What To Wear Hiking In The Winter

What To Wear Hiking In The Winter

Winter hikes are a beautiful thing. There is something special about trekking through the forest with a fresh coat of snow. However, there are certainly challenges with cold weather hikes. Particularly, figuring out what to wear while hiking in the winter.

Choosing your clothing for a hiking or backpacking trip can be difficult because the weather is so unpredictable. This is true year-round. In the winter months, there are a few rules of thumb that will help set you up for a comfortable trek for most weather conditions.

Below, we’ll go over what to wear hiking in the winter and give you a few recommendations for our favorite articles of hiking clothing. When spring comes around, check out our other article about what to wear hiking and backpacking in the warmer months!

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The Importance of Layers

One of our most important tips for backpacking or hiking in the winter is to wear plenty of layers. Layering up is key for hiking in the winter. The goal is to be able to remove or add layers as you begin to feel warm or cold throughout the trek. It’s best to avoid getting sweaty or too chilly, so you should try to keep ahead of it by adjusting your layers accordingly.  

When you’re hiking in the winter, you should also do your best to avoid getting wet. Both from sweat and from snow. Damp clothes become cold very quickly, which can be uncomfortable or even dangerous in some situations.  Here’s how you should layer your hiking clothing for the winter…

Upper Body Layers

Base Layer

The layer closest to your skin has the purpose of wicking sweat and regulating body temperature. Look for a synthetic material that is moisture wicking and made for activity. Be sure to avoid cotton, which takes a long time to dry and loses its insulating properties when wet. This layer should be medium to lightweight, depending on the temperature and your personal preference.

Below are a couple of our favorite base layers:

Mid- Layer

Your second layer should be an insulating layer. It’s bulkier, warmer clothing with the goal of trapping in body heat. Materials like wool, down, or fleece fabric are ideal. Be sure to avoid cotton with this layer as well! Grab something a bit more heavy weight, such as a fleece jacket or a thick sweater.

Below are a couple of our favorite mid-layers:

Shell Layer

The outermost layer, or shell layer, is for keeping you dry and shielding you from wind. Look for something that is waterproof and packable, in case you want to remove it and stuff it into your daypack.  This is typically the layer you’ll remove as you become too warm. That being said, if you find a high quality shell with airflow zippers, you might not have to remove it at all!

Below are a couple of our favorite shell layers:

Lower Body Layers

Base Layer

For your legs you’ll want a tough yet lightweight, moisture-wicking pant as your base layer. Look for the same qualities as you would in an upper body base layer, but a bit heavier weight so they can be worn on their own if you get too warm. Sometimes, a thick pair of leggings or joggers is all you need on a dry winter day. Other days, you may want a merino wool long underwear beneath your pants.

Waterproof Layer

During cold and windy or wet winter days, you might want a second layer of pants over your base. These will provide extra protection from the elements and keep your bottom half dry and warm. If it’s a warm and wet day, a waterproof layer might be all you need!

Below are a couple of our favorite waterproof pants:

Accessories

• Gloves – Always be sure to protect your hands from the cold to prevent frostbite, cracking, and redness. It’s a good idea to layer up gloves similar to how you would for other articles of clothing. Wear a thin, fabric glove or mitten underneath a sturdy, waterproof glove.
• Scarf or Neck Gaiter – Wind burn is no joke, if you’re hiking in windy and cold conditions, you’ll want to protect your face. If it’s not covered, you can end up with very sore and uncomfortable cheeks. Bring along a scarf or neck gaiter to keep your face warm and protected.
• Hat or Headband – Ears tend to get pretty cold pretty quickly, so you want to make sure you keep them covered. A hat or headband will do the trick. If you tend to run cold, we suggest a nice, thick hat. A hat will keep your entire head warm, which will help you feel more comfortable. For those of you who get warm easily, a headband may be a better option
• Sunglasses – Don’t forget your sunglasses! On a sunny and snowy day, it can get uncomfortably bright outside. You’ll want to protect your eyes and keep yourself from squinting all day with a nice pair of sunnies. While you’re at it, don’t forget to apply sunscreen to any exposed skin.

Footwear

Boots

Having a good pair of hiking boots can go a long way for keeping you warm in the winter. Make sure you have a pair that is waterproof if you are hiking through snow. Make sure your boots still fit comfortably when you are wearing thicker socks, as well.

If you plan to do some mountaineering or trekking through icy and steep areas, get a pair of crampons to help keep you on your feet! A pair of snowshoes might be helpful as well if you’re venturing out into areas with heavy snowfall. Clip them onto the outside of your pack when you’re not using them to save space.

Socks

When you’re figuring out what to wear for hiking in the winter, make sure you are making socks a priority. There is a wide variety of hiking socks out there (learn more about them here!). When you’re looking for winter socks, we recommend looking for a wool or wool blend sock that is thick with medium to heavy padding. If you tend to get sweaty feet, some sock liners can help keep your feet dry and comfortable.

Check out our favorite hiking socks!

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