Biases on the table: we love hiking in the rain. We love the sounds, the smells, the colors…. But most of all, I love the vibes.
Rainy day hikes are for the vibes.
But there’s a learning curve to wet-weather hiking. This is true in both mindset and in practicalities.
First, you must prepare for the rain. Your clothing, your gear, your comfort with more serious adventures… These things will dictate your success.
Next, you must embrace the rain. It’s a very zen-like state to inhabit—to resist our natural wet-averse programming and lean into the feeling of being outside, sodden, and with no shelter.
Let us show you why hiking in the rain can be both fun and safe. We promise: you 100% can and have a damn good time doing it.
What to Expect When it Rains on a Hike
Hiking in the rain can definitely be a double-edged sword at times. Sure, it’s wetter… slipperier… sometimes too cold, and sometimes too muggy.
But wet weather also changes the world in the best possible way. Somehow, everything feels both more dormant and more alive simultaneously.
The trails are less populated… but backdropped by the rhythmic beat of raindrops across the canopy. Yeah, the world is slipperier, but it’s lusher too, colors saturated with wet, vibrant hues.
Rainy-day hikes also come with their complications. The seclusion of empty trails can make even a relaxed wander a little more precarious. And while we’re fans of a good damp forest stroll, backpacking across mountains in the rain is a whole other story. Slick mud, slippery rocks, swollen river crossings, and thick fogs can make progress slow at best and downright dangerous at worst.
Within reason, it’s still safe to hike in the rain. But to make it both a calculated risk and, to be frank, enjoyable, you need the right rain gear for hiking as well as the right knowledge.
It might be a double-edged sword, but with the right preparation and mindset, we can wield that weapon right! And very quickly, you’ll find that a rainy hike can become one of the most rewarding outdoor experiences you can have.
How to Dress in the Rain
A wise man once said: “there’s no such thing as bad weather; just bad clothing choices.”
Much like the cold, layering is key for hiking in rainy weather. A good layering system is crucial when packing for both day hikes and expeditions.
Start with a solid base layer, and it MUST be moisture-wicking. Merino wool or synthetic fabric are great choices; cotton goes in the campfire. It’s better used as tinder than clothing for wet weather.
For the middle layer, fleece, light wool, or synthetic insulation is best, so long as it isn’t bulky. Provided you’re walking and keep on the move, agile materials like that will retain warmth even when damp.
Then comes the outer shell: this is where you’ll need to be particular about your waterproof gear when hiking. For example, you can wear a poncho, but you’ll quickly turn into a humid, human-sized plastic bag. Instead, your outer shell should be a waterproof, breathable, vented rain jack. If it’s got armpit zips, you’re golden.
After your layers, the last of the must-have rain essentials is waterproof hiking pants. A lot of people pass on these until they’re actually gifted a pair by someone, after which they never go for a hike in the rain without them! Wet legs sap your warmth fast, so invest in a pair.
From here, it’s all about accessorization:
- Get yourself the best rain hat for hiking you can afford because a wet head is also a big culprit of body temperature loss.
- For gloves, moisture-wicking is once again your best bet.
- And for your socks, maximum wool. Your feet might get damp, but at least they’ll stay warm. We swear by Merino.
- Hiking buffs are awesome, and one should always be in your pack. It doesn’t keep you dry, but if you start getting pelted by lashes of horizontal rain, you’ll be happy you packed it.
Keeping Shoes Dry in the Rain
Wet feet are uncomfortable. They’re also a fast track to blisters, chills, and the kind of squelching misery that saps the fun out of hiking when it rains.
Keeping your shoes dry in the rain is much the same story as your wet-weather gear. It’ll never be a perfect system, but we absolutely can do better or worse.
First, you need to choose the right boots:
- Mountaineering boots are for extreme climates and the most treacherous of terrain. They by far offer the most traction and waterproofing, but they’re also rigid, heavy, and offer very little breathability. If your feet get wet, either from sweat or water that’s somehow penetrated, it’ll take a long time for them to dry.*
- Hiking boots, conversely, offer a balance between water resistance and agility. You’ll feel more mobile with a pair of light- to mid-weight hiking boots, but you’ll probably catch a bit more damp seeping in too.
