How a man looks good hiking – A simple task of practicality and style

Hiking gear for a man isn’t that different to a woman’s approach; it really depends on climate and how much you layer up. Here are a few guidelines on what you can wear with the practicalities of a good hike and still look top dollar…

Picture by Dennis Cox: “Two Male Hikers”

FEET

Walking shoes – they’re light and fully waterproof. Those bulky walking boots don’t fit nicely into any backpack and they give un-necessary platform, like ladies heels. Oh, and they’re super ugly. Walking shoes all the way people!

LAYER IT

Start with a basic under layer: Standard t-shirt accompanied by a loose open shirt

Note: keep the shirt a dark, neutral colour: khaki or navy.

Vintage Army Cotton Shirt

TIP: Board shorts are great on a hot day, try to go for a
dip on route.

On a more shady day wear long but light trousers. Pack a windproof jacket and warm jumper, which you can secure in your backpack as layers.

TIP: Pack a thin, woollen scarf. They look really cuddly and 
this aids extra warmth, stylishly, of course.

ADDED EXTRA’S

Think of these as boys toys, the extra bits and bobs needed on an adventure:

A pocket knife – to open a bottle of wine mid-hike?

Condoms – you just never know.

Recommendations

Blacks - Outdoor clothing for men. It’s not cheap, but its decent quality.

Simply Hike – A range of products, brands and price tags to suit.

How to look good hiking? An impossible task of femininity and practicality

Burdened with the challenge of mixing a feminine outlook with the practicalities of a good hike? Me too, but this can be simple, you just need to note the basics.

Extra’s: pashmina & hat

FOOTWEAR

Walking trainers. The boots are chunky and hot, the sandals seep in water. Just go with the walking trainer.

TIP: You can wear pop-socks for gentle walks.

LAYER IT

You’re probably going to be on varying gradients and weather will turn; with this so can your levels of cloth.

Start with a light base:  t-shirt, or a simple strappy top.

Add a long sleeve top – the thickness can be fleecy just note that your temperature will rise as you walk, so a simple cotton sleeve can also work well.

TIP: Carry a light weight waterproof jacket with a hood for when 
the rain pours and you get chilly.

HUG THE BITS THAT COUNT AND KEEP THE REST LOOSE

This differs for everyone, but generally tight hiking gear just gets sweaty. I go for trousers that zip at varying levels to alternate between a long leg, quarter length or shorts for different temperatures on route. These hug the bum and that’s about as much hugging needed.

TIP: Alternatively those jogging trousers you don’t mind getting 
messy are a comfy and loose way to handle an easy trek.

Note: If you know it’s going to be a snowy mountain top leggings can be a warm under-layer.

 Recommendations 

Fashion Questions and The Vancouver Sun

Roque Nublo: Rock in the Clouds

…waiting for the sun to dissolve into the West and all that is left are shadows.

Some how over the last few years I´ve developed into what modern day call a ´hiker.´ I even have the chunky footwear, although not so far as the boots, which give serious hiking attitude. All the same, there are times more recently when I find myself in these situations – half way up a gradient, sweating –  and I pause, have a good look at what´s going on, at what I´m seeing, and there´s this new scope.

Roque Nublo translated as Rock in the Clouds (or Rock Clouded); is a shape the Spanish nickname ´rana´ meaning ´frog.´ It was another blue skied afternoon in May that we drove to the centre of Gran Canaria, Tejeda, to find the route up to the rocky frog.

What You´re Dealing With . . .

You´re only dealing with a 30 minute walk with a few jarred stones to climb and then you emerge on top, viewing several things.

First you witness texture: pine instead of palm trees. Then there’s colour: rough greenery instead of blonde sand. And then there’s depth: you will be standing 1,803 metres high searching for the rock, which will be hidden in wispy clouds.

Walking into the cloud and around the rock will lead you to several different angles of light and curves of this little island. Soon the clouds shift so you can get a decent snapshot of this volcanic, reminisce.

In May the tourists aren’t too bad, but visit in the evening when no one is around and the clouds sit among one another, waiting for the sun to dissolve into the West and all that is left are shadows.