Winter Hiking Outfit Essentials + Safety Tips

2. Mid Layer

Mid layers are important for retaining heat. One of the best materials for this is fleece. The downside to fleece is that it’s not wind resistant, which is why you’ll want to add an insulation our outer later over it.

The most important thing to staying warm while hiking in the winter is to remove layers as you warm up and prevent your body from sweating.

While I don’t always opt for a mid-layer, in extreme cold it’s essential. Even though I don’t always plan to use my mid-layer, I always pack it with me just incase temperatures drop, or as something to keep warm in while breaking for lunch or at a windy summit.

The purpose of a mid layer is to retain body heat and keep you warm.

3. Waterproof Outer Shell

There are a few options when choosing a waterproof outer shell. For more mild winter hiking, I like to use a rain jacket. It’s water and wind resistant, and it helps cut out the harsh cold winter winds that will cut through your fleece or base layer.

Your waterproof shell will also keep your base and mid layers dry so they can perform optimally.

The purpose of an outer shell is to keep your body dry so you don’t lose body heat as quickly.

4. Hat / Ear Muff

Because your head is where you lose the majority of your body heat, it’s important to cover it. For very cold hikes, I wear a beanie. However, sometimes a full hat will keep my head too warm, so instead I opt for a buff which covers my ears (which are always cold) but still allows excess heat to escape.

5. Warm Socks For Winter Hiking

I can’t emphasize enough how important a high quality pair of socks are for any winter hiking outfit. Merino wool is the best option, and while it’s a bit pricy, overall socks aren’t prohibitively expensive.

My favorite brand is Darn Tough because they’re the best quality sock I’ve tried, and they come with a lifetime warranty. You can expect to pay around $20 per pair, but because they’re wool they don’t retain odor so you can wear them a few times before needing to wash them.

6. Gloves / Mittens

My hands are always cold, and especially so during the winter. I like to hike with a lighter glove when possible because it gives me more flexibility to use my hands, unzip my backpack, check my phone, etc.

When it’s extremely cold out, I’ll add a pair of mittens to wear over my gloves. That way, I can still remove my mittens and freely use my hands while keeping them warm.

7. Neck Gaiter Or Buff

One of my favorite and most versatile pieces of winter hiking gear is my neck gaiter. I wear this around my neck to keep harsh winds from blowing under my coat, or I pull it up over my ears to keep them warm. This is one of my favorite pieces of hiking gear and I have it in my daypack year round, but especially when hiking in winter.

Winter Hiking Gear

Aside from winter hiking outfits, having the right gear is also crucial for safety and comfort. If you’re hiking in snow or over ice you want hiking boots with good traction and possibly traction devices to wear over them on particularly slippery surfaces.

8. Winter Hiking Footwear

The best hiking boots for winter are waterproof and insulated. I wear my Danner hiking boots year round. They’re great winter boots because they’re waterproof, warm, and insanely comfortable. I put these boots to the test during a winter trip to Iceland and they did not disappoint.

9. Hand and Toe Warmers

Occasionally, I’ll hike with a pair of toe warmers in my boots. But more often, I’ll bring hand and feet warmers with me while hiking in the winter and slip them into my shoes and gloves while taking a break to eat lunch or enjoy the summit.

10. Trekking Poles

Trekking poles are a hot debate in the hiking world. Some people love them, and others hate them. Personally, I use trekking poles on just about every hike and especially during winter.

They take the impact off of your ankles, knees and hips. I also can hike faster with trekking poles because having four points of contact makes me feel more stable to move quickly.

I also hate when my fingers swell during longer hikes, and having hiking poles elevates your hands so this doesn’t happen. No one enjoys sausage fingers.

11. Traction Devices / Microspikes

Traction devices slip on over the top of your boots and have spikes to help grip slippery ground. These are especially important on dense snow pack or ice. There’s a wide variety of options and price rangers for traction devices, but I’ve found that the ones made of plastic do not hold up well over several seasons so ultimately, it’s less expensive to buy the high quality metal ones in the long run because you won’t be replacing them each season.

