The Best Hiking Clothing for 2024

Looking to up your game with The Best Hiking Clothing for 2024?  Then Maier Sports has you covered.

If lockdown has had one positive, it’s that it has made many of us fully appreciate the great outdoors that lies right on our doorstep. Whether it’s our daily amble to the local park or a lengthy weekend hike, many of us have developed a love of walking that will last way after lockdown.

If you are going to get serious about getting outside, having the right gear can make a world of difference and when it comes to hiking clothing, you cannot go wrong with Maier Sports. 

Maier Sports have been making high quality fabrics since 1938, and in 1970 they began to manufacture clothing for skiing and tennis. They are now one of the most established brands in the outdoor industry, thanks to their innovative design and industry leading technology whether you’re hiking the trails or carving up the pistes.

Their products combine impressive comfort, highly technical fabrics and stylish designs, but what truly sets Maier Sports apart is their vast range of sizing, which guarantees the perfect fit every time. Indeed, this is what draws so many outdoor adventurers to the brand, whether it’s for hiking gear, ski clothing or urban travel attire.

Many of their jacket and trouser styles are available in up to 61 – yes, 61! – different sizes and several fit variations. On trousers, it allows you to ensure that both the waist width and leg lengths are correct to your measurements, meaning no more compromises when it comes to finding the perfect fit. Think a tailored experience, but without the extreme price tag!

The brand is also at the forefront of sustainability in the hiking industry, having been the very first outdoor company to start producing PFC-free fabrics and more recently making the outdoor stretch pant collection 100% PFC-free.

We’ll take you through some of the best hiking clothing available from Maier Sports, so you’ve got all the gear and all the ideas on your next outdoor adventure!

Testing the Inara Slim (far right)

Women’s

Inara Slim / Vario Pants

Both £89.95

The Inara are one of Maier Sports’ most popular hiking pant styles for women and we can definitely see why.

We were lucky enough to take the Inara Slim pants for a test ride ourselves last year and can confirm, these are the most comfortable hiking trousers we’ve ever worn. Not only does the Perfect Fit Guarantee ensure a fantastic fit for you, but the super-stretchy durable material (mSTRETCH Pro 4 fabric to be precise!) never feels constricted and offers exceptional freedom of movement.

The original Inara Slim design features a traditional waistband with loops and an integrated belt.

However, new for 2021, Maier Sports have developed the Inara Vario, a new variation on these classic pants that features a highly comfortable high-cut waistband, as well as flex zones throughout the trousers for ultimate comfort.

Inara Vario

On both styles, the environmentally friendly PFC-free finish and dryprotec technology ensure that they protect you well from the elements and dry quickly even if you happen to get caught in a storm!

All in all, they’re a highly functional pant but the fit is far and away the star of the show with the Inara. I’ve never owned a pair of trousers that fit me this well – it’s almost as if they are tailored especially for you, rather than being that frustrating compromise between the size that’s too big and the size that’s too small (a situation we’ve all been in I’m sure!). This makes your activity so much more enjoyable, as you don’t ever have to worry about the ends dragging along the floor or the waistband falling down.

Both Inara pants offer a flattering slim fit, which I personally love, but if you are after a baggier style, you may prefer the Lulaka pants.

Lulaka Pants

£79.95

A Maier Sports bestseller, the Lulaka (pictured above) has it all; high performance, impressive functionality and unparalleled comfort. Maier Sports’ unique mSTRETCH per 4 fabric allows for fantastic ease of movement in all kinds of activities, with lots of stretch and a soft feel on the skin.

What sets the Lulaka apart is their functional leg rollup feature,  which allows you to quickly, easily and securely roll up the pant legs on those warm summer days!

Meanwhile, you’ve got the classic perfect Maier Sports fit, with a flex zone waistband and integrated belt, a water repellent finish and dryprotec technology to truly optimise your performance outdoors. In fact, the Lulaka are often referred to as the Maier Sports ‘Mother’ pants, as they are the base for an impressive 5,436 different pant variations!

The Lulaka is a tried and tested favourite for many hikers out there and certainly a style we’d recommend.

