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Many hikers think that winter hiking gear has to be extensive and expensive. But it doesn't have to be. You just need a few key pieces and you're now set to hike in winter or in cold weather in warmth.
Read on to see what extra gear and clothing you need to stay warm. And the number one thing you need to stay safe which you can buy for less than $10!
You'll also find out which of your summer hiking gear you can use in winter saving you $$$ on new hiking gear.
1)You might think that it should be big and bulky but thanks to technological advances in clothing, winter hiking clothing can be surprisingly sleek. And that's where the first tip comes in.
Layering is so important because even when the temperature is cool, you may work up a sweat. And if you do, you want the option to be able to take a layer off. It's much better to wear 3 light layers than 1 or 2 heavy one.
Or maybe you need fewer layers on the way up a mountain, but more on the way down when you're not sweating as much. Or the sun drops down behind the mountain. If you're worried about freezing, it may be tempting to put on the biggest fluffiest sweater you can find, but layering will not only keep you warmer, it's also more comfortable and you won't feel like the Michelin man.
Moisture Wicking Fabric
Don't even think about wearing cotton when winter hiking. When you sweat, it gets wet and you'll get cold. Instead, look for moisture-wicking fabric. When you sweat, it wicks the sweat away from you, keeping you warmer.
You can buy man-made moisture-wicking fabrics made of polyester, but my favourite is Merino wool.
Not only is it warm, moisture-wicking, incredibly soft, but it's also natural and smell resistant. As a test, I once bought a Merino wool shirt that promised you could wear it 10 times without it smelling. I had my doubts but tried it on a multi-day hike and wore it five times before washing it.
Surprisingly, it didn't smell, but after wearing it for five days straight, I thought it was time to hit the washing machine.
My winter hiking gear list is based on the fact that you already own summer hiking gear. You can check out my Day Hiking Packing List here.
Read on to see my recommended Winter Hiking Gear.
Note: I've just listed women's winter hiking gear for consistency, but men can find something similar. The same information applies.
Winter Hiking Clothing
Thermal Underwear
Your first layer is your thermal underwear. You can choose Merino wool which is more expensive but feels SO good on your skin and will last for years, or a synthetic version, which is cheaper, but not as warm or soft.
If you go for the Merino wool option, check out the two on the left by Icebreaker. Icebreaker is one of my favourite brands for performance clothing and it lasts for years.
If you're on a budget, then the thermals on the right are a good choice. They're fleece lined so that they're extra soft and you get two in one package for a real bargain!
Midlayer Clothing for Winter
Next up, is your midlayer. For this, I love fleece for it's warmth. On warmish days, you may even be able to take off your outer layer and just hike in your base layer and fleece (as I'm doing in the above photo).
I personally like ones with a full zipper since I often leave my on, but unzipped, so it provides more flexibility than one with only a half zip.
Despite, it's warmth, it's still relatively thin though which makes it more comfortable.
I especially like this NorthFace jacket for it's light weight and because it's made of 100% post-consumer recycled classic fleece, so I know it's helping our planet.
Outer Layer Jacket for Winter
When choosing an outer layer jacket there are 4 things to look for:
1) Insulation. You want something that's insulated to keep you warm.
2) A hood. When it gets cold, an attached hood will stop cold air from going down your neck and it serves as an excellent wind breaker.
3) One that is water and wind resistant or waterproof depending what type of conditions you usually hike in. It's important that you stay dry.
4) One with outside pockets that are big enough for your phone. While I usually have my phone in airplane mode when I hike, I love using it to take pictures so I always check that the pockets are big enough for my phone for easy access.
That's why I like this North Face women's insulated jacket. Plus it comes in a variety of colours. Note: it does fit small and remember that you'll have your base layer and fleece under it, so go up a size or two when ordering it.
Winter Hiking Pants
I peronsally have two types of winter hiking pants. 1) my regular summer hiking pants that I wear with my thermal underwear underneath. This is enough on mild winter days and when it's not snowing heavily. However, these are not water proof, or even water resistant so they'e only suited for sunny mild winter days.
2) I also have hardhsell waterproof pants. I mainly use these for skiing, but also when I know that I'm likely to encounter deep snow when snowshoeing or if it's snowing heavily outside. Because, these are thicker, it's important to look for ones that are breathable. That's why I like these North Face ones on the right. I also like that they have belt loops, as I I often use them. I usually just wear my thermal underwear underneath and it keeps me warm. Look for pants that are waterproof and insulated.
I want to buy a third type though, soft shell ones, like these Eddie Bauer polar fleece lined pants. They're a middle option to the two above. They're not 100% waterproof, but they move easier than hard shelled water proof pants and they'd be more comfortable for longer hikes or snowshoes. My boyfriend has a pair and loves them.
Winter Hiking Gear Accessories
Merino Wool Thermal Hiking Socks.I also hike in merino wool socks in summer and on days when it's just below zero, I'll often hike in the same socks. So this is a money-saving hack if you hike in places where winter is milder. Otherwise, it's worth purchasing a couple of pairs made specifically for winter hiking. The merino wool is so soft on your feet and will keep them toasty.
Waterproof, Windproof, Thermal Gloves.
My hands and my feet are always the first to get cold and they're also the most exposed. When choosing a pair of gloves, look for thermal ones that will keep your hands warm and ones that are also waterproof and windproof. It makes a huge difference to your warmth and comfort.
Gaiters
Gaiters are a staple in my backpack no matter the time of year. In winter, they're great for keeping snow out when I'm snowshoeing, in summer they're good for keeping gravel out when scrambling. On cold days, they're also good for added warmth since they're thick.
Fleece Neck Warmer
This stays in my backpack even in summer. It really helps with warmth on cold days, and helps keep the wind out. Not every hiker uses a neck warmer, but I think everyone should, especially a fleece one for it's comfort.
You might think you don't need another hat since you already have a hood on your outer shell, but that one is to keep out the wind and the snow. This one is for warmth. Once again, I'm recommending my favourite, merino wool.
Winter Hiking Gear To Stop You From Slipping
CAMP Snowline Chainsen ProI love these for traction and have tried several different kinds but have found Snowline to be the best. They actually stay on your feet unlike some other brands or models made with velcro, and they're lightweight and don't take up much space. I use them at some point on almost every winter hike that I do - especially when going down.
It's easy to sip when winter hiking and these help you from falling and keep you safe.
Collapsible Hiking Poles.
When looking for hiking poles, I look for ones I can use in both winter and summer. The only difference for winter is you want the ones that have rubber tips so that you don't lose them in the snow. You also want hiking poles that are collapsible so that you can easily carry them on your backpack when you're not using them. That's why I like these ones.
Hiking Boots and Waterproof Spray for Winter Hiking
While you can buy insulated winter hiking boots, like these ones which are a good option if your feet get cold easily, you may not need to. I always hike in my regular hiking boots, with thermal socks. I find that this is fine (for me at least) until about - 20C (-4 degrees Fahrenheit). But what's important is to waterproof them, since they will get wet. I always buy water resistant hiking boots, but they still need to be sprayed regularly to keep them water resistant.
Depending on how cold it is where you winter hike, this tip could save you a lot of money.
In Case of Emergency When Winter Hiking
Emergency Thermal Blanket
This is the #1 item that I think should be in every hiker's packpack ALL the time, but especially when winter hiking.
It's made from weatherproof foil and retains/ deflects 90% of your heat when in use. If you find yourself unexpectedly having to spend the night due to getting lost or a sprained ankle and you can't walk any further, this could help save your life!
It's small, lightweight and costs less than $8. I always carry one with me.
