Winter backpacking
clothing options

Wearing suitable winter backpacking clothing is essential for your safety as a winter wilderness backpacker. Your body will generate a lot of heat and sweat when you are hiking, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Your body may be warm while moving. However, when you stop, freezing temperatures and winter winds can quickly lower your body temperature.

Cold weather requires you to really think through what you're going to wear to stay warm.


Here are some winter backpacking clothing reminders:

1.
The best way to stay warm and dry is to layer your clothes.

Start with a wicking layer, your underwear that will transport sweat and moisture away from your skin. Next, put on an insulating layer. Fleece or wool are good material. Finish with a wind shell layer.

Whatever you do, do not wear cotton. Cotton does not insulate or wick moisture away from the body. Takes forever to dry and you will get cold.

2.
Add, remove or vent layers as necessary. Multiple layers of insulation may be needed depending on the outside temperature.

3.
Your winter backpacking clothing should be lightweight, roomy enough to not restrict your movement and be easy to take on or off.

4.
Protect your hands. Wear insulated gloves to prevent your fingers from freezing. Mittens will keep hands warmer and can be worn over gloves for extra protection.

5.
Don't forget your feet! Wear well insulated and waterproof winter boots. Cold and wet feet are a disaster and can bring your body temperature down dramatically. Always have a dry pair of socks handy.

Use gaiters. Knee-high gaiters will keep the snow out of your footwear and prevent your socks, boots and feet from getting wet.

6.
This may sound like common sense but try to keep your clothes dry. Damp winter clothing conducts the cold much more effectively. Before entering a heated house or shelter, brush off all particles of snow stuck to your clothes otherwise the snow will melt and get you wet. If your are staying inside a house or shelter remove clothes when it's warm - avoid to get sweaty.

7.
Wear a hat, something that will cover your ears. About 50 percent of our body heat is lost from our heads.




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