How To Dress For Winter Hiking?
The magic word is layering. This means wearing clothes made from the right materials in layers instead of using one thick insulating layer. This system can be divided into four parts: a base layer, a mid-layer, and a shell layer. The last layer is the insulation layer.
What is the best material for a base layer?
Avoid cotton in these Arctic enviroments! Our body produces sweat during winter hiking and that is our enemy in the cold. The base layer material should be wool or a wool blend as it keeps you warm even when damp. Same goes with long johns!
The best material for a mid layer
The mid-layer material can be fleece, wool or a blend. This layer should be slightly thicker than the base layer and should wick away the moisture that comes from your body. This layer gives you already little bit of warmth.
A shell layer against the elements
The shell layer is usually the biggest question in cold environments. What we locals often prefer is a cotton/polyester blend fabric that keeps the cold wind out. This material is very breathable and quick drying, so it keeps you dry when you sweat. In winter the air is very dry and the rain is snow so the elements won’t make you wet. One option is to use a good Gore-Tex jacket. It is a good choice but it can make you sweat easily because it doesn’t breathe well. This means you may start to shiver and feel cold more easily. Winter hiking pants should be breathable but also weatherproof. The best materials are a cotton-polyester blend or flexible ski touring pants made from softshell material. Underneath, you should wear layers depending on how cold the weather is.
An insulation layer – the warmest layer on you
When you stop for a break during winter hiking or do very light activity in the cold you will need the final layer, the insulation layer that keeps you nice and warm. When choosing insulation jacket pay attention to the filling and thickness of the layer. A large, puffy down jacket is best for cold winters but there are also excellent synthetic options available. This layer should be big enough to fit over other layers. If you choose a down jacket make sure it has at least 250g to 300g of down in the filling. You should also pay attention to winter pants. Insulated pants can be downhill ski pants or down pants. They are usually warm enough if you wear two layers of long underwear underneath.
How to keep hands and feet warm?
Hands and feet tend to sweat a lot during winter hiking. The layering system also applies to hands and feet. Wear wool or a wool blend against the skin, and on top, you should wear a weatherproof layer. The best option for hands is mittens with a removable inner glove, and for feet, high boots with a removable inner boot are ideal. The boots should be large enough so you can fit two layers of socks in.
