What are some of the important snow hiking essentials you need to account for to have a successful winter hiking trip? When temperatures drop, but your yearning for adventure remains as unrelenting as ever, preparing adequately for what’s to come becomes extremely important. Pack cold-weather hiking equipment like heavy-duty mountaineering boots, trekking poles, and properly layered insulation with a warm outer shell. For the full breakdown, read the rest of the article below!
What Differentiates Winter Hiking?
When the snows fall, and you find yourself wading through ankle-deep dunes, the challenge rises exponentially in comparison to your standard Sunday day hike. Moving around becomes that much more difficult; in fact, virtually all actions (even those your body does without your knowledge, like keeping your body temperature up) take up more energy.
Even if you were to train specifically for this hike, without proper gear, you simply wouldn’t get far. Winter hiking is just that type of activity where cold-weather hiking equipment isn’t just excessive convenience, it’s not reckless consumerist spending – it’s simply required to get by. If you’re serious about going on a trip like this, do not try to cut corners here, or you could be risking your own safety.
Winter Trek Gear: Don’t Leave Without These Items!
With that aside, here’s our list of essentials for cold-weather hiking!
Mountaineering Boots w/ Extra Grip
When you’re navigating snowbound hills and trails coated with an icy film, foot stability is non-negotiable. You need to be able to take every step with confidence, especially if the ground beneath you is slippery.
Get yourself a solid pair of mountaineering boots designed for the toughest conditions. Then, for extra traction, consider attaching ice grips or spikes to never lose your footing.
Proper Clothing Layers
How you layer your clothes for outdoor activities plays a huge part in maintaining core body temperature during winter treks. Here’s a basic framework to follow:
- Base Layer: The thermal base layer of your get-up needs to both wick away sweat and provide ample insulation. Merino wool clothing often comes heavily recommended here.
- Middle Layer: The middle layer is supposed to lock in the warmth and trap it between the other two.
- Outer Layer: Lastly, this layer is chiefly responsible for protecting you from the elements directly and providing waterproofing to keep you as dry as possible.
If you’re looking for winter jacket recommendations, check out our in-depth guide here: Best Outdoor Jackets for Extreme Weather.
Trekking Poles
Snow-covered trails can be unpredictable, and trekking poles help with balance and stability. Choose adjustable poles with snow baskets to prevent sinking into deep snow. These also come with the added benefit of reducing the strain on your knees, making long winter hikes more manageable.
Backpack
A winter hiking backpack should be spacious enough to pack extra layers, food, and emergency gear. Look for water-resistant materials and multiple compartments, but don’t overdo it with the weight – you already have plenty to worry about, and trust us, you don’t want to add “having to carry an extra heavy load” to your list of challenges in this case.
Hat & Gloves
Heat escapes quickly from your head and hands, so insulated, moisture-wicking hats and gloves are a must. Consider a layered glove system—thin liners for dexterity and waterproof outer gloves for protection against wind and snow.
Other Winter Hiking Gear Elements Worth Considering
These didn’t make the cut in the list of essentials not because they’re optional and thus somehow less useful, far from it. Think of the items you find here as case-specific; for example, if you’re combining hiking and camping, you’ll obviously need a tent and sleeping system with the right temperature rating.
What are the other examples? See below!
Tent & Sleeping System
If your winter hike includes an overnight stay, invest in a properly rated four-season tent and sleeping bag. A sleeping pad with high R-value is also necessary to prevent heat loss from the cold ground.
Hiking Gaiters
Hiking gaiters can keep snow, ice, and moisture from creeping into your boots. If you’re heading out onto the trail in the midst of a really intense winter, these will come in extremely handy. If there’s just a light dusting in a few banks alongside the path, you probably don’t need to worry.
Cooking Equipment
Some collapsible camp kitchen gear and a reliable stove & burner setup will be crucial to make hot meals and drinks to nourish yourself in frigid conditions. Make sure your stove is fully windproof and fuel-efficient. And don’t forget to bring some insulated containers for easy storage.
The Takeaway
The challenge of winter trekking is palpable, but it’s nothing some mindful preparation and assembling the right selection of winter hiking essentials can’t overcome. Choose your gear carefully enough – by doing so, you’ll be ready for basically anything.
You may also read: Ultralight Backpacking Gear List