What Are the Best Fabrics for Summer Hiking and Running Apparel?
Summer hiking and running in Colorado is pretty magical. Bluebird skies, alpine wildflowers, long daylight hours — and then suddenly you're grinding up a sun-baked trail while storm clouds build in the distance. That's where the right outdoor apparel earns its place.
If you've ever ended a hike or run feeling damp, sticky, or weirdly cold, you already know fabric matters. You don't need to be a gear nerd to dress smart — you just need to know which materials actually work when the sun is high and the miles add up.
Why Fabric Choice Matters More Than You Think
When you're hiking or running in summer, your body is constantly working to regulate temperature. The fabric touching your skin plays a huge role in whether you stay comfortable or miserable. The best summer outdoor apparel fabrics:
- Wick moisture fast
- Dry quickly
- Breathe well
- Offer sun protection
- Don't smell after one wear
Merino Wool: Not Just for Winter
Sounds crazy. It works. Merino wool is one of the most versatile fabrics in outdoor apparel and genuinely shines on warm weather hikes and runs.
- Naturally moisture-wicking and breathable
- Regulates temp — cool when it's hot, warm when it drops
- Odor resistant — a game changer on long runs and multi-day trips
- Soft, non-itchy, and packable
Perfect for Colorado adventures where mornings are chilly and afternoons are blazing. Best as a base layer — T-shirts, tanks, socks, and underwear.
Polyester: Lightweight and Trail-Tested
The most common fabric in summer hiking and running outdoor apparel, and for good reason.
- Extremely lightweight
- Wicks sweat and dries fast
- Durable and affordable
- Widely available in every style
One tradeoff: polyester can hold onto odor. Look for odor-resistant finishes if you're going multi-day or logging serious miles. Great for shirts, shorts, sun hoodies, and hiking and running pants.
Nylon: Tough, Cool, and Built for Movement
If polyester is the lightweight workhorse, nylon is the durable one.
- Extremely abrasion resistant
- Dries quickly
- Flexible and often blended with elastane for stretch
- Built for rugged terrain and high-output movement
Whether you're trail running, scrambling, or bushwhacking, nylon holds up without feeling heavy. Perfect for running shorts, hiking pants, trail shorts, and skorts.
Blended Fabrics: Best of Both Worlds
Most of the best summer hiking and running apparel uses blends — combining the strengths of multiple materials. Common combos:
- Merino + polyester
- Nylon + elastane
- Polyester + spandex
Blends offer better moisture management, added stretch, and faster drying than natural fibers alone. For runners and hikers who want comfort and performance without overthinking it, blended outdoor apparel is the sweet spot.
Cotton: Know When It Works
Cotton gets a bad rap in the outdoor world — but it's not the full story. In hot, dry conditions, cotton is actually one of the better wicking fabrics out there. It absorbs moisture and creates an evaporative cooling effect that feels great on a dry Colorado front range trail or desert hike.
The real issue? Cold, wet, or high-elevation conditions. Once cotton is saturated it dries slowly, and at altitude where afternoon storms roll in fast, that can leave you dangerously cold. For running, the chafe factor is also real once cotton gets wet.
- Great for: dry low-elevation hikes, casual walks, campfire hangs
- Skip it for: trail running, alpine adventures, multi-day trips, unpredictable mountain weather
Know your terrain and dress accordingly.
Sun Protection Matters Too
At altitude, UV exposure is no joke — whether you're hiking or running exposed ridgelines. Many modern outdoor apparel fabrics come with built-in UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor), a big deal on long days out.
- Polyester, nylon, and tightly woven blends all offer solid coverage
- Sun hoodies and lightweight long sleeves can keep you cooler than a tank top
- For runners logging big miles in the sun, UPF apparel is a genuine game changer
Breathability vs Coverage: Finding the Balance
Less fabric doesn't always mean more comfort — especially when you're moving fast. Lightweight, breathable outdoor apparel with longer sleeves and a relaxed fit can:
- Cut sun exposure
- Prevent overheating
- Protect against bugs and brush
Runners especially benefit from UPF sun hoodies — they're light enough to move in and protect you on long exposed efforts.
Sustainability and Smarter Choices
At The Outside Society, we care about how outdoor apparel is made, not just how it performs. The good news — more brands are building summer hiking and running gear with the planet in mind. Look for:
- Recycled polyester or nylon
- Responsibly sourced merino wool
- PFC-free finishes
- Low-impact dyes
- Bluesign® or Fair Trade certifications
- Women-led and Colorado-based brands
Eco-friendly options perform just as well as traditional fabrics — and choosing them helps protect the trails, rivers, and mountains we're all out there to enjoy. Supporting these brands means supporting the kind of outdoor world we want to keep exploring.
How to Choose the Right Fabric
- Hot, dry hike or run: Cotton, polyester, or nylon blends
- Variable mountain weather: Merino or merino blends
- Multi-day trips or big run days: Merino for odor control
- Rugged terrain: Nylon-based outdoor apparel
- High sun exposure: UPF-rated polyester or nylon
You know your adventure better than anyone. Dress for it.
At The Outside Society, we carry unique and curated collections of outdoor apparel to help you find exactly what you need for the way you hike and run. Come find your kit.
Embrace Your Outside
