How to Stay Warm Hiking in Winter: Cold Weather Hiking Tips
Have you been wondering how to stay warm hiking in the winter? I’ve Hiked in Winter Conditions plenty of times, and These are my tips on how to keep warm and dry!
Winter hiking can be an incredibly rewarding experience, offering a chance to explore snow-covered landscapes, serene forests, and crisp, clean air out in the backcountry. As someone who has hiked through the varied landscapes of the Pacific Northwest and the breathtaking wilderness of interior Alaska in winter, I understand the unique challenges and joys that come with cold-weather adventures. However, before you start hiking through the snow and ice you need to know how to stay warm while hiking in winter.
Drawing on my personal experiences and expertise in outfitting for cold weather conditions—honed through my time working as an outfitter at REI—I’m here to share valuable insights on how to stay warm and dry while hiking in winter. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker looking to tackle new trails or a beginner eager to experience the beauty of winter hiking, this blog post will provide you with the knowledge and confidence you need to do so safely and responsibly!
In this blog post, I’ll cover essential tips and strategies to ensure your winter hikes are safe, comfortable, and enjoyable. From choosing the right gear to understanding the principles of layering, my goal is to equip you with the information necessary to stay warm and protected against the elements. Without further ado, let’s dive into the details on how to stay warm while hiking in the winter!
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Why Should you Want to Stay Warm Hiking in Winter?
Aside from the obvious answer of “because being cold isn’t fun“, there is a more serious, layered answer to the question of why should you avoid getting cold during a winter hike.
First off, keeping warm is essential for your safety during a winter hike. Maintaining and preserving body warmth is crucial to prevent hypothermia, a condition where the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Hypothermia causes your core body temperature to drop dangerously low, which can prove fatal if not treated. To avoid excess heat loss, you’ll want to make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep body heat as close to your core as possible.
Additionally, from an energy depletion perspective, the body uses more energy to stay warm in cold conditions. If you expend all of your energy trying to stay warm, you might not have the physical capacity to finish the hike at an appropriate energy level. This lack of energy can lead to serious injury, disassociation, or cognitive distortion. It may also present other physical and mental difficulties during your hiking experience.
Colder temperatures can cause muscles to stiffen and joints to become less flexible, which makes movement more difficult. This ultimately increases your risk of injury.
Not only should you want to stay warm hiking in winter, but you should also aim to stay as dry as possible. Wet clothing loses its insulating properties and causes heat to be conducted away from the body more quickly, increasing the risk of hypothermia. Wet feet and wet socks can also cause friction, which can lead to blisters, sores, and a condition called trench foot.
How to Stay Warm Hiking in Winter
These key tips for winter hiking will help you stay warm in cold conditions where snow and ice might also be present. If you don’t feel fully confident hiking in snowy weather, it’s best to hike with a partner or a group who has experience navigating trails in winter conditions.
I never recommend winter hiking alone for safety reasons, but if you do need to hike in the winter solo make sure you keep your family and friends updated on your departure time and expected arrival time. That way if something goes wrong and you’re unable to communicate with them, they will know when to send help or provide support. Satellite communicators like the Garmin inReach are a great investment for safety reasons, especially if you’re hiking in winter conditions.
Layer Your Clothing Appropriately
Knowing how to layer your clothing appropriately is probably the most important takeaway from this entire blog post. Layering can make or break a winter hiking trip. Typically, I recommend a layering system that includes a base layer, a mid layer, and an outer layer. Depending on the conditions, multiple mid layers might be necessary to keep you as warm as possible.
Base layers work to keep moisture away from your skin, preventing chill from touching your core. A high-quality base layer set is critical because, if effective, it keeps your skin dry and your body temperature consistent. A base layer set includes a base layer bottom (often called “long underwear”) and a long-sleeved base layer top. Look for base layer sets made with merino wool (my personal preference) or a synthetic fabric like polyester. Avoid cotton like the plague because it holds onto moisture!
Mid layers work to insulate and trap in body heat so you don’t freeze. Typically, the fabrics/materials you should look for in a mid layer include fleece or down. Fleece and down can also be paired together as a dual-mid layer system for ultimate warmth in extremely cold conditions. The main benefit of down as a material is that it’s great at keeping you warm when dry, but it loses its insulating properties when exposed to moisture. If you do opt for a down jacket or down pants as a mid layer, make sure to cover up with a waterproof shell.
Outer layers are also known as “hard shells”, “shells”, or “rain shells”. Outer layers primarily aim to keep moisture from entering the layering system, but they’re also meant to facilitate moisture escaping outward away from the body. A solid outer layer should be waterproof, windproof, and breathable.
Use Hand Warmers and Heat Packs
There are different types of packable hand warmers and foot warmers, and they truly are a game changer for winter hikes. You can easily find these from stores like REI, Amazon, or Walmart–and they’re not usually that expensive!
I like to carry a bunch of back-ups during my winter hikes so I can replace them in my gloves, pockets, and boots as necessary throughout the duration of the trip. For a shorter journey, you’ll likely only need a couple. For a longer hike, I’d recommend bringing a few for your hands/pockets and a few for your boots/socks.
Maintain Dryness and Avoid Getting Wet
The main way to maintain dryness is in your layering system. As mentioned above, avoid cotton at all costs. Cotton retains moisture and loses insulating properties when wet. You should stick to wearing synthetic or wool materials for all clothing layers, but especially your base layers.
