How Do Cheap Hiking Clothes Perform on the Trail?

Decked out in an outfit costing just $255, Jess spent 6 days on the NT’s Jatbula Trail to find out if cheap hiking clothing is worth the money.

 

When I first started hiking, cheap outdoor clothing scored on clearance is what got me on the trails. It would have been nice to shop for premium gear that was high quality, ethically produced, and made to last, but cash was tight.

Cheap clothing has many problems. We’re all aware of the environmental cost – if you’re not, check out Shitthropocene. But when budget gear allows a family who otherwise couldn’t afford to be adventuring to get out there, the decision to avoid it is less clear cut. Sustainability aside, I’ve certainly stumbled across a few gems in my time that have gone the distance and performed well.

So when Explorer Saphira did a comprehensive gear test of the ALDI hiking clothing range, and found that ‘you get what you pay for’, it got me thinking.

Is all outdoor clothing sold at bargain basement prices really just crap? If I shop online using a clearance filter and purchase clothing on sale, am I getting duped AND destroying the planet? Or are there bargains we can feel good about out there?

How much money do you need for a cheap hiking outfit?

The only reason I was OK with spending money on cheap hiking clothes that are potentially harmful to the planet was that I’d recently lost a lot of weight and legitimately needed clothes that would fit. Thermals are less effective when loose, and pants more functional when they’re not hurtling towards your ankles.

But I was also on a budget, so I raided the clearance range of adventure clothing at a Decathlon, Anaconda, and Mountain Warehouse stores to find the best bargains. I ended up paying $255 for an outfit including pants, two t-shirts, a long-sleeve top, a UPF50+ long-sleeve shirt, a pair of merino hiking socks, and a light mid-layer.

I could have bought a second set of the outfit and still paid less than what most hiking rain jackets are retailing for these days. My go-to hiking raincoat has an RRP of $500. So at $255 including multiple tees, this clearance outfit was the definition of a bargain.

 

What cheap outdoor clothing brands did I buy?

Mountain Designs

Operating in Australia since 1975, Mountain Designs was the most expensive brand I purchased. I had high hopes it was going to be great quality with awesome sustainability credentials. Alas, I was disappointed. According to the Mountain Designs website their sustainability initiatives start and finish with the production of ‘heritage tees celebrating the history of Mountain Designs’. Cool, so one product is sustainable?

The tees are Earth Positive accredited, adhere to the Global Organic Textile Standard and a percentage of the price goes back to the production workers in India as part of the Fair Share Initiative their supplier adheres to. This is all great but the tees are almost always on sale for $25 and it’s one product out of hundreds. It’s the right direction, but it’s nowhere near enough and feels a bit meh.

Not sure what those initiatives are? Check out Our Guide to Navigating the Greenwashing Wilderness – Sustainable Gear Certifications.

 

 

Decathlon

The second most expensive brand purchased and the biggest sporting goods retailer in the world, the French brand Decathlon utilises an in-house design, production, and retail model to keep higher quality products accessible to people on lower budgets. Technical features aren’t common and products are most suited for beginner and intermediate activities, but the longevity of the pants I bought felt decent.

Unlike the tokenistic sustainability policy employed by Mountain Designs, Decathlon seems genuinely committed to offsetting potential damage to the planet. As well as detailed action plans. Decathlon has a wealth of content about ongoing sustainability initiatives, goals, and its commitment to the circular economy. Colour me impressed.

 

 

Cederberg

On average, Cederberg, which is exclusively available at Anaconda stores, offers the cheapest products out of these budget brands. The quality is OK for the casual hiker, but the gear is unlikely to last more than a few trips. They tend to market products based on price rather than features, which is a giant red flag that performance, comfort, and eco-friendly credentials aren’t front of mind.

Try looking online for their approach to sustainability and you’ll come up empty-handed. Zero points.

 

 

Mountain Warehouse

More affordable than Mountain Designs and Decathlon, the British-origin Mountain Warehouse is priced slightly higher than Cederberg, with gear suited to people hiking more regularly. The quality isn’t really an improvement on Cederberg but sustainability is definitely on this brand’s radar, with detailed policies and commitments regarding production, planet, and people.

