While Mediterranean island getaways will never go out of style, this summer’s most fashionable travellers are choosing the Dolomites over Dalaman and Zermatt instead of Zakynthos.
Even before the Princess of Wales completed the Three Peaks challenge last month, hiking searches were soaring. Google has seen interest in “hiking holidays” rise 63 per cent compared with five years ago, while searches are up another 23 per cent from January 2025.
Hiking’s popularity has seen a significant spike, but how best to align fashionability with practicality? The niche sub-style of gorpcore has been in the fashion consciousness since 2017. Its signatures – outdoor brands worn in urban settings – provide useful inspiration, but I began my search on Pinterest. The visual platform noted requests for “hiking outfit women” up 92 per cent in early July, compared with the start of 2026.
Purists may argue that style should be the lowest priority when choosing trekking gear, but if you care about what you wear, why shouldn’t you experience an extra dopamine hit from picking an outfit you’re excited to hike in?
The Pinterest-inspired look
Fleece, £120, The North Face; Shorts, £19.99, H&M Move; Sandals, £65, Columbia; Water bottle, £15, Ayacucho at Cotswold Outdoor
I started my outfit planning by considering sportswear staples. Cycling shorts and quick-drying vests are ideal multitaskers, but don’t discount leggings. Specific sports styles are approved by Three Peaks Challenge’s website and would be comfortable for dry days.
Although trekking sandals would happily take on the Norfolk Coast Path, they would pass muster on Ben Nevis. Hiking is categorised as low-impact exercise, but the repeated bounce through your feet, particularly on descents, means a sports bra is essential. Whether you’re scrambling up Scafell Pike or navigating city streets, layers are always useful. A fleece jacket is light enough to carry but keeps you cosy when it’s cool.
The weatherproof choice
Jacket, £150, The North Face; Trousers, £70, Columbia; Boots, £90, Columbia; Socks, £14.50, Mardy Bum Active Club; Cap, £35, Second Stories
While our shoot in the East Anglian uplands didn’t compare with conditions on Snowdon’s summit, I prepared a warmer outfit for winter. With any waterproof and windproof pieces, ensure all seams are taped to keep rain out. My trousers had elasticated ankles to nod, vaguely, at this summer’s balloon-trouser trend. With my trousers tucked into a pair of socks with padded soles and topped with a baseball cap, I felt fashionable and ready for anything. Except the searing heat on the day of our shoot. Save this look for cold days.
However practical your outfit, you can still have fun with accessories. My cap reads “Will travel for disco”, while my socks proclaim “gym and tonic”. As with any hobby, buying expensive gear at the start is not wise, although some additions can make hiking more comfortable. A water bottle that hooks onto a carabiner is useful so you don’t have to keep stopping and searching your backpack for a drink, although a hydration vest makes the process even smoother. A folding mat allows you to sit comfortably during snack breaks. Take SPF and a hat that covers your ears if it’s cold. Walking poles are helpful to navigate tricky terrain.
The colourful statement
Shirt, £27.99, H&M Move; Gilet, £59.99, Mountain Warehouse; Trousers, £88, Free People; Boots, £90, Columbia; Socks, £14.50, Mardy Bum Active Club; Bag, £47, The North Face
Boots are non-negotiable. Uncomfortable boots can ruin a hike, and trainers are unsuitable for anything longer than a stroll. Consider where you’re walking. For lowland treks or well-maintained paths, lightweight synthetics are fine, but if you’re hiking on high, rough ground (or are carrying a heavy backpack), sturdy boots with ankle support and cleated soles are necessary. Cotswold Outdoor offers a boot-fitting service to help you choose. For Kirsty Glenne, the chief executive of Antler House of Brands: “A well-designed backpack is the one piece of kit I’d never compromise on. It needs to distribute weight well, be lightweight and have enough organisation for everything you need throughout the day.”
The old-school outfit
Shirt, £80, Schoffel; Shorts, £40, Palome; Bełt, Alex’s own; Boots, £230, and socks, £19, both Lanx; Trekking poles, £50 a pair, Ayacucho at Cotswold Outdoor
As I prepared my outfits, I mused on what hiking kit would look like if Gore-tex hadn’t been invented… Alfred Wainwright walked the fells in Harris tweed blazers and leather shoes. While I appreciate the safety elements of Vibram soles, the easy paths I picked hardly required crampons. In the spirit of forgoing synthetics, I opted for the traditional look of leather hiking boots and a striped linen shirt and long-line linen shorts. I felt elegant, albeit slightly Akela-adjacent.
The fashionable version
Gilet and skort set, £158, Free People; Socks, £14.50, Mardy Bum Active Club; Boots, £69.99, Mountain Warehouse; Hydration vest, £39.99, Mountain Warehouse
The solution for any dressing dilemma is to remove decisions. Don’t worry about what top matches which trousers… instead, a co-ord allows you to concentrate on more important trekking tasks, such as deciding which snacks to pack. If you’re choosing an accessory, remember it doesn’t have to be khaki. Cobalt is the colour of the season and made my hydration vest wildly on-trend. Likewise, a simple trouser and gilet look is elevated in fun coral and watermelon shades.
Practical and fashionable, it’s a bold reminder that hiking kit can be as stylish as you wish it to be.