I'm a Fashion Editor and Lifelong Hiker—12 Pieces I Love to Wear That Are Functional and Stylish

Ever since I can remember, I've loved being outdoors in nature. Growing up in England, I'd spend most of my vacations and weekends exploring the national parks—climbing the serene and diverse peaks of Snowdonia, exploring the lakes and landscapes of the Lake District, and discovering the heritage, history, and wide skies of Northumberland. In my early 20s, I embarked upon a soul-searching and life-changing 26-mile hike (the three-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu), and that was definitely the most challenging, rewarding, and memorable trip of my life. I've also been lucky enough to explore the beautiful trails in Valle del Elqui in Chile and slept under the stars in Patagonia, Argentina. Now that I live in Los Angeles, I continue to explore the magnificent hikes the area has to offer, and I'm slowly chipping off the American national parks on my bucket list. I've climbed in awe through the Grand Canyon and Acadia National Park, and Yosemite is next! If you ever need some motivation or encouragement to reap the mental and emotional health benefits that come with hiking in the great outdoors, then I'm your gal.

When it comes to hiking gear—clothing, in particular—I've tried and tested a lot along the way, and today, I want to share some of the brands and specific items I'm fond of. As an avid hiker and a fashion editor, I'm always looking for pieces that balance function and style. Since I'm doing a lot of local L.A. trails on the weekends, it's important to have plenty of versatile pieces that can take me from the trail to a coffee date seamlessly. Many of these pieces I've listed below do just that. They're comfortable and practical and look chic to boot. Keep scrolling to get your hiking on!

Patagonia

Patagonia's Better Sweater Fleece Jacket is the piece I use most often for hiking, post-hikes, and everything in between! I've owned mine for almost a decade, and it's still holding up superbly. It's comfortable and warm and has plenty of handy pockets.

I absolutely love Patagonia's Baggies Shorts. They come in a variety of cool colors; are made from lightweight, quick-drying recycled nylon made from recycled fishing nets to reduce ocean plastic pollution; and have a durable water-repellent finish. They're my go-to for my warm-weather L.A hikes.

Hikerkind

By far one of my favorite new brand discoveries for hiking has been Hikerkind. When it comes to aesthetics, it really gets it right—the perfect balance of performance and style. The brand is minimalist, streamlined, and not overly technical, making it perfect for the girlies who want to look and feel chic while they hike. Plus, the pieces are easy for everyday activities post-hike. Its Midlayer quilted pullover is one of my favorites. I wear it everywhere, not just for hikes. It's the ideal layering piece with a chic waffle texture and soft and breathable design, and it comes in a variety of gorgeous colors. It's ideal for everything from climbing mountains to unwinding at a café.

Free People Movement

If you're looking for hiking pieces that are trend-forward, then Free People Movement should be your first stop. Its designs, silhouettes, and colors always feel current and effortlessly cool. There are a number of pieces from the brand that I wear regularly on and off the trails. For hikes, I love the low-rise fleece-lined pants. They're super warm and comfortable and come in three versatile hues. I usually pair them with the Hit the Slopes Colorblock Fleece Pullover, which has a slouchy, relaxed fit ideal for throwing on on chilly mornings. Speaking of fleeces, one of my favorite styles and the piece I receive the most compliments on is my Hit the Slopes Fleece Jacket. I throw it on all the time over tank tops and tees. It has a really cool silhouette great for activewear and streetwear.

Merrell, Teva, and Salomon

When it comes to hiking shoes, I've grown an affinity for three brands over the years—Merrell (my absolute favorite), Teva, and Salomon. I have different styles from all three brands. I love the all-purpose, all-terrain Moab 3 from Merrell, which is made for trails with lots of obstacles with heavy debris. Teva's hiking sandals with a quick-drying silhouette and grippy rubber outsole are definitely my favorite for hikes involving water, and I always order half a size up from my normal size. My Salomon XT-6s are the most aesthetically pleasing and fashion-forward. I love wearing them on days when I'm going from trail to brunch.

The North Face

For rainy hikes, it doesn't get better than The North Face's Antora Jacket that offers the perfect balance of style and functionality. Made from the brand's fully recycled waterproof, windproof DryVent fabric, it's ideal for everything from light drizzles in town to on-trail downpours. When I take trips back to England, you better believe I'm always packing this!

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