Hiking In The Rain: Essential Wet Weather Walking Gear You Must Own

Wet Weather Hiking Gear You Need

You might have heard the famous saying by Alfred Wainwright, who wrote, "There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing" in his 1973 book Coast to Coast. Although there is some truth about this, sometimes the weather is not good at all. Nonetheless, we'll concentrate on the clothing since that's one thing that we do have complete control over. Superior hiking rain gear needs to have a balance between keeping you warm and dry but still cool enough, ensuring that you're not getting too sweaty and uncomfortable on a walk.

Waterproof Rain Jacket

Buying a high-quality, long-lasting rain jacket that will endure harsh conditions means you'll be more likely to get outside on wet days. Rain jacket technologies have evolved quite a bit during recent times, and understanding all the amazing features could be a little it can be mind-boggling. Dependent upon where and for how long you hike, it's not essential to have all the technical features. However, some will improve your experience. So, I'll focus on many important considerations to watch out for buying a men's waterproof jacket or a women's waterproof jacket.

I like rain jackets with armpit zips – they make a significant difference in comfort level and allow me to hike in the rain without getting too sweaty. If you get too warm, unzip them, and it can cool you down a little.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you don't want a rain jacket that's too tight or too loose. If you wear layers underneath, so you'll want enough room to accommodate these base layers. And, you don't want it to be so loose that you're fidgeting with the excess material on the trail.

Look out for the term Gore-Tex; these jackets are durably waterproof, windproof, and breathable. Rain and snow cannot get in; even in the wettest of storms, you stay protected. Certain brands might use their waterproofing technologies; however, Gore-Tex is an industry-standard. When you buy a rain jacket, make sure it is actually "waterproof", rather than "water-resistant" or "water repellent".

Hiking Trousers

When it comes to waterproof hiking trousers, try to find something that's comfortable, breathable, and waterproof (again, not water-resistant or water repellent). I should also look out for rain jeans that have a zipper at the bottom to take them on and off without taking my boots and shoes off.

Something to take note of is that waterproof hiking trousers are generally noisy whenever the material rubs together. They're not the most fashionable, but what is much more important is that you'll be dry and comfy. I would recommend using a thin legging underneath for additional warmth or if the rain stops, and you need to remove them. Please view some of the top brands of men's walking trousers and women's walking trousers that we have featured on Walk The Land.

Hiking Boots & Shoes

It's a huge disappointment when you have to turn around on what should be a fun walk because your feet are soggy and freezing. So, perhaps one of the fundamentals for a successful hike while it is raining is waterproof footwear. Waterproof hiking shoes or boots can make a huge difference if you'll be hiking in heavy rain.

While on fair-weather hikes, some people like a lighter, lower ankle shoe, when hiking in the heavy rain, It makes more sense that you use a higher ankle boot. It provides more ankle support on slippery trails and keeps water out better. If you are looking for some new footwear, take a look at our range of men's hiking boots and women's hiking boots that we have featured.

Trekking Poles

The last piece of gear you might want to look at for hiking in the rain you might want to consider is trekking poles. Trekking poles are great on any trail hike you go on, rain or shine, but they're very beneficial in the rain. I personally own a set of Black Diamond poles, another great option would be Leki poles.

Having four points of contact with the ground improves balance on uneven ground, crossing a shallow stream, or judging the depth of muddy areas. You can change the tips on poles, too, so you can adapt on the hike to the conditions if the terrain changes.