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Hiking Tips For Cold Weather: The Right Gear, Clothing And Winter Hiking Food

By Diane Spicer

November 1, 2023 / By Diane Spicer

These hiking tips for cold weather are designed to keep you out of trouble, with a bonus of feeling comfortable, when Mother Nature decides to show her chilly side.

You want, and need, to stay warm while hiking in the cold.

And you want to build in a margin of safety when you venture out into the coldness.

Let's get right to it in this guide full of hiking tips for cold weather.

We'll organize the tips for what to wear and what to eat in low temperatures into three possible cold weather hiking scenarios:

Best hiking tips for cold weather:
cool, calm conditions

Hiking in the cold requires some advance preparations in terms of the hiking gear you're carrying, the hiking clothing you're wearing, and the hiking food in your backpack.

Read about the effects of cold temperatures on your body here.

In cool, calm conditions you can get away with minimal preparations, and make it back to the trail head in good shape.

What do I consider the bare minimum you'll need when hiking in cool, calm conditions?

This is adequate cold weather
hiking gear and layers

1. The hiking ten essentials, which include extra clothing and extra food. More on that next.

2. Layers of outdoor apparel that can be adjusted quickly when the sun comes out, and then disappears behind the clouds. These include:

• Well fitted sports bra
• Long sleeve base layers
• Long sleeve mid layer shirt
• Long pants you can move in easily
  
• Roomy jacket
• A hiking hat
  

Because we're talking about calm conditions, there's no need to bring waterproof layers. But to be safe, carry them stashed in your backpack.

3. Two pairs of socks, an inner pair to wick moisture away from your skin to prevent blisters, and an outer pair to keep your ankles and lower legs warm.

Tip:

Keep moving when you feel chilled, and don your extra layers before you really need them.

Hiking tips for cold weather:
best winter hiking food

Your calorie requirements will be a bit higher in cool weather, but don't overdo it by eating heavy, hard to digest hiking food.

These tips for trail snacks and basic hiking nutrition are easy to apply to your cold weather hiking.

Here are specific food recommendations for cold weather hiking.

Best hiking tips for cold weather:
dry, cold, windy conditions

Wind really takes it out of you, especially if you're faced with a constant stiff breeze that chills your head and hands.

Wear all of the hiking clothing suggested above, and add these:

• A hat like this to cover your ears.
• A scarf like this one around your neck.
• A lightweight down or fleece vest.
  
• A jacket with a hood that can be snugged down tight and will stay put in the wind.
  
• Fleece gloves that don't need to be waterproof, but should be thick enough to trap your body heat.

Only the upper portion of my face has to deal with the cold wind coming off Mt. Rainier during a clear but windy winter hike, as you can see in the photo above.

Bring extra food, and eat it at regular intervals. Your goal is to keep yourself warm, and that requires the fuel molecules in your food, especially fat.

Not used to carrying high fat trail food?

• Change your tune, and bring nuts, nut butters, chunks of cheese, and dark hiking chocolate as palatable, easy to eat snacks.
• High calorie hiking food ideas here
  

Best hiking tips for cold weather:
cold, wet, plus windy conditions

Time to break out the waterproof hiking clothing!

And to add a warmer hat and waterproof gloves to your cold weather hiking outfit.

A jacket with a hood is a great thing to have, because when the clouds lift for a few moments you can throw back the hood and take a good look around.

Water repellent gaiters over your waterproof hiking boots will keep your feet dry and warm, which translates into safer hiking.

To keep showers, whether rain or snow, off your head, consider carrying a hiking umbrella.

If you're on a day hike, use a backpack with a waterproof detachable cover, like this one.

If you're backpacking, consider investing in a waterproof backpack to keep your food, clothing and camping gear as dry as possible in cold, wet conditions.

Read these tips on cold weather camping to get into the proper mindset to handle temperature extremes.

Keep eating to stay warm

Now is not the time to count calories in your hiking menu! This is one of the easiest hiking tips for cold weather to enjoy ;)

Snack often on high fat foods like nuts, cut back on salty snacks that will force you to ingest cold water, and listen to your hunger signals.

• You'll be hungrier than you can imagine! Your internal temperature needs to be kept constant, even as you are hiking through cold terrain.

Don't bring cold or crunchy food that takes a lot of effort to eat and digest.

• Think stuffed dates, not carrot sticks or apple slices.
• Pack soft peanut butter cookies, not cold and clammy hard boiled eggs.
• Fill a double walled insulated bottle with hot water and electrolytes, rather than bringing a plastic water bottle filled with a cold beverage.

Cold weather hiking is fun,
but requires thoughtful preparation

If you're headed out into cold conditions, take some time to ensure your safety.

Here are ten more hiking tips for cold weather hikes:

1. Read accurate local weather forecasts, and don't hesitate to change your hiking plans if a storm is blowing in.

2. Go through your gear and look for worn out or inadequate items. Replace them, or mend them, before you head out into the cold.

3. "Don't get wet" is your new hiking mantra. This is not the time to rely on cheap, water "resistant" clothing or gear. Go for the good stuff: water proof and durable.

4. Hypothermia strikes cold, wet hikers. Know the symptoms, and what to do, to help yourself or your trail buddies, by following that link.

5. Keep your body warmth by using all of these hiking tips for cold weather, in order to keep your wits about you. If you're cold as well as tired, stressed or distracted, odds are that you are not going to make good decisions.

6. Cold, wet weather is associated with shorter day lengths.
Stick to your turn around time, or cut your hike short, as the short days of cold weather take a toll on your body. Be sure you have a functioning head lamp, and the materials to start a fire, in case you miscalculate your trail mileage.

7. Don't sit on the cold wet ground for breaks. If you absolutely must sit, put your pack between yourself and the cold surfaces of rock, wood or dirt.

8. Keep moving as much as possible, at a reasonable pace, to keep your muscles happy. Stiff muscles slow you down, and could lead to cramps that delay you even further from reaching your destination.

9. Retain your grip on a good attitude. Yes, you're cold. But look on the bright side! No biting insects, no sunburn, no hot weather hiking hazards.

10. If you need some winter hiking tips to keep yourself comfortable and safe in snow and ice, read them here. And add a pair of traction devices to your boots on icy trails.

Cold is good hiking weather!

Life can be good when hiking in cold weather.

• Fewer folks on the trail
• Better chance of wildlife encounters
• Seeing familiar trails with new eyes
• Good sight lines so you can see what's coming your way

These hiking tips for cold weather go a long way toward keeping you cozy and safe.

Still not sure how to keep your hands and feet warm?

• Prevent cold hands
• Enjoy warm feet

Now go out, apply these hiking tips for cold weather, and prove it to yourself ;)

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Best Hiking Tips For Cold Weather

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