I don’t consider myself an expert hiker by any means, but choosing the right basic hiking gear is easy. Hiking is a fairly straight-forward sport to get into and you don’t need any special gear at all when you’re starting out — just a pair of good shoes, sun and bug protection and plenty of water and you’re good to go. Of course, as you get more miles under your belt, you can specialize and choose gear that’s optimal for your body, your abilities, the weather, and the terrain

When the temperature drops, layers are the secret to packing for cold climates and staying warm and comfortable both indoors and out. These layers aren’t the giant snow pants and massive parkas that immobilize you like the kids in “A Christmas Story.” They’re packable, comfortable and cozy enough to keep you warm in the harshest elements. One of my proudest travel moments came during a tour of Erfurt, Germany. We’d been tromping around for a few hours when my guide, a local,

Fall dressing requires lots of layers, and packing for an autumn trip requires a little strategy. These fall layering pieces work for sunny days and chilly nights. Everything is light, warm and packable, so you won’t add a lot of bulk to your body or weight to your luggage. And since everything fits neatly in a carry-on, it’s easy to stash a layer in your bag for when you’re out and about when the temperature drops. 1. Draped Cardigan: Tissue-thin and ultra versatile, an open