2024 Outdoorsy Women’s Summer Gear Guide - Part one : Clothing

Gear
Written By Andrea Ference

Summer has officially started in the northern hemisphere and although Canada still has yet to get that memo… it is time to unpack all of our gear. Do a little check of what is missing, what we have outgrown and what needs replacing.

Instead of a big crazy generic list of with dozens of options that I can not personally speak to. This is mine - this is a comprehensive list of all of my favourite clothing pieces that I will be wearing this summer when out hiking, backpacking and trail running. Items that I know and love and if you have ever caught me over a cup of coffee you have been trapped leaning about.

A lot of the items I have are years old so I have updated them with the current version which is likely much better but different colourways. Just as a note.

I will include my sizes in this : I am 5”9, weight anywhere from 125-140lbs depending on the day of the month and the size of my dinner. I have a long torso and proportionally short legs. And if this was my first day of school chart I would tell you that I prefer neutral colours, am really into sun protection and kind of taking a break from hiking in leggings (opt’ing for hiking pants these days).

And if you ever have any questions or anything you love that you think needs to be added to this list - leave a comment below or send me an email!

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Waterproof/Rain Jacket

  • Arc'teryx Beta LT Jacket - this is my ride or die. Tried and true rain jacket. It is on the pricier side but (especially if you have a longer torso) if you take care of it - this will keep you dry for years to come. (size : s)

  • REI Co-Op Rainier Rain Jacket - I love this jacket and keep it in my car for emergencies, for when I forget things. It is not quite as breathable as the Beta. But it is a great jacket that will keep you dry. (size : xs)

Wind Jacket

  • Patagonia Houdini Jacket - this was my first windbreaker. It is a no bells and whistles kind of jacket that weighs next to nothing, folds down to the size of a lacrosse ball and will protect you from wind when need be. (size : xs)

  • The North Face Trailwear Wind Whistle Jacket - I picked this up for trail running in 2023 and it is slightly heavier material with a lot more pockets. It is a great extra layer to have on the trail when hiking or running. (size : xs)

  • Arc’teryx Norman Windshield Hoodie - in full disclosure I purchased the gore’tex version of this when it existed years ago and it is my favourite running jacket. I tried on the wind version and really like it for all of the same reasons that I love mine. It fits well is lightweight and breathable and a perfect low profile jacket for road or trail running. (size : s)

Down or Synthetic Jacket

  • Patagonia Down Sweater - this was my first ever down jacket and I still own it to this day. I now have it in multiple colours. It is a great lightweight down layer for summer hiking. (size: xs)

  • Black Diamond Approach Down Hoodie - I have been using this for mountaineering for a few seasons. it is right in the middle of the down sweater and the Fitz Roy. it is a midnight jacket that has an extra extra long torso and arms! (size : xs)

  • Patagonia Fitz Roy Jacket - my all time favourite jacket. if it is showing as unavailable it is because this product is released mid August every year and sells out. I do make a note in my instagram stories when it is released every year. I purchase it the say it is released every year and am never disappointed. It is so warm and cozy and has kept me warm in even the most adverse weather conditions. (size : xs)

Mid layer, Fleece or Sweater

  • Patagonia Retro Pile Marsupial Fleece Pullover - this has been my go to hiking sweater for years. I own it in too many colours and don’t remember the last trip I went on without one. It is cozy and durable. (size : xs)

  • REI Logo Crew Sweatshirt - without a question the most reached for sweater this year. A very classic fit and function sweatshirt with a great price point. (size : xs)

  • lululemon Scuba Oversized Full-Zip Hoodie - this trows me back to my days of working at lululemon with the original Scuba Hoodie. I love earthing this one on more casual adventures. Grabbing coffee and going for walks with friends and their dogs. (size : xs/s)

Long Sleeve Tops

  • lululemon Swiftly Tech Long Sleeve Shirt 2.0 - I have been weathering these for over a decade. they are cut super flattering and made with silver woven into the fabric which makes it anti microbial (and takes a lot to make it smell bad). (size : s)

  • REI Co-Op Sahara Shade Hoodie - I will say this until I am blue in the face that I do not know why it took me so long to buy this. It is UPF 50, lightweight and breathable. As someone who hates wearing sunscreen and often forgets to re-apply this is the answer. (size : xs)

  • Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoodie - similar to the REI, this provides amazing sun protection. I do find this one to be slightly lighter which makes it less warm on really hot and sunny days. it has long rms but no thumb holes. A great shirt that I will be wearing all summer. (size : xs)

Tees and Tanks

  • REI Co-Op Active Pursuits T-Shirt - a UPF 50 super comfortable lightweight and breathable shirt to wear this summer. I picked it up for running but have found myself grabbing it for hikes (including the majority of days up Mount Kilimanjaro) (size : xs or s)

  • REI Co-Op Active Pursuits Ribbed Tank Top - this is my all time favourite tank top. it is so comfortable, the right length and just snatches you right in. (size :xs)