There’s about a $10 difference between the budget and top quality option for microspikes. I personally own the top quality ones. They bottom is made of metal, not plastic, so they hold up better over time. I figured, I’d sooner or later have to replace the budget option and ultimately that would cost me more, so I invested the extra $10 upfront and am quite happy with them!

12. Headlamp For Winter Hiking

With limited daylight during the winter, having a headlamp in your hiking kit is important. I use my headlamp for so many things – camping, power outages, sunrise or sunset hikes.

There’s a wide variety of prices and features when it comes to headlamps. A basic headlamp is more than enough, especially if you’re a beginner hiker.

Or, you can upgrade to rechargeable headlamps that come with different light filters. Mine has a green and a red light filter – the red light filter is handy (and sometimes required) when hiking or backpacking in remote areas where the wildlife is protected. For example, in the Grand Canyon they require you to have a red light filter because it’s less disruptive to the nocturnal wildlife.

There’s a significant price difference between the budget and top quality options for headlamps ($20 vs $140). For most use cases, the budget option is enough. It isn’t rechargeable, so you’ll have to replace the batteries, and it doesn’t come with a red light option – but this is ok for a majority of places.

13. Portable Charger / Backup Battery

Even if you are just day hiking, I recommend bringing with a battery backup – especially if your cell phone is your emergency communication device or navigator. Even if you’re just planning on hiking for a few hours, things can change quickly, especially in the winter, and you may need to recharge your phone on the trail.

Of course, you also need to bring with the correct charging cord for your phone or additional devices (this is something I’ve forgotten to do in the past!).

I also do not recommend solar charging devices as your primary form of battery backup. Devices like the Luci Lantern that is marketed as having a solar powered backup battery actually only charge enough for one phone call and won’t produce enough energy to fully charge your phone. While they can be good in a pinch, don’t plan to solely rely on them.

When it comes to comparing different battery packs you want to compare the mAh rating – this is how much charge the battery will hold. A 10,000 mAh battery will recharge your phone more than a 5,000 mAh pack – but it will also cost more.

Note: Batteries hold less charge when they are cold. If you’re hiking in winter weather your phone will run out of battery faster than hiking in warmer weather.

14. Water Reservoir

This comes down to personal preference, but I think a water reservoir is the most comfortable way to carry water, and to ensure I’m constantly hydrating while on the trail.

The reservoir can hold a lot of water (I have a 3 liter bag). It also sits in your backpack against the middle of your back, which is the easiest way to carry heavier loads, like water.

Unlike a water bottle that you have to pull out to drink from, water reservoirs come with drinking straws that fix to your shoulder strap. This makes it easy to sip water as you hike, making it way more likely you’ll stay properly hydrated.

Water reservoirs come in different sizes. I recommend getting the larger ones – you can under fill it for short hikes when you don’t need to carry 3 liters. Plus, this way you won’t need to own multiple reservoirs because one large one will fit all your needs.

15. Winter Hiking Outfit Daypack

The best hiking daypack is a personal choice, and honestly, it’s hard to get it wrong. I personally love my backpacks from Gregory and Osprey, but there are plenty of lower priced alternatives that also get the job done.

A few features I think are important when picking a hiking daypack are water reservoir compatibility (usually an internal pocket against your back where your water reservoir sits, with an opening to pass the drinking hose through), hip belts which make carrying weight much easier because it’ll distribute the load to your legs instead of your back, and a pack size between 10-20 liters – anything else is just too large for day hiking needs.

Ultimately, a daypack is less important to splurge on than a backpacking pack, since you’re only wearing it for short time periods and you aren’t carrying camping gear and other heavy equipment.

16. First Aid Kit

This is a hiking essential regardless of the season. No one ever plans for emergencies to happen, but if they do it’s so important to be prepared. Having the right first aid materials can be the difference between life and death.

At a minimum, I recommend you carry alcohol wipes, bandaids, blister patches, and a tourniquet.

