Beginners often face clothing challenges when hiking — bringing too much feels heavy, but bringing too little might not be enough. Xing Zhengkang says the trick is to “wear less and avoid changing clothes.”
Some people pack a lot of clothes for hiking or layer up excessively, thinking more clothing is better. This is a misconception. During the hike, you’ll sweat, and wearing too much prevents moisture from evaporating, making your clothes heavier and you colder as a result. Also, don’t bring too many changes of clothes, as this adds unnecessary weight.
He explains that the ideal hiking attire must first fit well. It should be lightweight, warm, quick-drying, and weather-resistant. In fact, such functional clothing is easy to find in Taiwan. Never underestimate the importance of proper clothing. “For multi-day hiking trips, casual dressing is even more unacceptable — it could put you in danger.”