Beginner’s Guide To Winter Hiking (by an outdoor guide!)

Winter hiking can be intimidating (and cold!) but it’s one of the best winter outdoor adventure activities! With everything from finding winter hikes near you to what to wear winter hiking, here’s the ultimate beginner’s guide to hiking in the winter:

Why this blog? Hi there! I’m Maddy, and I’ve been spending the last six or so years exploring the midwest as a wilderness guide! I’ve worked as a sea kayaking guide and in outdoor retail both, and I’m committed to helping you find the best gear for you. Winter hiking is one of my favorite things to do when the temps drop, and I’m happy to give you brutally honest gear info.

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What gear do I need for winter hiking?

Overall in addition to warm feet and good traction and a layering system (which we’ll cover next!), there are a few critical pieces of gear you’ll want for winter hiking.

First, you’ll want a daypack, likely around 20-30L to carry extra layers and additional gear. In addition, you’ll want a map and compass. Since most hikers today navigate by phone and phone batteries are sapped quickly in the cold, consider bringing an external battery. In addition, be sure to pack:

• extra water!
• snacks, and slightly more than you think you’ll need.
• a basic first aid kit
• an emergency bivvy for shelter
• three ways to call for help like a whistle, signalling mirror, and cell phone with SOS capability
• storm proof matches
• extra layers
• vaseline (good for fire starter, treating wind-burn/protecting skin)

What should I wear winter hiking?

From head to toe, here’s the best winter hiking gear you need and how to layer for a successful winter outside:

1) Foot traction: YaxTrax or Microspikes

Winter means ice and slick trails, and a good pair of Yaktrax or ice spikes will keep you upright. In general, I find that chains or crampons are overkill for most winter hiking, but Yaktrax Run is about perfect. These are different from your normal, spring-based Yaktrax in that they have tiny spikes at the ball of the foot to help with traction. The coil-only Yaktrax tend to break easily, but I’ve had great luck with the pair designed for running.

Alternately, if you know the trails you’re hiking are pretty much completely iced over, microspikes are probably a better bet.

Do I need snowshoes for winter hiking?

Short answer? Almost definitely not. A lot of people get the impression that winter hiking means snowshoeing! The truth is, most popular trails have enough hikers year round that the trails stay packed down, then ice over. Snowshoes on these trails are cumbersome and useless, but in just your hiking boots, you will slip and fall. Yaktrax or microspikes are your best bet!

When do I need snowshoes?

The only time you need snowshoes is when breaking trail or on trails specifically groomed for snowshoeing.

2) Sturdy winter hiking boots

Winter hiking boots are more insulated than the typical boot, and generally include additional traction! You’ll find when winter hiking that it’s pretty rare to find a totally iced over trail that you can just leave your spikes on the full time while hiking, which is where the additional traction on boots comes into place.

Top winter hiking boot picks include the Oboz Insulated Bridger, Keen Polar, and Merrel Sirens. One thing to keep in mind when shopping for winter hiking boots is if you do end up walking through snow, you’ll want a tall enough boot to keep the snow from pooling at the top of your boot, melting and dripping down your sock.

To prevent this, either invest in a taller boot or a pair of gaiters to wear over the top of your boots.

3) Warm winter hiking socks

Great socks are often overlooked winter hiking essentials, but something you need on your winter gear list. I recommend checking out Darn Tough as a good warm and thick sock, but any wool sock will work well for winter hiking.

4) Mittens & Liners

Mittens are an obvious piece of essential winter hiking gear, but did you know that there’s a layering system to mittens too? When there’s a potential for frostbite, fingers are usually the first victim, which is why you need a good pair of mittens and a wool liner.  Pair with an outer layer of down mittens.

How to fix cold feet while winter hiking:

Do your feet get cold while hiking in the winter? There are two really common issues that might lead to cold feet while hiking. The first is too small of shoes; you want a little bit of space in your boot to fit a thicker sock and create friction as you walk. You want your toes to be able to move a little. The second is actually too thick a sock; if your feet sweat too easily the wet will get you cold. While you’re hiking, pay attention to factors contributing to your cold feet!

