Building the Perfect Winter Day Hiking Kit

It’s time you built your perfect winter day hiking kit so that you can enjoy the magic of winter hiking without worrying about the grim hazards that come with it.

Winter hiking requires you to plan specifically. That’s because of all the increased dangers it brings, like cold, snow, ice, and shorter daylight hours. If you create a really good winter day hiking kit, you’ll be alright out there.

In this guide, I’m going to show you how to create your perfect kit based on all the years I’ve been getting out there and hiking every winter. Some links in this article are affiliate links.

Why a Dedicated Winter Day Hiking Kit Matters

A dedicated winter day hiking kit really does matter, given all the circumstances that come with winter hiking.

The weather conditions are dramatically different from other seasons. Roads become harder to drive through, and trails become harder to hike on. The cold alone requires you to make dramatic changes to your kit and fit in order to survive for a long period of time outdoors.

Don’t be the hikers who under-pack and have the worst possible experience while trying to have the best possible experience hiking in the winter.

There are many cold-weather-related injuries that you may face in the winter. You can get frostbite and hypothermia, for example, and that will end your hiking fun for the rest of your life. That’s why it’s more important than you for you to have a dedicated winter day hiking kit.

I used to hike in cheap hiking shoes all year round, and finally, after almost getting frostbite and ruining my love for hiking, I broke down and bought waterproof insulated hiking boots for the winter, and now nothing can stop me.

Essential Clothing Layers for Winter Hiking

It’s important that you practice good layering techniques when hiking in the cold winter months.

Base Layer

Your first layer is your base layer, which is in charge of moisture management and keeping your skin dry.

These should be layers that are a second skin. Get wool or synthetic (polyester, spandex, etc.) tights and compression wear that will wick moisture from your body and keep you warm. You might even have to strip down to these layers to balance out your body temperature at times.

Stay away from cotton as a base layer, as cotton holds in moisture, which will, in turn, keep you cold, shivering, and potentially lead to serious cold-weather injuries.

I wear a pair of non-insulated spandex running tights as my base bottoms. I’ll also wear a polyester shirt as my base top. Both the tights and shirt are super light in weight and could also be worn alone if I need to remove layers because I’m starting to sweat.

Mid Layer

Your mid layer is your insulation layer, which is what keeps you warm through the elements that you’ll be hiking in.

You’ll want to stick to warmer materials. You can wear wool or fleece for your top. Wear winter hiking pants or insulated synthetic leggings as your bottom, but make sure whatever you wear can still wick moisture.

Again, try to stay away from cotton, but if you do go with a cotton hoodie or something similar, have some wicking on underneath it to help with moisture management.

Shell Layer

The shell layer is added with you’re going to be hiking in conditions that include precipitation or wintry elements.

Your shell is typically made up of waterproof materials such as raincoats and rain pants. You might also wear a windbreaker if wind is the only issue you’re facing. The shell is meant to keep you dry and protected from the wind so that your mid and base layer isn’t compromised.

However, your shell layer still needs to be able to breathe, so make sure there are zipper areas you can unzip to get air flow into your mid layer.

Extra Layers to Pack

It’s a good idea to pack an extra-layer kit with you, just in case all your clothes get wet or something like that.

I pack an extra-layers kit that will give me a quick outfit if needed, but it’s so light that I don’t even know it’s in my pack. My layers kit includes a pair of wool hiking socks, insulated running tights, a wool insulated long sleeve shirt, jersey gloves, and a beanie. The kit is what many runners would wear alone on colder days, so it will work in a pinch, but again, it’s super lightweight to carry on my back.

A layers kit might save your life one day, so it’s a good idea to carry one.

Winter Footwear and Accessories

Your winter day hiking kit should include great footwear and accessories to warm you up on your hike.

Winter Hiking Boots

You’ll want to make sure you put a lot of focus on having the best winter hiking boots possible because taking care of your feet is critical in hiking.

Your boots should fit properly. You should be able to tie them tight, and your feet do not move around a whole lot. I often size up so that I have enough room to wear thicker hiking socks when it’s really cold out.

A good pair of winter hiking boots will have great traction but also have good insulation to help protect your feet from the cold.

