts so I opt for tanks. I would go one of two ways with this.
My current go-to is a thicker, slightly compressive tank top from REI. The other direction is to head to the running section and opt for something really lightweight and breathable.
I also need to note that my current favourite tank is the REI Active Pursuits Ribbed Tank from Spring 2023 which has not been restored in months. If it comes back - I highly recommend checking it out. If not, the below are three of my also commonly worn tanks.
3. long sleeve shirt
For me, this will either be the Lululemon Swiftly LS Top or the REI Co-op Midweight Long-Sleeve Base Layer Top. They’re both UV protective, comfortable and flattering. But there are 101 different options - if I were not allergic to merino wool I would look into one of those as well.
But when starting your outdoorsy wardrobe - this is a staple piece. Even if I don’t need it for hiking, I will have it to toss on when I stop for a snack or when backcountry camping more often than not it will be my sleep layer, so definitely add it to your camping capsule wardrobe.
4. fleece sweater
I am personally partial to the Patagonia pieces. But this is meant to be a mid layer to keep you toasty warm. They are also very cute and great to sleep in on chillier nights camping. Definitely another one to add to your staple camping capsule wardrobe.
5. down jacket
I should make a note that this can be down or synthetic. Whichever you prefer. Goose and duck down the two most common insulators, trapping air and creating pockets of warmth around your body with very little weight.
However, synthetic insulation breathes better and retains most of its ability to insulate when wet, which can be a major plus for serious outdoor use. Synthetic jackets can also be marginally less expensive than their down counterparts.
And there are other personal reasons that people choose synthetic over down… I am not one of those people. I have owned exactly one synthetic jacket and unfortunately it was consigned after its first season. I also live in a place that is more cold than wet. So warmth reigns supreme.
A few notes about how to tell the warmth of a jacket then looking at the label:
Both duck and goose downs are classified by fill power, which is a measure (in cubic inches) of how much space is filled by one ounce of down. Fill power can vary anywhere from 450 to over 900, with most high-quality down products featuring a fill power of 800 or above. Responsible Down Standard (RDS). The RDS is a global certification given to down products and indicates that the birds were treated humanely and not subjected to unnecessary harm, such as force-feeding or live-plucking. There are individual companies who (in addition to being RDS certified) will also have their own ethics down programs and certifications.
For synthetic jackets, warmth is measured in grams per square meter (gsm); importantly, unlike down, this is not the total amount of insulation in a product. In technical synthetic outerwear, we see insulations between 50 and 130 gsm with most performance-oriented jackets hovering around 60 gsm. (this is mildly confusing for me, especially because a lot of synthetic jackets will have less uniform fill).
Note: Although currently showing as unavailable, a new version of the Fitz Roy Down Hoodie is released every August. So I’ve left this linked below so you can check out their latest style when it’s restocked.
6. rain jacket
One of the best investments I ever made was in my first Arc’teryx gore-tex jacket - get the Zeta LT (a design that no longer exists, much to my protest). I admit that I did not know what I was missing until I upgraded. And as I got deeper and deeper into the outdoor gear space I realized quickly that not all waterproofing is created equally and not all Gore-tex is created equally.
I stick with Arc’terys for outermost layers because they fit me really well, and I feel comfortable in their jackets. And when you are effectively throwing an extremely expensive crinkly garbage bag over you to protect you from the wind and rain… you want to firstly ensure that it works… but you also want to be comfortable.
(sorry, only one of my rain shells is currently available - thankfully it is my favourite of all of my Gore-tex jackets)
Beta LT
A Hiking Capsule Wardrobe for Outdoorsy Girls - Bottoms
7. hiking shorts
This may be more important in the summertime but a pair of great hiking shorts would be absolutely pivotal in my outdoorsy capsule wardrobe. These shorts tend to be longer (but don’t have to be - mine aren’t) and made from a durable ripstop material.
This makes it more comfortable to sit down on ground that may otherwise damage your pants or poke you. They also generally speaking have pockets for all of your trinkets.
8. running or biker shorts
Opposite to the above, these are made from lightweight breathable materials and tend to give you more range of motion. They tend to, but not necessarily, have fewer pockets. I will almost always opt for these while trail running but also when it’s extra hot out I like the lightweight breeziness of a thinner pant.
9. durable hiking pants
The best hiking pants are generally lightweight and breathable, non-formfitting pants that provide more protection from the elements. I will reach for these any time I know I am hiking somewhere overgrown that I do not want to damage my legging or my legs. They also will protect from adverse weather such as rain, wind and the sun.
They can be especially important when hiking in the desert given the extreme sun exposure and blowing sand. I could have easily interchanged these with a pair of rain pants but in all honesty when I challenged myself to pick my top ten items… rain pants are something I so rarely use that I find a solid pair of ripstop pants to be a lot more versatile and therefore I use and need them more often.
10. compression leggings
Finally, my tried and true. A staple in any outdoorsy girl’s wardrobe. Although hiking is not the primary function of leggings (or tights depending on where you are from) these are what I reach for most often when out in the mountains.
They provide minor protection (don’t ask about leggings that don’t rip - they all do - they are not made to withstand rubbing up against trees or run ins with rocks unfortunately - in those conditions I would recommend wearing ripstop pants).
I look for leggings that are high waisted and offer a slight compression without being overly restrictive. I love a side pocket and look for a looped waistband whenever possible
10.5. thermal leggings for wintertime
Just in case you, like me, live somewhere where it gets chilly but you like the comfort and style of a legging. Below are a few of my favourites.
Bonus Outdoor Capsule Wardrobe Items
Hiking footwear
Merino hiking socks
Hiking socks
I look for a merino hiking sock with moderate cushion and simply ensure that it is taller than the shaft of my boot to prevent any rubbing of the top of my boot against my leg. Below are a few of my go-to’s but in all honesty. They are all great and have amazing warranties on them so I will normally go for a design that I like best.
Hiking boots
Danner Mountain 600 shoes
I have been wearing the Danner Mountain 600’s for a few years now after trying many pairs of boots over the years. I think that finding the perfect hiking boot for your foot is a matter of trial and error and finding something that works for you.
This is the Mountain 600 for me - as soon as I put on my first pair they fit like a glove with little to no break in period. I will note that they do relax a touch so if you are truly torn between sizes I would go down. I have received more positive feedback from this recommendation than any other item I have recommended over the years.
daypack + the ten essentials
Danner Boots and summer hiking gear from my outdoorsy girl wardrobe
Although this is not technically part of your wardrobe. Once you have this you are all ready to head out for a hike. See below for my ten essentials blog.
*Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission on any purchase made - at no additional cost to you. As always, all ideas and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own. Thank you for your support!
