What to Wear Hiking in Alaska (Summer)

Figuring out what to wear hiking in Alaska during summer can be challenging. You have to consider that the weather could go from a clear, blue sky to downpour rain in the blink of an eye. Okay, maybe not that fast… but Alaska is one of those places where you would rather be prepared than find yourself stuck in the middle of the woods without the right gear.

As someone who was born and raised in Alaska, I’ve hiked in many different conditions. From post-holing through icy snow, getting eaten alive by those pesky mosquitoes, and bushwacking through devil’s club, I know how important it is to be prepared.

I’m always trying out new gear to test on the trail, but I have a lot of trusty items that I will never stop using. These are the items that have proven to last a long time, perform well, or are just super comfortable.

In this post, I’m going to share tips and my personal recommendations on what to wear in Alaska in summer. I’ve also included a free printable Alaska hiking gear checklist that you can find at the end of this post.

AndreaKuuipoAbroad.com contains affiliate links to various products, which means I may earn a small commission for qualifying purchases. Read more about my Affiliate Disclosure.

5 Tips on What to Wear Hiking in Alaska

  1. Comfort is key. You’re not going to enjoy your hike if your feet are aching after the first mile and your pants are way too tight.
  2. Dress in Layers. Every Alaskan will offer you this tip first. Each layer you wear has a different function and with Alaska’s weather being a bit unpredictable, you’ll want to be able to add or remove layers as needed.
  3. Say No to Cotton. Did you know cotton absorbs over 25 times its weight in water? So when things start to turn cold and wet, you’ll feel chilly if you wear cotton.
  4. Protect Your Skin. Whether you wear a UV protectant neck wrap, a brimmed hat or sunscreen, protecting your skin from the sun will keep you from damaging your skin cells.
  5. Check the Weather. The weather in Alaska is unpredictable but you can still check the weather and get an idea for what the current conditions are and how you should prepare for them.

Alaska Summer Hiking Clothing

Hiking Boots and Socks

Footwear is probably the most important thing you will wear on the trail. Choosing a pair of hiking boots that are supportive, comfortable, and have good traction, will be one of the best purchasing decisions you make.

My go-to summer hiking boots are the Oboz Bridger Mid B-Dry Hiking Boot. They are a mid-boot which provides enough ankle support for the long day hikes or multi-day trips that I go on. Plus, after I sprained my ankle a year ago from dancing too hard at a wedding, I definitely need the extra support. These boots are waterproof making them great for wet and muddy trails, have really good traction on all surfaces, and are just super comfy!

Besides choosing a well-fitted shoe, choosing the right socks means that you have a better chance of coming home without any blisters. Hooray! I hate blisters but I love these Darn Tough Coolmax Socks. Made in the USA, Darn Tough socks are comfortable, cushioned, and made to last.

Oboz Oboz Bridger Mid B-Dry Womens Hiking Boot What to Wear Hiking in Alaska
Oboz Bridger Mid B-Dry Hiking Boot

Check Price: REI | Backcountry | Amazon

Darn Tough Coolmax Micro Crew Cushion Sock
Darn Tough Coolmax Socks

Check Price: Amazon | REI

Hiking Tops

I tend to either hike in a long-sleeve base layer or some sort of t-shirt. It just depends on what kind of hike I’m doing and how the weather looks. The tops I wear are always moisture-wicking and quick drying. I don’t often wear tank tops because I don’t like the straps from my backpack rubbing against my bare shoulders.

I love this Under Armour Half-Zip Long-Sleeve Top because if it gets too warm, I can zip it down a bit and get some fresh air. It’s also great to zip it down when I wear a buff around my neck. It also has thumb holes to help store body heat when I need to.

I’m also a fan of this Under Armour Short-Sleeve T-Shirt. It’s lightweight, has a nice fit, and dries super fast. Plus, there are some fun colors to choose from.

