Wearing the right clothing and carrying the right gears are the key points for staying comfortable during a cold weather hiking.
Dress in layers :
“The Layering System” that experts talking about consist of three layers and each layer has a function.
“The Base Layer” which provides moisture management ,
“The Mid-Layer” which provides insulation and
“The Outer Layer” which protects your from elements like wind ,rain and snow.
Dressing according to “The Layering System” gives you opportunity for adding and removing layers and makes you flexable against your body’s reaction during your activity.
You may need extra insulation while resting during your hiking trip, but when you start moving you may need to remove extra layers to avoid overheating and getting sweaty.
It is very important for your health because remember that the human body loses heat 32 times faster it gets wet.
Learn more in our
"How to Layer Clothing for the Outdoors ?" article about this subject
Stay away from Cotton :
Cotton fabrics are preferable in our daily life as they are natural ; however they soak up your sweat during your activity and stay wet .After this your heat draws away from your body and leave you cold.
That’s why you must stay away from them during outdoor activities.
Wear a hat:
During the colder months it is important to keep your head covered for not losing precious body heat.
Cover your neck & nose :
Fleece neck warmers can help you to cover your neck and nose when neccessary.
Wear and bring an extra pair of gloves :
Depending on the weather conditions and your activity level ;
you can choose mid-weight & light-weight fleece gloves or water-proof shell gloves. It is also possible to wear your fleece gloves under your water-proof shell gloves if the weather is tough.
Better to remember that to have extra gloves in your backpack in case the one’s you are wearing get wet is an always good idea.
Keep your feet dry :
Wool & wool blended or synthetic socks are best choice for hiking trips , just be careful if they are too thick that can cause air circulation cut inside your boots.
Like the gloves , again it is better to have extra socks inside your backpack is an always good idea..
Keep snow out with gaiters:
Try to have waterproof / breathable gaiters when you are hiking through deep snow which will help you to avoid snow going inside your boots.
