A Beginners Gear Guide for Winter Adventures
Winter can be a hard season to navigate when it comes to training and gathering the appropriate gear. Having the right gear and clothing is crucial for safety and enjoyment of the winter season.
For the last 20 years winter has been our favorite season to adventure. There are so many great winter sports and activities to try that will help you get outside. It is also a great time of year to try something new. We added downhill skiing and skinning to the mix this year and it has been awesome!
If you are planning to go into mountain country, be sure to take an avalanche course and rent or purchase avalanche safety gear. We also recommend hiring a guide. To gain experience for the demands of winter adventures.
For me personally, my backcountry experience and passion for winter was established during the 9 years I lived in Alaska. This is where I learned how alluring the mountains are. The enormity and beauty of the mountains commanded my exploration and the weather often demanded my respect. I now have a deep connection to the silent beauty, power and strength the winter in the mountains gives me and i want to help you feel the same!
The goal of this article is for you to step out of your comfort zone and embrace the winter feeling prepared and ready for the challenges ahead. I will discuss tips and offer gear advice based on what we use during our winter adventures.
Before you Begin
This is a great time to make an appointment with your Doctor for a physical and to check your vitamin levels, especially Vitamin D. No winter blues this year! Here is a quality form of Vitamin D that we recommended.
Rally your friends or find a group such as a hiking, multi sport, cycling or running group to train and adventure with so you can take on the winter together. Check out our MPF Adventure Club.
Gather the appropriate gear for your planned winter adventures and cold weather training. Quality gear is important for safety & durability for many seasons to come.
Establish a strength & conditioning plan and commit to it.
General Winter Safety Tips for Hiking & Training in the Outdoors
Always let someone know where you are going, your planned route and when you are expected to be back. You should also use applications such as Strava’s Beacon or Garmin’s Incident Detection and Livetrack. With these apps, you can easily share your real time location with friends and family. They will be able to track your adventure. Another great option would be to use Garmin’s inReach Satellite Communication Service. You will ned to bring along a Garmin inReach mini or inReach Explorer+. This is a compact satellite communicator for those times when your adventure takes you off the grid.
If possible, always travel with another person or group.
Carry a fully charged cell phone, even if it doesn’t work in the area, the GPS should be able to be tracked, if needed. The latest phones such as the iPhone 11 and Samsung Galaxy do a lot better in cold weather than their previous generations but still keep them protected from the wind and cold by placing it in a windproof pocket close to your body.
Carry a small external battery charger for your cell phone or other electronic devices. We like the Anker PowerCore 10000. This is a small and powerful battery. It will charge any current smartphone from 0 - 100% battery in a couple of hours. Just be sure to carry your phones charging cable with it. This a very durable battery and even when we have left it in our packs for a couple of cold days, it still had juice to charge a phone fully.
Download your planned trail maps from Trail Forks, Avenza PDF App, Gaia GPS, Hiking Project or All Trails. These applications allow you to download trail maps to your phone for quick navigation and as a reference tool to pinpoint your exact location if you happen to get off course. Only use the apps to confirm a location or in an emergency. They can drain your battery quickly, especially in cold weather and on older devices. Newer phones are much better with battery life and most apps have been optimized to be more energy efficient, even under heavy use. Make sure you have the latest software updated for your phone, as well as the latest version of the App.
Always carry a hard copy map even if you are using a mobile application. Be sure to outline your route before going, even if you are being led by someone else. If something happens to the group leader, such as he or she sprains an ankle or gets badly injured, you know the route and can get help if needed. This also helps ensure the safety of the entire group.
If you know how to use a compass, carry one. If you don’t know how to use a compass, start learning and practice as often as you can. The key with compass and map reading is 1st being able to orient your map and yourself out on the trail.
Place your cellphone, camera, batteries, etc. as close to your body as possible to preserve battery life. In cold temperatures and high winds batteries drain amazingly fast and can be very unreliable. If this happens to you, they can be warmed back to life by placing them close to your body for possible short usage. As always, make sure your batteries are fully charged before you head out and keep them protected.
Know the hourly weather conditions of the area you will be adventuring. Be aware that the temperature and weather can change significantly and quickly so be prepared.
If you are using a hydration pack be sure the tube is cleared of water after each sip. You can do this by blowing into the mouthpiece after each use so the water in the tube will be pushed back into the main reservoir. Then place the hose inside one of your layers to keep it from freezing. You can also use a sleeve to protect the exposed areas of the hose from the wind and cold. If it does freeze, take the bladder out of your pack and place it within your jacket, not against your skin and continue to move forward so your core temperature stays elevated. Make sure the valve is closed and that nothing is going to leak, this is essential because getting wet in cold conditions can become extremely dangerous. On very cold days, we use Nalgene Bottles and store them in our pack, closer to our body.
