Essential Winter Hiking Gear

Advantages of Winter Hiking:

• No crowds
• No bugs
• Good air quality / no wildfires 
• Stay engaged in an outdoor activity all year long
• Experience your favorite trails from a different perspective

The Number One Rule Of Winter Hiking: Stay Dry! 

Most individuals believe that winter clothing should provide warmth, but that is just one aspect. Adequate winter clothing must ensure both warmth and dryness.

While being slightly cold is manageable, the situation becomes highly perilous when experiencing both coldness and wetness. Water has the capability to draw heat away from the body at a rate 25 times faster than air. This rapid cooling can swiftly become unsustainable and drain your core temperature within minutes. Hence, the key objective is to ensure you remain dry.

There are only two ways to become wet, which are either by external sources or internal sources.

The external factors can be easily identified. These include rain, snow melting, stepping on ice, or encountering a slushy puddle. Essentially, anything in your surroundings that is wet or capable of getting wet when exposed to the heat from your body (e.g. snow and ice). Your goal is to choose clothing that will prevent moisture from entering.

One less evident aspect is experiencing internal wetness. Sweating is a result of physical exertion. Even if you wear a completely waterproof outer layer, if you become overheated and sweat beneath your clothing, you will still become wet. Additionally, once you cease movement, the sweat will rapidly cool down your core body temperature.

The objective is to achieve a comfortable warmth level without excessive sweating. Due to the varying levels of exertion during hiking (uphill being more demanding than downhill), you must be able to adapt your clothing accordingly.

Winter Camping Equipment

1. 4-Season Tent

Your tent functions as a shelter and provides protection from the elements, especially during harsh winters. Winter storms typically bring freezing temperatures, strong winds, and heavy rain or snowfall, so it is important for your 4-season tent to withstand these conditions. The Mountain Hardwear Trango 3 is our recommended choice for winter camping as it offers a spacious 48-square-foot floor, a vestibule for storing outdoor gear, and reliable protection against the forces of nature.

Many winter campers choose to bring a basecamp shelter like the Black Diamond Mega Snow in addition to a 4-season tent. The notable feature of this shelter is its floorless design, which allows for creating a sitting or standing area for four or more people by digging out the area beneath it when pitched on snow. We enjoy using this shelter as our camp kitchen, but it’s also a fantastic spot for group hangouts while still being shielded from the elements.

2. Cold-Weather Sleeping Bag

When selecting a winter-specific sleeping bag, the variety of sleeping conditions and temperature differences can be significant. For mild winter outings, the lowest sleeping temperature rating would be 20 degrees Fahrenheit, but many winter bags are rated at 0 degrees or lower. One recommended winter bag is the Feathered Friends Snowbunting EX 0, which weighs less than 3 pounds and includes 1 pound 9.3 ounces of premium 900-fill down. Other options from Western Mountaineering and Mountain Hardwear should also be suitable. To enhance insulation, you can use a sleeping bag liner such as Sea to Summit’s Thermolite Reactor Extreme, which adds up to 25 degrees of warmth (although it is advisable to consider a generous buffer as the ratings are often slightly exaggerated).

3. Insulated Sleeping Pad

Your sleeping pad is essential for protecting you from the cold ground, so we consider it just as important as your sleeping bag. That’s why we choose sleeping pads with high R-values for our winter camping trips, as a higher R-value indicates better insulation from the ground. When it comes to cold conditions, it’s best to go for pads with an R-value of 4 or higher. One of our top choices is the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm, which is designed to reflect your body heat like an emergency blanket. This pad has an impressive R-value of 6.9 while still being lightweight and compact. Another great option is the Exped Dura 8R, which utilizes 700-fill goose down for insulation and offers a remarkable R-value of 7.8. It’s worth noting that R-values can be combined, so you can bring along a lightweight foam pad like the Nemo Switchback (R-value: 2.0) to enhance warmth if needed.

4. Stove and Fuel

Meals are always crucial on high-output days, and this is especially true in cold weather when your body needs to work harder to keep warm. Our main priority is a reliable stove that can quickly boil water and withstand harsh winter conditions. The easiest to use are all-in-one canister stoves, and we highly recommend the MSR WindBurner. Once the stove is lit and everything is properly set up, the enclosed burner can rapidly bring water to a boil, even during windy conditions. Additionally, keep in mind that for extremely cold temperatures, a liquid-fuel stove or a model with a remote canister that can be inverted, like the MSR WhisperLite Universal, is necessary.

When it comes to fuel, lower temperatures necessitate melting snow for water, resulting in more stove usage compared to summer camping. Each camper’s requirements may differ, but we suggest having an 8-ounce isobutane/propane canister for every two days or .5 liters of white gas per day for a pair of campers. It is advisable to bring additional fuel in case the trip is unexpectedly extended.

5. Stove Platform

Cooking on a camp stove in the snow is considerably more challenging than cooking on solid ground. When using a liquid-fuel stove, for instance, the entire stove, including its legs, becomes hot, causing the snow beneath it to melt and creating an uneven and unstable surface. Although an all-in-one canister stove might not melt the surrounding snow due to higher heat elevation, the cold snow will hasten the depressurization of the canister. Therefore, it is essential to bring a platform to set up the stove on in snowy conditions. MSR offers their Trillium Stove Base for this purpose, or you have the option to create your own DIY platform by cutting a 5×5-inch foam square (you can repurpose an old foam sleeping pad) and wrapping it with aluminum foil to reflect heat.

