Hiking Gear That Looks Rad And Performs? Ella’s Found It

Ridgelite Futurefleece Wind Jacket

First up is my favourite piece in the whole collection: the Ridgelite Futurefleece Wind Jacket in Lemon Mist-Pear (why not just call it Lime?). I keep coming back to this high-vis green colour – it was the perfect statement piece when I paired it with neutral colours underneath, and oddly it also matched the alpine moss in the Snowies so perfectly that it felt intentional. 

I am lichen this Futurefleece colourway

The Ridgelite is a low-bulk midlayer that combines their recycled Windwall fabric with a breathable futurefleece liner. It’s the perfect piece to throw on when the wind picks up or temperatures start to fall. Because it uses a 15D 32 g/m² fabric, it’s designed to block about 80–90% of the wind. That intentional bit of airflow is the secret sauce, it prevents the hot box effect by letting moisture escape while you’re hiking, while still cutting the bite of a cold gust. 

I also loved the internal cinch-cord at the waist, which allowed me to transform the jacket from a regular fit into a cute, cropped look. 

Warm, breathable, cute

Over the long weekend, this became my go-to for chilly morning starts and cool trailside snack breaks. Plus, I lost count of the compliments I received on the color and cut. 

Trail LIGHTRANGE™ Shirts

I’ve been living in both the short and long-sleeve versions lately, and I’m genuinely stoked that the team at We Are Explorers have agreed that the classic hiking shirt is back, minus the heinous pinks and purples we’ve all suffered through in the past. 

The press stud buttons are a vibe

It’s rare to find a piece that ticks the high-output, technical boxes while simultaneously nailing the aesthetic ones, but these shirts manage both. They’re sun safe (UPF 40+), ultralight, and use FlashDry tech to keep you from feeling swampy during steep climbs or hot days on the trail. 

The dual-toned recycled fabric was also a plus for me – it’s something different and a point of interest while keeping the sweaty spots like my back and armpits easy and breezy. 

Breathable back material helps with sweat

The utility of these shirts is also a big drawcard. They feature two zippered chest pockets which I used for my phone and some squirm snacks throughout the weekend. Easy access squirms are always a bonus – The North Face crushed that one. 

Dual wielding squirm pockets

Women’s Hike Trekker Shorts

For my autumn galavant through the mountains, I opted for the Women’s Hike Trekker Shorts. It’s always a struggle to find hiking shorts that are flattering while remaining long enough to avoid chafing, and high-waisted enough to sit comfortably under a heavy hip-belt. These stack up pretty well against my long list of requirements. 

Comfy, stretchy shorts!

The six-inch inseam is the perfect happy medium for coverage and mobility. Meanwhile, the fabric – a stretchy blend of nylon and elastane treated with FlashDry – easily kept up with my range of motion while tackling the climbs. One small note: while the zippered pockets are secure, anything bulkier than a chapstick tends to impede your stride, so keep the larger snacks in your pack! 

Women’s Offtrail Hike GORE-TEX® Shoes

Last on my list are the Women’s Offtrail Hike GORE-TEX® Shoes. These are beefed-up hikers built for durability and protection when the path gets a bit gnarly.

The Gore-Tex waterproof membrane was perfect for dewy mornings and rock-hopping across creeks, while the ballistic-rubber toe cap made me feel pretty bloody invincible. These definitely feel like a hiking boot’s little sister, so don’t expect a lightweight trail runner feel. They’re built for technical, off-track terrain and aren’t afraid of a bit of uneven ground. 

Time to lug on

I was half-expecting a few blisters, given how sturdy these shoes feel, but the lockdown support meant zero heel-rub, even on steep descents back from the summit. 

The 5mm lugs underfoot are the real deal, too; they gripped the wet granite like Velcro, saving me from a nasty slip. If you’re a fan of thick hiking socks, I’d definitely suggest sizing up half a size just to give your toes some breathing room on the downhill stretches. They might be built like a tank, but they don’t feel like clunky bricks at the end of a long day.

After a few days in the backcountry, it’s clear the shrink it and pink it era is officially in the rearview mirror. It’s a rare win to find kit that survives the technical demands of a multi-day hike while feeling this intentional in its design. 

I think we’ve finally reached a point where gear actually looks rad and ticks every technical box at the same time. A win for us all!