Spring Hiking: Tips for Gearing and Dressing Up

Rain, sun, wind, mild spells, snow, hail… all in the same week, or even the same day! Dressing Up Spring is capricious, but you must know how to adapt to it to appreciate it while hiking. This requires good equipment and good baby girl dresses, both efficient and versatile. Fanny Bellerive, hiking specialist at SAIL, suggests good habits to adopt to play outside with pleasure in the spring.

1. Always keep an eye on the weather

The first buds are the official signal that it’s time to swap skis for walking boots. After having checked the opening and the conditions of the trails, it is very important to analyze the weather before embarking on a hike. Always keep in mind also that the weather is very changeable this season and you must stay warm in all circumstances.

1. Choose appropriate clothing for spring hiking

It’s not winter anymore, but not quite summer yet… In spring, it’s not always easy to know how to dress so here are four elements to consider in your reflection in front of the guard. coat: outside temperature, breathability, waterproofing and wind protection.

To stay warm throughout a day of hiking in the spring, without sweating at the first ray of sunshine, it is important to dress according to the multilayer system reminds Fanny Bellerive. Prefer a base layer adapted to your degree of chilliness, in merino wool or synthetic fiber. Then add synthetic insulation for medium to high-intensity activities (such as hiking with elevation gain, for example). Instead, opt for down insulation for less strenuous activities (walking on flat ground) or in cold weather. Be careful though: if it gets wet, the down loses some of its thermal properties.

Finally, the last layer must protect you from the capricious weather of spring. Opt for a soft-shell type of coat and pants (soft shell) against the wind and the cold or completely waterproof when the conditions are very rainy. Those who prefer to hike in leggings can opt for gaiters to protect their calves from the cold and water.

Note that you must at all costs avoid denim pants and cotton pumpkin pajamas, two materials that become cold and heavy when in contact with the rain.

1. Opt for good shoes

The importance of hiking boots and shoes is every so often miscalculated. However, there is nothing worse than walking with cold, wet feet. Therefore, it is recommended to check the tightness of your shoes at the start of the season. There are protective care sprays that allow them to be waterproofed regularly. In addition, certain materials such as Gore-Tex are preferred to guarantee good breathability. Finally, do not hesitate to bring a spare pair of socks, in merino wool for example, to ensure that your feet are always warm and dry.

1. Consider these five important accessories

Once well dressed and well-shod, all you need are a few essential accessories to go on a spring hike. Very early in the season or as soon as you increase elevation, you might still face ice and snow on the trails. For that, nothing better than carrying a pair of crampons in your backpack to deal with all conditions. Poles could also help you navigate a trail that is soggy or strewn with puddles and mud. For this, it is also a good idea to bring a pair of gaiters, to put on around the calves to guarantee warmth and impermeability at the bottom of your legs.

1. Protect yourself well from ticks

Did you know that ticks are more voracious in spring and fall? These little parasites are active as soon as the temperature exceeds 4 degrees Celsius, and they particularly need heat and humidity to live and reproduce. It is therefore essential to adopt a few good practices to limit the risk of Lyme disease bites and contamination.

Wear long, light-colored clothing (to quickly spot ticks).

Tuck your pants into your socks to prevent them from reaching the skin.

Avoid walking in brush.

Thoroughly inspect your body after an outing (especially the hollows of the knees and elbows, the ankles, the nape, and the hair).

Use repellent sprays for skin and clothing, if needed.