Winter Hiking Clothes Layers

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.

Winter hiking clothes layers.

Layering for winter hiking is vastly different than any other time of year. Layering clothes in winter backpacking is crucial. Home appalachian trail at continental divide trail cdt pacific crest trail pct. It is supposed to keep you safe and comfortable in a broad range of temperatures and environmental conditions wind rain sleet and snow.

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. You can peel off layers if things heat up but you can t put on layers that you didn t bring along. 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. 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.

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. The layering system is most useful in cool to cold weather in warm weather a light top and bottom usually suffice. A layering system is really just a set of good hiking clothes.

Do not layer clothes with two layers. Layer clothes wrong your too hot and sweat and then die or you are freezing and then you die. Shields you from wind and rain. Here s how to stay warm and safe on the trail during winter.

It s important that all of your base layers by synthetic or wool and not cotton because they ll dry faster. Outer layer shell layer. Even if you don t wear all three layers at the outset it s a good idea to take all layers on every outing. Layers can be removed and added as needed throughout the day.

We get our money s worth out of them. There s one certainty about the clothing layers we use in winter.