What to Wear Hiking in Winter: Cold Weather Layering Basics

When I first moved to Salt Lake City 10 years ago, I didn’t know what to wear hiking in winter. The first few times I went out for a snowy hike, I wore my ski clothes and ended up a hot sweaty mess.

Over time, I refined my layering system, and now after a decade of hiking in the Utah winters, I have my winter hiking clothes dialed.

In this post, I share my favorite winter hiking clothes and tips for layering, so you can be warm (but not too hot) and prepared if the weather suddenly takes a turn for the worst.

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The Importance of Layering for Winter Hiking

The key to dressing for winter hiking is to wear layers that will keep you both warm AND dry – 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, I usually start to sweat. When this happens, I immediately stop and shed a layer before I get too clammy. This is important because sweat can make you feel wet and cold when it’s time to go downhill.

Once I reach the high point of my winter hike and start going downhill, I typically put my layers back on. You don’t produce as much body heat on the downhill, and you need those extra layers of clothing to stay warm.

The exact layers you should wear on your winter hike depends on the temperature and conditions. However, you should always be prepared for the worst by having extra layers in your backpack. I will go through every single layer I wear next.

Upper Body Layers

For my upper body, these are the layers I always pack on my winter hikes.

I will always bring these layers, but the combination of ones I actually wear will vary throughout my hike. For example, I may start with a base layer, a mid-layer and my insulating jacket and take off my mid-layer when I get warm. Or if it starts to rain or snow, I’ll add my waterproof shell. It just depends on the conditions and my 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.

Base Layer / Shirt

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

Here are my go-to base layers for winter hiking:

Mid-Layer Top

On top of my base layer, I’ll wear a mid-layer, such as a fleece or another mid-weight base layer. I usually choose a mid-layer that covers my neck . Here are my favorite options:

Insulated Jacket

Having an insulated jacket is critical for maintaining body heat by trapping air close to your body. Generally, a warm insulating layer will be made of down or synthetic down.

Keep in mind that down isn’t warm if it gets wet, so if you live in a wet climate, a synthetic jacket will be more versatile.

These are my favorite winter hiking jackets.

Waterproof Shell

If there is a chance of sleet, snow, rain, or wind, you’ll want to add a weatherproof hardshell over your winter hiking clothes. This will protect you from the elements and keep your other layers dry. 

You’ll want 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. A rain jacket or a backcountry ski shell are both good choices. I’d avoid wearing a super heavy insulated ski jacket which will cause you to overheat. Plus, a ski jacket is bulky so if you end up wanting to take it off, you’ll have a hard time cramming it in your pack.

I prefer weatherproof shells that have 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. 

Here are my go-tos:

Lower Body Layers

Here is what my layering system looks like for my legs that I’ll adjust based on conditions:

Base layer Bottoms

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.

Here are my favorite long johns for winter hiking:

Hiking Pants

For hiking pants, I waver between normal hiking pants paired with the long johns mentioned above OR a pair of fleece-lined winter hiking pants where I can skip the extra layer underneath. Here are my favorite hiking pants specifically designed for winter.

Weatherproof Shell Pants

If it’s sunny and there’s no chance of rain or snow, I’ll skip the weatherproof pants, especially if I’m wearing one of the water-resistant winter hiking pants I just mentioned.

However, if it’s raining or snowing, I will add a pair of rain pants or even snow pants to make sure my legs stay dry.

Here are some good choices:

Winter Accessories

You lose most of your body heat through your head and extremities, so having the right accessories is important for keeping you warm on your winter hikes. I always have these with me:

Winter Hiking Footwear

My toes get really cold when I’m hiking in snow, so I always wear insulated boots and wool socks. I also will wear microspikes if the trail is icy.

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I 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.