Cold Weather Hiking Essentials I Wore in Antarctica and Alaska

One of my hot takes is actually pretty cold. I believe hiking in the winter time is more fun than it is in spring, summer, and fall. Why? For starters, it’s possible to find a parking spot at popular trailheads. Plus, hungry bears are hibernating, and those of us whose immune system can’t handle pollen can actually be outside without having an allergy attack. Of course, it helps that I grew up in Montana, where it’s not uncommon to see snow as early as August and as late as June. I still live in Big Sky Country. But, thanks to my career as a travel writer, I’ve hiked all over the world in some pretty wintry weather. 

In two weeks, I’ll leave for the Dolomites — specifically Alta Badia, where there’s a network of more than 40 miles of marked trails designated for winter hiking and snowshoeing. Thanks to a decade of trekking everywhere from Alaska to Antarctica, I know exactly what to pack for my upcoming trip. Winter hiking requires more layers, but the pros still far outweigh the cons. (Did I mention you don’t have to worry about death-by-grizzly?). Below are 14 cold weather hiking essentials I swear by and plan on packing for my upcoming trip

Baleaf Fleece-lined Leggings

These fleece-lined leggings with more than 25,000 five-star ratings perform best on below-freezing days. They come in dozens of colors and three styles, including the four-pocket, water-resistant pair I wore in Norway last month. “These leggings have become an essential part of my winter wardrobe,” wrote one shopper. The best-selling leggings are made of polyester, so unlike my merino wool leggings, they can go in the dryer. 

Lululemon It’s Rulu Ribbed Cropped Half Zip 

For a brand that got its start in yoga studios, Lululemon has quite the collection of winter clothes. I used to work at Lululemon, and I frequently stocked up on essentials like this half-zip, which sees a lot of use from November through March. One shopper described it as the “perfect cold weather hiking base layer,” and I couldn’t agree more. It has thumbholes that can double as mittens, and the four-way stretch fabric is moisture-wicking, drying extremely fast.

Smartwool Classic Mountaineer Maximum Cushion Crew Socks

Smartwool doesn’t just make my favorite merino wool base layer bottoms. It’s also the brand behind the only socks I’ll pay $27 for. Smartwool was founded by two Colorado skiers, and its products are made in the U.S. Consisting of a fabric blend featuring 74 percent merino wool, the Classic Mountaineer hiking sock is Smartwool’s warmest and thickest sock (yet). It’s designed to last for multiple seasons, justifying the high price tag. In fact, if you buy a pair that doesn’t last at least two years, you can send them to Smartwool for a free replacement. One shopper, who wore them on a Scottish Highlands backpacking trip, called them “invincible.” Another shopper, who wrote “these can be worn for days and they don’t smell,” went so far as to call them the “perfect sock.”

Hoka Kaha 2 Gtx Hiking Boots 

Hoka’s Kaha Frost 2 GTX Hiking Boots first kept my toes toasty and my arches supported in January 2022 when I found myself tracking wolves on foot in Yellowstone. I most recently sported them a few weeks ago while chasing the Aurora above the Arctic Circle. The grippy soles prevented me from slipping on the ice when we went snow crab fishing, and the waterproof coating kept my feet dry. Despite the leather construction, there’s no break-in period. “They performed perfectly out of the box,” gushed one shopper, who wore them for a week-long trip where they walked at least 10 miles per day in below-freezing temperatures. My only complaint? They last for years. I kind of wish I had a reason to invest in its successor, the Hoka Kaha 3 Frost GTX.

Arc’teryx Proton Insulated Hoodie

In the last nine years, I’ve worn my Arc’teryx packable puffers in nearly 40 countries. I own both the Atom and the Proton, the latter of which I prefer for winter hiking since it’s more breathable. Between the air-permeable softshell insulation, hem adjusters, and storm hood, I stay plenty warm. As someone who sweats 365 days a year, I also appreciate that this jacket is treated with silver nitrate that prevents the growth of odor-causing bacteria. The Proton weighs just 12.7 ounces and can pack down to fit inside a hat.

Helly Hansen Verglas Hooded Down Hybrid Insulator Jacket

My favorite winter hiking jacket with real down is the Helly Hansen Verglas. While synthetic down dries faster and performs better when it’s wet, real down offers a higher warmth-to-weight ratio. The 700-fill power puffer packs down to fit in its inner chest pocket. Thanks to the stretch side panels you’ll never feel constricted, and the adjustable drawcord hem means you won't be bothered by any pesky drafts.

