Kate Middleton’s hiking outfit proves you don’t need expensive gear

I’m not convinced that I need the right equipment for every outdoor excursion; To some extent, this is part of my job as gear director. Outside. When it’s drizzling lightly while walking the dog, I’m breaking out a shell with a three-layer waterproof, breathable membrane. If I have to wade through snow during a cool winter trip, I wear boots with PrimaLoft Gold insulation, a felt-lined footbed, and thick lugs. Somewhere along the way, I’ve convinced myself that expensive gear is the only solution when I’m “fighting the elements” outside — even if the elements I’m battling are light air and nearly dead AirPods.

It was refreshing to see Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, conquer the UK’s National Three Peaks Challenge in a basic pair of running shorts.

what was the princess wearing

The princesses I grew up watching in cartoons and reading about in newspapers wore dazzling ball gowns, eye-popping Avenger dresses, glittering tiaras and, sometimes, a mermaid tail. No matter what the occasion, the princesses had the perfect dress for it — and that dress was tailored to within an inch of its life. Money was no object. After all, who can put a price tag on a perfect look?

With that mindset, I fully expected it to click instagram carousel Announce Princess Kate’s milestone (which requires her to climb the highest mountains in Scotland, England, and Wales within 24 hours) and immediately identify the $500 jacket, $400 hiking boots, and $600 heavy-duty pack. If anyone had a primo hiking outfit, it would be the Princess of Wales.

I was surprised when I saw clothes that could have been in my wardrobe. A Fjallraven Baseball Cap. A simple navy short sleeve top. Solid, simple hiking shoes. An Apple Watch. and a The North Face Bright Red Pair of Running Shorts.

Sure, the Apple Watch isn’t exactly a budget choice. But otherwise, Kate’s kit is pretty basic: functional, reasonably priced, and (probably) not altered by a professional seamstress.

When good enough is good enough

If you don’t have the right gear, what’s keeping you from going on that hike or trying trail running for the first time is ask yourself: What’s the most basic version of this thing that I really need to keep me safe, prepared, and comfortable? Not the best version. Not the version that a dedicated gear junkie will have in their shed. Minimum Viable Product Exactly what you need – no frills, no fancy features, no useless add-ons. Like wearing a standard pair of running shorts to cover 23 miles across three countries.

If you’re climbing Everest or running in the western states, good gear still matters – a lot. But by most of us’s standards, the difference between “best in class” and “will get you to the finish line” is smaller than you might think. At the end of the day, Kate’s gear isn’t what got her to that final summit; This was his determination and dedication to the cause.

I’m visiting my dad this week, staying in my childhood bedroom — as any millennial adult child knows, this means I’m wearing a weird mix of old sports uniforms and college T-shirts. This morning, I bought a pair of turquoise Ambroises from circa 2006 for my morning walk. No mesh liner. There is no adjustable waist or small pouch for my keys. Sweat stains are visible on every fold of the clothes. I had to hold my phone in my hand like a heathen.

But you know what? The run was just as enjoyable as it would have been in a brand new pair of technical running shorts. To be honest, Umbro is certain to make a comeback anyway.

3 hiking basics we recommend

• hiking shoes: Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 trail-running shoes, from $116 (men’s shopping | shop women)
• Day Hiking Pack: The North Face Trail Lite 12L Backpack, $110 (Shop)
• trekking poles: Retrospec Solstice Hiking Poles, $30 (Shop)