Petzel Swift RL Headlamp
Garmin inReach Mini
Ledlenser M11 Headlamp
Garmin inReach Explorer+
Sea to Summit Accessory Straps
Throwback to 2015, using an Anker Astro Mini to charge an iPhone 6 using a small Amazon Basics cable.
Staying hydrated during winter adventures is just as important as a summer day. Your thirst may not be as high but your body's fluid levels are dropping fast and this can severely increase your chances of becoming hypothermic so continue to drink and stay fueled!
Carry waterproof matches, lighter and know the basics of fire making.
Bring an emergency bivy. This is a very lightweight, packable and versatile (shelter, reflector, trapping heat. etc.). More imperative in the backcountry or longer adventures.
Hand and body warmers can come in handy more often then you think.
Extra socks in case your feet get wet and they can even be used as a backup pair of gloves.
Rechargeable Headlamps with a spare battery. We have reliably used Petzel Headlamps for many years now. Check out the Petzel Swift RL Headlamp and the Petzel NAO+. We have also been testing out the Ledlenser MH 11 Headlamp which carries a longer battery life. Many people often forget how slow going it could get in snowy conditions and daylight is on the shorter side this time of year so don’t leave home without one.
Food & Fuel! Gels generally will freeze and can be hard to get down but if you can keep them close to your body you shouldn’t have a problem. Natural food Bars, dried fruit, nuts, etc. are all good choices. Remember, if you're running low on energy or you become slightly dehydrated, you're going to become grumpy and much colder then you should be so stay on top of this, this is one of the simplest ways to stay warm.
While its fun to have the thirst for adventure one must always respect the conditions. You may not live in Alaska or any other big mountain state but winter travel is very serious and you must always be ready for any situation that may occur. I have experienced many life threatening situations and know the consequences of being ill prepared. I can go on, and on from saving someone who glissaded out of control to the terminus of glacier or myself back 2002 when running the Susitna 100 endurance run in Alaska when my shoes froze to my feet in -30 degrees fahrenheit. Respect the winter and show up prepared!
Clothing & Dressing in Layers
Why do you always hear cotton is the enemy in the winter? The main reason is that it doesn’t wick moisture away from the skin all too well. Meaning if and when you sweat the fabric will become wet and stay wet, leaving you cold, especially when your pace slows down or you stop to have a snack. This can become life threatening if you suffer an injury and can’t generate enough body heat. It's important to make sure all of your clothes are made out of wicking (synthetic blends) or wool blend. Which ever fabric you choose it needs to be able to dry quickly. Checkout out clothing and shell options from Outdoor Research, Arc’teryx and Patagonia.
Base-layers
Winter is where layering correctly becomes very important! As your effort level increases you can shed some layers to keep your core temperature in check. Start with a synthetic base layer such as a long sleeve shirt, than a mid layer fleece or heavier half zip long sleeve shirt, vest, windproof fleece, etc. A down jacket can be used for extremely cold temps or when activity has come to a hault. The last layer would be an outer shell that is wind & water resistant. For bigger adventures and multi day trips, a wind & waterproof shell becomes essential.
When you are adjusting to the temperature or increased activity level, you can remove your mid-layer and even outer shell and continue to safely move about. As your pace slows, the temperature drops or you approach a mountain top, layers can be quickly added.
Coming from a woman's perspective, base layers can be tough to figure out. Sports bras just don’t wick moisture well, period! If I know I am hiking versus running I will choose not to wear one. The goal when I head out is not to sweat or if I do, I try to minimize it by shedding layers as soon as I feel my body temperature rising. Sometimes if I know the route begins with a hill, I will embrace the cold and start with less clothing on knowing within 10 minutes I will be warm.
Outer Shell Jacket
I prefer a Gore-tex shell with pit zips (zippers under the arm which can be opened to increase air flow), a deep hood that has a brim to protect you from wind and snow getting into your eyes. Again, this is condition dependent. Gore-Tex Shells that are made for serious winter travel are not all that packable and the material is a little stiffer which allows air to be trapped between layers to keep you warm but at the same time, the air is moving so your body can breathe much better and will significantly decrease moisture build up. They are also much more durable and can be abused without the worry of them tearing easily.
