15 Lululemon Hiking Clothing Picks

Don’t ask me to curate an exhibit at an art museum or compile a 12-course tasting menu. But if you’re looking for a foolproof list of high-quality hiking clothes, I’m happy to help. A Montana native, I’ve been hitting the trails since I was a toddler. In my 10-year career as a travel writer, I’ve trekked all over the world, from the Alps to the Andes.

Of course, before I became a travel writer, I worked at Lululemon. While I no longer enjoy the generous employee discount, I still get most of my hiking gear there. Unlike pieces I pick up at traditional outdoor stores, Lululemon’s styles are more versatile and can seamlessly go from trail to town to 12-hour travel day. Whether you’re a casual hiker who likes to be back in time for lunch or you’re a thru-hiker conquering the Appalachian Trail, below are 15 Lululemon hiking essentials that will keep you comfortable, mile after mile. 

Best Lululemon Hiking Clothes

Packable Lightweight Hiking Pant

My favorite party trick is to wear something that packs down into a pocket, like these ultra-light hiking pants. They feature hand pockets and zippered leg pockets and are roomy enough to fit a layer under if needed. Meanwhile, the built-in belt means I have one less thing to pack, and the sturdy waistband loops are strong enough to attach carabiners to. My wallet also appreciates that the fabric is abrasion-resistant (and water-repellent), so I won’t have to replace the pants every season.

Wunder Train High-rise 28-inch Tight

Meet the Taylor Swift-approved tight you’ll never have to hike up while hiking. The Wunder Train High-rise Tight, available in four different lengths and over a dozen colors, boasts nearly 3,000 five-star ratings. “Super soft and flexible,” reads one review left by a shopper who sported them on a five-hour hike and never had them slide down thanks to the waistband drawcord. If you have the budget, splurge for the Wunder Train High-Rise Tight with pockets. The two drop-in pockets are large enough to fit a phone and passport, so I often wear them on long travel days. 

Swiftly Wool Long-sleeve Shirt

My only complaint about the Swiftly Wool Long-sleeve Shirt is that I wish it were available in more colors. This high-tech top is made from a fabric blend that combines the odor-resistance and quick-drying properties of merino wool with the wrinkle-resistant and thermoregulation properties of lyocell. And despite its long sleeves, complete with thumbholes, it’s also a great top for hiking in warm temps thanks to its ultra-breathable open-knit construction.

Swiftly Tech Short-sleeve Shirt 2.0

This best-selling top with more than 5,100 five-star ratings doesn’t get its name from Swift. But I like to think she’s also a fan. What the Swiftly Tech Short-sleeve 2.0 Shirt lacks in seams that cause chafing, it more than makes up for with its moisture-wicking properties that will keep you dry (making it ideal for hiking in a humid climate). The fabric also features Lululemon’s signature Silverescent technology, which prevents the growth of stinky bacteria. “Wore this for hiking in the jungle, and I was able to rewear it multiple times before it smelled,” reads one five-star review.

Hotty Hot High-rise Lined 4-inch Short

If I’m going to cheat on my Speed Up shorts, it’s always with the aptly-named Hotty Hot High-rise Lined Short, which keeps me cool as the temps climb. These shorts boast strategically placed mesh vents that allow just the right amount of airflow, and they dry so fast that if I have to wade through a creek, I know I won’t be wet for the drive home. “I have six pairs of these shorts!” wrote one shopper who says they are “also great for vacations” because they’re so easy to handwash. The shorts are available in two lengths, feature stash pockets for small essentials, and have nearly 3,500 five-star ratings.

Wildfeel Trail-running Shoe

I usually hike in my beloved Merrell Moab 2 boots, but if I wanted something lighter or speed was my goal, I’d reach for a trail-running shoe like the Wildfeel. From the reinforced toe to the multi-directional lugs for traction, the dual-density midsole for shock absorption, and the “sock-like” upper that keeps dirt and brush at bay, no feature is an afterthought. “Hiked 29k and 1,000M right out of the box” is the title of one five-star review left by a shopper who found they had no break-in period.

