Winter Hiking Clothes & Cold Weather Layering Basics

Choosing the right winter hiking clothes is important for comfort and safety out on the trail. But layering properly for cold weather is a fine balancing act. If you overdress for a winter hike, you end up hot and sweaty (which ironically can leave you cold).

On the other hand, if you don’t wear enough layers, you could end up shivering and miserable, which can lead to hypothermia in extreme cases. Neither of these scenarios leads to a fun winter hiking experience, which is why layering and being prepared for wet and chilly weather is critical when exploring the outdoors in the winter months.

In this blog post, we help you prepare with the winter hiking gear and essentials you’ll need and share tips for layering for cold, snowy weather so you can get out there in comfort.

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Winter Hiking Clothes Layering Basics

The key to dressing for winter hiking is to wear layers that will keep you both warm AND dry – and that means from the elements as well as your sweat. Depending on the difficulty of the trail and weather conditions, you may find yourself needing to take off and put on layers throughout the hike in order to stay comfortable.

For example, on the uphill sections, if you start getting hot, stop and shed a layer before you get sweaty since sweat can ultimately make you feel wet and cold.

Once you reach the high point of your winter hike and start going downhill, you might need to add a layer since you won’t be producing as much body heat. It might feel annoying to have to stop and adjust, but you’ll thank yourself later and it’s easy if you keep the layers you need easily accessible.

You may choose to wear your next-to-skin base layer and your insulating layer or maybe just your base layer and your weatherproof shell. Or you may wear all three. It just depends on the conditions and your body temperature.

Ideally, you want to choose layers that are light and packable so you can stuff them in your backpack if you decide to take one off.

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.

It’s also always a good idea to throw more than you think you’ll need into your hiking daypack. If you end up walking mostly in the shade with the sun behind the mountains or the wind picks up, you’ll be happy to have extra layers.

Below we go over the details of each layer and include recommendations for each winter hiking layer.

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Upper Body Winter Hiking Layers

Next to Skin Baselayer

Your next-to-skin winter hiking 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 your winter hiking clothes help move the perspiration away 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 wet. This also applies to your sports bra.

The thickness of your next-to-skin baselayer depends on how cold it is outside and is also based on personal preference. Some people prefer to wear a lightweight synthetic exercise t-shirt underneath a mid-weight base layer. Others are fine with a single lightweight baselayer. You may have to experiment a bit until you find the system that works best for you.

Insulating Winter Hiking Layer

This middle-insulating 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 down, synthetic down, or fleece.

Keep in mind that down isn’t warm if it gets wet, and synthetic holds up better in wet weather. If you live in a wet or humid climate, opt for a synthetic alternative to down, like the Patagonia Nano-Puff listed below.

Weatherproof Shell for Winter Hiking

If there is a chance of sleet, snow, rain, or wind, 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 waterproof but still breathable as well as packable so you can stuff it in your backpack when you aren’t wearing it. You don’t want a super heavy insulated ski jacket. 

One nice feature some weatherproof shells have is armpit vents that zip open when you get hot in order to provide better airflow. You’ll also want to take into account the layers you might be wearing underneath when figuring out what size shell you need. 

It’s important to note that high-quality outer layers can be 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 Co-op brand shell as well. You can also use your normal raincoat. It might not protect you from the wind as well as a winter shell, but it will work as long as your other layers are warm enough.

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Lower Body Winter Hiking Layers

Next to Skin Baselayer

Just like on your upper body, the next-to-skin base layer on your lower body should help keep you warm while wicking sweat. As with all of your winter hiking clothes, you’ll want to stick to synthetic fabric or merino wool and avoid cotton.

Also, the thickness of your base layer depends on the temperature. On a warm and sunny winter day, a simple pair of hiking leggings might be adequate. On a cold day, you might want a pair of long john bottoms (recommendations below) that you layer underneath a pair of weatherproof pants.

Weatherproof Shell Pants

If it’s wet, windy, or extra cold, you’ll want to layer a second pair of pants on top of your next-to-skin base layer bottoms. You can choose a pair of soft-shell pants that are water and wind-resistant or use rain pants if you’re on a budget.

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Winter Hiking Clothes Accessories

A warm hat, gloves, Buff, and other winter hiking accessories are just as important as the rest of your winter hiking clothes for keeping you comfortable. As you warm up, you can adjust, and when you get cold, you’ll be happy you have these extra accessories to layer on.

Below I share my favorite accessories that I always pack for cold-weather layering.

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Winter Hiking Footwear

Wearing appropriate winter hiking footwear is super important for keeping your toes warm and your feet nice and dry as you walk through the snow. Here is what I wear on my cold weather hikes.

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.