Always gear. I do a lot of neighborhood/suburban walking on sidewalks so I'm in running shoes and gear. (I don't want to even walk around the block in a regular bra vs jog bra! ) On trails I usually wear my Eddie Bauer ankle high hiking boots, and same gear - only difference is usually I wear more rugged/nylon hiking pants, not joggers or tights, in the woods. My husband usually hikes in jeans and I always think how uncomfortable that would be!

When I was a runner for decades I knew exactly what layers to wear, to the degree. I have much more trouble knowing what to wear to walk in these transitional seasons. I hate being too hot, but I really don't want to be too cold. Many things get tied around my waist.

As we (DH&I) are hiking/walking our doggie in the fields we are wearing gear only -but we don't have where to stop by for treats:-( and no other people around than occasinal other doggie walker/hunter.

One time, years ago, I suffered hypothermia when I did not wear proper gear while hiking. It was summer and not at all a time when one would suspect that could happen. My clothing got wet in some unanticipated rain and it was trouble. It happened quickly. Since then, I always wear gear when I hike or head out into the neighborhood for a longer walk. Paranoia from experience. Nothing cotton. Thermoregulating clothes, wool or polyester fleece, etc. Ugh!

Staysfit, that’s a good point — I usually have a lightweight shell in my pack in case of quick weather changes, but they are not common here.

I always hop it in the yard with what I will wear before walking and have gotten good at dressing for the weather. It takes time.

Generally just my regular clothes + Birks. My hikes are short, just the woods in my neighborhood, or quick visits to state parks on my lunchbreak. If hiking is my only plan for the day (kir- not happened since Covid), I'll wear an athletic skort and tank, and the Birks of course.

I am very specific about my hiking clothes, which are differentiated from other athletic wear.

I mostly get them from Title Nine or Patagonia or Athleta. I don't like to wear shorts/skorts unless I am certain there will not be gorse or thistles or other scratchy things. I need shoes with ankle support. I prefer ripstop pants, preferably with some kind of side pocket for quick phone access. Lately I have been wearing hats for sun protection, though I very much dislike them as a look, and also because they feel hot.

POV: I am sitting near a lake in Castellar de la Frontera, eating cherries and nisperos, among many thistles, bleeding from the ankle, wearing typical mismatched kit, and a silly hat (but it has a string to prevent it from blowing away)