Another factor to consider whether or not snow or melt is getting in your boot! Nothing will make you colder than the wet. Consider adding gaiters to keep your feet dry and warm.

How should I layer for Winter hiking?

A good layering system for winter hiking includes a system that you can adjust comfortably while you hike. Generally, this starts with a next-to-skin baselayer, followed by a midlayer of fleece or wool, then an outer layer of a jacket or wool sweater. More midlayers can be added for additional warmth as needed.

To implement an effective layering system, you’ll want a sizable daypack to carry some of your additional layers as you heat up while hiking! For example, while I carry a wool sweater and fleece as well as a shell coat, I usually hike in a baselayer top, baselayer bottoms, and hiking pants while actually hiking.

1) Baselayers

One thing that makes for a safe and comfortable winter hiking experience is a solid layering system! That begins with the baselayer. A baselayer is your next-to-skin layer. A good baselayer is either synthetic or wool; a material that stays warm when wet. Cotton makes for a bad baselayer because when wet with sweat it will convect more heat away from your body!

check out a full guide to the best women’s hiking baselayers

As an outdoor guide, I’ve had the best experience with the warmth and longevity of Smartwool baselayers. They might be more expensive than budget options, but I believe they more than pay for themselves in how long you can go without replacing (YEARS for me with extremely heavy use).

2) Midlayers

Next up on your layering list is a fleece midlayer! This adds warmth but is not generally waterproof.

No need to break the bank! Your mid layer is neither touching your skin nor providing much protection from the elements like an outer layer, so almost any fleece will work well. If you don’t already have a fleece that works, I recommend going to your nearest thrift store, and picking out any mid-weight fleece in a size that fits you.

If you feel the need to buy something new, check out Cotopaxi’s Teca Fleece. 

3) Winter Hiking Pants

A good pair of winter hiking pants should be water resistant but also breathable, and go over a pair of baselayer pants. Honestly you can’t do much better than the Fjallraven Keb Trousers; This is pretty much what everyone I know up north wears all winter.

Winter hiking pants are hard to find! Check out a guide to the best winter hiking pants for women here 🙂

9) Outer Layers

Your final important piece of winter hiking gear is your outer layer. Most people opt for a bulky warm winter coat. If your goal is winter hiking, I actually recommend against this. There’s no place to put it if you get too hot, and strategic layering will have you just as warm, with the added bonus of being able to adjust those layers to windchill and other conditions. 

Check out a thin puffy jacket like the Patagonia Nano puff for mid-temperatures, or a down sweater for cooler temps. You may also want a shell jacket for cooler temperatures as an outer-most layer. Often if it isn’t subzero, I’ll use a wool sweater as an outer layer.

How do I find winter hiking near me?

Some of the best way to find winter hikes near you are blog posts, via Instagram, AllTrails, or through the local land managers website. Instagram can be useful for seeing live trail conditions as can AllTrails. Blog posts are good for generalized ideas and information, but I wouldn’t rely on blog posts alone for up-to-date trail conditions.

One of the best things you can do before heading out on a winter hike is check the local managing body (state park, forest service, national park) website for current conditions and closures.

Having trouble finding winter hiking near you? Most hikes that are plowed and popular in the summer are hikable in the winter and frequently hiked in the winter. You can always try and contact a local guide or outdoors store if you are uncertain about trail conditions. Remember! It’s never a bad idea to decide to turn around if conditions are out of your comfort zone.

Winter hiking ideas in the midwest:

Are you midwest-based? Check out these winter hiking and adventure ideas:

• Winter Hiking in the Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan
• Winter Guide to the Bayfield Peninsula, Wisconsin
• Epic Winter Adventures in Michigan
• Bucket-List Midwest Winter Travel Destinations
• Winter Hiking on the North Shore, Minnesota
• Winter Adventures in Grand Marais, Minnesota

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