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Dressing for the Cold Hike
If you’ve recently moved and haven’t ever tackled hiking in a brutally cold winter before, this article is for you. Many people who are inexperienced with hiking, or with cold hiking, can make some common, easy-to-understand mistakes that decreases their ability to have a good time, even if they’re not consciously sure what those mistakes were. This article will help break down the best ways to dress for the cold hike to make sure you enjoy yourself.
First, your very bottom layer: the underwear. You’re going to want to avoid cotton, because cotton absorbs moisture, and when cold hiking, you’re inevitably going to run into some moisture, whether it’s from the snow outside or from your own sweat. The last thing you want is your underwear to soak this up like a sponge. Buy some “performance” underwear, made from a material like polyester. Hey; no one can see your underwear, so you might as well get the underwear that will work best for the cold weather.
Second, construct your first layer. This usually consists of generally warm, non-cotton pants and a shirt, much like the underwear just described. Find performance wear that insulates heat without taking in moisture, and you’re golden. This can include pants and a shirt, but you can also extend it to include your socks, gloves, and a hat.“Layering” is a crucial concept for the cold hiker, since you won’t be able to simply slap on a pair of shorts and hit the trail. In doing the best preparing for your hike, you’re going to have to make sure ahead of time that you err on the side of overdressing – you can always remove superfluous layers if you get to warm, but you don’t want to get stuck wishing you’d dressed more if you get cold.
Third, build an outer layer that is wind and water-resistant. This is the layer that will actually be touching the snow, so you don’t want to use a material like cotton that will pick up water and soak it up; instead, you want something that snow will slide right off of. Make your outer layer as water-tight (covering your whole body) as much as you can, and you’ll find yourself enjoying your cold hike that much more.
These simple steps for dressing for the cold hike won’t seem like a lifesaver the first time you use them, until at some point you realize that you’ve been outside for a while and continue to be warm and dry. Believe me, a little work in preparation beforehand will be worth it once you get out into the great outdoors.
