Snowshoeing Day Hike Checklist
The 10+ Essentials
- Extra clothing
- Drinking water in an insulated container
- Compass
- Pocket knife
- Sunscreen
- Matches in a waterproof container (a lighter works well, too)
- Extra food
- Map of the area in a waterproof case
- Fire starter (or a candle)
- First aid kit
- Sunglasses
- Headlamp or flashlight with extra bulb and batteries
Hiking Gear
- Snowshoes
- Daypack large enough for winter gear - these may be listed as overnight packs (check out the models with shovel pockets!)
- Vacuum bottle for hot drinks (nothing draws a crowd like hot chocolate on the trail!)
- All-weather blanket to block wind during lunch breaks or for emergency use
- Insulated sit pad
- Ski or snowshoe poles (or trekking poles with snow baskets)
- Chemical hand and foot warmers
- Camera, film, binoculars, snowman-building instructions
Clothing (Men's, Women's, Kids')
- Wicking long underwear (such as MTS® or Capilene®)
- Fleece jacket or wool sweater
- Regular underwear
- Fleece or wool pants
Outerwear (Men's, Women's, Kids')
- Outer shell jacket (waterproof/breathable such as Gore-tex® or Elements®) OR single-layer, soft-shell jacket
- Waterproof gloves or over mitts or shelled ski gloves
- Neck gaiter or balaclava
- Outer shell pants (waterproof/breathable such as Gore-tex® or Elements®) OR single-layer, soft-shell pants
- Fleece or wool mittens or gloves
- Fleece or wool hat or headband
- Gaiters
- Leather hiking boots (treated with waterproofing) OR insulated winter boots OR plastic mountaineering boots
- Wicking liner socks
- Hiking, mountaineering or ski socks (wool or synthetic)
Backcountry Gear
- Avalanche transceiver (beacon)
- Ice axe
- Snow saw, snow crystal card, slope meter (for determining snow pack and avalanche conditions)
- Shovel
- Probe poles
- Altimeter
Snowshoe Repair Kit
- Duct tape
- Pliers
- Grommet repair kit (if your snowshoes are fastened with grommets)
- Nylon tie wraps
- Bailing wire
- Heavy-duty shoelace or length of cord
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By REI staff
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