The Complete List of Winter Hiking Clothes and Gear You Need

Hiking in the winter is a fun way to continue to get outside, even during the colder months, but it takes more preparation than in the summer. You can go out in the summer for a hike with minimal gear for the most part, but having the right gear for winter hiking and proper hiking clothes for winter are critical this time of year.

My winter hikes in Washington article quickly became popular as my readers got excited that they could still do hikes. However, the main question I kept getting on private messages was what do they wear? I’ve slowly built up my winter hiking gear over the years and finally have everything I need.

Based on that, I put together this comprehensive list of winter hiking clothes so you know what to bring on your next hike. I’ve also provided helpful safety tips to consider first, so take your time reading this article to prepare yourself and enjoy your hike properly by knowing what to wear hiking in winter.

Tips for Cold Weather Hiking

Winter hiking is a beautiful way to experience nature when there’s hardly anyone on the trail as the snow falls around you. However, you will need to take more precautions before going.

If you are new to winter hiking, you may want to go on a beginner hike first (I have a whole list of easy hikes in Washington).

• Plan for it to take longer – Just because you know you can cover seven miles in a certain amount of time in the summer doesn’t mean it’ll be the same in winter. I recommend starting with shorter hikes first to understand how you do when hiking in deep snow.
• Check the trail conditions – No matter what time of year I go hiking, I always read trail reports first. In Washington, you can find these on the WTA’s website. If someone’s written a good report, you’ll be able to see if the drive to the trailhead is tricky, if there’s anything to be aware of on the trail, and even see recent pictures of what the hike looks like.
• Always look at the weather first – Check for any incoming storms in your area before you go on your hike. You don’t want to get stuck in a blizzard, where it’ll be extremely hard to find the trail. You should also be aware that going after a heavy snowfall can present an avalanche danger. It’s okay to cancel a hike if it doesn’t look safe – I’ve done it plenty of times and never regretted it.
• Rent if you can’t buy – I know that it can be expensive to build up your winter hiking gear list initially. For the first few years, I could borrow or rent items like snowshoes until I knew I would be using them enough to justify the cost.
• Buy waterproof – Waterproof is vital when you’re looking for winter hiking clothes. Even if the snow seems dry, it will eventually melt when it touches the warmth of your body, so you don’t want to be stuck with wet, soggy clothes. You’ll want to invest in good snow hiking gear.
• Have a change of clothes in the car – Even though the winter hiking gear I’m about to recommend is designed to keep you as warm and dry as possible, sometimes you get stuck in a rainstorm and get soaked. Knowing you have dry clothes for the drive home or if you want to do indoor activities afterward is a game-changer.

Hiking Clothes for Winter You Need This Season

First, let’s cover the basics of winter hiking – what to wear for hiking in winter. Here are the best winter hiking clothes you’ll want.

Base Layers

When planning out my winter hiking outfit, I start from the core and go outward. I always wear merino wool base layers when laying out hiking clothes in winter, as they’ll keep you warm and dry during your whole day. You’ll want a base layer top and a base layer bottom when hiking in winter clothes.

Initially, I didn’t want to invest in these and kept wearing cheap base layers. However, I will never turn back now as I see these are the best winter hiking gear by keeping me so much warmer than other ones I’ve used. I consider these essential cold weather hiking clothes. When I go on Mount Rainier hikes in the winter, I always have these on underneath.

Merino Wool Socks

The same goes for these – merino wool socks are essential winter hiking clothes because who wants wet, soggy socks after an hour of hiking? I recommend bringing two pairs when deciding what to wear for winter hiking – one for your hike and one after so you can change into warm, dry socks.

After spending a long Mount Rainier day trip snowshoeing, I was glad to have multiple dry pairs waiting for me at my Mt. Rainier cabin, making them winter hiking essentials. I recommend these socks to anyone who asks what to wear when hiking in winter.

