The Best Winter Hiking Gear (2024): What To Wear For Cold Weather

Icebreaker Merino Women’s 175 Everyday Long Sleeve Thermal Cold Weather Base Layer T-Shirt

Icebreaker Bodyfit 175 Everyday Legging – Women’s

Women’s Thermal Underwear Set Long Johns with Fleece Lined Ultra Soft Top & Bottom Base Layer

Next up is your mid-layer. For this, I love fleece for its warmth. On warmish days, you may even be able to take off your outer layer and just hike in your base layer and fleece (as I’m doing in the above photo).

I personally like ones with a full zipper. I’ll often leave it on but unzipped, so it provides more flexibility than one with only a half zip.

Despite its warmth, it’s still relatively thin though, which makes it more comfortable.

I especially like this NorthFace jacket because it’s lightweight and made of 100% recycled fabric. When you buy it, you know it’s helping our planet. 

The North Face Women’s Crescent Full Zip Sweatshirt

I have three types of winter hiking pants.

1) my regular summer convertible hiking pants that I wear with my thermal underwear underneath. This is enough on mild winter days and when it’s not snowing heavily.

However, these are not waterproof or even water-resistant, so they’re only suited for sunny, mild winter days.

2) I also have soft-shell pants lined with fleece, similar to the Eddie Bauer ones on the right. They’re a middle option to the two above.

They’re not 100% waterproof, but they move easier than hard-shelled waterproof pants and they’re more comfortable for longer hikes or for snowshoeing on packed snow.

3) I also have hard-shell waterproof pants. I mainly use these for skiing or when I’m backcountry snowshoeing and likely to encounter deep snow. I’ll also wear them on a winter hike if it’s snowing heavily.

Because they’re thicker, it’s important to look for breathable ones. That’s why I like these North Face ones on the right. I usually just wear my thermal underwear underneath, and it keeps me warm. Look for pants that are waterproof and insulated.

I also hike in merino wool socks in summer, and on days when it’s just below zero, I’ll often hike in the same socks. So this is a money-saving winter hiking gear accessories hack if you hike in places where winter is milder.

Otherwise, it’s worth purchasing a couple of pairs of hiking socks made for winter. The merino wool is so soft on your feet and will keep them toasty. Bring an extra pair in case they get wet. 

Bring an extra pair of gloves in case they get wet should be in your winter hiking gear accessories list. My hands and my feet are always the first to get cold, and they’re also the most exposed to the elements.

When choosing a pair of gloves, look for thermal ones that will keep your hands warm and ones that are also waterproof and windproof. It makes a huge difference to your warmth and comfort

Hiking gaiters are a staple in my backpack no matter the time of year. In winter, they’re great for keeping snow out when I’m snowshoeing or doing a winter hike in deep snow.

On cold days, they’re also good for added warmth since they’re thick. In summer, they’re good for keeping gravel out when scrambling. 

My neck warmer stays in my backpack even in summer. It really helps keep you warm on cold days and keeps the wind out. Not every hiker uses a neck warmer, but I think everyone should, especially a fleece one for its comfort.

You may think you don’t need another hat since you already have a hood on your outer shell, but that one is to keep out the wind and the snow. This one is for warmth. Once again, I’m recommending my favorite, Merino wool.

When you’re hiking in cold temperatures, your water will freeze in a regular water bottle, so look for an insulated one.  

Besides water, you may also want a hot drink such as coffee or tea to warm you up on short breaks. I don’t always carry a thermos but think it’s nice to have – especially on really cold days or on longer hikes.

A headlamp is always a staple in my hiking backpack, even in summer, but in winter, it’s critical since the days are so much shorter. It’s lightweight, doesn’t take much room, and comes in handy when you get caught out in the dark. 

While you can buy insulated winter hiking boots, like the ones recommended above, you may not need to. I always hike in my regular hiking boots with thermal socks. I find that this is fine (for me at least) until about – 20C (-4 degrees Fahrenheit). 

But what’s essential is to waterproof them since they will get wet. I always buy water-resistant hiking boots, but they still need to be sprayed regularly to keep them water-resistant. 

Depending on how cold it is where you hike, this tip could save you a lot of money.

I love these for traction and have tried several different kinds and have found Snowline to be the best microspikes for hiking.

They actually stay on your feet, unlike some other brands or models made with velcro. They’re also lightweight and don’t take up much space. I use them at some point on almost every winter hike that I do – especially when going down.

It’s easy to slip when winter hiking which is why microspikes are an essential part of your winter hiking gear.

While some hikers don’t consider hiking poles to be an essential piece of gear, to me, they are. Especially in winter, since they help with balance, help prevent you from slipping and make it easier to go both up and down the mountain.

Look for ones that you can use in both winter and summer. The only difference is for winter, you want the ones that have snow baskets so that they don’t sink.

You also want hiking poles that are collapsible so that you can easily carry them in your backpack when you’re not using them. That’s why I like these ones.

An emergency thermal blanket is the #1 piece of winter hiking gear that I think every hiker should have in their backpack – even in summer.

It’s made from weatherproof foil and retains/ deflects 90% of your heat when in use. If you find yourself unexpectedly having to spend the night due to getting lost or a sprained ankle and you can’t walk any further, this could help save your life!

Plus, an emergency thermal blanket is small, lightweight and inexpensive.