Frankly, I was pretty surprised to see such good strides from such a budget brand. While this is great, I do question the logic of producing such low-quality items when the brand is clearly aware of the devastating impact of encouraging mass production. It doesn’t matter how sustainably produced an item is if it ends up in landfill anyway.

 

What cheap hiking clothes brand is best?

If you’re in the market for cheap entry-level outdoor clothing, the best choice out of the brands I tested from a price, sustainability, and performance perspective is to shop with Decathlon.

It does hurt my soul a little bit to be recommending cheap hiking clothes from a company that isn’t even Australian-owned, but the results speak for themselves. Decathlon products prove that – for entry-level gear – cheap doesn’t have to mean crap.

Want to shop with brands doing good for the planet? Please say yes! Check out this list of Outdoor Brands Doing Good For Wild Places.

Cheap Hiking Clothing Reviewed and Tested

Decathlon Hiking Pants – $60

Functionally, the MH500 Quecha Hiking Pants from Decathlon are great for the price. From the easy-to-adjust waist cinch to the two-way stretch, quick-drying properties, and weight of less than 265g, they’ll suit just about everyone.

My main issue is that these hiking pants are made from polyamide, a petroleum-based synthetic material. It’s not great for insulation or breathability (that’s why there are permanent ventilation holes behind the knees) rendering these unsuitable for year-round use.

 

 

Mountain Warehouse Quick Dry Long-Sleeve Top – $30

The Quick Dry Womens Long Sleeve Top from Mountain Warehouse kept me relatively comfortable while hiking in 30°C plus temperatures, thanks to the IsoCool fabric wicking away sweat and enhancing breathability.

The hiking top is made from 95% recycled polyester, which is a step in the right direction, but isn’t ideal if you’re seeking a long-term garment. Unlike the natural merino fibres I normally wear on the trail, polyester excels at retaining odour, and I could definitely smell myself during my hike.

The 5% elastane included for stretch is nice, but mixed-composition fabrics complicate the recycling process and require more water.

 

 

Mountain Warehouse Endurance T-Shirt – $16

I wore the Endurance Women’s T-Shirt from Mountain Warehouse for a total of one day, and frankly, that was too long. The description of this one reads almost the same as the Quick Dry Long Sleeve above, but this tee is 100% polyester. Turns out, elastane makes a huge difference.

Despite moisture moisture-wicking properties claimed on the tag, I was drenched in sweat. The tee smelt horrible even after a rinse. I couldn’t bring myself to put it on again.

Finally, polyester is synthetic. It releases 2-3 more carbon emissions than cotton and sheds up to 700,000 plastic fibres per wash. Adding to the microplastics problem isn’t on my to do list, thanks.

It’s the cheapest item on this list but the cost is too high.

 

 

Cederberg Trail Fleece Hoodie – $30

The Trail Fleece Hoodie from Cederberg kept me warm when temperatures dropped. The Polygiene anti-odour fabric treatment is hugely effective. Despite wearing this daily, including during early starts on the trail, it even passed the sniff test to wear on the plane home. Tick.

As far as fabric goes, it’s hard to tell. The product site listing on Anaconda tells me it’s made from ‘active fleece with 45% recycled content’. The product label tells me it’s ‘45% recycled polyester’. I’m splitting hairs here but in general, all fleece is made using polyester, and polyester itself is not fleece.

A lack of transparency is annoying, but it’s also a deliberate choice. There might be nothing to see, but if that’s the case, why be weird about it?

 

 

Mountain Designs Wilpena II Long Sleeve Shirt – $60

The Wilpena II Long Sleeve Shirt from Mountain Designs was a lifesaver after the Mountain Warehouse Endurance Tee bombed on day one. This 100% nylon shirt dried quickly, was breathable, protected me from the sun, and barely left my body. The anti-odour treatment worked a charm.

In terms of sustainability, nylon uses more water and harmful chemicals during production than polyester. But, it often lasts longer and performs just as well so fewer garments have to be produced.

Is it better than 100% nylon shirts that cost $100 more? Honestly, I couldn’t pick a difference. The choice comes down to what brand you want to support and how they invest their profits.

 

 

Mountain Designs Sigma Tee – $36

The Sigma Tee from Mountain Designs was what I wore underneath the Wilpena II Long Sleeve Shirt most days. So far this is the best choice if you’re looking for a more sustainably produced item. It’s made from 80% recycled polyester and 20% Tencel™ Lyocell.

