Nine Winter Hiking Essentials You Need
February 26, 2021
What keeps you inside in the winter? Whether you hate the cold, lack motivation, or simply don’t know where to start, I’ve found that having the right winter hiking gear makes hiking in the winter not only comfortable, but helps me stay motivated to get outside.
Here in Northern Minnesota, I’ve had plenty of time to test out what gear works for the snow and ice in windchills of -40 F, backcountry skiing, and even scaling a frozen waterfall.
Here’s what to wear hiking in the winter:
From head to toe, here’s the best winter hiking gear you need and how to layer for a successful winter outside:
disclaimer: this post contains a few affiliate links. That means if you click a link and buy something, I make a small commission somewhere down the line at no cost to you.
1) Yaktrax Run
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. If you think you’ll need something a little more intense, consider the YakTrax Diamond Grip.
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.
A good pair of Yaktrax is a better investment than a pair of snowshoes. Snowshoes make sense if you plan on breaking trail in deep snow. If you only add one thing to your winter hiking gear list, it should be Yaktrax.
2) Winter Hiking Boots
Winter hiking boots are usually the first piece of gear on a winter hiking gear list and for good reason. Warm toes are the difference between a happy winter hiker and a miserable one. I’ve tried several different boot combinations before I found something that works for me.
The system I’m using now: Danner Arctic 600‘s with TSL Outdoor gaiters. The Danner winter hiking boots are warm with good grip and a Vibram sole (for grip), but already after one month of heavy use were fraying in a few spots. I also don’t love that they only come up to the ankle; these are not boots for deep snow. Hence the gaiters; a low-rise pair of winter boots paired with gaiters has the functionality of a high rise pair of boots.
What I would do next time: I do a decent amount of snowshoeing/backcountry skiing in deep snow. The best you can do for deep snow and cold is Steger Mukluks. Alternately, Oboz historically makes a high quality hiking boot, and makes an insulated version of of some of their backcountry boots for winter hiking. In the future, I will probably transition to the Oboz pair with gaiters when needed for backcountry snowshoeing/skiing.
What I would NOT do again: I used to hike in a pair of Sorel boots. I found them to be cold, and they fell apart fairly quickly. They’re a just fine boot for winter walks, but fall short if your going to do any actual hiking. I would strongly recommend either Mukluks or an actual winter hiking boot (Oboz, Danner) paired with gaiters.
3) Darn Tough Socks
The right sock is an often overlooked winter hiking essential, but something you need on your winter gear list. Your feet are only as warm as your sock choice, and the only real choice for hiking socks is Darn Tough. I like the Micro Crew Mid-weight for winter hiking and cold weather, and the Micro Crew Lightweight for long hikes in the summer. Darn Tough is a Vermont based company, that guarantees the quality of their socks for life.
Smartwool is another popular sock brand, but I have found Darn Tough to be warmer, last longer, and more comfortable.
4) Baselayers
The next thing you need on your winter hiking gear list is a good set of baselayers. While I don’t love Smartwool socks, Smartwool does an excellent job of with base layers. For your baselayer, you want something either wool or synthetic to keep you warm outside, and I have had great luck with the Smartwool Baselayers. I have one pair of wool baselayer leggings from them, that have come with me to Armenia, out to Isle Royale, and have kept me toasty in a -40 F windchill.
I have three different baselayer tops. One of these tops has made it through two season of kayak guiding, worn almost every day in the sun on Lake Superior, one year in Armenia, and countless day trips. It is still in great condition, though a little color faded, and my go-to baselayer.
5) Daypacks
On every winter hiking trip, you should bring extra food and water, an extra layer, and a first aid kit. If you’re me, you’ll also bring a clunky camera. To carry all this, you need a day pack that can fit it all and is relatively waterproof. In the winter, you also want to be sure your pack slides easily over all of your layers.
For a hardy pack or bushcraft bag, check out day packs by Frost River. This is your go-to pack for true backcountry winter trekking. Frost River is a Duluth based company, with bags built to last your whole life.
