I've spent way too much money on Patagonia — and I'd buy these 9 Patagonia summer hiking essentials in a heartbeat
I test outdoor gear for a living so you don't have to
Hiking in summer can be a preparation nightmare — but don't worry, I've got the fix! I don't know about you, but the weather where I live is chaotic. It can be pouring rain one minute, then blisteringly hot the next. And, of course, as soon as the sun sets, it's freezing. When I go camping or hiking, I need to dress for all climates: I need a rain jacket, a fleece, and leggings/shorts.
Usually, my summer hiking gear plan looks like this: my Patagonia Torrentshell jacket (love), my Columbia Helvetia fleece for evenings (also love), and my Patagonia Arbor backpack (now discontinued, but still love). I've spent way too much money perfecting my hiking wardrobe, but I'm not mad about it. For summer treks, you need a moisture-wicking base, a fleece for nighttime, sturdy, breathable shoes, and a rain jacket.
I test hiking gear for a living — the Keen Jasper Zionic, multiple Columbia items, and Merrell Moab 3 — so let me walk you through my 9 Patagonia summer hiking essentials.
The Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T fleece is ideal for nighttime camping. Have you ever felt a Synchilla fleece? They're so soft. It's literally like stroking a chinchilla. The red style has more sizes; brown is available in XXS, XS, and L. Blue is only $68 ($70 off), but is only in XL.
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These women's shorts are designed for hiking and watersports. The DWR coating means they're water repellent and the drawcord waistband makes them super comfortable. I haven't ever owned a pair of these but I have tried them on multiple times (a girl can dream, but $70 is a lot to spend on shorts), and I can attest to their comfort. At $44, they're much more palatable. The floral pattern has the most sizes available!
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The Patagonia Home Waters Hybrid shorts are designed for watersports, beach days, or, to quote Patagonia directly, "when you're cleaning the boat". Naturally, these shorts feature an adjustable waistband and stretchy material for supreme comfort. They're available in 30, 31, 32, and 29.
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The Patagonia Hydropbeak Volley Shorts are surf shorts with a drawstring waist for security, even in intense surf. Of course, there's DWR, too, so they're water repellent. This style is only in medium — so hurry if that's your size!
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The Patagonia Houdini Jacket is a level up from the Patagonia Houdini Stash. It's a little denser, but still lightweight, and packs down into its chest pocket. Of course, this style has DWR, too, so it's water repellent, and even has reflective details for night visibility. It's available in XS-S.
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The Patagonia Houdini Stash jacket is a packable lightweight rain jacket. Ideal for rainy hikes, or high summits shrouded in clouds, this jacket will stash into a pocket between uses. It has DWR so it's water repellent, too. It's available in XS, S, XL, and XXL.
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This fleece is perfect to wear at the campsite during chilly evenings, or on early morning trails. The Daily Snap-T Pullover is made from 100% regenerative organic cotton as well. It's available in every single size, so you'll be able to find your perfect fit.
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"Baggies" is Patagonia's lightweight, stretchy shorts line, and the "Longs" version just refers to the inseam length. These shorts are ideal if you want shorts that fall to just above knee level (depending on height, of course). The Baggies Longs have DWR so are water repellent. This style is available in sizes S-M.
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The Refugio 26L Daypack is perfect for just that — being a daily hiking backpack. I had one of these when I lived in Korea and it was perfect for hiking daytrips. It easily fit my jacket for the evening, my water bottle, and a first aid kit.
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Erin Bashford is a senior writer at Tom's Guide, focusing on reviews. She has a Masters in Broadcast and Digital Journalism from the University of East Anglia. As an ex-barista, she knows her way around a coffee machine, and as a music lover, she's constantly chipping away at her dream of having a multi-room home sound system. In her spare time you can find her reading, practising yoga, writing, or stressing over today’s NYT Games.
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