How to dress for winter hiking?

Whatever type of hiking you do, in winter it is important to protect yourself from the cold, but also from snow, wind and other bad weather. When hiking, you need to be more vigilant and better equipped, especially if you are hiking in the mountains. Learning how to dress for winter hiking is an essential step before hitting the trails.

Basic winter hiking clothing

The goal of dressing for winter hiking is to protect yourself from the cold. To do this, you should choose thermal underwear made of natural or synthetic fibres. They prevent the feeling of cold, especially at altitude. When temperatures are very low, we recommend a long-sleeved t-shirt with a zipped collar. At the bottom, thermal tights will also keep the heat close to the body.

To ensure better insulation of the upper body, you can add a fleece or down jacket. The thickness of your fleece depends on the climate and the intensity of your activity. Finally, you can also opt for a softshell jacket, which acts as both a second and third layer. Extremely breathable and well insulated, it is perfect for hiking in cold, windy or good weather.

For trousers, choose at least water-repellent trousers with windproof material. Your winter trousers can be lined or brushed to ensure they are warm enough. The cut of the trousers will vary according to the type of hiking. For a sporty hike, choose a close-fitting cut that will follow your movements well. For a light hike, you can choose trousers that are a little looser.

Clothes to protect you in case of bad weather

Rain or snow is quite common when hiking. If you are going for a simple walk of a few hours on the plain, anticipating the weather conditions should not be too complicated. However, if you are going on a day hike or even a trek, especially in the mountains, it is more complicated to know in advance. Weatherproof clothing is therefore essential in winter.

For the upper body, you can equip yourself with a waterproof jacket. Choose a jacket with sleeves at the wrists and a high collar. It prevents rain from getting into your clothes. Another option is a rain poncho that can be worn over a windproof jacket.

For trousers, you can invest in waterproof, breathable trousers suitable for snow. Alternatively, you can use a waterproof overtrouser that you slip on over your trousers in bad weather. It is also important to have gaiters, which are sometimes integrated directly into the trousers. They prevent rain and snow from getting into your shoes.

Accessories and footwear for winter hiking

Wearing a hat, gloves or a neck warmer is essential in winter. They prevent body heat escaping from your body and also prevent you from catching cold. For your head, you can use a hat, headband or balaclava. Replace your scarf, which is not very breathable, with a neck wrap, which is better suited to hiking. Wearing a pair of gloves to protect your fingers is essential. You can add a thicker pair when you take a break or when it is very cold. Finally, take a pair of sunglasses to protect you from UV rays.

Your hiking boots should be suitable for winter weather conditions. They protect you from precipitation, moisture and wet vegetation. They should be waterproof and sufficiently durable. For this, look for shoes with a waterproof membrane such as Gore-Tex® or equivalent. In winter, choose a high or mid upper rather than a low upper.

Dressing for winter hiking with the three-layer system is the most appropriate. This ensures that the body is well insulated with sufficiently technical clothing that also guarantees good breathability. Always think about your safety in the mountains. Take a survival blanket, an avalanche safety kit and other equipment depending on the type of hike (GPS, snowshoes, crampons, etc.).