How do you Backpack in Winter and stay Warm?
Some of the most beautiful hikes I’ve ever experienced were during the winter season. Waterfalls frozen in time, the calmness of a fresh blanket of snow on the trail, and the magical feeling of winter surrounding you as you hike. Who wouldn’t want Old Man Winter as your hiking partner?
As enchanting as winter backpacking can be, it can quickly turn into a survival situation if we do not plan and prepare. Staying warm and dry are key elements to not only enjoying the hike but also surviving. Being miles from a warm car and being cold is not an ideal situation to find yourself in.
I have compiled some information that I have used over the years to backpack in winter and stay warm. These several things have helped me safely enjoy and explore areas all winter long.
1. Insulated and Waterproof Boots
Boots are number one on the list for a reason. A good pair of boots, that are insulated and waterproof, will keep your feet warm and dry as you trek down the trail. High-collar boots will help keep unwanted snow from getting to our feet.
When our feet and toes get cold or wet, it can turn any winter wonderland into a miserable experience. It’s all we can think about especially if we still have miles to hike. Being prepared with winter boots will greatly increase your chances of staying warm.
One thing to consider when picking a pair of boots is the breathability of the material. You want a boot that will keep you warm but not so hot your feet sweat. As we hike, our feet are constantly working, and blood is flowing, which is keeping them warm but when we stop, we don’t want our sweat to start making our feet colder.
2. Wool Socks
The old saying goes “cold feet equals cold body” and how true that saying is. For me, and I’m sure it’s for most of us out there, during winter I can stay outside all day until my feet get cold then I’m done. Especially when I am not wearing my wool socks.
Wool socks are a hiker’s best friend in winter. Unlike cotton socks, wool is a great insulator. They are comfortable in cold conditions, cushion, and absorb and wick moisture. Wool can absorb up to 30% of its weight in water which helps keep your feet dry in most conditions.
I always pack at least two pairs of wool socks for hiking and an extra thick pair for sleeping. Having an extra pair gives me the comfort of knowing that if my feet do get wet, I have a spare pair to put on. When getting to camp or the car, putting on that fresh pair of socks can change your mental state about being cold.
3. Mittens
I have tried so many different types of gloves to keep warm while hiking, and never found a pair that kept my hands warm quite like mittens. With gloves, it never failed that my fingertips would eventually get cold and be uncomfortable. I’ve tried doubling up gloves and wearing insulated gloves, and always my fingertips would be cold.
Wearing mittens while trekking down the trail has kept my fingertips and hands warm and functional. They have allowed me to enjoy more miles of exploring in winter.
Mittens are designed to keep your fingers together. This effectively keeps your fingers warmer than being separated by gloves. The insulating material (wool or fleece) will keep your hands and fingers warm all day.
4. Hat
Wearing a hat while exploring the frosty trails or adventuring through the snow-covered trees is essential. We lose body heat through our heads, just like the rest of our bodies, when exposed to cool temperatures. Keeping the head covered with a hat will help trap some of that body heat.
Depending on the temperatures and conditions of your hike, will significantly change what type of hat you should wear. To enjoy a nice couple-mile stroll down the trail and see some sites, I would recommend wearing a wool or fleece sock hat or beanie. Your body will not be working hard to get you down a trail and will need a little extra insulation to keep warm. If you’re trucking down hard terrain and adventuring decent elevation gain, a simple baseball hat might be all you need.
If you ever see me on the trail in the winter, I usually wear a baseball hat while hiking. I try not to build up sweat and moisture on my head and a ball cap seems to work fine. However, I always bring a sock hat to wear when I’m at camp or stopping for a site or to eat lunch.
5. Moisture Wicking Clothes
If there is one thing that I wish I had learned sooner, it was that cotton is not moisture-wicking. In fact, it is the exact opposite of that. Cotton absorbs the moisture and sweat from our bodies and takes a long time to dry. To be warm and safe we need to keep ourselves dry and free of moisture.
When preparing for a winter hike we should be aware of the material that our undergarments and layers are made of. Here is a list of moisture-wicking materials that will help you keep dry when hiking.
- Wool
- Polyester
- Nylon
- Merino
- Spandex
There is an abundance of different blends of these materials that manufacturers use to make clothing. Try to avoid any blends with cotton if possible.
6. Hot Food and staying Hydrated
As we enjoy the wonders of nature in winter our bodies are working to stay warm. It is essential to keep it fueled and hydrated. I have noticed that proper hydration the day/night before a hike will help, as well as drinking some electrolytes the day of. It is easy to get dehydrated in winter because our bodies are not showing normal signs of dehydration. We tend to not think about drinking when we are cold, which means we need to be aware of how much we are hydrating.
Eating the proper number of calories is just as important. Like the gas in your car, when you run out, you stop. Food is the gas that fuels our bodies to keep going. In colder temperatures, our bodies typically burn more calories. Even shivering in cold weather can cause our bodies to burn more calories.
While on the trail, I try to snack as I wander. Trail mix, candy bars, beef jerky, and dried fruit are my go-to snacks to consume to keep calories maintained. For lunch, I always enjoy a hot meal. I use my pocket stove and fuel canister to boil up some water and prepare a freeze-dried meal. Eating a hot meal warms my core and recharges my drive. A substantial meal helps carry me through the miles I hike.