Being prepared for frigid and wet weather is critical when exploring the outdoors in cold, snowy conditions and the best way to keep yourself warm and dry is with good winter hiking clothes. Even if you plan on doing a short winter hike on a popular trail, it’s important to be prepared. Staying warm and dry is imperative not only for your comfort but also to keep you safe from more serious issues like hypothermia.
Since I love winter hiking, I thought I’d share some of my favorite winter hiking clothes.
In this blog post, we talk about winter hiking clothes and cold weather layering basics for your winter adventures.
Winter Layering Basics
The key to winter hiking clothing is wearing layers that will keep you both warm AND dry – and that means from the elements as well as your sweat. You’ve probably heard that it’s better to shed layers than to not have enough? That’s especially true for winter hiking. It’s always a good idea to throw more than you think you’ll need into your daypack. Once you have a few winter hikes under your belt, you’ll see how much heat your body generates, and then you can adjust your cold-weather hiking clothes accordingly.
For winter layering, you’ll want a next-to-skin base layer, a mid-weight insulating layer, a fleece or puffy, and a weatherproof shell. Below we discuss the details of each layer and include recommendations for each winter hiking clothes item.
Winter Hiking Next-To-Skin Base Layer
Your next-to-skin cold weather base layer is all about regulating your body temperature while also wicking sweat. You sweat when you’re active, and in winter months it’s extra important that this perspiration is removed from your skin so you stay dry, rather than damp and cold.
Base layers should be made of synthetic fabric or merino wool that wick moisture and dry quickly. Avoid anything cotton (t-shirts, cotton sweatshirts) because cotton stays damp and heavy and loses its insulating properties when it’s wet.
The thickness of your next-to-skin baselayer depends on how cold it is outside and is also based on personal preference. I tend to sweat a lot, so I prefer a lighter synthetic layer next to my skin, and then I wear a mid-weight layer over it. If you know you usually run cold, then you might start with a mid-weight base layer, like the midweight layer recommended below.
Winter Hiking Base Layers for Women
Lightweight Base Layer Shirt – REI Long-Sleeve Crew Top
Check price: REI
Midweight Base Layer Shirt – Patagonia Capilene Zip-Neck
Check price: Patagonia / REI / Backcountry
Base Layer Bottoms – Icebreaker 200 Oasis Deluxe Legging
Check price: Backcountry
Winter Hiking Base Layers for Men
Lightweight Base Layer Shirt – Patagonia Capilene Crew
Check price: Patagonia / REI / Backcountry
Midweight Base Layer Shirt – Patagonia Capilene Zip-Neck Base Layer
Check price: Patagonia / Backcountry / REI
Base Layer Bottoms – Icebreaker 200 Oasis Leggings
Check price: Backcountry / REI
Winter Hiking Insulating Layers
The middle winter hiking layer is critical for maintaining body heat by trapping air close to your body and providing insulation. Generally, a warm insulating layer will be made of wool, down, synthetic down, or fleece. Keep in mind that down isn’t warm if it gets wet. If you live in a wet or humid climate, you should opt for a synthetic alternative to down, like the Patagonia Nano-Puff listed below.
Winter Hiking Insulating Layer Options for Women
Synthetic Insulated Puffy – Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody
Check price: Patagonia / Backcountry / REI
Synthetic Insulated Jacket – Arc’teryx Atom LT Insulated Hoodie
Check price: Patagonia / REI / Moosejaw
Fleece Layer – The North Face Denali 2 Fleece Jacket
Winter Hiking Insulating Layer Options for Men
Synthetic Insulation – Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody
Check price: Patagonia / Backcountry / REI
Fleece Layer – The North Face Gordon Lyons Full-Zip Fleece Jacket
Check price: Backcountry / REI / Moosejaw
Budget-Friendly Fleece – The North Face Canyonlands Full-Zip Fleece Jacket
Check price: Backcountry / REI / Moosejaw
Winter Hiking Outer Layer
If it’s sleeting, snowing, raining, or windy, you’ll want to add an outer shell over your winter hiking clothes. This will protect you from the elements and keep your other layers dry. Look for an outer layer that is water-resistant but still breathable. You don’t want a super heavy ski jacket for instance. You’re either looking for a simple waterproof shell or an outer layer with a light layer of insulation.