Under Armour Half Zip Long Sleeve Top Hiking in Alaska
Under Armour Half-Zip Long-Sleeve Top

Check Price: Amazon

Under Armour Short Sleeve T Shit Hiking Top what to wear in alaska in summer
Under Armour Short-Sleeve T-Shirt

Check Price: Amazon

Hiking Tights and Pants

When it comes to choosing which pants to wear on the trail, I always make sure they pass the squat test first. I want to know that they’re comfortable to wear all day long and I can pull all kinds of cool maneuvers in them while I’m out on the trail.

The Patagonia Centered Tights are another favorite. Hello stretchy, moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and secret pocket tights. I like wearing long pants in Alaska when you’re hiking through overgrown trails. It protects your legs from any unwanted scratches.

If you plan on encountering a lot of bushes or stone, I would opt for buying hiking pants instead of tights. The Arc’teryx Sabria Pants have excellent stretch and durability, which will be perfect for your Alaska adventures.

Patagonia Centered Tights Womens Hiking Bottoms
Patagonia Centered Tights

Check Price: Patagonia | REI

Arc'teryx Sabria Pants What to Wear Hiking in Alaska
Arc’teryx Sabria Pants

Check Price: REI

Hiking Shorts

Some days in Alaska are just way too hot to wear hiking pants! Due to the sun’s angle, we get hit with a more direct heat which actually makes it feel 10 degrees warmer than what it says on the thermometer.

When the weather is warm and I know I won’t be hiking through a bunch of brush, I love wearing hiking shorts. Kuhl has a ton of women’s hiking shorts to choose from.

The Kuhl Kontour Short 4″ are the softest hiking shorts I’ve ever felt! They’re stretchy and super comfortable, which is necessary for any hiking adventure. They also have a jean look to them so you can wear them on the trail and then straight to the local brewery. If you’re in between sizes, I recommend getting the larger size for a better fit.

Check Price: Kuhl

womens hiking shorts
Kuhl Kontour Short 4″ Antique Rose

Fleece Jacket

Fleece is awesome to wear during your outdoor adventures because it doesn’t absorb water. This means it’s not going to get damp and uncomfortable. It’s incredibly versatile and can be worn while you’re chilling around an evening campfire this summer, or as a mid-layer during colder months.

There are a lot of different styles to choose from and a lot of options that won’t break the bank. The Helly Hansen Daybreaker Fleece Jacket and Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Fleece Pullover are great fleece jacket options to look at.

Helly Hansen Daybreaker Fleece Jacket What to Wear Hiking in Alaska
Helly Hansen Daybreaker Fleece

Check Price: Amazon

Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Snap T Fleece What to Wear in Alaska
Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Fleece

Check Price: Patagonia | REI

Rain Jacket and Pants

When looking for rain gear, you want to make sure that it’s waterproof and not just water resistant. The worst thing to happen on the trail is getting drenched because your gear isn’t working how you need it to. I find that anything from REI Co-op tends to hold up in quality and it’s more affordable than other big name brands.

The REI Co-op XeroDry GTX Jacket has a lightweight, breathable, durable GORE-TEX® shell. It’s waterproof and easy to pack when you don’t need it anymore. When you’re looking for rain pants, you want to look for lower leg zippers so you can easily remove them without taking off your boots. The REI Co-op Essential Rain Pants are waterproof, breathable, and pack down into their own pocket.

REI Co-op XeroDry GTX Rain Jacket Womens Alaska Hiking Gear
REI Co-op XeroDry GTX Jacket

Check Price: Patagonia | REI | Backcountry

REI Co-op Essential Rain Pants Womens Hiking Gear Alaska
REI Co-op Essential Rain Pants

Check Price: REI

Hiking Backpack

If I’m only going for a day hike then I bring a small day pack. The CamelBak L.U.X.E. Backpack comes with a 3L (100 oz) hydration bladder which makes it super easy to access water. It also has enough space to hold all of my snacks and my camera.

When I’m planning an overnight trip and I need more space, I bring my Osprey Aura 65L Backpacking Backpack. Osprey is a great backpack choice for women because their packs are actually shaped for women! I’ve had my Osprey backpacking backpack for over 5 years now and it’s still in amazing condition. Read my Osprey Aura 65L Backpack Review here.

