5. Wear the Right Clothing
What you wear can make or break your hike. After checking the weather, make sure you have whatever the day calls for, such as sunscreen, a hat, bug spray, a raincoat and sunglasses. Dressing in layers is also a good idea because you tend to heat up when you’re hiking uphill and cool off when you’re going down or taking a break. Make sure you’ve got the right hiking boots as well. Jim suggests wearing about a half size bigger so your toes don’t jam up on your shoe when you’re going downhill. Not sure which boots are right for you? Check out what other active Road Scholar hikers are suggesting here.
6. Prepare
Preparation is essential for any adventure, big or small. After you’re cleared by your doctor and you’ve decided on a trail you’d like to hike, make sure you ease up to the hike first. If you haven’t walked a lot lately, start going for strolls, making each one a little longer every day leading up to the hike. Stretch before you embark on your journey, and start on smaller trails, eventually working your way up to something longer. You can also prepare for your hike by building fitness in other ways, such as doing yoga, stretching, or taking senior fitness classes at a local gym.
Preparation also goes far beyond building physical fitness. It’s also important to prepare for the hike itself, such as packing food and water, assessing the weather, wearing the right gear, and more, which we’ll explore in the hiking tips for seniorsbelow.
7. Clothing
What you wear can make or break your hike. After checking the weather, make sure you have whatever the day calls for, such as sunscreen, a hat, bug spray, a raincoat, and sunglasses. Dressing in layers is also a good idea because you tend to heat up when you’re hiking uphill and cool off when you’re going down or taking a break. Make sure you’ve got the right hiking boots as well. Jim suggests wearing about a half size bigger so your toes don’t jam up on your shoe when you’re going downhill. Not sure which boots are right for you? Check out what other active Road Scholar hikers are suggesting here.
Below are some clothing suggestions for the different seasons:
- Winter: Due to cold temperatures, make sure to wear layers of warm, waterproof clothing, such as thermal undergarments, a parka, gloves, a hat, snow pants, hiking boots, and wool socks.
- Spring: As temperatures begin to rise, you can shed a few layers, such as a heavy parka. However, continue to wear several layers, as your body can cool down on the hike back, as well as waterproof garments in case of any spring showers.
- Summer: With warmer temperatures, it’s important to wear moisture-wicking clothes that are breathable and keep you cool. Make sure to pack sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a backpack that can carry plenty of water.
Fall: Fall is similar to spring, as temperatures are cooler, which means you should wear a few layers you can take on or off during your hike to remain comfortable.