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The weather outside is frightful, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay inside all winter. It feels like winter finally hit New England this week, and it’s cold. But there are some simple steps you can take to make a winter outdoors possible and even fun.
The easiest way to stay warm is with the proper clothes. Layers are an important part of any outdoor adventure, but they’re essential in the winter months.
Getting to the Core: Tops
Let’s start from the inside out. When it dips below freezing, I trade in my tank tops for long sleeves. Wool base layers keep you toasty while wicking the sweat away from your body, but they can be pricey. I survived two winters along the Canadian border using synthetic fabrics and was plenty warm.
After a year of freezing legs, I finally bought a pair of base layer pants. I held off for so long because when I thought about long Johns, I had an image of tight waffle knit fabric that I hated as a kid. Then I saw a 2-pack of base layer leggings from Costco, and they were definitely the best investment I made last winter. They’re thing and stretchy enough to be comfortable, but add a layer of warmth to keep your legs from freezing.
Next, I add a fleece mid layer. I love my quarter zip from Eddie Bauer (I bought it on sale at the outlet store). It’s thin and light, but keeps me warm, and it’s made of polyester, so it wicks away moisture. Trust me, with all of those layers, I sweat a lot, even if it’s freezing cold.
Over my fleece, I have my puffy jacket. There are so many options you can choose from in this department. I’ve been using my Patagonia Nanopuff for the past year, and have never had a problem. It packs down, so I keep it in my pack year round, usually as a pad at the bottom of my bag for the summer. In the future, I’d like to look for a jacket that’s a little longer in the back, but this jacket has served me well so far.
Okay, one more layer before we get to the pants. Often times I don’t hike with an outer shell, even though I really should. I don’t have one that I love at the moment. For years, I had a North face, but I’ve outgrown it, so honestly, I’ve just been avoiding windy summits.
Walking on Icicles: Pants
Now to the bottoms which really aren’t that technical. We already talked about base layer. On top of that, I wear a pair of leggings. I know there are a lot of hiking pants options, but they’re expensive and I’ve faired just fine with $25 Amazon leggings. My olive green CRZ Yoga leggings have seen dozens of hikes and even though the seams are getting a little frayed, hey’ve held up through countless encounters with rocks.
If it’s really cold out, I have a pair of snow pants (again from Costco) to add a third layer. In most cases, a base layer and leggings has kept me warm enough.
Topping it all Off: Accessories
Now that you’re all bundled up, it’s time to talk accessories. They may be small, but they make a huge difference when it’s freezing outside.
As with pretty much every category, you can get by with inexpensive gear while saving up to get some higher quality items.
My go to hat is a white cable knit Pom Pom top hat that I bought in Ireland year ago. It’s adorable and so warm it usually only lasts a few minutes from the car before I warm up and take it off.
I’m not a fan of scarves, so I wear fleece buffs. I found a pair that come in a two pack from Costco for $10. They’re easy to pull over your face for extra warmth.
My gloves are also from (you guessed it) Costco. I have a pair of medium warmth Head gloves that were around $12. They are touchscreen capable and keep my hands warm, so no complaints here.
Finally, something I am very passionate about. Socks. Does any one else have way too many pairs of hiking socks? Most of my socks are Smartwool, thanks to the L.L. Bean outlet store. You can buy a pair of irregular socks for $12. Which seems like a lot, but it usually 30-50% off. I have a pair of trekking socks from Smartwool that are my favorite for winter. They’re thick and hit mid-calf, so my ankles are protected.
Staying Upright: Traction
Once you’ve got all of those layers on, there’s one final consideration. How to get up and down the trail without falling. That’s where traction comes in.
I bought my micro spikes from Amazon for $28 and while I’ll probably need to replace them eventually, they’re held up for two years. I just need a pair of plyers to close one of the rings that’s gone loose and they’ll probably last another couple years.
For when the snow is fresh or too deep for micro spikes, I break out the snow shoes. I have a pair of TSL Walk in the Park snowshoes I bought for $50 second hand. I’m pretty sure they don’t make them anymore, but it’s worth a stop at your local Play it Again Sports to see if they have any before making a $200-$300 investment.
With the snowshoes, I usually wear a pair of gaiters (mine are from Outdoor Research) to keep the snow out. And for added support I always take my trekking poles. I almost exclusively use my trekking poles on winter hikes. I carry them in the summer, but find them annoying move in across the rocky terrain in northern New England. On snow and ice though, I think they’re essential.
Bonus: What my Dog Wears
Chloe, like many other dogs, loves the snow. Since she’s a pretty hearty lab, there are only a couple pieces of gear I have for her in the winter.
First, I use Musher’s Secret to protect her paws. Since her hair is pretty short, luckily, snow doesn’t stick to her legs or paws very often. There are boots you can buy to protect your dogs paws even more, but I haven’t invested in them yet.
Second, I always keep a bandana on her in the winter. Her black fur shows well against the snow, but I like to keep her reflective Spot the Dog bandana on in case it gets dark while we’re out.
Lastly, I just got her a sweater. I haven’t tried it on the trail yet, but it looks adorable. It’s the L.L. Bean Sweater Fleece for dogs and honestly I got it more for looks than warmth, but I’ll update you when I test it on the trails.
Winter hiking can seem overwhelming, but with the proper gear, it’s not as scary as it seems. Let me now your favorite winter hiking gear. Did I miss any gems? Let me know in the comments!
