Retail Therapist: What Should I Wear on a Hike?

Welcome back to Retail Therapist. There are many modalities when it comes to counseling—this one is shop therapy. Every session, GQ's Gerald Ortiz answers a real shopping conundrum from the fashion anxious.An out-of-the-blue invite to go hiking is a stressful situation. But look at it this way: you have friends who want to spend time with you. Friendships are about supporting one another, and, occasionally, hanging out in precarious settings. As for what to wear in this particular setting, it really depends on the hike.Years ago, I was invited to a friend’s birthday, which involved hiking up Mt. Tamalpais in Marin County, California. The trail was only a few miles, and the closest thing I had to hiking shoes were a pair of crepe-soled desert boots. About an hour into the hike, we came to a set of stairs going downhill, riddled with gravel, and a comedy of errors ensued. I inevitably slipped on a loose stone and landed haphazardly on a jagged rock square on my left knee. My friends had to carry me up the hill to a nearby ranger station, which shuttled me to the end of the trail where the rest of the group was waiting for me. I still have the scar as a reminder to always have an actual pair of hiking shoes on hand just in case.Anyway, enough about me. This therapy session is about you. I’ve dropped in a few outfit recommendations for a more casual hike, glamping, and a more advanced option if your first scramble leads to nirvana.Casual Day HikeAn easy-going day hike is the most likely situation you’ll find yourself in. There are some pieces you can absolutely cheap out on or borrow from your existing closet—a vintage tee, a zip-up hoodie, or some cargo pants. Honestly, you could probably get away with a pair of jeans if the season is right. But when it comes to shoes, you really ought to consider something made specifically for hiking. They don’t have to be expensive, and there are plenty of options, especially with the approach shoe trend happening right now. If the trail’s not that serious and the weather is fairly mild, don’t overthink it.UniqloAIRism Cotton T-ShirtIcebreakerMerino 200 Oasis BeanieRaylarnia100% Cotton BandanaFive Star GlampingGlamping is basically a glorified sleepover, just a notch or two above setting up a tent in your friend’s backyard. You’re just larping the great outdoors. If your friends are driving their SUVs to a camp site they booked on an app, you don’t have to worry too much about whether you’re prepared. So, go ahead and opt for the fancy flannel shirt and the heritage hiking boots. Buy the packable Gore-tex shell from that overly serious outdoors brand and stuff it into a retro-looking alpine rucksack. Half the fun is dressing up, but unlike wearing a costume for Halloween, you can still wear these pieces outside of the occasion and not look out of place.Reaching A New PeakFor the real freaks who invite their friends on real hikes, you’ll want hiking gear that can keep up. You probably shouldn’t spring for a four-figure kit, but you can afford to splurge on more serious boots, outerwear, and a backpack, especially as your nascent interest in hiking grows. While brands like Arc’teryx and Salomon are among the most trusted, they can also be quite expensive. Other household names like Columbia and Mountain Hardwear can handle the rigors of a serious hike that ends up being annoyingly more strenuous than you were initially prepared for.Proof72-Hour Merino T-ShirtThe North FaceCarto Mono Triclimate Hooded JacketArc'teryxCronin Cotton PantSalomonX Ultra 5 Mid Gore-Tex Hiking Boots