My Winter Hiking Gear Must-Haves

One of my first hikes toward my NH 48 goal. This was the summit of Mt. Tecumseh. What I loved about it is the view you get when you’re standing atop several feet of snow! I hiked this same mountain the following summer and it’s a noticeable difference without the added snow height boost.

I love the winter. And that’s saying something as a gal born and raised in Texas. It snowed once growing up and my brother and I went all out. We built an igloo (it’s surprisingly warm inside!). Sneak a peek at high school me below loving the couple days at home we had with the famous Texas snowfall in 2010.

The highest recorded snowfall, still to this day in Texas, was that year with 11-12 inches.

Since then, I knew I wanted to live in a place with season. It took me a few years (alright it took six), but I made it to New England. Ironically, I’ve lived here for six years now and can’t see myself anywhere else.

As much as I love hiking in the fall and taking in the views, winter truly warms my heart. The solitude of the trails. The easily accessible parking. The lack of sweating trekking up. Snow-capped mountain peaks for miles. Honestly, even a stroll on a local trail with no views offers the same solace I yearn for because of the trees wearing white sweaters along every step I take.

Over the years, I’ve gotten bolder and more confident in my winter hiking abilities. It started with short hikes and grew into longer, 4000-footers ones. I’ve made my fair share of mistakes (hiking with a friend who wears glasses and having her glasses break halfway up a trail – sorry Victoria!), and definitely froze my butt off one too many times.

The icy summit of Camel’s Hump in Vermont.

Nonetheless, winter is a beauty if you give her a chance. Here are my gear must haves if you’re wanting to avoid some of the harsh icy parts that winter comes with:

1. Layer on the layers.

It is always easier to take layers off, than add them on. I avoid cotton because once you sweat or take a dive or slip into the snow, you’ll be wet. A feeling you’ll grow to despise on longer hikes.

I strongly recommend the following:

• Fleece-lined leggings (or pants!)

• Tank/short sleeve shirt

• Long-sleeve shirt on top (ideally thermal)

• Warm jacket with a hood

• Thick socks

• Another pair of socks when the first gets soaked (trust me)

• Winter gloves

• Ear warmer headband (or a hat!)

• Neck warmer you’d wear skiing (works well for hiking and runny noses too!)

I usually warm up pretty well on a hike once the elevation gain kicks in. I also carry a backpack large enough to fit in the long-sleeve or jacket I have on when I’m overheated and take it off.

2. Get a good grip with microspikes.

Think of these like gnarly spikes for your hiking boots to dig deep into ice and snow to give you a better grip. I bought mine at a small outdoorsy store in Burlington, Vermont over four years ago, but they’re at any outdoors store, and of course, Amazon for convenience.

These microspikes saved me on the summit of Mt. Moosilaukee. Everyone always boasts incredible views from this mountain, but my experience was a tad different. My trooper of a father came to visit and I took him up this mountain in April for his first 4ker. Naturally, we were met with a white-out and wild winds.

3. Get the gaiters.

I remember one of my first hikes in the Whites. A male hiker passed me by with his poles and with it being summer, he was wearing shorts. As I stared at the ground to watch my own steps, I noticed he had these odd-looking socks covering his ankles.

I asked him what was on his ankles. He informed me they were gaiters and help keep dirt and small rocks from getting into his boots. I was stunned – this man was a genius! That night after my hike, I googled “gators,” as a true Southerner would.

Naturally, all my results came up showing the alligators in the wild and in the suburbs of Florida. Something was off. I retyped, “winter gators for hiking” and Google lovingly corrected this English teacher with “gaiters.” These are intended for winter use and I was so pumped to no longer have ice ball clumps on my socks. It’s tiring (and super cold) when you have to constantly bend down and remove these rock hard clusters of ice off your socks. Only to have them rejoin your socks for the ride up the mountain minutes later.

Then, I looked at the price of gaiters. As much as I love hiking, it’s not a cheap hobby if you’re embracing it in all four seasons. Winter hiking isn’t a joke. It took me a few years after learning about gaiters to finally invest in them. These are the ones I purchased from EMS.

Can you tell I’m hiding the coldness of frigid feet behind this smile on a hike to bag Mt. Tom, Field, and Willey? Gaiters would’ve came in handy as the ice clumped on.

4. Heat the hands (and toes!)

Hot Hands are a brilliant invention. I mentioned gloves and warm socks earlier, but that doesn’t always cut it. I buy my Hot Hands in bulk at Costco so I’m never without a pack on those chilly days. You open the pack, shake them up, and that’s it!

Tip: When you place them in your boot to warm your toes, make sure you place it between your sock and shoe. They are very warm and shouldn’t touch your actual skin!

If you’re environmentally conscious (which I’m starting to look at more after staying in a sustainable tiny home last weekend in Vermont), REI came out with a biodegradable version of Hot Hands. Check them out here. Once you’re done embracing their warmth, you can cut the warmers open and compost the minerals on the inside. The packs themselves will still need to be thrown away.

Do you feel ready to walk into the wintery woods? What other gear items do you think are a must? Let me know!