Best Extended Size Layers
To Keep You Warm And Comfy
On The Trail
By Diane Spicer
Are you a female hiker seeking the best extended size layers for fall hiking?
Bingo!
Here they are, just waiting for you to give them a look.
And to make your shopping (and shipping) experience fun and easy, let's visit REI Co-op's selection of plus size layering pieces for fall hikes.
Another place to look: Amazon.
Hiking For Her is an Amazon and a REI Co-op affiliate, so when you purchase using this website, HFH receives a small commission.
- You pay nothing extra, and I have the comfort of knowing you're in good hands.
Not a member of REI Co-op yet? Here are 14 reasons why being a member has its rewards for an outdoorsy woman.
Streamlined process
To save time, I pulled together the best of the best extended size layers for fall hiking for you, using REI Co-op's and Amazon's excellent website with detailed product descriptions.
- Secret sauce in this guide: my own extensive knowledge of high quality, durable and well designed hiking clothing for women
- Click on each photo for the complete scoop
Tip:
Be sure to read the customer reviews for even more insight into whether or not this clothing works well for your body type and hiking style.
Now let's get layering!
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Best extended size layers
for fall hiking: the basics
What you wear against your skin is your base layer.
- Hiking clothing layering system details here
Want to start at the absolute beginning?
Time for some sports bras and undies that work hard for you on the trail.
For your convenience, the names of the items are in blue.
Click the photo for more details.
Plus size sports bras
Unicorns are easier to find than a decent sports bra.
Unless you know where to look.
Here are some hints about hiking sports bras in extended sizes.
- You're on your own for the unicorns - I'll never tell!
Underwear choices
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- ExOfficio Give-N-Go Bikini Briefs in sizes through 2XL
- Pleasantly lightweight fabric
- Moisture wicking to direct perspiration away from your skin
- Fast drying, so you can swish and rinse, and have them ready to go the next morning
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Let's get to the bottom
of your base layer
on a fall hike
Now that you've got support up top, and the right fabric to wick your sweat, it's time to start the actual layering process.
In chilly hiking weather you have a decision to make for your legs and hips: do you need an extra layer underneath your hiking pants?
If the answer is yes, here's a good option: prAna Pillar 7/8 Leggings
- Available in sizes 1X - 3X
- Moisture wicking nylon/spandex fabric blend
- Mid rise to work well with your backpack hip belt
- Fabric generously allows each of your movements along the trail
- Ankle length, so you can tuck socks underneath or wear them over the leggings
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Here's a slightly different design to accomplish the same big hiking goals you expect in a base layer: flexible fabric, moveability, and moisture wicking.
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REI Co-op lightweight base layer tights in two colors and sizes to 3X. 92% polyester (moisture wicking and breathability), 8% spandex for freedom of movement and an easy pull on style.
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32 Degrees gives you one more option
What's not to love about this pair of leggings on a chilly trail? 87% polyester plus 13% Elastane give you everything you need, and 4 color choices keep it fun, in sizes 1X - 3X. Love the tapered legs, so compatible with mid rise hiking socks - or will stay out of the way with low rise trail shoes!
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Layering up trick:
shorts plus tights
Repurpose your summer hiking shorts by adding a base layer beneath them.
Here's a worthy combo: The prAna tights mentioned above paired with REI Co-op Active Pursuits Shorts.
The shorts feature sizing through 3X in breathable wicking 4-way stretch polyester.
The flat seams, stretchy elastic waistband, hand pockets (one of them zips shut) & easy pull on style give you good things on the trail.
Top choices:
best extended size layers
for fall hiking
So what makes a good top base layer?
Glad you asked!
You definitely want softness and the ability to pull a shirt on and off quickly and easily, so skip buttons and other closures.
- A relaxed neck line will help with this, and provide room for a soft fleece scarf on particularly chilly trails.
The fabric needs to be moisture wicking and fast drying, to handle the sweat you're going to be generating as you hike - think armpits and waist.
And long sleeves for fall hiking just make sense, especially if you can push or roll them up if you get too warm.
How about this Smartwool Merino long sleeve hiking shirt?
Trail tip:
A hiker can never have too many pieces of Smartwool technology in a layering system. This fabric is absolutely bombproof! So don't hesitate to invest in base layers from this company.
Best extended size layers
for fall hiking:
carefully consider your outer layer pants
For your convenience, the names of the items are in bold.
Click the photo for more details.
If you skip a base layer and go straight to an outer layer to cover your lower half, be sure they're the right weight for your hiking style.
