Hiking — walking in natural environments — appears simple but involves systematic knowledge of human physiology, exercise science, materials science, and outdoor navigation. China’s outdoor hiking market experienced explosive growth from 2020-2025; behind the viral popularity of destinations like Taibai Mountain, Huangshan, Daocheng Yading, and deep hikes, large numbers of underequipped, underconditioned outdoor newcomers entered the market — and accident rates rose accordingly.
## Layering System
The core principle of hiking clothing is a three-layer system, not a single heavy garment:
**Base layer**: directly contacts skin; core function is moisture wicking. Preferred material: Merino wool (natural fiber, antimicrobial/odor-resistant, better wet insulation than synthetics). Acceptable alternative: polyester functional underwear. Absolute prohibition: pure cotton (“Cotton Kills” — cotton fibers lose insulating properties when wet, a fatal risk in cold environments).
**Mid layer**: insulation layer, retaining body heat. Material choice: down fill (goose/duck down — excellent compressibility, best dry insulation, but fails when wet) vs. synthetic insulation (Primaloft, better wet insulation, lower cost, suited for rainy environments). Patagonia, The North Face, and Arc’teryx are mainstream premium brands; domestic Toread and Kailas offer competitive entry-to-mid-range options.
**Shell layer**: windproof/waterproof outer, needs breathability. Gore-Tex is the industry standard (waterproofing ≥20,000mm, breathability MVTR ≥10,000g/m²/24h); eVent and Pertex Shield are major competitors. Shell function: block wind and rain while allowing sweat vapor to escape, preventing thermoregulation failure from “trapped sweat.”
## Hiking Footwear Selection Logic
**Low-cut trail running shoes**: suited for lightweight, good-terrain day hikes; lightweight and agile, with less ankle support. Salomon Speedcross and Hoka Speedgoat are representative models.
**Mid-cut hiking shoes**: the mainstream choice, providing ankle support and grip for most mountain environments. Salomon X Ultra and Merrell Moab are popular options.
**High-cut mountaineering boots**: essential for heavy-load hiking, long-distance traverses, snow/ice terrain; strong support but heavy; require break-in period. La Sportiva, Scarpa, and Lowa are professional brands.
## Training and Physical Preparation
Most hiking accidents occur on descents — knee joint stress (patellar cartilage, ACL) is 3-5× greater than flat walking. Prevention: strengthen quadriceps with eccentric training (single-leg squats), use trekking poles (distributing 25-30% of knee load), and control descent pace.
See [Trail Running Training System](https://sunqi.org/trail-running-training-en/) and [Gear Junkie outdoor gear reviews](https://gearjunkie.com/).