17. Sun Protection

Arguably, sun protection during the winter is even more important than during the summer. The sun is more intense during the winter, and with snow and ice reflecting the sun, it’s even more likely to get burned.

Most of your body will likely be covered with winter hiking gear, but always remember to apply sunscreen to your face and ears, and to reapply every 1-2 hours.

18. Satellite Phone

If you’re planning to hike in more remote areas, it’s important to have a satellite device that can call for help if something goes wrong. The Garmin InReach Mini is a popular satellite device, but it can be pricy.

If you have an iPhone 14 model or newer, your phone is equipped with satellite SOS capabilities that allow you to contact 911 as long as you have a clear view to the sky (satellites).

I recently had to put my iPhone 14 to the test at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Even with the tall canyon walls, I was still able to connect to a satellite and text with 911. Texting was our only option, though, because there wasn’t enough constant connection to a satellite (because of the obstructed views to the sky) to place a phone call.

19. Snacks

Hiking snacks are my favorite! There are so many choices and ways to get creative. And of course, snacks just taste better when they come with a view!

Read my complete list of day hiking food ideas here.

Safety Tips for Winter Hiking

Winter hiking can be a magical experience, with the snowy landscapes and peaceful trails. But it also comes with added risks, like cold weather, icy paths, and shorter daylight hours. If you’re planning a winter hike, it’s important to be prepared. Here are some of my safety tips to keep in mind:

Layer Up for Warmth

Base Layer: Every winter hiking outfit should start with moisture-wicking fabric to keep sweat off your skin.

Middle Layer: Insulating layer like fleece or down to trap body heat.

Outer Layer: A waterproof, windproof jacket to protect against snow, rain and wind.

Extra Gear: Don’t forget gloves, a hat, and warm socks. Always bring extras in case they get wet!

Wear Proper Footwear

Insulated, Waterproof Boots: Your feet need to stay warm and dry. I also recommend a good quality pair of wool socks. Wool is a natural insulator, and it’ll keep your feet dry as well.

Traction Devices: Consider wearing crampons, microspikes, or snowshoes for added stability on icy or snowy trails.

Know the Signs of Hypothermia and Frostbite

Hypothermia: Shivering, confusion, slurred speech, or clumsiness are early signs.

Frostbite: Numbness, tingling, or pale skin—usually in extremities like fingers, toes, and nose.

If you or anyone in your group starts showing these signs, it’s crucial to warm up immediately or seek medical attention.

Shorter Days = Less Daylight

Plan Ahead: Check the sunset time and plan your hike so you’re back before dark.

Headlamp: Always carry a headlamp with extra batteries in case you’re still on the trail when it gets dark.

Be Prepared for Emergencies

Navigation Tools: Bring a map, compass, and/or GPS device. Don’t rely solely on your phone, as batteries can die faster in cold weather.

Emergency Shelter: Carry an emergency bivy or space blanket in case you get stuck overnight.

First-Aid Kit: Customize it for winter with extra items like hand warmers and blister care.

Keep an Eye on the Weather

Winter weather can change rapidly. Always check the forecast before heading out and be prepared to turn back if conditions worsen.

Avalanche Safety: If you’re hiking in mountain areas, check the local avalanche forecast, and know the basics of avalanche safety.

Don’t Hike Alone

Buddy System: It’s always safer to hike with at least one other person, especially in winter.

If you must go solo, let someone know your plan and expected return time. I also leave an itinerary in the drivers wheel well of my car because this is where search and rescue will look for it if something happens to you. Include the date of your hike, the time you depart and expect to return, as well as your name and age and an emergency contact phone number.

Pack High-Energy Snacks

Cold weather burns more calories, so bring snacks that are easy to eat and provide quick energy (trail mix, energy bars, etc.).

Know Your Limits

Winter hiking can be more strenuous than hiking in warmer months. Don’t push yourself too hard, and know when to turn back if you’re getting tired or the conditions worsen.