Your Fall Hiking Gear Kit

We live for Fall hikes. The cool, crisp air… the colors... the feeling of peaceful solitude. In our opinion, there’s no better season to get outdoors and experience nature’s magic. Our gear kit for a Fall hike shifts a bit to incorporate layers of warmth and protection in anticipation of sometimes unpredictable weather. Here are some of our most noticeable adjustments:

1.     Footwear: Waterproof footwear is definitely the way to go this season. We recommend, especially for longer or more remote hikes, that you upgrade your footwear to mid-height in case you come across mucky conditions. Several brands use the proprietary technology of GORE-TEX in their footwear, but some such as Oboz have crafted their own waterproof technology. In any case, ‘waterproof’ no longer means you necessarily have to compromise on breathability, so gear up to stay protected!

2.     Layering: If you’ve been in the Milwaukee area this week, you know that weather conditions can change pretty rapidly. This is even more true if your adventures take you to the mountains. Be sure to pack appropriate layers such as a merino wool base layer, thermal long sleeve, lightweight insulation, and a shell that will protect you from wind and rain. More on layering here.

3.     Extra warmth, just in case! Think warm, wooly hats, wool socks, and lightweight gloves or mitts (Warm Skin all-weather guard/balm from our Minnesotan friends at Aurora Naturally is a great addition, too!). 

4.     Trekking poles: This is perhaps the most underrated piece of hiking gear. They’re lightweight and often somewhat collapsible, but offer supreme support to reduce shock on your ankles, knees, hips, etc. The benefit of trekking poles is most noticeable on downhill sections. Seriously, trust on this one. 

5.     Daypack: Fall requires more gear than a Summer hike would, so you’ll likely want to consider increasing the capacity of your pack to about a 25L. The Mystery Ranch Coulee line or Gallagator are some of our favorites in this range. 

As with everything we carry, the Yellow Wood staff pro-tests all of the brands we sell, so you can rest (or hike!) assured that the gear and clothing you see in our shop is tried and tested. We love talking about our stuff, so stop on in Monday through Saturday between 10am-6pm for expert advice and to fire off any questions you have about Fall hiking!