Hiking in the Rain: Gear, Tips, and Tricks for Wet Weather Hikes

As a Californian, I had almost no experience hiking in wet weather, but everything changed when I moved to Washington 4 years ago. If you live in a rainy climate, and if you want more than just a few months of hiking time, you’ll have to get used to hiking in the rain! However, there are a few things you can do to make sure your rainy hike is as pleasant as possible. You may even realize there are things you love about hiking in the rain! Read on for why you should try hiking in the rain, how to pick trails, hiking in the rain gear, and other considerations for wet trail days.

 

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Why should you hike in the rain? The benefits

So hiking in the rain isn’t for everyone. But if you’re thinking about doing it, let me help convince you to try it. Here’s why hiking in the rain is actually awesome.

• The trails are a lot less crowded. For hikers in popular areas, you can probably relate to feeling like you’re in line at an amusement park when you’re hiking on popular trails. It can be hard to find any peace or solitude! When it’s raining though, way fewer people are out and about. You’ll likely get a much quieter trail.

 

• Getting outside, even in the rain, can help boost your mood. I personally get bummed out in the darker, greyer months and it can be hard to motivate myself to get out and do something. But hiking in the rain will almost certainly bring up your mood!
• Hiking in the rain can bring out your inner child. See some puddles? Give them a splash! Find the wonder in watching rain drops landing on plant leaves and rivers. Revel in the smell of a wet forest floor. It will be a party for your senses.

 

• Staying in shape for dry season hiking. If you sit inside during all the wet months, you will definitely not be as in shape for hiking in the dry season.
• The feeling of a trail is completely different in wet season versus in dry season. The trails you know and love will transform to new experiences. I personally am always seeking new trails (as opposed to repeating ones I know) and I like that hiking in the rain makes a trail feel new/different. You may even discover that some trails are better with a wet and misty vibe.

How to pick a trail for a rainy day hike

First things first: not all trails are made equal, and this is especially true during rainy season. For me, the best way to pick a trail for hiking in the rain is to look for trails that have some of the following features.

Best types of trails for hiking in the rain

• A forested trail is a great place to hike in the rain. Why? The forest will provide some cover from the wetness, and forests are magical in the rain.

 

• A riverside excursion. This is a good choice because usually the river is located close to the trail, and you can enjoy views of the water and the mist.
• A flatter trail. I try to avoid high elevation gain hikes when it’s wet, because it’s unlikely that any views will be great, and I don’t want to work hard for no reward. I prefer a flatter trail for a rainy day.
• Waterfalls: probably the favorite option here, a waterfall in the rain is wonderful because you get bigger falls during the rainy season, and the mist around falls is extra special.
• Lake trails can also be nice to see in the rain, especially if the trail to get there goes through a forest.
• Shorter trails: No need to be a hero and plan a 10-mile hike in the rain (unless you want to!) Oftentimes I find 3-4 miles to be the sweet spot for a nice excursion on a rainy day that doesn’t make me feel like a drowned rat.

Trails to avoid when hiking in the rain

• Exposed trails or ridgelines. No need to get wetter than we already are! Plus, there can be a bit more risk of dangerous falls on these types of hikes when footing is less secure.
• Big elevation gain trails. You will get wet from the inside out if you are hiking uphill hardcore.
• Trails where the reward is an expansive mountain view, where longer distance visibility is key. I don’t want to feel sad at the end of the hike!

Pro tip: You can find trails locally on AllTrails and filter to meet your needs. If you’re Washington-based, Washington Trails Association has an incredible amount of trails you can explore.

Hiking in the rain gear

The most important element of hiking in the rain is keeping yourself as dry as possible. However, this can be a challenge, especially if you are sweating! Here are the best pieces of hiking in the rain gear that you will want to have.

A high quality rain jacket: This is the most essential piece of gear for hiking in the rain.