Lighter jackets that are highly packable are great for backups or fast outings but can stick to you like a garbage bag, especially in rainy and wet conditions. When this happens, your body will not be able to breathe, increasing the humidity and moisture build up, making you damp and wet. Not a good combination on a winter day. The Patagonia Houdini is great for quick & lightweight protection when going light and more running is involved.
Outer Shell Pants
Gore-tex or water resistant hiking pant with a long underwear layer underneath if needed for those really cold days. Sometimes If I know the route and it’s not snowing, I will often just wear a winter running tight. If you are using snowshoes one should wear pants to protect your bottom from getting wet from the snow that can kick up when you take a step.
Hat
A lot of heat escapes from your head and by taking a hat on and off is one of the best ways to monitor your body heat. When it’s snowing or raining I prefer a hat with a brim but any breathable winter hat will do. When the temperatures are below zero or single digits its helpful to wear a balaclava to protect your face and secure hot air from escaping from your neck. Lastly, wearing a headband of sorts to cover your ears and a hat over that, allows you to remove your hat so heat can escape but your ears will still be covered, keeping them warm and protected from the wind. As it goes, any part of your body that is left exposed and becomes cold, you then become cold!
Gloves
If it’s below zero or single digits and I am not using trekking poles or the route doesn’t require me to use my hands while scrambling or climbing, I will wear mittens with a light glove liner. The glove liner allows me to be able to make any adjustments to my pack etc. without exposing my skin to the freezing cold temps. When I have to use my hands to scramble or with trekking poles, I will use a glove that is water & tear resistant. It is always best to carry multiple pairs of gloves. Example would be to start with a lighter glove for when activity level is high but carry a much warmer pair of gloves in your pack for backup and incase of an emergency. I big adventure days that take us deep into the backcountry, I generally carry 3 pair of gloves.
Some of our favorite gloves are listed below. These are what we primarily recommend. Each are very durable and are touch screen compatible.
Outdoor Research Stormtracker Sensor Gloves (women’s) - Great for high activity, touchscreen compatible.
Outdoor Research Point N Chute Sensor Glove (men’s) - Great for cold winter days in the mountains adventuring, touchscreen compatible.
Black Diamond Mercury Mittens (women’s) - A favorite for hanging out at camp or when its zero degrees or below, my safety backup glove that I always carry in my pack.
Women’s OR Stormtracker Sensor Gloves
Men’s OR Point N Chute Sensor Gloves
Women’s OR Point N Chute Sensor Gloves
Black Diamond Mercury Mitts
Down Jacket
A Down coat if it’s really cold and windy, like single digits or below, i’ll bring this along. Last year while trekking in the Adirondacks High Peaks Region, it was -10º and I hiked uphill comfortably in a down coat. These days down or a warm synthetic options are very compressible and can fit very easily into your pack, they’re great for added protection from the elements especially if you stop for any reason, whether on top of a mountain for lunch or in an emergency. Make sure your down jacket is at least water & wind resistant. Outdoor Research, Arc’teryx and Patagonia make some really good down jackets for a variety of adventures.
Gaiters
If there are several inches of fresh snow on the ground, these are a must. A good pair of gaiters can last a very long time. I have a been using a pair of Outdoor Research Crocodile Gaiters for a dozen years now and they still work well. These are a full on gaiter, coming up to just below the knee and can be used for hiking, snowshoeing, running, mountaineering, etc. Ankle gaiters for when the snow is not as deep.
Socks
A good sock is so important and usually is a personal preference. A few options are winter Smartwool high socks which are great for hiking and long COLD days on the trails. Drymax, Smartwool or Darn Tough socks have great options for when the pace is high.
Hydration Packs / Backpacks
A good pack that fits right, can make winter travel safer and allow you to explore farther than you could without one. Most packs are hydration compatible and vary in size. Some can easily be expanded to allow you to place layers such as a fleece or outer shell inside it. It is a good idea to have a few options when it comes to packs. One for a quick dash out the door to carry small things such as your microspikes if you're not using them, phone, water, fuel, camera, waterproof matches and emergency blanket. Then another one for those long days out on the trail where you may be removing layers or need to store additional layers for when the temps dip further into the winter night. Make sure you have a properly fitted backpack, this important to avoid chaffing, fatigue in your shoulders and hips. Some of the packs we use are:
Trekking Poles
Trekking Poles are so light and packable these days, they are easy to bring along. They will make travel safer and more efficient. They are great for long hikes, steep approaches and stream crossings. We like the Black Diamond Distance Trekking Poles. They come in both men and women’s versions.