Ultimately, that choice is about climate and terrain. For most rainy backpacking adventures short of slushy snow, high-level hiking boots are the better choice (as mobility is still key). However, when buying boots, ensure they have:
- Waterproof membranes: For example, GORE-TEX, eVent, or proprietary shoe-tech designed to keep water out while allowing sweat to escape.
- Sealed seams: Fully sealed seams to prevent any sneaky leaks.
- High ankle support: Ankle support will increase your stability in the wet and stop water from sloshing in from above.
- Aggressive tread: The grippier, the better.
* Having a removable inner layer for your mountaineering boots makes a huge difference. Being able to take the inner layer of a boot out makes drying vastly easier.
The Best Boots for Hiking in the Rain
Personally, we’d recommend the Keen Targhee IV Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots, available in both men’s and women’s. Many of us have personally been rocking Keen’s Targhee series on trails for years now, and you could definitely say we’re big fans of these.
The Targhee IVs, in particular, offer a supreme balance of weatherproofing and comfort. While some boots might offer a bit more long-term water resistance, they’ll do so at the cost of Keen’s wider cut and overall versatility-versus-protection.
Also, if you need a little extra oomph to keep your boots dry in the rain, grab a bottle of Nikwax’s Nubuck & Suede Waterproofing Spray for Footwear. Applying these to a pair of Targhee IVs once every 3-6 months (or after serious wet exposure) will maintain superior waterproofing long after you’ve broken them in.
Best Hiking Rain Gear
Right—that’s your feet solved! Now, we just need to sort out the remainder of your rain-ready hiking gear.
Starting at the ankles up, here are our personal picks for the best rain gear for hiking and backpacking:
- Rocky Mountain High Gaiters: Grab these gaiters and strap them over your boots and lower legs. They’ll prevent water from seeping down the ankle of your shoe and keep you much drier during those swollen creek crossings.
- REI’s Rainer Rain Pants Men’s / Women’s: REI’s in-house gear is generally pretty high-quality, and these pants show it. I particularly love that the women’s cut actually has pockets.
- Arc’teryx’ Beta SL Jacket Men’s / Women’s: The Beta SL, with full 3-layer GORE-TEX construction, is the best rain jacket for hiking, hands down. It’s lightweight, stacked with venting and neat features, and keeps your torso bone-dry.
- Ultra Adventure Storm Hat: This is easily one of the best rain hats for hiking. It’s 100% waterproof, and while the neck cape may not be the most Instagrammable design, it is certainly superior functionalism.
- A Backpack Cover: Most hiking backpacks will actually come with a rain cover included. However, if you need one, try to find your backpack brand/model’s tailored cover or find a general one that matches its sizing.
And, to finish off, much like with their footwear care, we’d also strongly recommend investing in NikWax’s Hardshell Cleaner and Waterproofing Duo to maintain your other rain hiking gear. Standard detergents will deteriorate your gear’s water resistance, so this combo is the best way to wash it and top up that waterproofing after a good outdoor soaking.
Staying Safe While Hiking in the Rain
So, truthfully, is it safe to hike in the rain?
Yes! Buuuuuut…
Hiking in the rain adds a layer of adventure that also brings a layer of genuine risk. Slippery trails, flash floods, hypothermia, and poor visibility can quickly turn a fun jaunt into a dangerous situation.
The key to staying safe when hiking in (or after) the rain is preparation, awareness, and smart decision-making:
- Watch Your Step: Slips and falls can turn bad quickly. The rain makes everything a lot more treacherous. Trekking poles can increase stability on slick rocks, muddy inclines, and wet foliage. Stay attentive, take deliberate steps, and proceed more cautiously despite how tired you get.
- Layer Up: Waterproof hiking gear and, crucially, warm woolens for mid-layers and extremities are essential. Hypothermia can set in even in mild temperatures if you’re wet and exposed to wild winds.
- Stay Attentive to Flood Levels: Know your route, and factor in all streams, rivers, creeks, and everything else that can rapidly change conditions in downpours. Rain can turn gentle streams into raging rivers in mere minutes. Crossing water must be approached with extreme caution.