If you choose a shell with light insulation, you might not need one of the previously mentioned layers. Make sure to take into account the layers you’ll be wearing underneath when figuring out what size you need. It’s important to note that high-quality outer layers can be very pricey, but keep in mind that these waterproof layers can double as ski jackets or cold weather raincoats, and they should last you for years. For those of you on a budget, I’ve included a great value REI-Brand shell as well.
Winter Hiking Shells for Women
Breathable Shell – Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Jacket
Check price: Patagonia / Backcountry / REI
Great Value Winter Shell – REI Co-op Rainier Rain Jacket
Check price: REI
Winter Hiking Shells for Men
Lightly Insulated Outer Layer – REI Co-op Rainier Insulated Jacket
Check price: REI
Breathable Shell – Flylow Knight Jacket
Check price: Backcountry / REI / Moosejaw
Great Value Winter Shell – REI Co-op Drypoint GTX Shell
Check price: REI
Winter Hiking Pants
You’ll want to layer a second pair of pants on top of your next-to-skin base layer bottoms. The outer layer pants you wear depends on whether or not it’s raining or snowing. If it’s dry out, you can get away with a warm pair of leggings. If it’s wet, you’ll want something waterproof.
Winter Hiking Pants for Women
Fleece Pants – Patagonia Peak Mission Tights
Check price: REI
Waterproof Pants – 686 Standard Snow Pant
Check price: Backcountry / REI
Winter Hiking Pants for Men
Waterproof Pants – Arc’teryx Zeta SL Rain Pants
Check price: Backcountry / REI / Moosejaw
Waterproof Shell Pants – REI Co-op Rainier Full-Zip Rain Pants
Check price: REI
Winter Hiking Accessories
Durable hats, gloves, shoes, and socks are just as important as the rest of your cold-weather layers for keeping you comfortable. A hat is especially important because you lose a significant amount of heat through the top of your head. We’ve shared our favorites here as well as other necessities for winter hiking like a buff and sunglasses.
A buff is always a good idea for keeping the wind, cold air, and sun from hitting your neck and face directly. Sunlight reflects off the snow so it’s smart to protect your eyes with good sunglasses when hiking in the winter.
Recommended Winter Hiking Accessories
Buff – Polar Multifunctional Headwear
Sunglasses – SunCloud Mayor Polarized Sunglasses
Gloves – Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor Gloves
Beanie – Coal Headwear Frena Solid Beanie
Check price: Backcountry / Moosejaw
Winter Hiking Socks – Darn Tough Micro Crew Cushion Hiking Socks
Check price: Darn Tough / Backcountry / REI
Winter Hiking Boots – Oboz Bridger 7″ Insulated Waterproof Boots
Check price: Backcountry / REI / Moosejaw
Gaiters – Outdoor Research Verglas Gaiter
Check price: Backcountry / REI / Moosejaw
Get our top 10 tips for winter hiking
We hope these tips and recommendations for winter hiking clothes help you plan and prepare for an awesome cold weather hiking adventure! Got questions? Leave them below in the comments.
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Awesome list! We have been looking for suggestions for what to buy for our winter hikes – thanks for sharing these!
I would suggest that you take a look at a brand new base layer fabric “CARFIBEX” being crowdfunded at the moment by Iron Ocean, it looks like it could potentially set the standard for all base layers to come.
Paul
Amazing post. I think this is the right choice for me. Thanks for sharing this post.
Yes. These are the list that I have in mind right now.
Great article! There is a best collection of clothes which will help to enjoy cold weather hiking. I like this article so much. Thanks and keep sharing.
We are all very happy to be able to cover your story.
Hi! Do you have recommendations for kids items, especially babies and toddlers?
Hi Christie! We don’t at the moment but it’s something we’ll keep in mind for future content. Thanks for reading 🙂
Fabulous winter hiking clothes that look good all year round are here. We use these coats at work to stay warm outside.