Even in the cold, sweat build up is real. Make sure you unzip your jacket, use the pit zips, or remove layers as you start to exert energy and sweat. Ventilation during winter hikes is truly an art. You will only learn what works best for you and your body simply by trying it for yourself. Usually when I start to heat up and sweat during winter hikes, I unzip a layer or remove a layer entirely.
If you do remove any layers, make sure to keep them accessible so that if you start getting cold you can throw it back on quickly with minimal effort!
You also need to wear waterproof clothing and footwear as part of your outer layer, and use waterproof gear during your winter hikes. This includes a waterproof backpack (or rain/snow covering to go over the pack), snow or rain pants, gaiters for your shoes, and possibly an umbrella (I love this head umbrella for hands-free protection!) for added protection from the elements.
In terms of waterproof materials, GORE-TEX is a great fabric membrane to look for when searching for waterproof outer layers. Some brands like Patagonia have their own proprietary waterproof fabric membrane (in the case of Patagonia, their waterproof membrane is called H2No).
Research Weather Conditions Before You Go
This seems like a simple tip but you’d be surprised at how fast extreme weather systems can form and how dangerous conditions can become if you’re not prepared for them. This is especially true in places like the PNW and the midwest.
I recommend checking the weather at the following points before your planned winter hiking trip: 1 week before, 3 days before, day prior, and day of. It can also be helpful to monitor weather patterns while you’re on the trail to determine if it’s safe to continue the hike–this mostly applies to sudden rain or snow but can also apply to ice formations and avalanche conditions.
If conditions start to change or get worse seemingly out of nowhere, that’s your sign to turn around and head back to the trailhead immediately. Don’t second guess Mother Nature!
Pack Snacks and High-Energy Foods
While I highly recommend packing a meal if you’re going to be out on the trail all day, I personally find that eating small snacks that are high in protein are the best way to keep your energy levels up.
I tend to gravitate toward foods that are rich in fats, proteins, or carbohydrates to maintain my energy levels. My favorite trail snacks include peanuts, classic trail mix, energy bars, beef jerky, and cheese!
I also love the energy gel chews that are shaped like cubed gummies. Energy chews from brands like Honey Stinger are packed with organic, natural ingredients and they’re small enough to fit a pack in your backpack pocket or coat!
If you’re going winter hiking, you NEED to have a pair of MicroSpikes in your pack for traction!
Hiking in the Sunrise area at Mount Rainier National Park, cold weather temperatures around 30-degrees Fahrenheit
Hiking in interior Alaska, temperatures around -5 degrees Fahrenheit
Hiking in Seattle at Discovery Park, temperatures around 25-degrees Fahrenheit
FAQs About Winter Hiking
Is there such a thing as it being “too cold” to go hiking? If so, what temperature is too cold to hike in?
During most standard winter hikes, you’ll likely be hiking in the range of 15°F to 32°F. This range is definitely appropriate to hike in, though make sure you follow the steps above to stay warm and dry.
When you enter the range of 0°F to 15°F, you’ll definitely notice a significant difference in outside air temperature and the effect it has on your body. However, these temperatures are still “hike-able” with the right clothing and gear.
0°F to -10°F is the range where if you have any exposed skin, you will definitely start to feel the “burn” if not fully covered and protected. If you’re a regular winter hiker, you should be find in these conditions assuming you’re prepared. Regardless, make sure your body is completely covered and well insulated for hiking in temperatures in this range.
The range of -10°F to -20°F and below is where I draw my personal line. To hike within this range requires knowledge of cold weather survival skills, advanced gear, and mountaineering/high mountain apparel to keep warm. You must also do significant planning to hike in conditions like these.
Overall, it all depends on what you’re comfortable with and what your body can endure safely. Don’t stretch your limits when it comes to temperature ranges. If conditions feel too cold for you, you’re likely under-prepared or under-clothed and should not attempt to hike in those conditions.
Aside from clothing, what other types of gear should I have to stay warm hiking in winter?
There are a variety of items you can pack or wear that will be sure to keep you dry and warm during a winter hike. I highly recommend wearing insulated gloves or mits over your hands to keep you fingers protected from the wind and cold. Plus, you can put hand warmers inside your gloves for added warmth.
You should also wear head protection. Specifically headwear that covers the top of your head, ears, and possibly the bane of your neck. I love wearing insulated beanies or skull caps, but merino wool balaclavas are also popular amongst skiers and snowboarders.
Thermal socks with a sock liner is also a great piece to throw into your winter hiking rotation. Thermal socks are thicker and more insulating than regular socks. These should be made out of a synthetic fabric or merino wool fabric, and you need to avoid wearing cotton socks altogether. The liners are an added layer of protection, sort of like a base layer for your feet!
What if I get wet while hiking in winter?
If you do happen to get wet or your layers become soaked through, you should try to change into a set of dry clothes as soon as possible. I always recommend bringing a new set of base layers and mid layers in a waterproof backpack or keep them sealed in a waterproof dry bag within your larger hiking pack. That way, you’ll have a dry set of back-up clothes to change into.
If your feet get wet during a winter hike, change into dry socks immediately. Wet feet or extremities during a winter hike can lead to a variety of conditions, including hypothermia and frost bite.
Final Thoughts On How to Stay Warm Hiking in Winter
Winter hiking is a great way to enjoy the wonders of snowy landscapes and witness some gorgeous winter scenery! With the right preparation, you can stay warm and enjoy the experience to the fullest.
In this blog post, I’ve shared essential tips and strategies to help you stay warm and dry on your winter hikes. Remember, the key to a successful winter hike is proper layering, avoiding moisture build-up, and being aware of the weather conditions. Always share your location with a trusted friend or family member before setting off on a winter hike. Happy trails!
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