Outerwear

Your hiking outerwear is what is going to keep you warm and dry on the trail. Outerwear includes the Mid-Layer and Outer-Layer discussed in my Layering tips, so it will need to insulate you as well as provide wind, rain, and sun protection.

Mid-Layer: Fleece vests, fleece jackets, polyester top.

Outer-Layer: A waterproof shell that will also provide wind protection. This is commonly referred to as rain pants and rain jackets.

Down Jackets: What you’ll want to be wearing back at basecamp on a mountaineering trip, around the campfire, or after a day on the ski slopes. Down jackets are designed for warmth, not rain and snow protection, so aren’t intended to be worn in rain and snowstorms. I wear mine on backpacking trips on cool mountain mornings and at night. I also wear mine on camping trips to stay warm around the campfire or on chilly mornings, and of course back home around town on cold winter days.

Women’s Hiking Outerwear Shopping Tips:

Mid-Layers (fleeces, vests, etc.)

• Make sure your Mid-Layer can fit over your Base Layer. Simply speaking, your fleece vest or jacket needs to be able to fit over your hiking top, t-shirt, and long underwear top.


Mid Layer (fleece vest) and Outerlayer (rain jacket)

• Get a fleece vest. These are great because they can be slipped on easily, pack down small, and provide warmth to your core. I love having my arms free!
• Look for zippered vents in your fleece jacket. The North Face Women’s Denali Jacket has zippered pit vents, which is really helpful for regulating your body temperature when you’re participating in an outdoor activity.

Outer-Layer (rain pants, rain jackets)

• Look for full zip rain pants. They may be a little more expensive than pull over rain pants, but you’ll appreciate every extra penny’s worth when you’re caught in the rain. A full zip rain pant means that you can quickly take them out of your pack, and zip them on over your hiking pants without taking off your hiking boots! On a muddy trail in a sudden downpour, you’ll be happy with your full zip pants.
• Make sure your Outer-Layer can fit over your Base Layer and Mid-Layer. Your rain jacket needs to be able to fit over your fleece, hiking top, t-shirt, and long underwear top. Similarly, your rain pants will need to be able to fit over your hiking pants and long underwear pants.

Down Jackets

• Get the highest “fill” rate jacket you can afford. The higher the fill, the smaller the down will pack down, the lighter weight it will be, and the warmer you’ll be! Down fill ratings 700 and 800 are very good.

Hiking Lady’s Favorite Women’s Hiking Outerwear:

Mid-Layers (fleeces, vests, etc.)

• The North Face Women’s Denali Jacket The women’s North Face Denali jacket is a very popular and flattering (but pricey) fleece jacket (a Mid Layer). Not only will it be durable on the trail (or even on the slopes!), it is lightweight, will keep you warm, and last for years. Plus, it looks great if you need something warm to wear around town. I’ve had one for almost 10 years and it is still going strong!
• REI White River Women’s Fleece Vest A good value for a fleece vest.

Outer-Layer (rain pants, rain jackets)

• Marmot PreCip Rain Jacket This jacket is an excellent choice for an outer layer. I bought one several years ago and it still looks like new, despite the tough conditions I’ve put it through! What is particularly nice about the Marmot PreCip jacket is that it has a stowable hood that rolls up nicely at the collar, has easy access pit vents (which you can use to cool off without taking off the whole jacket), it very lightweight and can be packed down to a very small size (I stuff mine in my pack’s side pocket for easy access), and the material is called “DryTouch” and prevents you from feeling hot and clammy in humid conditions. I don’t know how the DryTouch technology works, but I swear it is really nice, especially in humid conditions.
• Marmot PreCip Full-Zip Rain Pants This is an excellent choice for full zip rain pants.

Down Jackets

• Marmot Venus Down Jacket The Marmot Venus Down Jacket is a very high quality product, with 800 fill down, meaning that it will pack down very small, but provide a tremendous amount of warmth. Plus, because Marmot designed this jacket for women, it isn’t just a men’s jacket shrunk down, but rather one tailored to fit a woman’s body.
• Women’s Mountain Hardwear Phantom Jacket If you are looking for a very warm down jacket, this is it. Like the Marmot Venus Down Jacket, it also has 800 fill down, and compresses down very small.

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