Hiking as a Hijabi: What to Wear
If you're a hijabi who didn't grow up doing outdoor activities, it may be daunting to find suitable clothing to wear for a hike. I grew up in Utah literally *right* at the base of a mountain and went hiking all the time! Prior to becoming a hijabi, I would go for summer hikes in an exercise tank and leggings and layer up the sunscreen on my arms. For autumn hikes, I would wear leggings and a light jacket.
Now, I enjoy wearing looser pants and not having to put on so much sunscreen! Sunscreen has many harmful chemicals in it, so opting for full-coverage sleeves on summer hikes is healthier. For more info on the danger of sunscreen chemicals, check this article!
I want all my hijabi sisters to look natural and feel comfortable when doing outdoor activities, so here are some of my attire recommendations as an outdoor native.
1. Long, Loose Pants
You want long pants for hiking no matter how hot it is, and ones that are fitted at the ankle so no insects can crawl up your legs. I opt for styles in dark colors so I don't have to worry about sweat marks.
2. Jersey or Workout Hijab (NO UNDERCAP)
You need a hijab that will stay in place and let your scalp breathe. In my opinion, jersey or athletic material hijabs are best for this.
3. Layer a Tank with a Breathable Jacket
I like to get some use out of my high-neck tanks, and this is the perfect time to do it. Layering a tank with a breathable jacket is a great way to keep you cool. I use this track jacket from Fabletics--it has a mesh panel in the back for extra air flow and 3 pockets for additional storage space (perfect size for a protein bar).
4. Hiking Shoes (no sneakers)
If you're going on a hike wearing sneakers, gym shoes, tennis shoes, whatever you call them, you're ruining your shoes and putting your ankles in danger. If you don't hike frequently and don't want to invest in a nice pair of hiking shoes, I get it. But when you wear tennis shoes on a hike, everyone is going to clock that you're not a big hiker. It's almost like wearing flip flop sandals out to a nice dinner--it looks out of place, and people can tell you don't really know what to wear because you don't do this often. I know this sounds super judgy, but I want to be honest! The benefit of purchasing nice hiking shoes is 1) they cost about as much as a nice pair of heels, 2) they literally last FOREVER, and 3) they are often under warranty, so if they get damaged you may get a free replacement.
For summer hikes, I have two main options at my disposal. The first are my Lowa Focus GTX hiking shoes. They have a low top, reinforced toe, and are a super fun purple color. Lowa doesn't make these anymore, but they still have similar low top styles that are worth checking out.
The other option I have are my Vasque 7503 Breeze LT GTX boots. These boots have a high top, breathable mesh panels, super light weight, and are totally waterproof. Vasque does not make this exact 7503 model anymore, but they make other Breeze styles that are worth checking out. I'm in love with the soft grey-purple color they used for this design.
I choose between my warm weather high-tops and low-tops based on terrain. If there's a lot of rocky uphill sections on the trail, I'll go with my Vasque Breezes. If the trail is more mild, I'll opt for my Lowa Focus shoes. I love these shoes so much that I often wear them out and about.
5. Wide-Brim Hat
This one goes without saying. You need to protect your face from the sun, and wearing a wide brim hat is the best way to do that. It'll also keep your hijab extra secure.
6. Light Backpack
I like to have a light backpack on me to carry water and food depending on how long the hike is. Sometimes I'll pack in extra things to make it heavier if I want more of a workout.
Please comment to let me know if this article was helpful! I might write a follow-up and give product recommendations for my favorite hiking pants, hats, hijabs, and jackets. Let me know if that would be useful to you.