It’s Spring, Gang! And the milder temps, longer days, and potential to spot a wildflower or two have me longing for a hike. But with that longing comes some Googling. Aaaand here I go, down my annual “cute hiking outfits” rabbit hole. Join me?
The best hiking outfits, according to moi, have some sort of trail-to-town vibe. They’re practical enough for muddy paths and unexpected wind, but cute enough for a post-hike coffee shop or brewery stop (I’m big on snacks-as-a-reward). And they should have cute layers that are all able to stand on their own (in terms of both style and practicality).
FP vest (runs big, size down) | leggings | top (m) | leash (lilac)
And while I almost always end up browsing and swooning over Free People’s hiking section (and picking up the odd piece here and there), for the most part, I’d classify FP’s hiking outfits as…aspirational. They’re fun, for sure, but – inexplicably – include complicated accessories like rope (hahaha), multiple carabiners, or out-of-season wool beanies. These are outfits I’d rather look at than actually walk around in (much less hike up an actual mountain).
Never change, Free People
Anyway, it was during one of my usual ‘what to wear hiking cute outfits spring 2025’ searches that I stumbled across something at Dick’s Sporting Goods. Now the cool thing about Dick’s (besides having a woman CEO and voluntarily pulling automatic rifles off their shelves), is that Dick’s…seems to be…..employing actual stylists???
Dick’s Sporting Goods: An Unexpected Source Of Really Cute Hiking Outfit Inspiration
I suspect Dick’s has actual stylists working for them because many of Dick’s product pages have a little “Complete The Set” section that is – not always, but much more often than I expected – FIRE.
photo credit: Dick’s Sporting Goods, found on this product page
Even better, you can mess around with these collages. Once you click “Shop This Set”, you’ll see all of the pieces, as well as an arrow to “See More Options”. Which means you can click through and choose a similar (but different) piece!
photo credit: Dick’s Sporting Goods, found on this product page
Fun, right? The best part is that these outfits are all made from seriously useful, practical pieces. And they’re a blend of brands, which means the resulting look is more unique than if you dress in head-to-toe Free People (or Halfdays, which is what I tend to do). All in all, after a couple of hours of messing around, I had found 40+ hiking outfits that I would actually want to wear.
Uhhh….I feel like I should point out that this article is NOT sponsored. We always disclose sponsored posts, but in case you were wondering: this gushing is alllllll me.
17 Seriously Cute Hiking Outfits (Featuring On Sneakers, Merrell, Soloman, Danner, and More)
I went through my 40+ hiking outfits, and narrowed them down to just my absolute favorites. It’s a mix of really technical brands (The North Face, Soloman, Marmot) with some of the more fashion-y pieces (like Free People) and a solid amount of Halfdays (because they’re my favorite).
1. Pretty Pink Merrell Hiking Boots + All Black
My hiking outfits are all black, like, at least 80% of the time. I love the idea of pulling in something pretty & girly to offset.
jacket | top | pants | shoes (also at Backcountry) | water bottle
2. Lavender On Cloud Hiking Boots + All Black
Same idea as above, but with a full hiking boot. I’m dreaming of other ways to style up this boot – so unexpected and fun.
jacket | pants (also at FP) | shoes | hat (also at FP) | water bottle
3. Comfy Neutrals + Danner Hiking Boots
I love the neutral mix with a few fun details – the back of that graphic tee is really fun, and the trim on that fleece is soooo good.
jacket | tee | pants | boots | socks
Those Danner boots are fully waterproof (and are really close to the exact pair I have). Love my Danners – here’s a full review, if interested.
4. White Merrell Hiking Boots + Halfdays
I’ve been wearing these white snowboots all season, and have been surprised to find how unexpectedly cool they look with everything. Much easier to style than I expected. And this pair of Merrells are waterproof, which means they’ll be easy to clean, too.
crewneck | leggings | boots (also at Merrell) | hat | cup
Ok, so this look is almost head-to-toe Halfdays, but I love it. Here’s how it looks on a person:
5. Sexy Skort + On Cloud Hiking Boots
If your Spring is warmer than mine, this leggy skort is so freaking cute. I’m bookmarking this one for summer hikes.
top (also at FP) | skort | shoes (also at Zappos) | bag | sunglasses
These boots, BTW, are also waterproof and easy to clean. They’re more of a soft gray than bright white, too.