Lastly, you’ll want to consider whether you need waterproof hiking boots or not. If you plan to hike in the snow, cross creeks, or hike when it’s wet, then you need waterproof boots. It’s important to keep your socks and feet dry during even something as short as a day hike because frostbite doesn’t take long to set in.

Socks

Get socks that are made for hiking because they’ll have the materials that keep your feet dry and blister-free.

The best socks for hiking are typically made from wool. There are different thicknesses based on the different temperatures you’ll be hiking in. You can get them with different padding levels and different lengths based on your style and fit needs.

Always try to carry an extra pair of hiking socks with you just in case yours get wet or rips, and you need to put on a fresh pair.

Gaiters

Gaiters are nice because they help keep natural debris from getting into your shoes.

Gloves and Mittens

Get a decent pair of gloves that are made for the outdoors.

You want them to be waterproof and windproof. Extra features, such as being able to use a touchscreen phone with them on, are also ideal. You may need to wear thicker gloves when the temperature is extremely cold.

Consider glove liners as a great alternative to having to buy thicker gloves for colder weather.

Try to carry an extra pair of gloves with you, even if they’re just a pair of jersey gloves. You might get your regular gloves drenches or even lose one of them. It’s nice to have an extra pair of gloves when you need them the most.

Head and Face Protection

Keeping your face and head warm during a cold hike will often help balance out the rest of your body, and you’ll remain comfortable throughout your entire hike.

Wear a good hat or beanie on your hike. You can get a balaclava, buff, or scarf to keep more parts of your head and face warm during the coldest of hikes. It’s best to use many items because then you can add or remove layers when you need to balance out your temperature.

Remember, the last thing you want to do is sweat because that will make you cold and can lead to problems you don’t need to be dealing with on a winter hiking day.

Navigation Tools for Winter Hiking

Navigation tools are more important than ever when it comes to hiking in the winter because the risks are so much greater than hiking in any other season.

Relying completely on your phone isn’t a good idea. Phone battery life in the winter is bad and often requires you to carry extra chargers, which adds more weight to your winter day hiking kit. Phones are nice until they fail you, and then you feel pretty vulnerable to the conditions which are threatening your safety.

Carry extra forms of navigation with you, such as a paper map, a compass, and a dedicated GPS unit. (Disclaimer: Affiliate Link)

Gear for a Complete Winter Day Hiking Kit

Complete your winter day hiking kit by ensuring you carry at least the following gear items on your hikes.

You need a good backpack that’s made for hiking. For a day hike, you should have a capacity of at least 20 to 45 liters of gear storage. You also need a pack that can be adjusted to fit you perfectly.

Consider trekking poles if there is snow and ice on the ground, as they will help you maintain your balance.

Use a pair of Yaktrax or Microspikes if hiking in the snow or ice. These will give you traction on wintry elements that cover the trail. Just keep in mind that these traction devices can fail, so you should never completely rely on them.

If the conditions are right for you in your area, you might even consider wearing snowshoes for better traction.

Bring an emergency bivy or blanket with you just in case you need it. You might have to stay all night in the woods because you got hurt or lost. A bivy or an emergency blanket can help keep you warm as the temperatures drop at dark.

Consider insulated water bottles when hiking the temperatures below freezing.

Always bring a first aid kit with you on your hiking trips. Only pack items that you know how to use. Periodically check your first aid kit in case items expire and need to be replaced.

Bring a repair kit and multitool with you, just in case you need to repair your gear or pack on the go.

Carry a fire-starting kit. This should be something to provide fuel, a fire source, and wind protection. If you need to get warm fast, then you need to make sure you have the right tools to be able to accomplish that task.

Food and Hydration Essentials

During the winter, staying fueled and hydrated is often more critical than if you’re hiking in hot and humid conditions.

Bring fuel (food) with you that doesn’t require cooking or certain temperature storage. Bring snacks that have a lot of calories because that is fuel you will burn through pretty quickly. I suggest nuts, trail mix, jerky, trail bars, and stuff like that.

It’s always a good idea to bring a cook kit and something like a freeze-dried meal to make so that you can have a hot, full meal halfway through your hike.

Caffeine is always a good thing because it gives you energy to keep pushing through the hike. I like to bring small packets of instant coffee to pour into a cup of boiling water so that I can have a quick cup of coffee when it’s really cold. Just don’t overdo it, or you might be pooping in the woods.

