Spring hiking: When you breathe deeply, your clothes should, too

Breathability is often associated with hiking and sportswear, and there is a good reason for it. Airtight clothing can make even an easy hike in nice weather a rather unpleasant experience. It does not allow the body to cool down effectively by evaporating sweat; moreover, the soaked clothes cool down too much.

Thus, you can bring on an unnecessary cold and irritated skin, and you won't even smell very pleasant.Nortfhinder offers some tips on putting together a comfortable hiking outfit that won't make you feel like you're in a personal sauna during the spring and summer, even during a more demanding ascent.

The bottom layer is the key

Even if you invest in the best, most breathable jacket, it will only work well if you wear suitable materials underneath. To enjoy the benefits of quality hiking clothing, you must start with the bottom layer. Synthetic materials are popular with manufacturers and customers because they offer an excellent price-performance ratio. They quickly wick away excess moisture and are comfortable and long-lasting. The breathability of these materials depends mainly on the material's thickness and the knit's tightness.

For the t-shirt to breathe well, even during a demanding hike, choose a snug-fitting cut, but not too tight. A loose t-shirt won't be able to absorb as much moisture, while a tight shirt will restrict movement. For more demanding hikes, you can choose a thinner material, even with short sleeves, and throw on another layer in colder spring weather.

Dilema: Fleece nebo softshell?

Once you have a suitable T-shirt, choose a middle layer to complement it. Fleece mainly insulates and breathes well, while softshell aims for protection against wind and rain. For a windy ridge, fleece should always be combined with a waterproof and windproof layer, such as the Northfinder Dracia jacket.

A thin fleece sweatshirt is sufficient for hiking in spring and summer. If you need something more versatile to wear from spring to fall or are more sensitive to the cold, look for a medium-thick material.

However, thicker fabrics may not be suitable for more dynamic hikers as the body warms up quickly. Fleece doesn't require ventilation holes or zippers as it handles moisture well.

Softshells are more waterproof and windproof than fleece but less breathable. For dynamic hikers, ventilation options are essential. Large openings in the armpit area are sufficient for most situations, allowing excess moisture to escape.

Even in the rain, you can ventilate and not get wet

Hardshell materials are an excellent companion in lousy weather. They protect well from rain and gradually release moisture to the outside. In high humidity and brisk weather, the material itself will not be able to let everything through, so large ventilation holes will be crucial for your comfort. On a hot day, you like to unbutton whatever you can. Although you will probably still sweat a lot, a gadget that you will appreciate, especially during more intense ascents in bad weather, is the possibility to fasten the unzipped jacket with a stud under the neck or the armpits. You should have the Northfinder Draci jacket or the women's version of Dracia for such situations.

Against the elements, not against physics

Outdoor clothing is designed to help us face the snares of nature as best as possible. However, even the most expensive and top-of-the-line models cannot deny the laws of physics. For the breathable material to "breathe," the humidity under the clothing must be higher than the humidity outside. Air saturated with moisture can not absorb more of it.

To maintain breathability, softshell (and hardshell) materials must be well cared for to keep their water resistance. If particles of water from outside soak into the material, body moisture will not escape.