Hiking

Image by pete/scavenger via Flickr

Getting All “Shirty” About Hiking

Hiking shirts really can make you more comfortable on your hike, whether you’re one of those hikers who take what can only be described as a stroll along a hiking trail on a sunny Sunday afternoon to walk off lunch, or one of those ultralight hiking types who thinks nothing of disappearing into the back country for a few days with nothing more than a hiking knife, a compass and an ultralight backpack carrying a few ultralight hiking gadgets.

Button Front Hiking shirts are the traditional hiking attire really aren’t they, I mean, I know that lots of people choose to hike in t-shirts these days, but personally I think that a button front hiking shirt really tells you something about the hiker . . . smart yet casual and functional . . . classy! Let’s look at some of the features you will find in a modern day button front shirt designed for hiking and other outdoor adventures;

• Extra soft fabric, wrinkle resistant (in case you need to carry it in your backpack for a couple of days, backpacks are not good at keeping your hiking clothes neat).
• Moisture wicking fabric to make your hiking shirt quick drying, just in case you get caught in a downpour (it does happen when you’re hiking you know . . . . very often indeed).
• Protection from the harmful rays of the sun . . . ‘cos when the rain stops and the sun comes out you need all the protection you can get, whilst your quick drying hiking shirt is drying off.
• Side vents which offer a little discreet ventilation in discreet places . . . . generally to keep the air circulating around your back and your chest.
• Built in breathability . . . hiking is a hot business and you need a hiking shirt made from good breathable fabric which will disperse the moisture.
• Breast pockets with closures . . . and even a discreet zip pocket or two for easy access storage of your important bits and pieces whilst you’re hiking.
• Long sleeves which can be rolled up to short sleeves. I mean, short sleeved button front hiking shirts are okay, but if you get chilly you’re a bit stumped aren’t you . . . but if you buy a long sleeved button front shirt with those little tabs for rolling up your sleeves . . . bingo!
• Well positioned collar so that you can protect the back of your neck from the sun if necessary.

What color would you call that? I think you could only describe it as mustard don’t you? Anyway, it looks like a pretty good shirt for hiking, and it is available in other colors, but why didn’t they show them to us?

That’s better, I definitely prefer the dark blue!