photography: Rex Perry
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We've kept it simple, comfortable, and rather stylish, if we do say so ourselves. You'll be surprised how much more comfortable good outdoor clothing can be compared to jeans, sweatshirt, and Keds, even on a relaxing stroll. If you need multiple items, check online retailers like altrec.com, rei.com, or sierratradingpost.com, and you might find everything in one order.
At right and below: top and pants by prAna, shoes by Keen, and backpack by Osprey Packs. 
Best shoe: Keen Targhee,$99.95 at rei.com. A comfortable, stable shoe perfect for a day hike in the dry Badlands or an old-growth walk in the mushy Olympics. Light enough for a walk around the neighborhood or a trip to the grocery store when you're back home. Best sandal: Chaco Performance ZX/1, $95-105 www.chacousa.com. Not your normal flip-flop, these light sandals can go for a river ride or day hike without leaving blisters in their wake (though the strap tan can be quite amusing after a few sunny days). Don't plan on wearing out too fast, but if they do, Chaco has a great warranty department that makes the price seem reasonable. 
photography: Rex Perry
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Best rain jacket: Patagonia Women's Rain Shadow Jacket,$149 at Patagonia.com. When it comes to keeping the water off without creating a steam room inside the jacket, it's hard to beat Patagonia’s rainwear. This jacket is light and packs to the size of your socks. Patagonia stands behind their gear so you pay for a helpful guarantee. Best hiking shirts (that you can wear to dinner): prAna Core Pullover (Java) and Athena Sport Top (Fern Trident), $70 for pullover, $37 for sport top at prana.com. This combo should be a perfect match for a day hike. The sport top fits snug yet breathes for a hot day while the thin, wow-that’s-soft pullover packs a powerful warmth to its fitted, hooded form. Best hiking pants (that you can wear to the bar): prAna Eva Canvas Pant (Natural), $65 at prana.com. The subtle weave of spandex into these cotton pants takes an everyday pair of slacks to a higher level of comfort for a hike. With a stylish cut and fit they'll feel right at home at the après-hike bar.
photography: Rex Perry
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Best shorts: OR Venture Shorts, $50 at orgear.com. Great for a day that might involve getting wet, these shorts will dry within an hour if it's sunny. Plenty of pockets and a lightweight material make these superior to your average cotton clunkers. Best daypack: Osprey Daytool Series, $99, Find a dealer locator or call customer service at ospreypacks.com . If you last wore a backpack to history class, these new lines of packs will feel light as air. Sleek designs with padding in just the right spots, it will hold plenty of gear and food for a day hike. 
photography: Rex Perry
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Best hat: OR Sun Bucket (Sand/Dark Grey), $26 at orgear.com. Leave the crunchy sombrero and derby hats at home and go with one of these lightweight, durable (wad it up and shove it in your bag if it’s shady), and quick-drying sun hats. | 
