How do you prepare to brave the elements? Whether you’re an avid adventurer or a budding hobbyist, there is gear and preparation needed to ensure you are ready for whatever awaits.
Our new “Educate for the Elements” series is here to help. Each month, Sunnysports will feature a new outdoor activity with educational content and handpicked products from our professionals. From snowshoeing through the winter months to swimming in the summer heat, we have anything you need to embark on your next adventure with confidence.
When most people think of going for a hike, they rarely imagine winter hiking. Although, expanding your idea of seasonal hiking can open up a whole new world of beauty. There’s nothing quite like being the first hiker on fresh, untouched snow. If you’re ready to embark into the snow and ice, you’ll need different gear and more layers to comfortably enter the world of winter hiking. Luckily, we have you covered with this list of must-have items.
Microspikes
To create traction and keep you on the move, you’ll never want to leave for a winter hike without microspikes. The Kahtoola Exospikes Footwear Traction provides versatility and durability making them perfect for beginners looking to find their footing. Take on a mix of terrain and conditions — including frozen mountain trails, icy roads, and everything in between.
Backpack
As you add or remove layers and stay hydrated for the adventure, you’ll need a backpack that won’t slow you down. The Mystery Ranch Gallagator Backpack Flame is one of the best colors when it comes to winter hike safety — red. This lightweight pack was designed for rapid access to the interior, and it comes with a lifetime warranty.
Gaiters
The tops of your hiking boots are vulnerable to snow without this winter hiking staple. It’s a game-changer when you add gaiters to your winter hike pack list, especially the Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain Low Gaiters. They are also incredibly easy to put on in winter conditions.
Trekking Poles
Once you start using trekking poles, you never go back. The same applies to using poles on winter hikes. These high-strength aluminum poles come with baskets for winter and summer to make them ready for any season. The MSR DynaLock Trail Backcountry Poles are designed to be easily adjusted on the move with fast and reliable locking so you can keep up the pace.
Compass
Suunto MC-2 Global Compass is a handy, well-designed, and essential tool for adventurers of every kind. It comes with a luminous bezel and markings for night-time viewing. The fixed declination adjustment system is ideal for areas with large magnetic variation. You can snag this navigation tool to read in one of two units: inches or centimeters.
GPS
Garmin GPSMAP 66i GPS Handheld and Satellite Communicator offers precise navigation and two-way communication in the backcountry. The rugged GPSMAP 66i button-operated GPS handheld and satellite communicator features Garmin TopoActive mapping and inReach technology. This satellite phone provides peace of mind for hikers for navigation and communication that you can count on.
Waterproof Winter Boots
Your summer hiking boots won’t keep your digits as warm and waterproof as a winter boot. Shift toward a seasonal hiking boot mentality for winter hikes with
Sorel Caribou Storm Waterproof Boots. These boots are seam-sealed waterproof construction, super warm insulation, and have a soft lining to make them ideal for the colder elements.
Insulated Winter Jacket
Just as you’ll need winter boots, you also want to stay warm with a seasonal jacket as well. The North Face Carto Triclimate Jacket is the perfect outer layer. It’s waterproof while still being breathable with 100 percent windproof fabric. The Triclimate jacket comes with a lifetime warranty and comes in sizes for men and women.
Base Layer Tops
Dare2B In The Zone Long Sleeved Base Layer Top Shirt is a best-selling layer made of thermo-regulating BODY knit fabric that’s sweat-wicking, seamless, and comfortable. This super soft layer offers a full range of motion with odor-control making it perfect to wear time and time again. Also, the Dare2B Exchange Thermal Base Layer Set for Women is super soft and contours to the body to keep you warm and fresh. The layer absorbs moisture so you can stay fresh and clean on everything from a quick hike to days in the backcountry.
Insulated Snow Pants
Take on winter conditions with a full range of motion and premier warmth and insulation with the Obermeyer Force Pant for Men. The Force Pant is a ski pant with features like HydroBlock Pro fabric and Skier Critical seam that seals to provide robust protection against the toughest of elements. These ski pants are ideal for spending a day out on the mountain. The Obermeyer Bliss Pants for Women offer 2-way stretch with Thinsulate Platinum Flex insulation and an interior stretch lining with high back fleece waistbands to keep you warm without restricting your mobility.
Warm Socks
Your sock selection is key to staying warm during winter adventures. The Stance Run Wool Crew St Light Cushion Socks — made of merino wool featuring Feel360 — offers special treatment that wicks moisture while eliminating odor-causing bacteria to keep you feeling dry, comfortable, and cozy.
Headwear
A beanie is a must for staying warm in cooler temperatures. Be sure you pick a beanie that’s made of a material like wool — otherwise you’ll wish you did. The SmartWool Reflective Lid for Men offersthermoregulation, moisture management, breathability, and odor control of responsibly sourced Merino wool. Plus, in dangerous low-light conditions, this beanie has knit-in reflective elements to add a level of safety. If you’re not looking for a reflective hat, SmartWool Cozy Cabin Hat Deep Navy has a double layer of soft Merino wool to keep you warm and cozy from the summits to smores.
Gloves
The final element of your winter hiking wardrobe is gloves. Free your hands out of your pockets with the Outdoor Research Vigor Heavyweight Sensor Gloves for men or women. These double-layered gloves are made with cutting-edge “smart fleece.” It also uses ActiveTemp, which is a thermo-regulating technology that adjusts to your body temperature to keep you dry and cozy for more extreme winter activities. Plus, the gloves have touchscreen-compatible fingertips for the less intense and more relaxing days.
With the right gear, your adventure into a new world of winter hiking will be more enjoyable and warmer. Happy (winter) hiking!
Article and Photos by Meg Atteberry
Meg Atteberry wants to empower you to have the ultimate outdoor adventure. She loves to use her writing work to help people level up their outdoor skills. You can find her climbing, camping, and hiking across her home in Colorado and the American Southwest. When she’s not out exploring, she’s at home cooking up delicious meals from around the globe and curling up with a good Sci-Fi book. You can follow Meg’s adventures at Fox in the Forest.
