When I wanted to take my babies and toddlers hiking, I was often worried that they would be too cold or hot. Like many parents, I wondered about the best ways to dress young children for hiking.
Usually, babies and toddlers need to wear one layer more than adults when they are hiking. Young children are not able to regulate their heat as well as adults and can suffer both heat and cold injuries more easily. Above 75° F (24° C) young children can dress in light clothes without the extra layer.
There are more things to be aware of when dressing young children for an outdoor excursion, especially if you will be out in warm or cool weather.
How to Dress Your Baby or Toddler for a Hike
After the newborn period, most parents have learned to tell if their baby is uncomfortably hot or cold. In general, the recommendation is to dress infants in the same clothing that you are comfortable in, plus one layer. Over 75° F (24° C), infants and toddlers are usually fine going without the extra layer.
When you are hiking, it’s important to be able to adjust clothing as needed, so make sure you take an extra layer and that you can take a layer off if needed. If you dress your child in lightweight layers, you will be prepared for nearly any weather situation you are likely to encounter.
How to Dress Your Baby for Hot Weather
During warm or hot weather, dress your baby in cotton. Polyester and other synthetics often hold in heat and don’t allow sweat to evaporate, making your child hot and uncomfortable. Breathable cotton shirts and pants allow breathability while helping to keep the sun off their skin. For better sun protection, look for loose long sleeves and long pants.
Don’t forget to provide sun protection for your baby or toddler’s head and face as well as their body. Many babies and toddlers have thin hair and sensitive skin and need protection from the sun. They need to wear a sunhat and sunglasses when possible.
If your baby gets hot and uncomfortable in a baby carrier, it might be too warm for hiking. Other options include allowing a toddler to walk part of the way, using a carrier that has breathable netting, or using a stroller or wagon instead of a carrier. If your baby is getting hot and sweaty in a carrier, you are likely overheating as well, and it’s safer for everyone to find another way to hike or to wait until the weather is cooler.
How to Dress Your Baby in Cool Weather
When you are hiking in cool or cold weather, make sure you bring layers. If you have a baby or toddler in a carrier, both you and your child are likely to get warm faster than you usually do. It’s like carrying around a little heater! So be prepared with layers that you can remove if you get hot. One of the things to watch for in cold weather is sweating. If you start sweating, it can contribute to hypothermia later as you and your clothes get damp.
It is recommended that you dress in three layers when you are hiking in cold or cool weather. First, an underlayer of insulation, such as long underwear or leggings. Then a middle layer of regular clothes such as pants and a long-sleeve t-shirt. Finally, add an outer layer for wind and weather protection, such as a light waterproof jacket or thin coat. If you are hiking in cool rather than cold weather, you might only want two of these layers.
Avoid putting your toddler or baby in thick, fat bundles of clothing like very heavy coats or parkas. These can frustrate children as they can feel stifled and have trouble moving. In addition, it can make it hard to get them in and out of their carriers. Instead, stick with the layer method and add or subtract layers as you need to keep everyone comfortable.
How to Dress Your Baby in Wet Weather
Wet weather, whether it’s rain, snow, or fog, can but a damper on any hike, but that is especially true if you are hiking with babies or toddlers. There are ways to have a successful hike even if the weather is grumpy, as long as conditions are safe- not too cold and no dangerous wind or lightning.
In order to stay dry while you are hiking in rain, it’s important to find outerwear that is both waterproof and breathable. This will keep you dry from the outside and while still permitting breathability, limiting that sticky, sweaty feeling that plastic material causes. Babies and toddlers who are in carriers are especially prone to getting sweaty as their bodies are confined held next to their grown-up.
Rather than bundling baby in a coat and then trying to squeeze them into a carrier, many parents prefer to put baby in a sweater and use a waterproof cover for the carrier. This is like a coat that wraps around both the carrier and the child, keeping them warm and dry without adding extra bulk.
DON’T Forget to Bring These Things when Hiking with a Toddler
When you’re hiking, there are some things you never want to forget. This is especially true if you are hiking with a baby or a toddler. Imagine having a diaper blowout on the trail and not having a change of clothes! If you have a baby or toddler, expect to carry more weight than you normally do, even for short hikes. Not only will you likely be carrying your baby, but you will also need to bring more supplies than adults need.
Read more about hiking with a baby in the rest of the series:
Hiking With Your Baby: EVERYTHING You Need to Know
Hiking With Your Baby: How Long Can They Be in the Carrier?
Hiking With Your Baby: Staying Safe in the Sun
Hiking With Your Baby: What is the Best Age?
What to Bring Hiking with a Baby or Toddler