Right now, I’m using the Yatra 21.5 L Adventure Pack from Sherpa for smaller day trips and every day life. It’s roll top and water resistant, with side entry for easy camera access. It goes on easily over a heavy winter coat, and has a laptop sleeve. It isn’t bank breaking at $80 USD, and Sherpa as a brand donates back to support education in Nepal.
2021 update: I’ve recently switched my daypack to the 35L Perimeter Pack from Granite Gear. This has enough space to hold all of my winter emergency gear (full first aid kit, spare layers, etc), additional water and food, and could probably be used on shorter backpacking trips in the summer. Granite Gear is a Minnesota company based out of Two Harbors.
6) Midlayers
A good midlayer is the easiest thing to add to your winter gear list, and you probably have one in your closet right now. Your midlayer goes over your baselayer but under your coat; fleece pullovers make a perfect midlayer.
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.
7) Fleece Pants
I find snowpants to be restricting for hiking. I recommend a layering system you can adjust as needed, even when out on trail. For a baselayer, I use Smartwool leggings with a second pair of leggings over the top. My most important layer is fleece pants, which function sometimes as a midlayer and sometimes as an outer layer depending on the weather.
For fleece pants, I use the Rolpa Pant from Sherpa. This is the newest addition to my winter hiking gear, and the single most useful piece of gear I have added this year.
8) 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.
As a photographer, my hands come in and out of mittens, so having a wool liner is important to extend the amount of time my fingers can spend out of the mitten. For a heavy winter mitten, I’m using mittens from Auclair Sports.
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.
For strategic layering, I start with a wool base layer, then add a fleece. If it’s especially cold, I will add 2-3 fleeces/thermals. For your winter outer layer, I recommend the deceptively warm puffy jacket, one size larger than you might usually purchase to fit all your layers.
Check out the Arc’teryx Atom Hoodie (my weapon of choice)* for a packable outer layer.
*switched to pullover above due to wear and tear on other pullover
Pinion Down Pullover Hoodie: 2021 Update
Stio Pinion Down Pullover probably the most unique puffy I own. Usually puffys have a front zip; this one instead is a pullover with a quarter zip and a front pocket. I initially planned to use this as a cozy outer layer for driving around, or shooting photos in the early morning because it reminds me of a sleeping bag you can wear, but I’ve tried it on a few winter hikes and really like this pullover.
The quvarter zip keeps the jacket warmer than a front zip, there’s a secret pocket for keys, and it the down filling is much warmer than I expected (it’s actually the warmest puffy of the three I own by a lot). I was pretty sure the hoodie design would make it hard to get on and off over layers, but that has not been the case. I recommend sizing up for outer layers in general.
Generally in the winter, a puffy jacket as an outer layer is plenty warm for me. If you plan to be out in wind/rain/sleet/horrible weather, check out GorTex shell jacket as that final outer layer.
Finding Inexpensive Winter Hiking Gear
Winter can be a long, cold and dark season, but the right gear and layering systems can make getting out on the trail a little easier. Gear is expensive, so I recommend checking out your local thrift stores, or visiting thrift stores in popular trail towns to see what you can find there first.
You can shop used gear at REI, or check out consignment outdoor gear stores like Great Lakes Gear Exchange. Another good way to find used gear near you is your local Facebook free & for sale page, or a regional hiking group.
I’ve found that having the right winter hiking gear not only makes being outside more enjoyable, but also motivates me to get out side more, in that I want to use the new gear I bought. For me, good winter hiking gear is also an investment in my mental health.
Love learning about the best winter hiking gear for the Northern Midwest? Put your hiking gear to use this winter, and check out some of the best trails for beginners, waterfall hunters, and adventurers below!
Hidden Gems of the Northern Great Lakes covers Northern Michigan, the Upper Peninsula, Isle Royale National Park, Northern Wisconsin, and the North Shore of Minnesota. It’s an independently published trail guide, and has my honest tips, favorite campsites, and places off the beaten path.
Where will your next adventure be?
- Learn what to wear and how to layer for Fall Kayaking
- Discover seven spots for Fall Color in Northern Michigan
- Read about a group of kayakers stranded on Lake Superior, what went wrong and what happened after