Hiking Essentials To Pack For Your Next Winter Outdoor Adventure
By JORDAN BURGMEIER
A packable, insulated jacket keeps you warm without weighing down your pack. Down insulation has a better weight-to-warmth ratio, but synthetic jackets are water-resistant.
Jacket
Packable jackets often come with a stuff sack, which you can use to store the item until you need it. Having an extra layer in your backpack will make you comfortable all day long.
When hiking in winter, you may walk across snow or frozen streams. Snowshoes, microspikes, crampons, and trekking poles enhance stability and help prevent falls.
Traction Devices
Protecting your eyes is essential to fending off the elements and enjoying the scenery. When the sun is out, you'll need to shield your eyes with sunglasses.
Eye Protection
Consider packing snow goggles with polarized lenses for more protection against windy conditions and to keep your field of vision clear in extreme conditions.
Some standard hydration systems will freeze in cold conditions, so you'll need to pack a cold-proof hydration bladder and hose or water bottle when hiking.
Hydration
Water bottles can be kept from freezing with an insulated sleeve or, in a pinch, a wool sock. Additionally, warm water is best for preventing a frozen bottle.
You can track your location with navigation tools like GPS and hiking apps, but since electronics die quicker in the cold, bring along a paper map and compass.
Navigation Tools