When I first moved to Salt Lake City 10 years ago, I didn’t know what to wear hiking in winter. The first few times I went out for a snowy hike, I wore my ski clothes and ended up a hot sweaty mess.
Over time, I refined my layering system, and now after a decade of hiking in the Utah winters, I have my winter hiking clothes dialed.
In this post, I share my favorite winter hiking clothes and tips for layering, so you can be warm (but not too hot) and prepared if the weather suddenly takes a turn for the worst.
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The Importance of Layering for Winter Hiking
The key to dressing for winter hiking is to wear layers that will keep you both warm AND dry – that means from the elements as well as your sweat. Depending on the difficulty of the trail and weather conditions, you may find yourself needing to take off and put on layers throughout the hike in order to stay comfortable.
For example, on the uphill sections, I usually start to sweat. When this happens, I immediately stop and shed a layer before I get too clammy. This is important because sweat can make you feel wet and cold when it’s time to go downhill.
Once I reach the high point of my winter hike and start going downhill, I typically put my layers back on. You don’t produce as much body heat on the downhill, and you need those extra layers of clothing to stay warm.
The exact layers you should wear on your winter hike depends on the temperature and conditions. However, you should always be prepared for the worst by having extra layers in your backpack. I will go through every single layer I wear next.
Upper Body Layers
For my upper body, these are the layers I always pack on my winter hikes.
Next to skin base layer: A moisture-wicking shirt made of synethic material or wool
Mid-layer: A warmer layer like a fleece
Insulated Jacket: A heavier jacket such as a down or synthetic puffy
Waterproof shell: A rain jacket or winter shell in case it starts to rain or snow
I will always bring these layers, but the combination of ones I actually wear will vary throughout my hike. For example, I may start with a base layer, a mid-layer and my insulating jacket and take off my mid-layer when I get warm. Or if it starts to rain or snow, I’ll add my waterproof shell. It just depends on the conditions and my body temperature.
Ideally, you want to choose layers that are light and packable so you can stuff them in your backpack if you decide to take one off.
Once you have a few winter hikes under your belt, you’ll see how much heat your body generates, and then you can adjust your cold-weather hiking clothes accordingly.
Base Layer / Shirt
Your next-to-skin winter hiking base layer is all about regulating your body temperature while also wicking sweat. You sweat when you’re active, and in winter months it’s extra important that your winter hiking clothes help move the sweat away from your skin so you stay dry, rather than damp and cold.
Base layers should be made of synthetic fabric or merino wool that wick moisture and dry quickly. Avoid anything cotton (cotton t-shirts, cotton sweatshirts) because cotton stays damp and heavy and loses its insulating properties when wet. This also applies to your sports bra.
The thickness of your next-to-skin base layer depends on how cold it is outside and is also based on personal preference. Some people prefer to wear a lightweight synthetic hiking t-shirt underneath a mid-weight base layer. Others are fine with a single lightweight base layer. You may have to experiment a bit until you find the system that works best for you.
Here are my go-to base layers for winter hiking:
Icebreaker 200 Oasis Crewe Thermal Top: This Icebreaker top is made of merino wool. It’s very soft, and isn’t itchy at all. It is good at wicking sweat, and I can wear it many times before it needs to be washed. These run small, so I always size up, and you have to follow the washing directions carefully to avoid having it shrink.
REI Long-Sleeve Midweight Top: This is a great budget-friendly lighter-weight base layer shirt for warmer winter days.
Wearing the Icebreaker 200 Oasis Top
Mid-Layer Top
On top of my base layer, I’ll wear a mid-layer, such as a fleece or another mid-weight base layer. I usually choose a mid-layer that covers my neck . Here are my favorite options:
FarPointe Alpha Cruiser (90gsm): Everytime I put this on, I’m surprised by how warm it is. Made of Polartec Alpha, a moisture-wicking, lightweight fabric, this fleece weighs less than 5 ounces, so you won’t notice it in your pack if you don’t end up needing it. it also has a hood that can be cinched up around your face. My only gripe about this is the material snags easily, so you have to be careful if you have dogs that like to jump on you. These are very popular, so they quickly go out of stock…so keep your eye out on the Garage Grown Gear site for restocks.
