The sunny spring temps had us itching for a hike this weekend, but if you’ve lived in WNC for any length of time, you know the weather can be unpredictable- especially when you head up in the mountains. This can make deciding what to wear on a spring hike quite a conundrum. To demystify the art of clothing selection, we’ve picked a few of our favorite pieces for shoulder season hiking from our fresh springtime shipment from Mountain Hardwear that just landed at DBO.
Plasmic Ion Jacket (Men’s & Women’s)
Rainy days are some of our favorite times to hike. The trails are empty and peaceful and let’s be honest, you feel pretty hardcore hiking in conditions that would keep lesser outdoors-people inside. But to enjoy the experience, it helps to be prepared. A good rain shell is lightweight and easy to throw in your pack. It also makes a great layer when high elevations are chillier than anticipated (bonus: most rain shells are also windproof). The Plasmic Ion Jacket is a great no-frills rain jacket that proves that you don’t have to spend bank for a rain jacket that will be both durable and breathable.
Dynama Pant (Women’s)
Yoga pants are fantastic. They’re stretchy, comfy, and the soft waistband means no chafing when worn under a pack. Wearing them for hiking is pretty darn tempting, but then there are the cons: that material is not made to hold up to brambles and briars and the lack of pockets is rather inconvenient. Thankfully, Mountain Hardwear has come up with the perfect solution: The Dynama Pant. The Dynama is a long pant with draw cords that allow you to shorten the length for puddle jumping or ventilation. Our favorite features? It has a soft yoga pant style waistband for a chafe free adventure and the stretchy technical fabric can hold to rock scrambling and bushwhacking. We also have it in a skirt, a short, and a capri, to keep you comfy all season long.
Canyon Long Sleeve Shirt (Men’s & Women’s)
Sometimes on a chilly day, having just a little bit of coverage makes all the difference. That’s why a lightweight long sleeve is one of our favorite pieces for shoulder season hiking. The Canyon Long Sleeve Shirt has some bonus features that make it one of our favorites. It features back vents to keep you cool, is UPF rated for sun protection, and has tabs to allow you to roll up your sleeves. It also comes in such great colors this season that it will quickly become an everyday favorite.
Pyxis Stretch Vest (Women’s)
For those days when you need just a little something extra a vest is an ideal option. We adore the Pyxis Vest for its lightweight and vibrant colors. It also features a two fabric construction. The lush fleece front feels luxuriant and it’s high-loft gives warmth, while the stretch side panels add breathability and ease of movement and make it easy to layer without being too bulky.
Swing by the store to check out these fantastic finds and plenty more arriving daily. Happy hiking!
