Winter Hiking Clothes Layers

Middle layer insulating layer.

Winter hiking clothes layers.

Most winter hikers wear a wool or synthetic base layer consisting of a long sleeve jersey long underwear and some kind of boxer or bikini underwear under that. Shields you from wind and rain. Layering for winter hiking is vastly different than any other time of year. Winter wanderings four layer system for even colder and wetter activities such as skiing snowboarding ice climbing or moderate mountaineering 4 layers work best to allow you to cool off during the hard aerobic parts of your day and stay warm during the slow or stormy periods.

Layering is a three part system that includes a base layer that wicks perspiration away from your skin a mid layer that insulates you from the cold and a shell layer that keeps wind and moisture out. 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. You can peel off layers if things heat up but you can t put on layers that you didn t bring along. It s important that all of your base layers by synthetic or wool and not cotton because they ll dry faster.

For winter layering you ll want a next to skin base layer a mid weight insulating layer a fleece or puffy and a weatherproof shell. There s one certainty about the clothing layers we use in winter. The layering system is most useful in cool to cold weather in warm weather a light top and bottom usually suffice. While a rain shell or puffy jacket may rarely or even never come out of our pack on a summer hike or climb we almost invariably wear every article of clothing we carry when backcountry nordic or downhill skiing snowshoeing snowboarding climbing or trail running in winter.

Home appalachian trail at continental divide trail cdt pacific crest trail pct. Even if you don t wear all three layers at the outset it s a good idea to take all layers on every outing. Layering clothes in winter backpacking is crucial. Do not layer clothes with two layers.

It is supposed to keep you safe and comfortable in a broad range of temperatures and environmental conditions wind rain sleet and snow. Layer clothes wrong your too hot and sweat and then die or you are freezing and then you die. Retains body heat to protect you from the cold. Here s how to stay warm and safe on the trail during winter.

While assembling a wicking base layer insulating mid layer and waterproof windproof shell is the foundation for a layered clothing system experienced hikers employ a number of temperature regulation techniques beyond adding or removing their shell or mid layer to avoid sweating or getting cold as their level of activity changes during a hike or snowshoeing trip. Layers can be removed and added as needed throughout the day.