How to Stay Warm While Hiking [17 Tips For Cold Weather Hiking]

Are you wondering how to stay warm while hiking so you can still enjoy those cold weather days without freezing?

Getting out and hitting the hiking trail when the temperatures are cold can definitely be challenging and requires a lot of motivation.

But if you have what it to takes to stay warm when you’re on the trail, it’ll make getting outside a lot easier!

I’m an avid hiker and was born and raised in Minnesota. So I’ve had plenty of experience hiking in the snow and cold, and am here to give you all of my tips.

In this post, I’ll go over everything you need to know about hiking in cold weather from what to wear to what to drink.

How to Stay Warm While Hiking

There are many ways that you can stay warm when outside, but let’s go over some of the best options for hiking warmth.

1. Layer Your Clothes

The first and easiest thing to do to avoid getting cold is to use a layering system when you’re getting dressed.

This just means wearing multiple layers of clothes on top of each other to add extra warmth.

When you have those extra clothes, it’s easy to take them off if you get too hot, but if you’re cold, you won’t have the extras!

When you get dressed, start with a base layer that is moisture-wicking, then add a mid-layer that insulates, and then finish with a windproof and waterproof jacket.

2. Carry a Hot Drink

Of course, you should be drinking plenty of water when you’re hiking, but did you know you can totally drink a hot drink too?

Buy yourself a nice insulated mug and fill it with your favorite warm beverage!

Whether it’s coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or apple cider, they will warm you from the inside out.

But while you’re drinking your warm beverage, don’t forget to sip on your water as well.

3. Hike in the Middle of the Day

The mornings and evenings tend to be the coolest parts of the day, so doing a winter hike during the middle of the day will help you stay warmer.

You can also check the forecast to see if there are parts of the day that look to have more sun than others.

Pairing this tip with my next one can really do wonders for that temperature.

4. Avoid Shaded Trails

While great in the summer, trails with a lot of shade can be terrible to be on in the winter.

When the temperatures are cold, you’re going to want to be in the sun as often as possible.

Going out on trails with a lot of tree cover and shade can make it difficult to see the sun, so find one that’s mostly open to enjoy that sunshine.

5. Check the Wind Chill

I bet you can tell that I’m from Minnesota because I’m about to say, {said with a strong Minnesotan accent} “ope.. it wouldn’t be so bad if it weren’t for the windchill!”

But seriously, that wind chill can make the temperature outside feel brutal!

If the actual temperature outside is 25 degrees F (-4°C), it can quickly feel closer to 0 degrees F (-18°C) if you have strong winds.

If you aren’t aware of this, it can be dangerous because you won’t be prepared for that temperature difference.

6. Eat Plenty of Snacks

Being outside in the cold tends to deplete our bodies of energy faster, so it’s more important for us to eat and stay hydrated.

You’re more likely to burn more calories while you’re out exploring in the cold, so you’ll want to restore those by eating nutritious foods.

Plan to pack plenty of energy-packed snacks on your adventure like protein bars, beef jerky, or nuts.

I personally find having things that are easily accessible and easy to snack on is best so I don’t have to take my gloves off.

7. Stay Moving

I know that this one kind of goes without saying, but it’s pretty true that staying moving is one of the best tips for how to stay warm while hiking in winter.

The longer that you stop, the colder you’re going to get.

So if you stay moving while you’re out on the trail, you’ll stay warmer and won’t lose as much heat from your body.

8. Cover All of Your Skin

Covering all of your skin when hiking in the cold is very important because it can help prevent frostbite.

Not only that, it will help keep you warm if none of your skin is exposed to the cold air.

You don’t always need to cover your face if the temperature isn’t too cold.

But during those extra cold days, wearing a Buff will help keep your neck warm and it can double as a face mask to cover your nose.

9. Pack Spare Clothes

Having extra clothes is part of the 10 essentials, so you should always have them with you.

But if you tend not to carry extra clothes, it’s a good idea to pack an extra jacket or mid-layer in your bag.

I like to carry an extra puffer jacket because they easily pack up into my backpack and don’t take up much extra space.

You could also pack something such as a raincoat to throw on over the top of your outer layer to provide extra protection from the elements.

10. Use Hand and Toe Warmers

My fingers and toes are always the body parts that get cold the fastest, which is normal for many people.

It’s really important to take care of your extremities because they can be susceptible to frostbite.

So if you feel your fingers getting cold, take some time to warm them up.

You can get either reusable hand warmers or disposables. Toe warmers are great for sticking in your boots.

11. Wear a Hat

A lot of heat escapes from our heads, so to help you stay warmer and keep in body heat, wear a hat on your head when outside.

I really like this hat from Columbia because it’s warm and cute at the same time with the pom-pom.

Or if you’re anything like me and get pretty hot very quickly, I like to wear headbands to keep my ears warm but let my head breathe.

12. Buy a Heated Vest

If you know that you run cold, you may even consider wearing a heated vest to help keep you warm.