Eye Protection
One thing you will notice when adventuring around the snowy trails is a strong glare and brightness to all of the white fluffy stuff. If you're out there long enough this can damage your eyes so be sure to bring a good pair of sunglasses with you to protect them. A polarized pair; although more expensive, is the way to go. We recommend Tifiosi, Shred and Smith Goggles or Glasses.
Using the Ultimate Direction Fastpack 25 and attaching snowshoes to them.
Black Diamond 4 Season Z Poles
Ultimate Direction Fastpack 25
Wearing a pair of Tifiosi XC Podium Glasses & Shred Goggles.
Benchmade Grizzly Ridge Knife
Tifosi XC Podium Interchangeable Glasses
Smith 4D Goggles
Osprey Crest 40 Pack
Emergency Kit for Me & My Dog
Footwear
Footwear can vary depending on the goal your training and adventure. If you are navigating ice while climbing mountains your footwear will differ. If you are trekking around your local State Park, a Gore-Tex or waterproof hiking boot will suffice such as the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid Hiking Boot or a Gore-Tex Trail Running Shoe. Make sure they fit properly and it is a good idea to break in your new footwear by wearing it around for a couple of days so that you get use to them and they loosen up a bit. Make sure to use good pair of socks that work well with your new footwear so you avoid getting blisters and unwanted discomfort.
Winter Hiking Boot and Trail Running Shoes
There are many different opinions and recommendations to what would work best for you so here are some of our favorite options on the market. It is very important to find a shoe or boot that fits you the best so try on many pairs.
Traction devices
Kahtoola Microspikes are a favorite of ours and this year Kahtoola has come out with few additional options for the trails. They offer a very versatile Hiking Crampon for more aggressive terrain without the need of a super stiff mountaineering boot, but of course you won’t be ice climbing with these. New this year are the Kahtoola EXOspikes which offer great durability and traction in a variety of conditions, this is their most versatile offering. They also offer their Kahtoola Nanospikes which are low profile and are great for icy roads but still work well on icy trails. To learn more about Kahtoola traction devices, click here.
Nanospikes
Salomon X Mid Ultra Winter Hiking Boot
La Sportiva Akyra GTX Trail Running Shoe
EXOspikes
Salomon XA Alpine 2 Trail Running Shoe
Microspikes
Salomon X Ultra Mid Hiking Boot - less insulation then the winter boot.
Hiking Crampon
Outdoor Research Crocodile Gaiters
Snowshoes
There are a variety of snowshoes available that can be used for general hikes, others to get you deep into the backcountry and a few for mountainous adventures that have aggressive crampons for steep terrain such as the ones available from MSR. There are also snowshoes made specifically for running such as the ones from Dion Snowshoes and TSL Outdoors. Check out the videos below for a review on the TSL Hyperflex Racing Snowshoe and for a trip we did in the ADK using a few different pairs of MSR Snowshoes.
I use the winter conditions in the mountains as a tool to get me ready for the mountainous ultras I tend to participate in. I focus on fast pace hiking, running in the TSL Snowshoes and long backcountry adventures using the MSR Ascent line of snowshoes.
Sea to Summit Accessory straps are great for attaching snowshoes to your pack. These are very strong and lightweight straps that can easily be stored in your pack and serve many uses. We recommend the 40 to 60 inches in length. You can sometimes find them on Amazon, click here.
A quick tip for when snowshoeing is to wear breathable soft-shell pants. This will help keep snow that is kicked up from your snowshoes from sticking to the back of your legs and feet. Outdoor Research has a few different levels of soft-shell pants and the one’s we like to recommend for high activity efforts are their soft-shell Voodoo Pants. OR Crocodile Gaiters help out here as well, especially for when you are breaking trail. They also protect your shins from hard snow and ice.
As with all gear, especially winter gear it is very important to play around with all of your new toys and familiarize yourself with all of the features and adjustments before you head out. Understand the battery life of your headlamp and different settings to maximize your ability to see in the dark. Make adjustments to your snowshoes for the boot or shoes that you will be using before you head out. Stomp around in your backyard for a bit to make sure all is well and get familiar with adjusting them with gloves on. Play around with your pack, learning the strap system, how to properly pack it and what each pocket can hold.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us! Now leave the fever in the cabin, gear up, and get out of your comfort zone! I hope this article helped you feel more comfortable about adventuring outdoors during the winter months. On your mark, get set, go!
