It was easier to look hot while hiking when I was younger.

To my daughters horror, I actually go out into the world to hike looking like this.  It started happening over the course of 10 years.  I started needing more and more stuff.  I worried about skin cancer.  I was afraid I would get stranded and not have enough water. Or food. or sunblock. Or bug spray. Or Advil, or, or or.  The gear started growing as my hiking neurosis set in.   Try as I may, I couldn't find a chic hiking hat that was waterproof, light and sweat resistant.  Likewise the pants and shoes started looking a lot like something a middle aged woman might wear and not a stylish wannabe.  But you know what?  I DON'T CARE.  I have become so secure (paranoid), self reliant (carrying batteries for my phone), and an true hiking enthusiast (trying to burn calories from too much eating) that I have moved into a more zen place about how ridiculous I look.  So there!