Tencel™ Lyocell, I learned, is made from sustainably sourced wood pulp in a closed-loop production process that means 99% of water and solvents used are recovered for reuse. The fabric is biodegradable and has antibacterial properties reducing the need for regular washes.

Buuuut there’s still 80% polyester in there. Sadly even recycled polyester doesn’t magically disappear microplastics. Or odour.

 

 

Mountain Warehouse Merino Hiker Quarter Length Socks – $23

I was so fully prepared for the Merino Hiker Quarter Length Socks from Mountain Warehouse to be a disaster that I took two additional pairs of my regular hiking socks with me. I struggle with blisters and I’ve tested a lot of socks.

However, this bargain store pair of socks was breathable and no more stinky than my standard socks. I didn’t touch my spares.

But when I looked at the ingredient list I realised I really can’t recommend these socks due to their poor sustainability. The fluffy heartbreakers are made from ‘Merino wool 31%, Acrylic 30%, Polyester 22%, Polyamide 11%, Elastodiene 5%, Elastane 1%’. The merino is great, but the other five materials are ultra synthetic, contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, and make recycling non-viable.

Most quality merino hiking socks retail around $45. And while that high price has annoyed me forever, this pair of socks finally made me realise I’m happier spending more knowing I’m treading lightly.

 

Is cheap clothing sustainable?

When it comes to gear for the outdoors, clothing included, quality products come at a price. And frankly, prices don’t just mean dollars anymore.

Buying a pair of merino socks for $10 wouldn’t even cover my petrol to drive to the shops to buy them. Let alone make them, source the materials, pay for marketing and sales departments – you get it. We’ve covered fast fashion before.

Is cheap clothing sustainable? That’s a resounding no.

 

Do cheap hiking clothes perform on the trail?

During my six days on the Jatbula Trail, I was a sweaty mess compared to my premium-brand-clad hiking buddies (Patagonia, Marmot, Kathmandu, and Icebreaker were all well-represented!), but I still made it to the end.

Cheaper hiking clothes will allow you to get out there but you won’t be as comfortable, you’ll smell more than ripe, and as Saphira’s longer-term testing proved, you’ll need to re-stock your wardrobe way sooner than you would more expensive gear.

 

FAQs Cheap Hiking Clothing

Is Cederberg an Anaconda brand?

Yep, you’ll need to shop at the big orange temple to find Cederberg clothing as they have an exclusivity deal.

Can clearance hiking gear be trusted to perform in the long run?

As a regular hiker I need gear that I can rely on in remote locations. For day hikes or entry-level outdoor adventures, these items will technically do the job. But I wouldn’t take any of these clothing items on future multi-day trips, with the exception of the Mountain Designs shirt and maybe the Decathlon pants, if warm weather is forecast.

Why do you recommend Decathlon as a good brand choice for budget shoppers?

With Decathlon your dollars are going towards gear that prioritises the planet and focuses on a limited range of features designed to last longer. It won’t last as long as performance-oriented gear from brands like Arc’teryx or be as sustainable as brands like Patagonia, but it’s a way to use your dollars to reward a company that’s prioritising the right things in their price bracket.

Are clothes from the shop Anaconda worth the money?

This really depends on your values. Anaconda has affordable prices and plenty of clearance sales, but they mostly stock mass-produced items. The lower cost means you’re often sacrificing longevity, quality, and fair labour conditions. Using your buying power to support brands with sustainability credentials is a better move for the planet and your wallet. You’ll spend more initially but save in the long run.

What if I can only afford to shop for cheap clothes or hiking equipment that’s priced to clear?

With rising costs of living, kids constantly growing, and endless wish lists for new equipment, it’s hard to justify paying more to support brands doing good when every other fast fashion shop is advertising a sale. I get it. If cheap clothing is your only option, just be sure to wear the garment often, patch up tears rather than throwing out, and do your best to upcycle or recycle when it reaches the end of its life.

What are you doing with the cheap clothes now?

While these cheap hiking clothes weren’t ideal for a multi-day hike, I’ll be getting as much wear out of them as I can. When they wear out I plan to visit the sewing machine gathering dust in my cupboard and get creative. Stay tuned!