How to start hiking

Suiting up
Even if you look fabulous in your bum-hugging designer jeans and cute cotton T-shirts, they don't belong on the hiking trails. When you're suiting up for your adventure, focus on keeping things light and layered. "You want to be able to dress down as it gets warmer and dress up as it gets colder," says Southam. "If it gets windy, you want to have a light shell that can double as a rain jacket." It's also essential in all seasons to have a cap or hat; it's especially important through the summer months to keep the sun off you, and in colder weather to keep you warm. Be prepared for possible changes in weather.

Because cotton can take forever to dry, synthetic fabrics are now the essence of hiker chic. Much like those synthetic hiking socks, polypropylene and polyester garments draw moisture away from your skin. Polyester fleece will dry quickly and keep you warm. And the trendy soft-shell garments are light, sturdy and water-resistant.

"When I started hiking back in the 1980s, I still preferred natural fibres," says Michael Haynes, one of Canada's leading hiking experts and the author of Hiking Trails of Nova Scotia and other books. "There's no question now that the synthetic fibres are far superior. They're light, they're durable, and they don't retain water."

When choosing your hiking duds, Haynes recommends starting next to the skin and working your way out. Silk-like synthetic underwear, he says, prevents chafing on those hot, humid days, and you can't beat the convenience of pants with zip-off legs.

Have backpack, will travel
Your backpack and its contents can be your best friend, even a lifesaver, on the hiking trail. "You need to be prepared for all sorts of weather or accidents," says Garnick, who has been hiking in the Alberta Rockies since she was a child, and says that she always carries way more supplies than she needs, especially when she's going to be travelling 10 or 15 kilometres from the trailhead.

When you are trying to decide which backpack to buy, think about how ambitious a hiker you want to be. Stores that sell outdoor hiking gear stock everything from small daypacks with shoulder straps to large expedition packs. "If you're going on a day hike, a simple daypack with a waist strap to stabilize the load will suffice," says Southam. If you're doing extended trips where you’ll be carrying a fair amount of weight, you might want to have a pack that has a suspension system in it. "A suspension system can save your back and shoulders by making your hips do most of the heavy lifting," he adds.

These types of backpacks have a sheet of stiff, lightweight material sewn into the back panel. Both the hip belt and the shoulder straps are attached to the sheet. "So when the waist belt is cinched up," explains Southam, "the pack's weight is lifted up off the shoulders."

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