What to Wear When Hiking in Ireland

Hiking boots: These are an absolute must when hiking Ireland! Your hiking boots must have a sturdy sole and good ankle support – and be sure they are waterproof; even in mid-summer, the ground can be wet and boggy underfoot. Even on our easiest trips you will find that the off-the-beaten-track places you’ll visit will require a solid pair of boots!

Leg gaiters: Terrain is uneven in places and the routes are rarely paved. When hiking in Ireland, leg gaiters are a great addition to protect your lower legs in wet grass, especially on dry days when you won’t want to wear waterproof over-trousers.

Socks: To avoid blisters, be sure to wear  top quality hiking socks and break your boots in at home before embarking on your hiking vacation. Avoid cotton socks!

Want more information? We also recommend that you read our companion article: What to Wear – Hiking Footwear: Boot vs. Shoe

Upper body: Water-proofs are a key feature of any Irish outdoor wardrobe. You’ll find most Irish people have their waterproofs in their pack even on the clearest of sunny days ‘just in case.’ Fully waterproof, breathable jacket and over-trousers/rain pants are a must when hiking in Ireland. Breathability is important – if your waterproofs are not breathable, you’ll get wet from the inside out instead of vice versa which defeats the purpose of a water-proof.

Lower body: Avoiding getting wet is paramount to enjoying your trip to the fullest! Chances are even if the day starts with a drizzle, the waterproofs will be in our bags before long, so rain pants/over-trousers with side zips that allow you to get them on and off over boots are a great option. The pants with side zips usually start at a higher price point, but with the unpredictable and quickly-changing weather as well as the wet, boggy ground, being able to pull on your rain pants without removing boots etc. is a big plus.  

It’s always important to stay hydrated when hiking in Ireland, and because it isn’t usually hot, this is sometimes hard to remember. With that in mind, it’s essential to bring a good quality, light and reusable water bottle (or a hydration pack) on your Ireland vacation.

You’ve probably heard a lot about the negative effects of single-use plastics – it is for this reason that we do not supply water bottles on our trips, and recommend that you do not purchase single-use bottles while on your trip in Ireland. Instead, we recommend that you bring a reusable bottle or two of your choice. 

We keep large water containers in our van to allow you to refill your bottle, and we encourage our clients not to buy disposable water bottles to avoid adding unnecessary plastic to our landfills.