CamelBak Luxe Womens Hydration Pack
CamelBak L.U.X.E. Backpack

Check Price: Amazon

Osprey Aura 65L Womens Backpacking Backpack
Osprey Aura 65L Backpack

Check Price: Osprey | REI | Backcountry

Sun Protection

Any pair of sunglasses is better than no pair of sunglasses. The goodr OG Sunglasses block 100% of harmful UVA/UVB rays, don’t slip while you’re working up a sweat, and come in a bunch of fun colors. Plus, they are super affordable.

I carry a buff with me all the time. I have a few different ones to choose from depending on what season it is. During the summer, I like to bring the Buff UV Headwear. The UV protection blocks up to 95% of UV rays. It’s comfortable to wear and can actually be worn 12 different ways. I will wear this around my neck to protect myself from any extra sun from hitting my skin.

Wearing a brimmed hat will keep your head dry and the sun out of your eyes. I love supporting local brands so check out the headwear from The 49th Supply Company or AK Starfish Co.

And, don’t forget to protect your lips with your favorite chap stick.

goodr OG sunglasses
goodr OG Sunglasses

Check Price: REI | Backcountry

Buff UX Headwear
Buff UV Headwear

Check Price: REI | Amazon

the 49th Supply Co Crossover Dad Hat Hiking Alaska
The 49th Supply Co Crossover Hat

Check Price: The 49th Supply Co

Hiking Accessories

Alaska is bear territory. You need to carry bear spray with you just in case. Luckily, I’ve never had any close encounters with bears. I always carry Counter Assault Bear Repellent Spray with me just in case. Make sure to wear it in a place that’s easily accessible (not tucked away in your pack).

If you have bad knees or need extra support while you are hiking then hiking poles are a good idea. Alaska has many steep hiking trails and hiking poles will help you from falling over when you’re carrying a heavy load. The Bafx Products Adjustable Hiking Poles are a super affordable option to add this essential piece to your gear kit.

Gaiters go atop your boots and help to keep rain and all those little twigs and leaves out of your hiking boots. The Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain Low Gaiters are a great pair of shorties.

Counter Assault Bear Repellant Spray Hiking in Alaska
Counter Assault Bear Repellant Spray

Check Price: REI |  Amazon | Backcountry

Bafx Products Adjustable Hiking Poles Alaska Hiking
Bafx Products Adjustable Hiking Poles

Check Price: Amazon

Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain Low Gaiters Alaska Hiking
Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain Low Gaiters

Check Price: REI | Amazon

TIP: If you are planning an overnight hiking trip, make sure to bring an extra set of clothes to sleep in. Tying to get a comfortable night’s sleep while you’re wearing damp clothes is the absolute worst. Happy hiking!


Download Your Free Alaska Hiking Gear Checklist


More Hiking Posts You May Like

Osprey Aura 65 Backpack Review: Is It Better Than Osprey Ariel 65?

This Southcentral Alaska Hiking Challenge Will Get You Excited For Summer

What to Wear Hiking in Alaska (Winter)

7 Ultimate Hikes in Hatcher Pass

5 Glacier Hikes Near Anchorage


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Figuring out what to wear hiking in Alaska during summer can be challenging. As a local, I share my recommendations on what to wear hiking in Alaska in summer. #Alaska #Hiking #AlaskaSummer #WomensHikingGear #HikingGear #AlaskaPackingList #
Figuring out what to wear hiking in Alaska during summer can be challenging. As a local, I share my recommendations on what to wear hiking in Alaska in summer. #Alaska #Hiking #AlaskaSummer #WomensHikingGear #HikingGear #AlaskaPackingList #

Do you have any questions on what to wear hiking in Alaska? Share them in the comments!

About Andrea Kuuipo

I was born and raised in Anchorage and have been able to travel to many places around Alaska. As an Alaska Travel Blogger, I love sharing my favorite things to see and do in my home state to help others plan an incredible trip!

2 thoughts on “What to Wear Hiking in Alaska (Summer)”

  1. I have just started researching a family trip from Florida to Alaska for over the summer. Of course, one of the first questions I think of is “What do you wear?” Your article answers a lot of my questions. It is great and very informational. Thanks!
    Printing out your list right now.

    Deb

    Reply

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