Your water should have electrolytes already mixed in so that you can keep sodium going back into your body as you hike.

If it’s really cold out, you’ll want to protect your water sources from freezing. You can use insulated water bottles or even put hand warmers around your bottles to keep them from freezing. Remember that the closer the bottles are to your body, your body heat will also keep them from freezing.

Winter Safety Items to Include

Bring the required safety items to complete your perfect winter day hiking kit.

An emergency shelter is a great idea. You don’t need to bring a full tent or hammock with you. Bring something simple and lightweight, such as an oversized poncho, tarp, and some paracord.

Bring a headlamp with extra batteries since cold weather will often drain batteries quicker than any other temperature.

Bring a whistle with you. In the event that you get lost or hurt and you need to call for help, screaming will wear you down and burn up all your natural fuel. A whistle is easy to use and louder than you.

Consider bringing a personal locator beacon (PLB) or GPS communicator with you just in case you need immediate assistance. (Disclaimer: Affiliate link)

Hand and foot warmers make for great safety gear. You can use them for their purpose or even use them to heat your sleeping area, keep bottles from freezing, or help keep your food warm. Get the air-activated ones because they’re super light and durable.

If in avalanche country, make sure you’re packing an avalanche kit with you, especially if hiking alone.

Packing Checklist: Complete Winter Day Hiking Kit

Here’s a checklist of my complete winter day hiking kit and gear, which might help you get ideas for your kit:

Clothing

• Base: Spandex running tights, polyester sports shirt, and hiking socks.
• Mid: Winter hiking cargo pants, wool long sleeve shirt, waterproof/windproof insulated jacket, and gloves.
• Shell: Raincoat.
• Sometimes I will wear insulated running tights (with side pockets) as my outer layer if it isn’t too cold. (Disclaimer: Affiliate link)

Gear

• 34-litre hiking backpack from Osprey
• Headlamp with extra batteries
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and a small shovel (poop kit)
• Hand warmers, matches/lighter, and fire fuel caps.
• First aid kit
• Poncho and paracord
• Repair kit
• Yaktrax
• Folding saw, knife, and pocketknife
• A “Protective Device”

Navigation

• Paper maps
• Compass
• Phone app with charging brick and cord
• GPS on my watch

Nutrition

• More water than I’ll need
• Water filter
• Electrolytes for my water
• Trail bears
• Energy gels
• Instant coffee packets

Misc. Essentials

• Layers kit
• Neoprene socks for high water creek crossing
• Camera, accessories, and extra batteries

Common Mistakes Winter Hikers Make

Believe it or not, there are many common mistakes you can make when hiking in the winter, and it’s best to try to avoid making these mistakes as much as you can.

• Don’t underestimate the amount of time you have. It takes longer to hike in the snow. Daylight is typically shorter during the winter months.
• Don’t rely on your phone. Your battery won’t last that long in the freezing temperatures. Accuracy on phones is very limited when you start getting into the trees and in dead zones.
• Don’t make the mistake of not carrying extra layers. What if, when crossing a creek, you fall in, and everything is soaking wet? It’s below freezing, and you need to change into something dry as soon as you can.
• Don’t wear cotton, especially as a base layer. Cotton does not wick moisture; it holds it in. Moisture will make you cold, shiver, and can even lead to frostbite and hypothermia.
• Don’t start your hike without planning for emergency situations. You need to have turnaround times, different areas on a loop that you can get back quicker than taking the whole loop, and plan for emergency situations like getting wet or staying all night in the woods.
• Never go on a hike without telling someone where you plan to go and what time you plan to be home. If you get lost or hurt, that person has the information to tell search and rescue, and that could be what saves your life.

You’ll make other mistakes as you continue your journey into winter hiking. We all do, and even I still make mistakes at times. Just make sure you learn something from them for next time.

Final Thoughts

Winter hiking is a wonderful idea as long as you have the right winter day hiking kit.

The main thing you need to do is plan and prepare for your hike. Plan accordingly based on the weather and conditions. Prepare by bringing the right gear with you that will keep you warm, alive, and happy throughout your entire hike.

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And until next time, I’ll see you on the trail!