Here's a light weight nylon option that would work well even if you change your mind about hiking with a base layer: REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants in sizes through 3X (26W).
Plus they're convertible, so you can use these for summer hiking trails as well - earning them an even more worthy spot in your hiking wardrobe.
REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants
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Lots to love about these pants: - color coded thigh zippers so you can piece them back together easily if you convert to shorts
- stretch fabric
- gusseted crotch PLUS articulated knees for freedom of movement
- integrated waist belt so you can adjust the sizing
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Not interested in a base layer beneath your pants?
Here's a more rugged hiking pants choice, in sizes through 3X:
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REI Co-op XeroDry GTX Pants - Windproof
- Waterproof
- Yet breathable and lightweight
- Articulated knees, under-leg gussets
- Elastic plus drawcord waist to get the fit just right
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These are suitable for later fall hikes when you know you'll be facing wet vegetation along the trail (or IN the vegetation during pit stops).
Or when you sit on the damp ground, scramble over saturated downed logs ... you get the idea! You want to stay dry whenever you contact something wet, right?
- These are the pants for you!
Trail tip:
If you decide to layer tights or leggings beneath your pants, be sure you size up appropriately.
The crotch and leg gussets noted in the pants above will really help you out with retaining free movement while trapping body heat in windy or wet conditions.
Sizing tip:
REI Co-op defines inseam lengths like this:
- SHORT (petite) INSEAM: 30 inches regardless of waist sizes.
- REGULAR INSEAM: 32 inches on all waist sizes.
Be sure to check the inseam data (when available, sometimes it's missing) before ordering hiking pants.
Top trailworthy outer options
for fall hiking
For your convenience, the names of the items are in bold.
Click the photo for more details.
Some women hikers like to keep the layering going on top by adding a versatile vest before pulling on a jacket, like this REI Co-op 650 Down Vest in sizes through 3X.
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Nylon fabric over a down fill creates wind resistance plus water repellency, and look at the abundance of stitching to keep everything in place. Full length front zipper plus zippers on hand pockets to keep you warm and your gloves in one place. Love the big pockets for stashing snacks and a hat!
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Trail tip:
"650" fill power refers to the ability of the down to trap and store your body heat; this is a good weight for fall hiking.
In mildly cool conditions, you'll be able to rely upon this vest to keep you warm, without resorting to a jacket.
Also looks nice enough to wear around town, don't you think?
Another vest option in your best extended size layers for fall hiking

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32 Degrees offers this ultralight packable down vest, in sizes 1X - 3X. The full front zipper teamed up with two zipped side pockets gives you lots of options for ventilation and storage. And inside the vest, the pockets provide sort of a "stash" space for a cell phone or snacks you want to keep from freezing.
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Here's more coverage
Another option: pull on a lightweight hoodie over your base layer shirt for full torso and arm coverage.
This REI Co-op Active Pursuits Hoodie has more going for it than a hood!
- Full front zipper to avoid the well known and dreaded "I'm trapped in my hoodie and can't get out" trail hazard
- Soft, stretchy cotton/fleece blend will do a nice job of trapping your body heat while giving you free movement
- Heads up: Don't use this as an outer layer when it's wet; it belongs beneath a jacket for rainy conditions
Time to get technical with the
best extended size layers
for fall hiking
Some hikers prefer to jump straight to an outer shell jacket layered over their base layer shirt.
Here's where technical features really make a difference.
This REI Co-op XeroDry GTX Jacket, sizes through 3X, is worth a look. And it pairs nicely with the REI Co-op XeroDry GTX Pants you saw above.
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- GoreTex Paclite fabric gives you protection against wind and water but is breathable and lightweight
- Articulations keep you from feeling stuffed into the jacket when you need to bend or raise your arms
- Adjustable hood, so wear it with or without a hat
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If you're seeking a jacket with venting options to regulate your body heat, here's the one:
REI Co-op Rainier Rain Jacket gives you pit zips. Always grab a jacket with pit zips when you know you'll be sweating up a storm (especially if you're hiking through one). More to love: - Rated to stand up to 60 mph winds (!!!)
- Durable water repellent (DWR) fabric finish
- Sealed seams to keep your base and mid layers as dry as possible
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Best extended size layers for fall hiking:
the end
Well, that about covers it!
And you ;)
We've narrowed down the best extended size layers for fall hiking.
But it's not really the end.
You're just getting started!
P.S. You want warm hands on a chilly hike, don't you?
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Best Extended Size Layers For Fall Hiking
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