These are nice because they provide an extra layer to layer, layer, layer, and also can help heat your body up.

I like them because you can recharge the battery, switch between a few heat levels, and then turn it off if you get too warm.

13. Stay Hydrated

It can be really easy to forget to drink water when you’re cold, but it is still just as important to stay hydrated.

There’s a chance that you might not feel thirsty, but you still need to drink as much water as you normally would.

This means about 1/2 liter of water for every 1 hour of hiking.

14. Avoid Cotton at All Costs

You’ve probably heard it before, but wearing cotton while hiking is not a great idea.

When it gets wet, cotton tends to soak up water and when that gets wet, it will make you cold.

Even though you might feel cold, it’s likely that you’ll be sweating at least a little bit which will then soak into the shirt.

It can be dangerous and uncomfortable to be wet during the cold season, so just avoid it!

15. Use Snow Gaiters

Snow gaiters are a good extra way to stay warm and dry when you’re hiking in the snow.

They snap on over your boots and bridge the gap between your pants and shoes.

This helps to keep snow from building up in your shoes, therefore making your feet and socks soaking wet.

16. Take Layers Off Before You Sweat

I know that because you’re out in the cold you might think that you won’t sweat, but it definitely can (and probably will!) happen.

Even though the temperatures are cold, you’re still moving your body, going uphill, and most likely hauling a backpack.

If you sweat, that moisture is going to feel cold against your skin, so it’s important to start with a base layer and ditch the top layers if you feel yourself getting hot.

Trust me, it’s better to get rid of them before you start sweating and get overheated!

17. Stay Away From Down

A lot of hiking jackets are made out of down because down tends to be pretty warm and holds the heat in.

But there are a few downsides to down, which are the reasons why I recommend avoiding it to help yourself stay warm.

If you’re on a winter hike somewhere where you’ll come across a lot of snow, it can be bad news for down jackets since they tend to hold moisture when they get wet.

Instead, opt for something made out of synthetic insulation, which are better at not absorbing moisture and keeping you warm even in wet conditions.

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What to Wear for Hiking in the Cold

If you’re wondering how to stay warm while hiking or backpacking, it’s important to know that the number one thing comes down to what you’re wearing.

Here’s an introduction to a layering system to follow while you’re out hiking in cold weather.

Top Layers

The best system for your top is starting with a moisture-wicking base layer, adding an insulating mid-layer, and topping it off with a weatherproof top layer.

You can also always keep an extra layer in your backpack to add if you get even colder than when you start. But also remember that you can always take these off!

Base Layer: Wicks away moisture and keeps your heat close to your body. I love Smartwool‘s options!

Mid-Layer: The insulating layer. This Marmot puffer jacket is made of synthetic insulation.

Outer Layer: Your protection from the elements. The Outdoor Research Ascentshell Jacket is popular.

Bottom Layers

Some people find that their legs don’t get as cold as their top half, so they wear fewer layers.

I would still recommend taking the same approach and wearing at least two layers if it’s very cold because you can always take them off.

Base Layer: Smartwool Merinowool tights keep you warm underneath the other layers.

Snow Pants: A waterproof layer to keep you warm and dry if it snows. This Spyder Gore-tex pair is a great choice.

Other Clothing

Hat: I love this Columbia one or this headband to keep my ears warm.

Gloves: This Seirus Xtreme Waterproof pair are comfortable and keeps you dry.

Hiking Socks: Keep you warm under the shoes. Darn Tough has the best choices.

Footwear: Choose a sturdy, waterproof pair such as the Oboz Bridger Mid-B Drys. I have a pair of Oboz and they’ve never let me down.

Buff: A Buff can be used to keep your neck warm or can be pulled up over your face.

Leg Gaiters:  This Outdoor Research set adds an extra layer of protection and warmth to your legs.

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Dangers of Hiking in the Cold

Even though it’s great to get out and winter hike in cold weather, there are still definitely a few things that you should be aware of.

These two conditions can be very serious, so you should be aware of their symptoms and what to do in case they set in.

Frostbite

Frostbite is a condition in which the tissue in your skin begins to freeze, which can result in permanent damage.

Things to look for include cold and tingling skin, numbness inflammation, and a more severe symptom, waxy-looking skin.

Having your skin exposed to the cold makes you more prone to frostbite, so be sure to cover up to avoid it.

Hypothermia

Hypothermia is when your body is exposed to cold temperatures for too long and your body heat and temperatures begin to drop.

Symptoms include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, and drowsiness, and Hypothermia is a medical emergency so you must take action immediately.

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FAQs: Cold Weather Hiking

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Wrap-Up: How to Stay Warm While Hiking

Staying warm when outside in cold temperatures can be tough, especially when you’re on the hiking trail.

But if you’re prepared, understand how to layer, and follow some of these tips, you’ll have a great snow-filled adventure.

Now that you know how to stay warm while hiking in winter, get out there are put these skills to the test!

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