From hiking across Spain to teaching English in Thailand, Caitlin has been a wanderer for most of her adult life. She is an expert in traveling around Southeast Asia and giving out travel tips. Her passions include making music, exploring new places, and eating waffles.
I recently undertook the daunting task of shopping for new hiking clothes. I wanted something relatively affordable, comfortable, and of high enough quality that they’d hold up on even the toughest adventures. I quickly discovered that there are approximately five thousand options for every piece of outdoor equipment. Talk about overwhelming! But when I discovered Rohan, I was hooked.
If you’ve never heard of Rohan, don’t worry. I hadn’t either. But while they’re a smaller company than a lot of other big name brands, they have an extensive selection of clothing and accessories that are made for every occasion, from walking around the city to hiking in the Amazon.
Rohan makes clothes for men and woman, but I can only speak to their women’s selection. But based on my experience, I’d feel comfortable recommending their men’s line too! Here are some of my favorite items from their women’s clothing line, perfect for packing up and traveling across the globe!
I’m prone to being absolutely freezing no matter the weather, so a good base layer is vital. I’m always looking for layers that will keep me warm without being bulky or uncomfortable or getting too hot when I’m hiking. These shirts were perfect for that, and so cozy, too!
An alternative to a basic cotton long-sleeved shirt, this top is made from a quick-drying material that feels like a cozy cotton knit, but is a lot more durable. I’ll be honest…I bought this shirt for a backpacking trip in South America, but I’ve definitely worn it as a pajama top a few times, that’s how comfy it is!
Features:
Material: Quick-drying polyester and elastane blend
I haven’t worn a base layer vest since I was a kid on skiing trips, but boy, have I been missing out. I love this top. Its mix of merino wool and polyester means it dries super quickly, but still regulates your body temperature in that signature merino way.
You’ll never be too hot or too cold. Seems a little like magic, but I know there’s some actual science behind it! This top isn’t bulky, so it can easily be worn under other shirts (I’ve even layered it under the Fleet T). It’s a small piece but adds a lot of warmth in cold weather.
A good rain jacket is vital, but finding one that works well and is easy to travel with can be a pain. Rohan has several different waterproof jackets, but the one that suited me best was a more casual version, perfect for the occasional rainstorm and packing in my luggage just in case.
I was torn when choosing a waterproof jacket but ultimately landed on one of Rohan’s 2.5-layer Barricade™ rain jackets. I don’t do a lot of technical hiking and climbing in really rainy climates (I live in Southern California, after all), but I wanted something that would do for weekend camping trips or hikes on rain-splattered mornings.
This jacket is perfect. It’s super lightweight, comfortable, and looks pretty good, too! I’ll wear it just as a windproof layer when hiking sometimes. Unlike a lot of waterproof jackets I’ve worn, it’s not heavy and hot, so I’m happy wearing it even when it’s warm out.
This breathable jacket will definitely keep you dry for all-round, gentle low-level hikes, but note that Rohan do even more technical waterproof jackets with 3-layer Barricade™ (such as their new Vertex Jacket) which would be better suited to multi-day treks in the rain.
Features:
Material: Polyester with Barricade membrane technology and Durable Water Repellency
Weight: 230 g
Pack Size: 700 ml
Drying Time: 5 hours
Lightweight and packable (into a built-in pocket!)
Adjustable hood
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Up until a few years ago, I didn’t even know insect-repellent clothing was a thing. But when I was planning a trip to South America, I knew I’d need all the help I could get when it came to keeping the bugs at bay.
I am not a fan of mosquitos and creepy-crawlies, so the thought of having my clothing do the work for me was very appealing. Rohan has several items with a built-in Insect Shield, so I opted for a trekking shirt, pants, and socks.
I have the hardest time picking pants. I truly hate it. I’m a pretty tiny person and nothing ever seems to fit right. So when I was deciding what pants to buy, I was a little hesitant. Rohan’s women’s trousers start at a US size 4, which is larger than I normally wear. Would they fit? Would they look terrible? Would they be too long?
I decided on the smallest size in the regular length (there are short and long options, as well). When they arrived, I tried them on with a little apprehension, but they actually fit perfectly! And they immediately made me feel like I could go climb a mountain. They’re lightweight and comfortable but the fabric is super tough and durable. I like that they’re not bulky or hot but still provide solid protection.
I was looking for a shirt that had long sleeves and a collar, to protect against both the sun and potential creepy-crawlies in the jungle. This shirt fits the bill. It’s lightweight but tough, has UV protection as well as insect shield, and the material manages to keep you cool.
The sleeves roll up and can be fastened which is nice for warmer days. And it’s got cleverly hidden pockets for whatever items you need to carry. Its “seersucker” design allows for improved airflow as well as making it nearly impossible to wrinkle when packed in your bag.
I was worried these socks would be thick, like proper hiking socks, but they turned out to be much thinner and lightweight. This was perfect for the hot weather hiking I’d be doing but also meant that these socks can double as a liner with thicker hiking socks.
They’re super soft and comfortable and the seams aren’t bulky. I love that they come up a bit on the ankle too, ensuring no bugs will try to hide between my pants and boots (perfect if you’re hiking during tick season).
While I haven’t tried every item Rohan makes (yet!) I have been incredibly impressed with what I’ve worn. Their clothing is well made and thoughtfully produced and they are the perfect addition to any hiking wardrobe.
The one thing I’d take note of is that at least for me (a woman going off of US sizes), the sizes seemed to run a bit small. I normally wear a size smaller than what I wore from Rohan. Beyond that, everything fit perfectly!
If you’re an avid hiker, you’d definitely do well to include a few of their pieces in your repertoire. For me, the insect-repellent clothing won in terms of practicality, but my absolute favorite has got to be the rain jacket. Made for people who adventure, Rohan clothing definitely exceeds our standards!
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