Trek Clothing and Footwear Guide

🌾 Start Here

Don’t let pioneer clothing stress you out—it may feel unfamiliar at first, but many youth end up loving it! Dressing like pioneers becomes a fun and immersive part of the experience. We want you to be comfortable, protected, and ready for a wonderful, spirit-filled trek experience!

Our goal is to share what experienced trekkers have learned and what the Church recommends, so you feel prepared, comfortable, and excited for Trek.

In obtaining or making pioneer clothing, leaders and youth should not spend excessive time or money. Many items can be found in existing wardrobes, secondhand stores, or borrowed.

See the Pioneer Trek Packing List for guidance on clothing quantities and other required items.

🌾 The Basics (Everyone Must Know)

  • Choose lightweight, lightcolored, breathable clothing (i.e. cotton, linen, polyester)

  • Wear clothing that covers your skin (sun + dust protection)

  • Sunscreen is essential

  • Expect heat, dust, and changing temperatures in evenings and mornings

  • These guidelines will actually help you feel cooler throughout the day

🌾 Required Clothing & Gear

  • 👣FEET=TOP PRIORITY!

    • ✔️ SHOES

      • Comfortable shoes for trekking that are already broken in

      • Trail running shoes are the best! You may also wear athletic shoes with good traction or well-broken in, light hiking boots or shoes. They don’t need to be waterproof—too hot.

        • MOST IMPORTANTLY! Hike in your shoes with the socks you are going to wear to break the shoes in before Trek.

      • A second pair of shoes such as water shoes, Crocs or Tevas for water crossings and to wear around camp.

      • If your feet tend to blister, consider bringing something like this and put it on in the morning each day before starting to walk.

  • ✔️ SOCKS

    • Light/thin wool blend hiking socks with thin liner synthetic socks underneath

      • Brands like Smartwool, Darn Tough, or similar

      • Cost around $20 a pair but worth it and will last forever!

      • Wool actually wicks sweat well in the heat and doesn’t smell.

      • Get the “crew” length so they are not too short.

      • Make sure they fit well and are not too big or small, and these will prevent blisters.

      • We recommend wearing thin lightweight liner socks under your wool sock. If you just look at liner socks on Amazon or a good sock store any of these should work. These also prevent friction and blisters.

  • ✔️ Comfortable underwear

  • ✔️ Pajamas, light weight

🌾 Outfit Guidelines

Young Women

  • Wide-brim hat with chin strap—bonnets are okay but may obstruct vision

  • Lightweight, lightcolored, long sleeved, breathable blouses or tops (best for sun and dust protection)

  • Skirts or dresses (mid-calf to ankle length, not too long to avoid tripping)

    • Covering your legs with lightweight fabric helps reduce dust, dirt, sunburn, insect bites, and keeps your legs more comfortable throughout the day

  • Bloomers or cut-off lightweight cotton pajama bottoms underneath to prevent chafing

  • Lightweight shorts (like bike shorts or athletic shorts) can also work well

  • Aprons (pockets are helpful)

  • ❌No long leggings- too hot!

Young Men

  • Wide-brim hat with chin strap

  • Lightweight, lightcolored, long sleeved button up tops (loose-fitting, light-colored)

  • Lightweight, loose-fitting pants (hiking or work-style)

  • ❌ NO JEANS (too hot and can cause chafing - you will regret wearing these!)

  • Belt or suspenders

🌾 Essential Accessories (Everyone)

  • 🧣 Bandana or neck covering (sun and dust protection)

  • Thin rain jacket or poncho

  • Light weight jacket

  • 😎Sunglasses (sun + dust protection)

🌾 Where to Find Clothing

You do not need to spend a lot—check your existing wardrobes, secondhand stores, or borrow. Great options can also be found at:

  • Deseret Book

  • Walmart

  • Costco

  • Amazon

  • Target

  • Sierra

  • eBay

  • TJ Maxx

  • Etsy

  • Pinterest

🌾 Helpful Links (Examples only - you don’t have to get these specific items)

✂️ Make or Sew Your Own

This can be a simple and fun option—and a great group activity. We are happy to help you coordinate a sewing night with sewing sisters from the stake:

🌾 Final Thoughts

We’ll keep sharing simple outfit ideas—like hats, skirts, pants, tops, and aprons—to make planning easier and less overwhelming.

You do not need the “perfect” outfit.

  • Borrow what you can

  • Thrift what you can

  • Keep it simple

If you have questions or aren’t sure what to bring, please reach out—we’re here to help. We want this to feel fun, doable, and something you can look forward to!

To the right are some examples from the 2018 trek:




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Go to Packing List
Go to Packing List
Download as a PDF
Contact

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arvadastakeyoungmen@gmail.com

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