From boring to bold. Dopamine dressing tips for feel-good hiking days.
Embrace your fun side and hit the trail with clothes and accessories that make you feel good.
🙂 🙂 🙂
Dopamine dressing is a trend that’s all about dressing for your own happiness, boosting your mood through bright, bold and beautiful gear choices.
This is nothing new to thru-hikers, who have been wearing bright colors and wild patterns on long distance trails like the Pacific Crest Trail and Appalachian Trail for years.
For a lot of thru-hikers, embarking on a 4 to 6 month adventure means quitting a job and saying farewell to what can be the monotony of an office job, relishing the opportunity to leave dull colours at home and dress in bright colors and outrageous prints because well, they can!
Use these dopamine dressing tips and you’ll be one step closer to finding a look that is unique to you.
-
One of the easiest ways to incorporate dopamine dressing into your hiking kit is by adding some color. Whether it's a bright hiking shirt or a colorful fanny pack, adding color to your outfit can instantly boost your mood.
Think neon oranges, yellows, and pinks. These colors will make you feel energized and don't be afraid to mix and match bold colors.
If bright colors really isn’t your thing, consider adding one colorful piece to break up the monotony of a solid-colored hiking outfit. This could be a town shirt for *you guessed it* your town days.
-
As well as color, don't be afraid to mix and match patterns - from floral to stripes and polka dots.
Another great way to add some personality to your hiking outfit is to find a shirt or accessory with an object on it like a fruit or animal*.
Warning: *This could end up being your trail name 🙂! Banana man - I see you!
-
Calling all creatives! Any gear that is white can be your next blank canvas to personalise with your own beautiful hand drawn designs.
A great way to express yourself through your gear is by customising your backpack.
Granite Gear offer undyed (white) options for their new ‘CROWN3 60’ litre backpack and many artists have already raised the ‘pack art’ bar with amazing results (using using waterproof sharpies and acrylic paint).
-
Of course, feeling good on a hiking day is about more than just how you look. It's also about how comfortable you feel.
That's why it's important to choose fabrics that are both functional and comfortable. Look for light weight, moisture-wicking materials that will keep you cool and dry, as well as fabrics that offer plenty of stretch for ease of movement.
-
Accessories are a great way to add some personality to your hiking outfit.
Think colorful caps, bandanas, gaiters and sun glasses. These small touches can make a big impact and they're easy to switch up from hike to hike with minimal cost.
New brands bringing sunshine to your kit list.
There are a lot of well known brands out there like Patagonia, however in recent years there are some great new brands in the market that are founded by thru-hikers.
Town Shirt Co, Jolly Gear and High Tail Designs were all founded by hikers, for hikers. Between the founders, they have thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Trail and countless more.
Other popular brands with bright and bold hiking gear include:
Cotopaxi - nothing dull about Cotopaxi! Bright gear is what they do best.
Darn Tough - guaranteed for life, you can’t go wrong with these merino wool hiking socks.
Goodr sunglasses - affordable, stylish and bright, these polarized glasses are popular with thru-hikers.
Crocs - ideal for camp and town days, these lightweight footwear come in a range of weird and wonderful colors.
Dirty Gal Gaiters - jazz up your footwear with ultralight hiking gaiters. Choose from over 100 styles.
