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Winter Hiking Equipment Guide For Every Level Of Hiker

Climb Snowdon - Winter Hiking Equipment Guide

Hiking in the winter covers everything from long walks over rolling terrain to multi-day mountain excursions in snowy conditions. While the former is accessible to anyone, the latter necessitates specialist skills and equipment, as well as a fair bit of experience.

With this in mind, we wanted to create a guide to what gear you’ll need for different types of winter hikes – from easier inclusive walks to more full-on summit experiences. This list will also help you understand what gear you’ll need to pick up as you progress to more challenging conditions and terrain, enabling you to expand your equipment stock as you gain experience and your adventures evolve.

Basic equipment list

The gear you’ll need on every winter hike, no matter the difficulty or terrain.

Clothes

In winter weather, layering is essential. The cold poses a real danger. But things quickly start to warm up as you get moving, so the ability to add or remove layers is invaluable. We recommend rocking a base, mid and outer layer, at the very least, and adding an extra insulating layer depending on the conditions. You’ll also need a waterproof shell and trousers. Hats, gloves and neck buffs all make a big difference in cold conditions, while sturdy ankle-high boots are also required.

Nutrition and hydration

While the amount of water you need to drink will depend on how long your hike is, we typically recommend carrying at least two litres for a long day out. If you’re concerned the water may freeze, carry it in insulated bottles rather than regular ones or a hydration bladder. Hiking in winter conditions is hard work, so you’ll also need to pack plenty to eat. Opt for calorie-dense items that won’t freeze, such as small sandwiches, dried fruit, nuts, fruitcake or bagels.

Navigation and safety

While you may have a cutting-edge GPS or access to mapping technologies on your phone, you should always carry a paper map and compass. Just as importantly, make sure you’re confident using them. There’s no guarantee your phone will work out in the wild, and GPS devices aren’t 100% foolproof either. One day, you may have to rely on your manual navigation skills to get you out of a tricky spot. An adequate first aid kit, headtorch and whistle are also vital components in any basic hiking kit.

Intermediate equipment list

If you’re moving on to more challenging terrain and longer days in the mountains, consider adding the following equipment to your pack list.

Hiking poles

While some hikers carry poles whenever they hit the trails, others reserve them for tougher walks. It’s all down to personal preference. However, they can be a really valuable addition to a winter hiking list, helping you stay balanced and providing some support as you move through the landscape. You may also want to consider them if you experience sore knees or want to relieve some of the strain on those poor joints.

If you want additional advice on how to choose and use your poles, check out our walking poles guide.

Microspikes

Microspikes are kind of like an introduction to crampons. Designed for slippy but relatively flat terrain or moderate slopes, they give you extra traction and a bit more grip. Like crampons, you wear them over hiking boots, so it’s a good idea to make sure your spikes fit properly before relying on them on a hike. Unlike crampons, they don’t require too much practice to get used to, and there aren’t any new stepping techniques to learn.

Tinted glasses or goggles

We think hikers should always carry a pair of sunglasses with effective UV protection, but you may want to up the ante and go for a tinted pair if it’s a bright day and there’s a good chance you will encounter snowy or icy conditions. While snow blindness is the most extreme consequence of failing to protect your eyes in bright, white conditions, reflections off the ground are also just uncomfortable and can affect your vision, potentially compromising your safety.

Advanced equipment list

Finally, if your hike takes you higher and further and involves snowy and icy conditions on steep terrain, the following equipment will be valuable. It should go without saying that if you require this equipment, you need to be confident in challenging winter environments and have received adequate winter skills training.

Crampons and ice axe

Crampons enable you to access steeper, more technical terrain. Featuring several spikes on the bottom, they give you purchase on snow and ice, improving safety and efficiency of movement. They come in various sizes and are rated for different types of boots, so you need to know what crampons you need before making a purchase.

You can find more information on sizing and crampon technique in our Complete Guide to Crampons article. Ice axes are also essential on hikes where you’re tackling steep, snowy terrain. However, you must make sure you have practised your self-arrest technique in a controlled environment before relying on one.

Emergency shelter

Whether it’s an emergency bivvy, blanket or tent, carrying some form of shelter may be necessary in winter. The weather can turn quickly and, though you should always aim to avoid hiking in bad conditions, whiteouts are possible. In some cases, the safest course of action may be to hunker down and wait until things improve. A shelter will provide some protection from the elements.

More extensive safety pack

Finally, as your hikes become increasingly challenging, you should expand your first aid kit accordingly. While a basic first aid kit will likely feature bandage rolls, plasters, pain relief and antiseptic wipes, a more advanced kit could include splints, CPR masks, a triangular cravat bandage, and elastic wraps. Essentially, your first aid kit should reflect the level of risk you’re exposed to while out hiking.

Winter hiking with Climb Snowdon

At Climb Snowdon, we kick off our open guided walks in March, when you’ll still need much of your winter gear. You can book a place on our popular open events or organise a private group walk via our booking page.

If you’re interested in developing your winter mountain skills and gaining confidence in snowy conditions, we recommend you check out our sister company RAW Adventures. Its Winter Skills course is designed to teach you a whole array of invaluable skills and techniques, enabling you to move through mountainous terrain safely.