Arc’teryx Kyanite Hoody: This is a bulkier mid-weight layer, but I love how cozy it is. It’s stretchy, has pockets, and a warm hood, and can be worn alone or layered under a winter jacket.
Wearing the Kyanite Hoodie
Insulated Jacket
Having an insulated jacket is critical for maintaining body heat by trapping air close to your body. Generally, a warm insulating layer will be made of down or synthetic down.
Keep in mind that down isn’t warm if it gets wet, so if you live in a wet climate, a synthetic jacket will be more versatile.
These are my favorite winter hiking jackets.
Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody: Made of 100% post-consumer recycled polyester, this synthetic jacket is lightweight, yet warm, wind-proof, and water-resistant. At 5’5″ and 140 pounds, I can fit into a medium, but the large size gives me more room to layer underneath. For more thoughts, read my Patagonia Nano Puff Review.
Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie: This 800-fill down jacket is very warm, and I feel like I’m wearing a cloud. With waterproof shoulders, it can withstand a little bit of snow, and it’s highly compressible in your pack if you don’t end up needing it.
Wearing the Outdoor Research Helium down hoodie
Waterproof Shell
If there is a chance of sleet, snow, rain, or wind, you’ll want to add a weatherproof hardshell over your winter hiking clothes. This will protect you from the elements and keep your other layers dry.
You’ll want an outer layer that is waterproof but still breathable, as well as packable so you can stuff it in your backpack when you aren’t wearing it. A rain jacket or a backcountry ski shell are both good choices. I’d avoid wearing a super heavy insulated ski jacket which will cause you to overheat. Plus, a ski jacket is bulky so if you end up wanting to take it off, you’ll have a hard time cramming it in your pack.
I prefer weatherproof shells that have armpit vents that zip open when you get hot in order to provide better airflow. You’ll also want to take into account the layers you might be wearing underneath when figuring out what size shell you need.
Here are my go-tos:
Arc’teryx Beta SL Jacket: This is a lightweight waterproof, windproof jacket with pit zips, an adjustable hood, and three layers of Gortex to keep you protected from the elements. While this is a pricey jacket, it can be used in all 4-seasons for hiking and backpacking. For more details, read my Arc’teryx Beta SL review.
REI Rainier Rain Jacket: If you aren’t ready to drop a bunch of money on outerwear or you aren’t even sure you like winter hiking, this rain jacket will keep you dry if it starts to rain or snow, plus it’s lightweight and packable. It’s not necessarily intended for winter climates, but as long as you layer properly underneath, this jacket will do the trick.
Lower Body Layers
Here is what my layering system looks like for my legs that I’ll adjust based on conditions:
Next-to-skin base layer: A pair of synthetic or wool long-johns
Hiking pants: Normal or fleece-lined
Weatherproof Shell Pants: Rain pants or non-insulated ski pants
Base layer Bottoms
Just like on your upper body, the next-to-skin base layer on your lower body should help keep you warm while wicking sweat. As with all of your winter hiking clothes, you’ll want to stick to synthetic fabric or merino wool and avoid cotton.
Here are my favorite long johns for winter hiking:
Icebreaker 200 Oasis Thermal Leggings: These are my all-time favorite merino wool long johns for both winter hiking and skiing. They retain their shape and don’t stretch out, so I can wear them for weeks without having to wash them. They are warm and very soft.
Hiking Pants
For hiking pants, I waver between normal hiking pants paired with the long johns mentioned above OR a pair of fleece-lined winter hiking pants where I can skip the extra layer underneath. Here are my favorite hiking pants specifically designed for winter.
Craft Adv Nordic Training Pants: These are actually cross-country skiing pants, but I like them a lot for winter hiking. They have an elastic waistband which makes them comfy to move in. Plus, they are water-resistant and are very effective at keeping me warm with the fleece lining. They have a slimmer cut, so I wouldn’t want to wear long johns underneath and the cuffs are narrow so I have to tuck them into my boots.