6. Green Hiking Pants + White & Bright
There’s nothing more practical than army green hiking pants, but I’ve always found them tough to style. I love the idea of pairing them with mostly white, then adding a bright pop of color.
tee | vest | pants | shoes (more colors at REI) | bag
That North Face backpack, BTW, is a really cute laptop backpack. A stretch for hiking, maybe? Sure. But fantastic for travel, and good enough if you want to hike on your trip.
7. Hoka’s Blue Hiking Boots + Slouchy Carhartt Sweatshirt
I love Hoka’s color selection, and have been eying up their hiking boots. I love how they’ve managed to find colors that are fun, but almost read neutral. Pair with actual neutrals like army green & black.
crewneck | pants | shoes (also at REI) | bag | sunglasses
Those hiking boots, BTW, are fully waterproof and have the American Podiatric Medical Association’s Seal of Acceptance. Cool cool cool.
8. Campy Nerd Shirt + Bootleg Pants
This is such an unexpectedly fun twist on a hiking outfit. I love the happy camper vibes of that cropped button-up.
jacket | top | pants | boots (also at Zappos) | hat
That jacket, BTW, is only available in plus sizes, the pants go up to XXL and are available in 3 lengths: short, regular and long. The boots are waterproof.
9. Leggings, Obviously, But With A Cool Jacket
I’m getting decidedly trail-running vibes with this one. And since I’ve been running a ton…I’m really intrigued by this whole idea.
jacket | tee | leggings | shoes (also at Backcountry) | hat
Yup – just confirmed: those shoes are waterproof trail running sneakers. Hmmmm. Also, that jacket is navy but comes in black if you don’t love navy + black as much as I do.
10. The Coolest Trail Jacket Ever + Cool Merrell Hiking Boots
Is this one my favorite? Yes. Is it almost head-to-toe Halfdays? Also yes.
jacket | tee | pants | shoes (also at Backcountry) | bag
Boots are waterproof, and that freaking jacket comes in four colors. I’m annoyed that it doesn’t come in plus sizes (Halfdays usually carries plus sizes), but I’m hopeful they’re working on it.
ps. The pants are available up to 2XL on Halfdays.com.
11. Hike In A Jumpsuit!
Why not?
jumpsuit | tee | shoes (other colors at Backcountry) | socks | water bottle
This jumpsuit is super soft and goes up to 2XL, and the shoes are waterproof hiking sneaks.
12. Tight Tee + Baggy Hiking Pants
The tiny top + big pants combo is how I’ve been wearing denim lately, so while not while hiking? And the cropped windbreaker is a cute silhouette that will work nicely with the baggier pants.
jacket | tee | pants (also at FP) | shoes | hat
I love a good North Face jacket and the colors on this one strike me as sophisticated.
13. Cute Sweats & Sneakers
This one is more for a ‘light hiking’ situation, but I like it.
crewneck | pants | shoes (also at Zappos) | hat | bag
Not gonna lie, the borderline-insane bottoms of those New Balance “FuelCell SuperComp Elite” Sneakers have me verrrry intrigued. My feet want them.
15. Casual Pieces In Pretty Colors
I mean…if this is all I want to wear, maybe I brand out from my usual black and try something like this?
crewneck | pants (also at FP) | shoes (also at Backcountry) | sunglasses | water bottle
The hiking shoes are waterproof and it *looks* like the laces miiight match the sweatshirt?? SWOON.
15. Cool-Toned Neutrals For The Win
So many hiking boots (including my own) are so warm-toned that switching the whole outfit over to cool grays, taupes, lavenders and blues seems like such an intentionally stylish choice.
jacket (also at FP) | top (also at Nordstrom) | pants | shoes (other colors at Backcountry) | socks
I like that these pants are not quite leggings, but not quite big sweats, either.
16. Try Free People’s Runsie Jumpsuit
Remember when I said there’s always a few pieces from Free People I love? THIS. Incredibly comfortable, flattering, and can def go trail-to-town. Layer a crop top over/under if you want more coverage and/or support, but you might not even need it.
jumpsuit | bra | shoes (other colors at Backcountry) | socks | water bottle
I like the black, but this jumpsuit comes in more colors on freepeople.com.
17. Just A Tee & Hiking Pants, But Make it Free People
There is something to be said for finding pieces with a little more personality than the usual. And this outfit nails that idea – even the not-quite-plain-black shades make it interesting.
tee (also at FP) | pants (also at Nordstrom) | shoes | socks | bag
Happy hiking!!
xo,
S