Wunder Train Strappy Racer Bra

I can’t underscore enough the importance of having a good bra for hiking. Sure, it’s not a high-impact sport, but often you’re wearing it for a lot longer than you would a normal workout. The Wunder Train Strappy Racer Bra is available for most cup sizes and is ideal for hiking because it’s made from Lululemon’s fastest-drying fabric. It’s also so soft and cool to the touch, I could wear it with a sunburn. 

Packable Trail-running Jacket

From the trailhead to the top of the mountain, you’ll get plenty of use out of this lightweight layer made of 100-percent recyclable nylon. The water-repellant Packable Trail-running Jacket has zippered hand pockets and is flattering yet roomy enough that you can wear a light layer underneath. Unlike my other pieces that compress down into one of their pockets, this jacket packs down into a separate pouch that’s easy to attach to the jacket while you’re wearing it, and can be worn around your arm when you’re not.

Swiftly Pointelle Racerback Tank Top

Equal parts fashionable and functional, the Swiftly Pointelle Racerback Tank Top was my favorite purchase this summer, where I took it hiking everywhere from Kenya’s Serengeti to Poland’s Tatra Mountains. And because it’s pointelle, I think it’s dressy enough to wear under a cardigan for a lunch date. The flatlock seams ensure a streamlined look and chafe-free feel, while the X-static technology means you don’t need to worry about being a breeding ground for odor-causing bacteria.

2-liter Water Bottle Crossbody With Front Pocket

Whether I’m hiking for 40 minutes or four hours, “no water bottle left behind” is my motto. If you don’t want to wear a backpack, consider the Water Bottle Crossbody. It keeps your hands free, your body hydrated, and your small valuables secure. “I can fit my phone, car keys, and a sunscreen stick with room to spare,” wrote one shopper who wore it on a challenging hike and found that it didn’t bounce around. The shoulder strap is adjustable, the opening is cinchable, and the pouch itself is made of a water-repellent blend of 100-percent recycled polyester and 100-percent recycled nylon.

Energy Longline Bra

If you need more support or your hike involves trail running, consider the Energy Longline Bra. Made of an elastane (think four-way stretch) and Lenzing Modal (think sustainable softness) blend, it’s more breathable than cotton and doesn’t easily pill like rayon or polyester. The cups are removable, and the straps in the back cross each other to free the shoulder blades and offer “varied widths for dimension.”

Men’s UV-protective Hiking Pant

You don’t have to be as fair-skinned as my fiancé to appreciate the UV-protective Hiking Pant. Sure, these pants block 97.5 percent of harmful UVA and UVB rays, but they’re also packed with other hiking-friendly features, including plenty of zippered pockets and a drawcord waistband that can be worn inside or out. Best of all, they’re made of a water-resistant and windproof fabric designed to withstand the elements.

Men’s License to Train Jogger

For hikers who prefer the tapered leg look, Lululemon offers the Licence to Train Jogger, available in three lengths. It’s also made of an abrasion-resistant fabric that repels water, whether it’s from a sprinkle or a spill. Both the hand pockets and the back pocket close securely with zippers. “Stupidly versatile,” wrote one shopper, while another five-star review reads, “Hiked a mountain in these for 11 hours…Best pants I own in Lulu land so far.” 

Men’s License to Train Long-sleeve Shirt

Featuring anti-stink Silverescent technology, the License to Train Long-sleeve Shirt is also his license to head out for a hike on his lunch break (or layover) and know he won’t come back smelling like it. It’s not cheap, but it is an overachiever in every sense of the word. It has just the right amount of Lycra—think stretchy but not lose-it-shape stretchy—and the gussets in the armpits allow for a wider range of motion. It also has a sleek look that you won’t find at a lower price. “This long sleeve is super soft, comfy, and extremely versatile,” wrote one shopper who says they can even wear it on date night because “the possibilities are endless.”

Men’s License to Train Linerless 7-inch Short

I’m still working on getting my guy to like lined shorts (it means less laundry for me). But in the meantime, I know he won’t complain while hiking in the License to Train Linerless Short. It comes in two lengths and has plenty of pockets. Plus, it’s made of an abrasion-resistant blend of recycled nylon and elastane. I make my fiancé bushwhack ahead of me, so he takes the brunt of the branches. “Withstood a Thru-Hike in the desert for 1,000km” is the title of one five-star review left by a satisfied shopper who found these shorts to be both durable and breathable.

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