Guide to Cute and Practical Fall Hiking Outfits
Last Updated: 10/17/2014
Between the weather considerations, fluctuations in temperature, comfort, and of course looking cute, it can be confusing to know exactly what to wear on a fall hike. To help give you some inspiration, we’re breaking down fall hiking outfits, giving you the ultimate practical look book for your next outing.
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Hiking Pants & a Cute Tank
My favorite hiking pants and a cute and trendy, yet practical, tank top.
Hiking in the fall is full of surprises, and you never know when the sun is going to come out mid day and make you regret not wearing a tank top! One of my favorite fall go-to’s for a cute yet functional fall hiking outfit is to throw on my favorite hiking pants (linked below) and a trendy tank top that has some unique style features for a full on outfit.
Hiking pants are expensive, so I try to avoid trends and stick to styles that I find comfortable and flattering for me.
While it’s still something that you can layer over, I find myself getting warm as I’m hiking in the late mornings and early afternoon.
Remember, you can always toss on a layer over your base layer, so you might as well make that first layer something cute that matches the rest of the outfit!
I wear these pants on almost every hike in the fall (when I’m not wearing leggings!), and I cannot recommend them enough!
This is an affiliate link, so I may earn a small commission that supports my work, at no additional cost to you.
Get your own pair here:
We love a little chest cut out. Practical enough to still carry a backpack, cute enough to run errands.
Our muse for this look is Lululemon. While the tank top I’m wearing is discontinued, you can get this look alike here:
Leggings and a Long Sleeve Under a T
With a loose and comfortable baggy T over a snug long sleeve base layer and a pair of black leggings, this is one of my favorite fall hiking outfits. If you get too hot, it’s easy enough to take off the T and toss it in your backpack.
Or, if you really over heat you can take off the long sleeve and just wear your tee shirt.
Not only do I find this look to be cute and versatile, but it’s very practical and offers many options to change your laying on the go. This is especially helpful with fall hiking as the weather can change drastically throughout the day.
This outfit really lets your personal taste shine. Band Tee? Sure! Your favorite outdoor brand? Go for it!
Below I’ll suggest some of my favorites for base layers.
An affordable and highly rated option from Amazon. This is an affiliate link, so I may earn a small commission that supports my work, at no additional cost to you.
At a slightly higher price point is this option from the REI Co-op. Mine has lasted years and I love the quality and the warmth. It is slightly scratchy at first, but after wearing for a while you get used to it.
Bike Shorts and a Sports Bra or Crop Tank
Cute, comfy, and practical fall hiking outfit.
Another great option for those fall days that seem to have all the seasons in one, I present the bike shorts with a sports bra or a cropped tank top.
A simple pair of long bike shorts with a cute statement sports bra or tank creates an interesting fall hiking outfit that is once again, ever practical.
On this day I wore my Mountain Hardware pants over the bike shorts until the afternoon, when I stripped down to the bike shorts and my sports bra. This is a longer sports bra that has a unique and colorful mesh layer that goes over the main bra, making it more like a cropped tank top.
The sports bra I got on sale at Fabletics, and the bike shorts are my favorite pair from the Girlfriend Collective.
Links below :D
An affordable option from Amazon. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to look cute on the trails! This is an affiliate link, so I may earn a small commission that supports my work, at no additional cost to you.
My most favorite bike shorts in the whole wide world! I’ve had these for a few years now and they’re holding up really well to weekly washes. You can get them from the Girlfriend Collective.
Patterned Fleece with Hiking Pants
Who doesn't love a fun patterned fleece?!
Patagonia’s Synchilla® Snap-T® Fleece Pullover jacket is an absolute classic for a reason- it’s fun, cute, warm, and versatile. I love my fleece and wear it often, especially when hiking in the fall! I paired this with my Mountain Hardware hiking pants for a cooler morning, and my Lululemon tank top underneath.
I was going for a nice little nature walk through tuolumne meadow in this picture, but it would be fun if you could get your hiking socks to match the fleece and pull them up over your leggings. That would create a really spunky look.
Another option is to wear a fleece with bike shorts or wear the bike shorts underneath your hiking pants for the ultimate fall hiking outfit win.
That’s the great part about the patterned fleece- you don’t have to try very hard with the rest of your outfit because the pattern makes such a bold statement. I love lazy girl granola fashion.
Buying this new is quite an investment, but the Patagonia website has options for a used version. I got mine used as well from a local hiking thrift shop for half the price of retail, so I suggest going used as well if you’re looking to add this to your hiking wardrobe.
Baseball Hat and a Shacket
I love shackets so much I have two! This one is from Becool.
What says “Granola Girl” better than a shacket with a matching baseball hat?
And the best part, the shacket makes a surprisingly great hiking layer for you fall hiking outfit. While I wouldn’t do a “serious” hike with this jacket, it’s perfect for those days when you need something warm but fashionable to go on a long nature walk.
Pair it with leggings or hiking pants with your hiking socks pulled up, hiking boots, and a matching baseball hat, and you’ve got yourself a cute but simple and practical fall hiking outfit.
A plaid version such as this one adds interest to your outfit. This is an affiliate link, so I may earn a small commission that supports my work, at no additional cost to you.
Hiking Pants and a Flannel Jacket
Please excuse this giant tree, I know you're here for the fashun.
Calling all New Englanders!
A great option for a fall hiking outfit is a wool flannel jacket over a wool base layers or even a cute tank top or long line sports bra. Wool is better for a more strenuous hike than the cotton shacket as wool is temperature regulating, water resistant, and provides your body the warmth it needs in the chilly mornings of fall. And most importantly, it doesn’t absorb your perspiration, creating a wet and damp garment that can become dangerous as later afternoon temperatures drop.
In the image above I’m wearing a 100% wool shirt from Pendleton, a quality wool supplier. I recommend buying a used or vintage Pendleton shirt, as buying new is quite expensive. I will link to a new option below so that you, wise buyer, can make the right decision for you.
A beautiful and classic design from Pendleton that is perfect for your fall hiking outfit. This is an affiliate link, so I may earn a small commission that supports my work, at no additional cost to you.
Now that you have some inspiration for a fall hiking outfit, I hope that you get out on the trails soon. Fall is my favorite time of the year to hike, and I don’t want you to miss it for anything!
Is there a hiking outfit idea that we missed?
Do you have a favorite fall hiking outfit that you can’t live without?
Let us know in the comments below!
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