  • Pataognia Capilene Cool Trail Tank Top - another run turned every day shirt. it it super lightweight and breathable. and dries so so fast when caught in the rain or caught sweaty. (size : xs)

  • Vuori Daily Crop Tank Top - my favourite bra turned into a tank. this is buttery soft and super comfortable. (size : s)

  • Lululemon Align Tank - this is not a supportive tank. But for us smaller chested girlies this is one of my favourite tanks. it is cut supper flattering and very soft. (size : 6)

Hiking Pants

  • REI Co-Op Trailmade Pants - starting with my favourites. these are lightweight and breathable. they have a cinch at the ankle that lets them be worn straight legged or as a jogger. they also have a little hidden tie to since in the waistband. (size : 4)

  • Black Diamond Alpine Light Pants - I brought these climbing in Patagonia and honestly they are super similar to the trail made at a slightly higher price point. They have an external cinch for the waist which I don’t think cinches in quite as much as it should. they are super comfortable and lightweight. (size : s)

  • Arc'teryx Gamma LT Pants - new to me this year these are a great mid weight hiking pant. they come highly recommended. so far I love them but wish that I had ordered them int he tall length. they are SUPER short. (size : 4)

  • Outdoor Voices RecTrek Zip-Off Pants - these are a fun versatile pant. they are heavier weight and zip off into ether crops or shorts. and although I can not imagine ever using the crop length - the shorts are an incredibly flattering length. (size : s)

  • Fjallraven Nikka Trousers - my one true love of heavy pants. they seem to be hard to find right now but these are made for you if you are even the slightest bit curvy. They are thicker and will protect you from a lot ( a few crampons have tried their best) they are insanely comfortable and flattering. I LOVE these pants. (size : 26)

Tights

As I mentioned I am out of love with hiking and backpacking in tights/leggings. BUT when I do these are the pairs that I find myself reaching for most often.

  • lululemon Fast and Free High-Rise Tight 25” Pockets - I have a love/hate with how insanely hight he waist is on these so I guess it is a lesson in being careful with what you ask for. I love the continuation looped waist that never digs in and the added pockets. these are a truly perfect tight (size : 4)

  • REI Co-Op Swiftland 7/8 Running Tights - these are insanely flattering and comfortable. They stay up (and also have an internal drawstring just in case). I wear these hiking and running a lot. (size : xs)

  • Vuori Daily 7/8 Leggings - maybe more of a casual legging. I wear these a lot lounging and am currently wearing them as I write these. but they are the tights that Jess brought with her to Patagonia to hike the W with me and I have brought them on countless hiking trips. So they are great. (size : xs)

Hiking Shorts

  • Vuori Clementine 2.0 Shorts - Super lightweight with built in panties. these do not have a useable pocket but otherwise are amazing. (size : anywhere from an xs to a m - these are all over the place)

  • ON Performance 5" Short Tights (I feel like these maybeeee replaced my sprinter shorts) - the only spandex tight I can see myself wearing for the foreseeable future. so many pockets. so flattering. (size : s)

  • lululemon Fast and Free Reflective High-Rise Classic-Fit Short 3" - a really great breathable and flatting running short that double duties as a hiking short. (size : 4)

  • Patagonia Barely Baggies - the only true hiking short on the list. they also come in a longer more traditional length (called the baggie) these are so simple and feel like they could have been your mom’s when she was your age. (size : s)

Skirts and Dresses

  • lululemon Lightweight High-Rise Tennis Skirt - possibly my most worn piece of clothing this year as I have been in a bit of a bad headspace with my body. I love the extra coverage of the skirt and the two internal pockets that easily fit my phone. (size : 4)

  • lululemon Align Dress - I disclaimer this that if you are a busty woman this will not be a dress for you to run in. it is really low support but really fun. it has built in shorts with two pockets and a little trap door to make going to the bathroom a lot easier. (size : 4)

  • lululemon Align Cami Strap Dress - the same as the traditional align but with smaller straps and a really cute little back cutout. made for tennis. really great for lower impact workouts or for going from the court to meet with friends. (size : 4)

Hiking Boots and Shoes

Trail Runners

Road Runners

I wear these two pairs of shoes interchangeably. I think they fit similarly just made by two different manufacturers.

Camp Sandals or Slippers

  • Teva Original Universal Sandals - these are amazing socks and sandals camp shoes. super lightweight.

  • Chaco Z/Cloud 2 Sandals - these are better for if you have a lot of river crossings, you can also wear it with or without the toe strap.

  • Teva Re-Ember Slippers - the only camp slippers I use. They have a harder sole that makes them have more traction and the slight raise keeps you protected form small puddles or moist ground. The back also folds down into a clog.

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!

Andrea Ference
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2024 Outdoorsy Women’s Summer Gear Guide - Part two : Backcountry Camping

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What to Pack for The Huemul Circuit in Argentinian Patagonia