There are some important things to consider when selecting a rain jacket. Usually, the product will have a description that details the features of the jacket. Here are some questions to consider:

• How waterproof is the rain jacket? Goretex is often a good bet, but there are some other great options as well.
• Do you sweat a lot? If so, you want armpit zips to release moisture that accumulates inside the jacket. My Marmot rain jacket has these!
• Does it have a hood? This is a must for me.
• How long is it? I generally prefer a jacket/hip length option, but a parka length could be better if you live in a very wet climate.
• Is the product guaranteed? A rain jacket is something you will want to keep for many years. Some brands guarantee their products for life (Patagonia and Outdoor Research come to mind). I love my Outdoor Research rain jacket and know that I should be able to use it indefinitely!

 

Waterproof hiking boots or shoes are the other most essential piece of hiking in the rain gear. Wet feet will make you miserable, so investing in a quality pair of waterproof boots is critical. Here are some questions to consider:

• Do you prefer a boot or a shoe? Each of these has their benefits. I personally generally hike in boots, and have loved my Lowas which are waterproof/Goretex. I like the additional stability I feel while wearing boots. But I also have waterproof trail runners that I wear for casual walks in the rain that could also be a good fit for hikers.
• What is the waterproofing material? Different materials can be more or less effective at waterproofing your shoe. I recommend reading the specifics and looking at the reviews prior to buying.

Wicking base layer: I prefer wool base layers for hiking in the rain, or cold weather in general.

• Smartwool 150 or 250 is a great option. Pick the 150 for warmer weather and pick the 250 for the really cold days. This way even if you’re sweating you should still be relatively comfortable, as the moisture will wick away from your body and the wool will keep you warm. I also wear these around the house constantly in cooler months, so you will get a lot of use out of them.

Wool socks: a must! I like both Darn Tough and Smartwool socks. They’re both great.

Gaiters: If you’re on a really muddy and wet trail, gaiters are a good choice to keep your feet and lower legs drier and cleaner.

A backpack with a rain cover, or a drybag backpack

• I’ve done both, and both work. It depends on how long you want to hike and how comfortable your packs are. My hiking backpack is more comfortable than my drybag backpack, but the drybag backpack is great for shorter, easier trails.

Rain pants (optional): to be honest I have not yet used rain pants. I generally accept getting wet legs on rainy day hikes, but I am curious to know if these make things better and will probably try them out at some point!

Gloves: waterproof gloves are essential on cold wet hikes. Once I did not bring them and my hands were so frozen I could not finish my lunch, we had to keep moving to stay warm enough. Don’t be like me, be sure you get some waterproof gloves.

A baseball cap: something you probably already have in your closet, you can use a baseball cap to help keep rain off your face, and it often does a better job than a rain hood alone. Pull your rain jacket hood over the top of your hat for maximal protection

Trekking poles: Stability is extra important when you’re hiking in the rain, and trekking poles will allow you to walk with less risk of slipping

Hot hands: an absolute life saver when you just cannot keep your hands warm.

Z-Seat: Lightweight and affordable, a Z-seat will provide you with a spot to sit for a snack on a wet day.

Garmin Mini InReach: A device that allows you to send satellite messages and call for emergency help when you’re out of cell service, the Garmin Mini Inreach is the best safety tool you can have.

Other tips for hiking in the rain

• Bring a change of clothes to leave in your car. That way if you’re soaked afterwards, you have a warm outfit waiting for you.
• Pack a thermos with a hot beverage, or bring along a jet boil to make a trailside coffee or tea. It will warm you right up and feel like such a treat! Alternatively, stop at a coffee shop on your way to or from the trail for a little treat.
• Be okay with ending the hike early if you aren’t feeling it. There’s no shame in turning around if it gets to be too much.
• Consider adding in a cozy activity for the end of the day that you can look forward to. Some ideas are fireplace and a movie, a board game night, or a hot bath with your book.

Final thoughts on hiking in the rain

Hiking in the rain isn’t for everyone, but if you can appreciate the benefits of uncrowded trails, booming waterfalls, misty views, and a different type of ambience, it can be a really special type of adventure.

What do you love about hiking in the rain? Let me know in the comments!