health & fitness

15 things you need to go hiking during the winter

In the midst of a global pandemic, hiking was one of the few activities you could do while still social distancing. But now that winter is here and trails have frozen over, hiking is no easy feat.

With the right gear, you can still reach the highest peaks. Here are 15 top-rated things you’ll want to make sure you have before attempting to hike during the winter.

1. Face masks for an extra layer of warmth

Not only are face masks recommended to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, but they provide an extra layer of warmth, making them the ultimate winter accessory.

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2. Hiking boots with good traction

While sneakers will normally suffice for a not-too-strenuous 3-mile hike, during the winter, you’re going to want to upgrade to a pair of hiking boots.

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3. Crampons for gripping the ice

Despite the weird name, these things are essentially a chain of spikes that attach to your hiking boots, making it possible to walk on ice without slipping.

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4. A headlamp to see after the sun sets

If you find yourself in the woods after the sun goes down, you’re going to want to have a headlamp on you.

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5. The best touchscreen gloves we’ve ever tested

Warm gloves are important to keep feeling in your fingers, but you also want the ability to use your phone to snap a quick picture or respond to a text during your hike.

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6. A warm hat that that’ll fit under a hood

When it comes to covering your ears, you want a hat that’s warm but breathable.

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7. Thermals for an extra layer

When it comes to hiking in extremely cold temperatures, you need to layer up. Throw on a pair of thermals under your hiking outfit for some well-deserved warmth.

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8. Wool socks to keep toes toasty

The thicker the socks are, the more insulation you'll have. Just make sure they’re not too tight with your boots or you could cut off circulation.

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9. A cozy pullover for the top of the mountain

It’s always good to layer up. While it always gets colder at the top of the mountain, you can easily rip off the pullover if you get too hot while descending.

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10. A backpack to drink water from

When you’re bundled up, it’s especially hard to grab a water bottle from your backpack and take a sip. That’s where a hydration backpack comes in handy.

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11. Sunscreen to protect from UV rays

Wearing sunscreen is just as important on sunny hikes as it is in the winter—especially with the increased altitude, as it’seasier to get sunburntsince there’s less of earth's atmosphere to block sunlight.

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12. A gaiter to keep your neck warm

Even if you have gloves, a hat, and a warm jacket, you still need to make sure your neck doesn’t freeze. PSA: it doesn’t replace the effectiveness of a face mask in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

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13. Hand and toe warmers for some extra heat

If you have really cold hands, then you know gloves and thick socks alone aren't going to cut it during a chilly hike. That's where hand warmers come in.

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14. Gaiters that protect your boots

You’ve heard of neck gaiters, but did you know that there are boot gaiters to ensure no snow sneaks in while hiking? They also add a bit of warmth.

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15. A portable battery pack for cold phones

Cold weather can kill your phone battery quickly. If you’re worried about being stuck in the woods with a dead phone, it’s a good idea to bring along a portable battery pack.

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