{"id":185350,"date":"2023-01-11T13:33:03","date_gmt":"2023-01-11T21:33:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=185350"},"modified":"2023-04-26T11:55:02","modified_gmt":"2023-04-26T18:55:02","slug":"winter-hiking-gear-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/hike\/winter-hiking-gear-list","title":{"rendered":"What’s In My Pack with Emily Ford"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I try to live by the runner’s mantra \u201cdress for mile 2.\u201d It is OK to be chilly at the beginning. You don\u2019t want to be frigid and unbearably unhappy while winter hiking, but a wee bit cold is good. The point of understanding our layers<\/a> and how our bodies do in the cold is so that we do not overheat and sweat. Sweat quickly turns cold and can send you into hypothermia without you even knowing. So, as soon as you feel sweaty, either take off a layer, open a vent or expose your neck or wrists. Adjust this list per how your body heats as it is moving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The goal in the winter is to be like a beautifully layered butter biscuit. You want a bunch of thin layers (the dough) with heat trapped in between (the butter). <\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Undies<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I wear Duluth Trading men\u2019s Buck Naked\u2122 Underwear. However, I would say that if you could afford merino wool underwear<\/a>, it would be the best option. I don\u2019t think I would need to be brand specific. Moreover, there is the saying \u201ccotton is rotten.\u201d I do my best to live by that saying even in my \u201cnormal\u201d life. I wear as much clothing made from natural fibers like merino wool or alpaca as possible. But there is the accessibility portion with how much things cost, right? So, if the [cost] barrier of merino underwear is blocking someone from feeling like they can get out in the winter, cotton is just fine! We will layer non-cotton things on top of that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Base layer<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The goal in the winter is to be like a beautifully layered butter biscuit. You want a bunch of thin layers (the dough) with heat trapped in between (the butter). You can choose any brand here. I choose ones that people give to me as gifts or whatever is already in my closet. If you tend to get cold easily, two thin base layers<\/a> on the bottom or one thicker layer is always a good idea. Never be afraid to double up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Side note: My butt and thighs are extremely susceptible to the cold. I have gotten chilblains [a painful inflammation of small blood vessels in your skin due to exposure to the cold] several times. A great option is to take a pair of fleece pants from the thrift store, cut them off at the knee, and wear them under your shell pants and over the base layers for added coverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mid layer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is where we are trapping the most heat. My mid layer has become quite special to me: an alpaca hoodie from Appalachian Gear Company. A fleece<\/a> would do fine here, but I\u2019ve never actually owned a proper fleece. I would say that any \u201canimal\u201d layer would do well here: sheep and alpaca wool are great options. I will wear my merino Fjallraven<\/a> Henley shirt beneath this layer as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this point, we might be three layers in. Vests<\/a> can be good here as well. I like to remind people that every body produces heat in such different ways. On milder days (above freezing), I\u2019ve found that I do not like to use vests when I\u2019m moving. Say it\u2019s above freezing and I\u2019m hiking in varying terrain, I personally get too warm with a vest on with all the other layers. If it is nice out and not windy, a vest without a shell is a fine option. I do like to have it when I get into camp: It\u2019s that extra layer that really traps heat. On a cold, windy subzero day I will add a vest as a layer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fjallraven Expedition Pack Down Hoodie<\/a><\/em>, $275<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Puffy jacket<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I run (dog sled mushing) with a Fjall<\/a>raven<\/a> down jacket. It is not ultra-puffy, but it does the trick. I will not usually wear this as I am hiking. I will put it on every time I rest to keep any heat in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outer jacket<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A rain jacket<\/a> is perhaps one of the most versatile layers. I wear either Fjallraven<\/a> or Patagonia<\/a>. I wear my rain jacket all year round. Nearly regardless of the layers that you have beneath, a rain jacket will block out the wind and trap heat. The wind is a heat thief, and the more you can protect yourself, the better. If I\u2019m on a long expedition, I will wear my Wintergreen Anorak<\/a>. Having an anorak is a basic must for many winter explorers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outer Bottoms<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rain pants do well as shell pants. It is like its sister, the rain jacket. I wear Mountain Hardwear<\/a> or Fjallraven<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Emily prefers a midweight merino wool neck gaiter, similar to the Buff Merino Move Multifunctional Headwear<\/a>, $30.<\/em>
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Neck gaiter<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your neck has so many veins and arteries cruising through it. Buff<\/a> and other brands make gaiters of all thicknesses. I like a midweight merino gaiter; not too thick and not too thin. I wear these to keep the wind off my neck and for sleeping in the winter. They are nice because you can generally breathe through them. I bring a couple along since they generally get iced over or wet from breathing through them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Socks<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Any wool sock will do here, but my go-to brands are Darn Tough<\/a>, Smartwool<\/a> and Farm to Feet<\/a>. This is where you should avoid cotton at all costs. Feet sweat more than we realize [and cotton absorbs sweat, saturates quickly and dries slowly]. Wool can retain heat even when wet. Merino wool is a great option. When on long trips, a thin wool sock, a vapor barrier and then a thick sock will help keep feet happy. Never forget that you can layer anywhere on your body. Before I could afford so many socks, I would wear my worn-out merinos under thicker socks. Socks are the one thing that I over pack. Do not be afraid to stop midday and change socks. Dry feet are happy feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Salomon Quest 4 GORE-TEX Hiking Boots, Women’s<\/a> and Men’s<\/a><\/em>, $230.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Boot<\/strong>s<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Foot comfort is an extremely personal part of hiking. Here are my different boot choices, depending on the weather:<\/p>\n\n\n\n