REI Activator Pants: Unlike the Craft pants above, you can comfortably layer underneath these as needed, and they have lots of pockets for your essentials. While these are button-up, the waistband is stretchy and moves with your body. They are water-resistant and can handle light rain and snow, and the cuff is big enough to stretch over your winter hiking boots. These do run a little big, so if you are in between sizes, I’d suggest sizing down.
Wearing the Craft nordic pants
Weatherproof Shell Pants
If it’s sunny and there’s no chance of rain or snow, I’ll skip the weatherproof pants, especially if I’m wearing one of the water-resistant winter hiking pants I just mentioned.
However, if it’s raining or snowing, I will add a pair of rain pants or even snow pants to make sure my legs stay dry.
Here are some good choices:
REI Rainier Rain Pants: Like the REI Rainier Rain Jacket I mentioned above, these aren’t designed for winter and will not keep you warm. But they will keep you dry, and they are budget-friendly if you aren’t ready to drop a few hundred dollars on hard shell pants. Just make sure you wear layers underneath that will provide enough insulation.
Arc’teryx Sentinel Pants: These are the pants I wear skiing, and they also make a great waterproof layer for winter hiking. They are made of 3 layers of Gortex, have thigh vents that you can open if you get hot, and have big pockets for your essentials. I wouldn’t invest in these just for hiking, but if you like to ski too, these can serve as dual purpose.
Winter Accessories
You lose most of your body heat through your head and extremities, so having the right accessories is important for keeping you warm on your winter hikes. I always have these with me:
Polar Buff Neckwarmer: I always pack a buff to keep the wind, cold air, and sun from hitting my neck and face directly. The polar version is lined with cozy fleece which also makes it great for skiing.
The North Face Etip Gloves: My hands tend to get hot when I’m hiking uphill, but as soon as I turn around and start to go down, my fingers get really cold. These fleece-lined gloves keep them warm, and they are touchscreen compatible allowing me to take photos on my phone without having to take them off.
Columbia Bundle Up Beanie: A hat is especially important because you lose a significant amount of heat through the top of your head. This cute, fleece lined pom beanie keeps my head very warm.
Sunski Treeline Polarized Sunglasses: Sunlight reflects off the snow, so I prefer sunglasses with side shields when I’m hiking in winter. These also keep wind and snow out of your eyes.
My toes get really cold when I’m hiking in snow, so I always wear insulated boots and wool socks. I also will wear microspikes if the trail is icy.
Oboz Bridger Insulated 9″ Boots: These are the warmest winter hiking boots I’ve ever tried. The 9″ cuff is great because it helps keep snow out of the boot.
Darn Tough Winter Mountaineering Socks: Just like the rest of your winter hiking clothes, you’ll want to avoid cotton when choosing socks. Instead, pick wool or synthetic material that wicks sweat. Darn Tough is my favorite sock brand – their Mountaineering Socks go over the calf and are thicker than normal hiking socks for added warmth.
Outdoor Research Helium Gaiters: Depending on how high your boots go and how deep the snow is, you may want to wear a pair of gaiters. They slip over your shoes, and their purpose is to keep the snow out of your shoes and socks.
Kahtoola MICROspikes Traction System: If you’re anticipating the trail being icy, I highly recommend packing microspikes. These easily attach to the bottom of your shoes and help grab on to slick and icy terrain to help you feel more confident. You can purchase burlier crampons, but those are typically only needed for mountaineering or ice climbing.
MSR Evo Trail Snowshoes: I don’t always wear snowshoes, but if I’m hiking in deeper, ungroomed snow, they are a must. Snowshoes are designed to keep you on top of the snow rather than post-holing with each step. These are budget-friendly and a great choice for non-technical winter hikes.
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I hope these tips and recommendations for winter hiking clothes help you plan and prepare for an awesome cold-weather hiking adventure! Got questions? Leave them below in the comments.