6. Utensils and Cookware

With the improvement in the quality of dehydrated meals, many campers now prefer using an all-in-one stove system to boil water and consume their food directly from the bag. In such situations, a pot is not required, as a spork and a cup or mug for hot beverages are sufficient. If you decide to use a liquid-fuel stove, you will need to buy a pot separately, and it is advisable to choose a lightweight material such as titanium or aluminum. Cookware options vary from ultralight to budget-friendly, but there are several intermediate choices available from reputable brands like GSI Outdoors, MSR, and Snow Peak.

7. Headlamp

During the winter, the days are short, and it is common for us to ski or snowshoe back to camp as the sun sets, and sometimes even when it is completely dark. Therefore, it is essential to have a headlamp for winter camping. We recommend the Petzl Actik Core because it is exceptionally bright and durable, uses rechargeable batteries, and has an affordable price of $75. Additionally, it is crucial to remember to bring a battery pack or extra batteries as backup. The Core’s USB-rechargeable battery can be replaced with three AAAs if needed. Cold temperatures quickly drain battery power, so having extra power is necessary to ensure your headlamp continues to function properly.

Layering For Cold Weather And Winter Hiking 

The basis for how to dress for every winter outdoor activity is a concept that is often misunderstood.

You desire the ability to modify your layers in accordance with your present level of effort.

Begin with a base layer, made of either synthetics or Merino wool, which serves to trap a thin layer of heat against your body and wick away any moisture if you begin to sweat. Avoid using cotton as it retains moisture. Moving on, the mid-layer plays a crucial role in insulation by trapping your body heat to keep you warm. You can opt for down or synthetic puffy jackets as common choices for the mid-layer. Alternatively, you can divide your mid-layer into two parts by wearing a fleece and a light puffy jacket separately. This allows you to have more layers and adjust accordingly as your body temperature changes during your hike.

In conclusion, it is advisable to have a waterproof and windproof outer layer, which will effectively repel external moisture and prevent wind from rapidly cooling you. It should be noted that wind can have an even greater cooling effect when combined with moisture. While it may not be necessary to wear this outer layer on a calm and clear day, it is still recommended to carry it with you.

Winter Hiking Pants And Baselayers

Base Layer Pants

Depending on the temperature, you might consider wearing base layer bottoms, which are usually intended to be worn without underwear. This is a positive feature as underwear is typically made of cotton, which you should avoid wearing.

Mid-Layer Bottoms

Although mid-layer bottoms exist, they are primarily used by downhill skiers and snowboarders. If you have an interest, there are choices available, but we find them impractical for hiking as our legs don’t typically get very cold. In extremely cold weather, we prefer to wear ski pants with wool base layer bottoms. However, if the temperature is excessively frigid, we prefer to stay indoors and play checkers.

Winter Hiking Pants

When it comes to winter hiking pants, it is crucial that they possess water and wind resistance as a basic requirement. Having pants with a durable water repellent (DWR) coating enables water to form beads and roll off, but in heavy rain, it would be wiser to opt for waterproof pants. Alternatively, carrying a spare pair of rain pants to wear over your hiking pants when encountering rain is also a viable option.

Winter Hiking Boots And Footwear 

Waterproof Boots

If you anticipate hiking in any amount of snow, it is crucial to possess waterproof boots. Even though snow may not appear damp, the warmth from your feet will eventually cause it to melt. Therefore, having some form of waterproof mechanism is necessary.

If you’re not willing to spend on a pair of winter boots, you can apply Scotchgard on your summer hiking shoes the night before your hike to prevent moisture from getting in. Although not completely reliable like waterproof boots, it will be effective.

Wool Socks

Avoid the temptation to wear excessively thick hiking socks! While they may be suitable for indoor use, wearing such socks inside already tight-fitting boots can lead to reduced blood circulation. Your feet will remain warmer if there is some room in your boots. Consider bringing an additional pair of socks to change into if your initial pair becomes wet.

Winter Hiking Gear Checklist

Layers that have been used or worn.

• Beanie or headband
• Neck gaiter
• Polarized sunglasses
• Gloves or mittens
• Synthetic underwear/sports bra
• Base layer top: wool or synthetic
• Base layer bottoms: wool or synthetic
• Insulating mid-layer: down or synthetic jacket or fleece
• Waterproof outer shell or rain jacket
• Waterproof or water-resistant shell pants
• Wool socks
• Waterproof boots
• Crampons or microspikes, if trail conditions require them
• Shoe gaiters (optional)

Equipment being worn or transported

• Daypack
• Insulated water resevior/bottle
• SPF Chapstick
• SPF Sunscreen
• Lotion
• Toe or hand warmers (optional)
• 10 Essentials: In addition to your winter hiking clothes, you will want to pack your hiking 10 essentials, which include:

When it comes to navigation, there are various tools that can be utilized step by step, such as a map, compass, altimeter, GPS device, personal locator beacon (PLB), or satellite messenger.

The headlamp includes additional batteries.

Sun protection includes wearing sunglasses, sun-protective clothing, and applying sunscreen.

First aid kit that includes items for foot care.

Knife: plus a gear repair kit

To start a fire, you will need matches, a lighter, tinder, and/or a stove.

A shelter, such as a lightweight emergency bivy, should always be carried.

Surpassing the minimum expectation, there is additional food available.

Water exceeding the minimum requirement can be referred to as extra.

Extra clothes: Going above and beyond the minimum requirement.