Kerid Shorts

£44.95

Perfect for those warmer summer days, the Kerid Shorts feature a 4-way stretch fabric and loose fit that will be sure to keep you cool and comfortable on your adventures.

On top of that, you’ve got Ripstop fabric to protect the shorts from tearing on branches or thorns, as well as dryprotec fabric for quick drying if the shorts do get wet.

Throw in a bright, sporty style, zippered pocket and an elasticated waistband for extra comfort, the Kerid shorts provide the perfect combination of style and substance.

Zonda Jacket

£159.95

New for 2021, the Zonda jacket is perfect for unpredictable weather thanks to its unique packaway nature. Like many jackets in Maier Sports’ new range, the Zonda features an mTEX 10.000 membrane, making it windproof, waterproof and breathable – a winning combo!

The material is lovely and soft to the touch, making it incredibly comfortable to wear, while the environmentally friendly PFC-free finish simply lets raindrops drip off if you do get caught in a downpour.

What we like most about this jacket is that it’s incredibly lightweight and can be very quickly and easily packed into itself, perfect if you find yourself getting a little too warm on the uphill! To add to this jacket’s versatility, there’s also a detachable hood and adjustable waist and cuffs, meaning it’s great for changing conditions.

We’ve got to say we also love the style of this jacket, with a slim fit and bright colouring.

The Maier Sports Zonda Jacket is available for both men and women. 

Men’s

Metor Jacket

£149.95

We all know that versatility is key when it comes to the best hiking clothing – particularly when venturing out into the infamously erratic UK weather! So if you’re after a hiking jacket can adapt to all conditions, the Maier Sports Metor jacket could be the one for you.

This is one of Maier Sports’ comfiest jackets for serious hikes, with a Silverplus mesh lining that ensures the upper body remains fresh and comfortable during even the most extreme ascents! The outer material features an environmentally-friendly, PFC-free finish and waterproof mTEX 10.000 membrane – meaning it’s highly breathable whilst still providing high levels of protection from the elements.

Adjustable cuffs and hem as well as a detachable hood mean that the Metor is easily adaptable while you’re on the move, while the unique Packaway function allows it to be easily packaged into itself for quick and convenient storage.

Tind Eco Jacket

Both men’s and women’s – £159.95

With the same mTEX 10.000 membrane as the Meteor jacket, the Tind Eco jacket provides the same water and windproof protection in a slightly different style. In the Tind Eco, elasticated 2-way stretch material offers unparalleled freedom of movement for all levels of activity.

Having tested the women’s version myself last year, I can confirm that this is far and away one of the most comfortable and lightweight technical hiking jackets I’ve ever tested.

Though it may appear thin at first glance, the 2.5-layer material offers incredible weather protection, with the mTEX 10.000 membrane and water-repellent PFC-free finish keeping both water and wind at bay.

You never feel restricted in the Tind jacket, and as the material is so lightweight and flexible, you almost forget you’re wearing such a technical layer at times!

It also features two spacious pockets with waterproof zips, as well as a smaller interior pocket for extra security for any smaller items.

Nil / Nil Plus Pants

Essentially the men’s version of the Lulaka, the Nil hiking pants are another bestseller, packed with functional features. Known as the Maier Sports ‘Forefather’ pants, these pants are the base for an impressive 5,436 different trouser variations.

The Nil Pants feature the classic elastic mSTRETCH Pro 4 fabric present in many of Maier Sports pants, providing great flexibility, durability and comfort in every step, while the belt and flex zone waistband ensure you get a perfect fit.

The Nil also feature the functional leg roll up feature, to ensure you can remain cool even on the warmer days, as well as dryprotec technology to ensure the pants dry quickly if the weather turns in!

You’ve also got four exterior zipped pockets as well as an interior security pocket for any smaller valuables.

Those looking for extra durability should also consider the Nil Plus – which offer a reinforced seat and hem for ultimate protection when in more overgrown terrain!

Nil Pants – £79.95
Nil Plus – £111.95

To explore more outdoor gear, head to maier-sports.com