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Cold Weather Hiking Essentials
We’re no strangers to the cold. We live in New Hampshire and hike in the “home of the world’s worst weather” every winter! Mount Washington is known for its high winds, below-zero temperatures, and unpredictable weather changes. We’ve done everything from small hikes to a 22-mile day across four peaks in the region during January, experiencing wind chills as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit.
To add to our exposure to the cold, Brad has Raynaud’s Phenomenon, so his hands and feet chill quickly, and he struggles to warm them back up with movement alone. Due to this, we’ve tried just about everything under the sun to stay warm on our winter adventures. Here are a few of our favorites!
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Rechargeable Handwarmers (Amazon)
Brad got these first and I quickly purchased a pair of my own after trying his. These hand warmers are awesome and a more sustainable solution to one-use hand warmers. They heat up instantly, meaning no waiting or warming up period while your hands stay cold. They don’t weigh much and they’ve lasted us long days of 8-10 hours of use or more! We often end up having to take our mittens off because they’re making our hands overheat – I know, what a problem to have in winter lol.
Warm Skin (Amazon)
This was a product I came upon after many Google searches of “things to keep people with Raynaud’s warm” lol. I took a gamble, but it turns out Brad loves it. He puts this on his feet and hands before leaving the car for our hike, making a world of difference. He even tested it one day by putting it on one foot and not the other and said there was a major difference in temperature and comfortability.
Be cautious to not use this when it’s high 30s or 40s (F) though, as it can sometimes make his feet sweat and wet feet can turn into cold feet very fast.
Dermatone (Amazon)
If we were on a survivor show and only allowed to bring 10 items, this would be one! Dermatone is similar to Vaseline, but it doesn’t feel as tacky and comes in this convenient little tin. We use it on our faces during all seasons, but especially in winter. If you put it on and then start moving, you’ll feel your cheeks heat right up. It’s an insulator that protects your cheeks and nose from frostbite, windburn, and sunburn, and it can be used as chapstick.
Darn Tough Mountaineering Socks (Amazon)
If you haven’t heard of Darn Tough, they make some great socks. These Mountaineering Socks are top-notch since they keep your entire calf warm and are made of moisture-wicking merino wool. Just be sure you have some extra room in your boots because if the socks are too large and make your boot tight, you’ll lose circulation and it will have the opposite effect.
Nemo Seat Pad (Amazon)
If you plan to sit and take in the summit views or sit in the snow for a break, it’s best to get yourself off the ground. This lightweight, packable solution keeps your body heat in instead of being sucked out by the snow or cold rocks.
Salomon -40F Extreme Cold Boots (REI)
We both own these boots and wear them when it’s below 15 Degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re not careful, they may make your feet sweat! But these boots are awesome for keeping out the cold and snow with their tall sides. They’d also make the perfect boot for ice fishing or if you’re having to stand outside during winter for a long period of time.
Black Diamond Mercury Mittens (Amazon)
These mittens are awesome. If you’re looking to stay extra warm, definitely go with mittens over gloves. Having your fingers together will product more heat. We wear these on all of our winter hikes.
SKIDA Favorites – Fleece Neck Warmer & Hat
SKIDA is made in Vermont (and no, I’m not bias ;)), but I swear by their products for keeping my neck and head warm. These products can be found on their website or in-store at retailers such as REI.
Mountain Hardwear Down Pants (Amazon & MH)
This is our newest edition for cold weather hikes – down pants. We were really missing out! These are so cozy and warm, especially when you put them on under a windbreaker layer such as rain pants. They’re so warm we could never hike in them, but for hanging out at camp or taking a break in the alpine, they’re awesome.
Klean Kanteen Thermos (Amazon)
Finally, we always bring a big thermos of a hot drink on extra cold hikes, especially when we know it’ll be a long day and we’ll want to take a good break somewhere. Enjoying a hot, sugary drink while hanging out will keep your core warmer and can even give you a little boost of energy! It can even save someone’s life if you come across another individual suffering from hypothermia. We love hot cocoa, but you can also bring coffee, hot cider, or tea!
A few other items we encourage you to check out if you haven’t already:
Merino Wool Base Layers – We love wearing Smartwool base layers on our hikes. They wick moisture and are temperature regulating.
Goggles – On extra windy hikes, it’s best to have a cheap pair of goggles to protect your eyes!
Gaiters – Not only do they keep snow out of your boots but it’s another layer to block the wind from your legs, helping you to keep warmer.
Questions?
As always, please feel free to reach out to us with any questions you might have! You can find more of our favorite winter hiking items at our Amazon Storefront or in our Rockporch lockers.
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