Fleece Jacket

After I have my base layer on, I put on my fleece jacket as my mid-layer, which is another essential for what to wear winter hiking. This provides an extra layer of warmth essential on freezing days or when you first get started. You can always take this off as you get warmer during your hike, but it’s one of the top warm hiking clothes.

If I’m on a multi-day trip, I sometimes pack two of these for my winter hiking clothing so I’ll have a warm, clean one to wear if I go out to dinner, such as when visiting Vancouver Island.

Pants

What pants you’ll get depend on if you wear a base layer underneath, meaning you won’t want skintight pants if you’re layering clothes for winter hiking. I love KUHL pants in general because they tend to have a little room and are always comfortable, and the Trekr Pants are no exception.

They’re snug enough that they stay tight when you’re hiking, but they also stretch when you need to bend or sit down during your trek. They also wash easily so you don’t have to worry about getting your winter hiking apparel dirty on a muddy hike.

Waterproof Jacket

A lightweight, waterproof jacket is my top layer during my winter hikes and part of the warm hiking clothes I always bring. I don’t personally recommend a heavy coat if you already have a base layer and mid-layer because you’re going to overheat quickly. This is always on my list of essential rainy day hiking gear.

The last thing you’ll want is to have to carry an oversized jacket for the rest of your hike, but you’ll like this suggestion for what to wear when hiking in the cold in freezing temperatures. Even if it’s not snowing, you’ll want a waterproof jacket for any rainy day hikes in Seattle you go on.

Sometimes I take this top layer off if it’s a nice day out and it’s not snowing or raining, as the fleece will be enough once I warm up. I recommend buying a jacket with a hood, so it’ll be quick to put up in case the snow or rain starts. A waterproof jacket is also nice to add to your winter hiking list if you go on waterfall hikes in Washington.

Waterproof Hiking Boots

If you buy one thing waterproof, make sure it’s your hiking boots. Having wet shoes will instantly ruin your hike and shorten your day (I learned this the hard way many years ago). These are an investment, as they’ll last you for years to come, so don’t feel tempted to buy the cheapest brand you see. This is also a winter hiking safety tip because you can easily slip with cheaper shoes.

I personally love the KEEN brand and have been wearing their hiking boots for years. My feet are wide, and I have difficulty fitting into shoes sometimes, but these have always been comfortable. Merrell is also a reputable brand that I’ve tried in the past that I can recommend.

Gaiters

Gaiters aren’t always going to be necessary, but they’re helpful to put on your winter hiking equipment list when you’re hiking in deep snow. There’s no point in spending money on waterproof boots only to have snow fall in the top part of your boot, so gaiters typically go up your whole lower leg to keep them dry.

They’re relatively inexpensive and very light, so I recommend just putting them in your backpack as part of your winter hiking gear in case you need them.

Beanie

Wearing a beanie is another essential item to add to your winter hiking outfit. Keeping your head warm will keep your entire body toasty, so this is another must for cold hiking clothes.

Alternatively, you can also wear a headband if you don’t like beanies covering your whole hair or messing with your ponytail. This won’t be quite as warm but will still cover your ears to protect part of your hiking clothes for winter.

Gloves

I always wear gloves when I hike because my hands get cold quickly, so they’re winter hiking gear essentials for me. If it’s dry outside, I usually wear liner gloves and find they give enough protection. I’m also able to hold onto my poles or grab my phone quickly enough.

When it’s really cold or raining, I’ll put on insulated gloves over these. You can also add hand warmers to your winter hiking gear list if you’re prone to getting cold.

Necessary Gear for Winter Hiking

Here are some of the top cold weather hiking gear I recommend getting before you hit the trail. While these are mainly winter hiking clothes for women, almost all the brands I suggest have a similar item for men.

Snowshoes

When you are dealing with tons of snow, snowshoes are a lifesaver. The first time I tried the Scenic Hot Springs hike, I couldn’t get farther than 10 feet because I kept sinking in my hiking boots. The next time I went back, I effortlessly glided over all the snow with my snowshoes on.