- Get Down for Lightning: If you hear thunder, respond fast. Move to lower ground immediately, and avoid open areas, lone trees, or holding metal trekking poles.
- Plan for the Conditions: Particularly, plan for shorter daylight and poor visibility in the rain and heavy clouds. Moreover, there are a few hiking safety gadgets we’d advise you to take, including a headlamp, and a map and compass. We’d also suggest seriously considering a satellite device like the Garmin inReach Mini too.
- Be ready to move: if a serious weather system is about to develop, you have to get to safety, and that often means picking up the pace. Keep calm and try your best to avoid rushing haphazardly.
And lastly, remember there’s no shame in choosing to hike another day. Swollen river crossings or not, if the weather is worsening, the trail is flooding, or your boat has floated up a certain creek without a paddle (so to speak), just turn back.
Living to hike another day is ALWAYS the better choice.
Rainy Day Hiking Ideas
Just because the skies are sobbing doesn’t mean you also have to stay indoors whining. Truthfully, some hikes just get better in the rain! At the very least, if you embrace the wet, they’re a solid side-grade.
First up, we’d advise staying off the peaks and elevation. Generally speaking, exposed plateaus and windy mountaintops are not where you want to be hiking during rainfall. The only exception here is if you can find a dramatic lookout with good visibility above the rain. If the weather is more trapped in the valleys below and you’re up high looking down, it’s a very whimsical experience.
Instead, forests are our go-to recommendation for a rainy-day hike. A dense forest canopy often shields you from rainfall. Plus, you’ve got the bonus of that extra layer of life that emerges in wet weather. New smells, sounds, and colors that give the landscape a feeling of an Impressionist painting come alive.
Or, if you know how to stay safe and are prepared, go chasing waterfalls (and stick to the rivers and lowlands you’re used to). Provided you’re not hiking across any rapids or scurrying upstream, the enhanced, wild landscape of furious rivers and cascading falls in and after the rain is cinematic at worst and downright iconic at best. Just be careful!
Oh, and last tip: if you’re at all a friend of fungi, consider foraging for mushrooms too! Post-downpour, you’ll find some incredible specimens, including bioluminescent varieties if you’re really lucky.
Additional Tips for Hiking in the Rain
And now, to finish off, here are a few final tips for hiking in the rain to throw your way:
- Eat More Than You Think You Need: Hiking in the wet and cold burns more calories, so pack plenty of food and snack frequently. The same goes for water—drink a lot because you won’t necessarily notice dehydration as quickly.
- Seal Your Essentials: Your phone, map, your car’s key fob… seal them away safely! Dry bags are excellent for this, and Ziploc bags make a great budget solution.
- Keep Moving: Keep your rests short and, ideally, under some cover. Staying sedentary for too long lets the cold seep in fast.
- Avoid Caving: It’s kind of a niche safety tip for rainy hikes, but stay out of caves. Caves can flood and change conditions quickly in the rain, so other than using the mouth for cover, avoid them.
- Respect Your Feet: Alongside keeping your shoes as dry as possible in the rain, remember to take spare socks and always go for woolen ones. (Avoid cotton at all times in the rain.) Also, in emergencies, you can put your feet in plastic bags before you put your shoes on as an extra liner.
- Dry Your Gear Properly: Don’t be slack: take care of the essential rain hiking gear that takes care of you! Dry your gear out after every hike and treat it with products like Nikwax regularly to maintain optimal performance and prevent mildew and mold.
Wrapping Up: Hiking in the Rain
And our final tip: have fun! Embrace the rain. As (another) wise old man once said: “Whatever the weather is when you arrive at where you want to go is exactly what it needs to be.”
You’ll get wet, but if you’re prepared for the risks, you’ll stay dry. And you’ll have a damn good adventure while you’re at it.
Then, when you’re back home after a full day’s hike, take a hot shower. Or even a bath! Fry up your favorite comfort meal and take a load off.
Hiking in the rain can be Type II Fun. But that just means you always look back at it with a fond smile and a proud feeling of a job well done.