While MSR snowshoes are my recommended brand if you’re going to buy your own, you can also rent snowshoes for the day at places like REI if you’re not ready to buy them.

Microspikes

Microspikes are the newest item on my winter hiking gear list, and I’m glad I finally invested in them. They’re lightweight and easily strap onto your regular shoes, so you can keep them in your backpack when you need this gear for winter hiking.

Microspikes are most helpful when you have to walk on ice on flatter hikes. I recommend putting them on once you feel you’ve lost traction with your boots. Put these on your winter day hike checklist so you’ll know you can get across icy areas.

I especially like these during late fall hikes, such as when going on larch hikes in Washington. That time of year is tricky to know where the snow line will be, so it’s safe to have them in your backpack just in case you need them.

Hiking Poles

I don’t always love using hiking poles, but they’re necessary for the winter. Hiking poles are cold weather hiking gear that will help provide stability when you’re in deep snow or icy terrain.

There are a variety of poles to buy, with the lightest ones being the most expensive, but you’ll do fine with a mid-range one for most hikes. I recommend getting ones that fold up to easily put away and using the snow baskets that come most of them.

Sit Pad

This is also an inexpensive gift for outdoor lovers that they probably haven’t thought of. I thought it was unnecessary until the first time I used one on a rainy day. You’ll want to sit down during your hike, and the last thing you need is your hiking clothes for cold weather getting soaked.

There are several different types – some people prefer the ones that are already inflated, but I personally use a blow-up seating pad since it takes up hardly any space in my backpack. You’ll wish you had this on your winter backpacking checklist sooner once you once it.

Backpack

There are many suitable backpacks out there, but the main thing you’ll want to look at is the size (which will be measured in liters, or L). When you’re just going on a day hike, you can get away with a 20 L backpack unless you’re bringing tons of winter hiking equipment.

If you plan on an overnight trip, you’ll want to invest in a larger backpack, such as a 50 L pack. Osprey is my favorite brand because it comfortably fits my shoulders, back, and hips. However, the most important thing is to make sure whatever pack you buy is comfortable when you walk around.

Make sure to buy a rain cover as well if your pack doesn’t come with one so you can protect your items in case of a storm.

Emergency Blanket

My emergency blanket is another new item I recently added to my winter hiking packing list, and I don’t know why I went so long without it. They deflect wind and water and trap your body heat to keep you warm. While you hopefully go on your hike with no issues, you never know when there might be a sudden blizzard or you have to camp out overnight.

These are worst-case scenarios, so I’m not saying this to scare you. However, when an emergency blanket rolls up smaller than a can and costs less than $20, there’s no reason not to add this to your cold weather hiking gear.

Navigation

If you want to be as prepared as possible, I suggest investing in a navigation device for life-saving winter hiking equipment. These are expensive, and to be honest, they’re not necessary for easier day hikes. I do recommend ones like the Garmin inReach Explorer for overnight trips or going into the backcountry.

Not only can you get GPS from satellite if you get lost, but you can also send pre-programmed messages to family and friends. These can include “I’m okay but running late” if the hike takes longer or “call for help” with a ping to your location. If you can afford it, I would add it to your winter hiking packing list.

JetBoil

I’ll be honest – a JetBoil isn’t necessary, but this snow hiking equipment will significantly enhance your experience. You can boil water in a matter of minutes so that you can have hot chocolate, soup, or any other warm meal during your trip.

If you do an overnight trip, you’ll want to put it on your winter backpacking checklist. Nothing is better than a hot cup of coffee after waking up on a cold morning.

Staying in a cozy cabin after a day of winter hiking is a fun way to end the day, so check out the best Airbnb cabins in Washington if you want to extend your trip.

Now that you have a complete list of hiking clothes for winter and cold weather hiking gear, you should feel more prepared. It’s time to go out and enjoy the beauty that is winter hiking!