Marmot Waypoint Gore-Tex Rain Jacket 

I got this outer layer for hiking in wet winter weather because I was so impressed with my boyfriend’s Marmot Gore-Tex Orion Snow Pants. Even while snowboarding and spending a lot of time on his butt and knees, he stays bone-dry. Because it’s also breathable, durable, and wind-blocking, Marmot’s patented fabric is the holy grail of waterproof textiles. Designers of the Marmot Waypoint also taped all the seams and added an interior sweat-wicking lining. Meanwhile, zippers in the armpits allow for ventilation. 

Patagonia Down Sweater Vest

My dog loves my Patagonia Down Sweater Vest—which I’ve had for nearly a decade—more than I do. He knows that when it comes out of my closet, it usually means we’re going hiking in the Beartooth Mountains. Made out of recycled fishing nets, the vest’s nylon shell is insulated with 800-fill-power sourced sustainably from geese that are never hand-fed or plucked. The hand pockets’ invisible zippers are cool, and I love that this vest weighs less than a small apple, but my favorite feature is the inside zippered chest pocket that turns into a stuff sack. It even has a carabiner clip-in loop so I can attach it to my backpack.

Buff Lightweight Merino Wool Neck Gaiter

Versatility is key when it comes to winter hiking accessories, which is why I value this neck gaiter that I can wear a dozen different ways. It’s made of cruelty-free Merino wool, an antimicrobial fabric that’s warm while boasting built-in odor control. “When it was cool, and the wind was blowing, it kept my ears warm and my hair out of my face,” recalled one shopper, who bought theirs for a hiking trip. “When it was warm, it protected my neck from the sun.” Currently, it’s available in more than two dozen colors on Amazon where it has more than 4,000 five-star ratings.

Fjallraven Keb Trousers Curved

On a camping trip to Greenland, where I slept on ice, my guide introduced me to these indestructible five-pocket pants with reinforced knees. It seems like every European who hikes in harsh climates has at least one pair. Coated in a soft wax, the Keb Trousers resist water and wind while the boot hooks at the hem keep snow out. Last weekend, I wore mine while cross country skiing in Montana. They layer nicely over my favorite fleece leggings, and I never overheat thanks to the hip-to-knee vents that make them a four-season staple. “The venting options made them comfortable in various temperatures,” wrote one shopper who bought them for trekking in Peru.

Yaktrax Walk Traction Cleats

For maximum traction on ice, I recommend Yaktrax. With more than 18,000 five-star ratings, these game-changing cleats (which you’ll probably find at Everest Base Camp) are an Amazon best-seller. One review, titled “A MUST for Winter Travel,” reads “Yaktrax literally saved my recent trip to Northern Norway and Svalbard in the Arctic this mid-February.” They’re compatible with all styles of shoes and feature coil technology for 360-degree stability and heel tabs that make them easy to remove. You definitely don’t want to be wearing them on hardwood floors or anywhere indoors.

Cascade Mountain Tech Lightweight Aluminum Trekking Poles

Trekking poles weren’t optional when I hiked in Antarctica a couple of years ago. Even during its summer, the South Pole is covered in ice. These particular poles are great for winter hiking because they feature removable snow baskets and are made out of aircraft-grade aluminum designed to withstand the most extreme temperatures. Weighing just 10 ounces and collapsing down to just 26 inches, they’re easy to pack and are TSA-approved. “If you can only own one set of hiking poles in your life it should be these ones,” wrote one avid outdoorsman on Amazon. More than 2,000 of these were purchased in the last month alone.

HotHands Hand Warmer 10-pack

If you find yourself hiking in extreme cold — like the subzero temperatures I encountered while looking for polar bears in Nunavut, Canada — stock up on these hand warmers that we deemed the best overall hand warmers out of all those we tested. On Amazon, they have an impressive 4.8-star average rating and are so popular that more than 70,000 were purchased in the last month alone. They’re easy to activate, too. Simply expose them to air and shake them for 15 minutes before you want warmth. They can last up to 10 hours.

Deuter Speed Lite 21 Daypack

I add and shed many layers, and I always pack my prized YETI Rambler filled with hot water to make trailside hot chocolate, so I never hike without a backpack in the winter. Currently, I’m obsessed with my lightweight Deuter. Its zippers are easy to open, even when I’m wearing gloves, and the shoulder strap features a dedicated place to stow my sunglasses, which are essential for when the sun reflects off the snow. With all its thoughtful bells and whistles (including a unique V-shape design that’s more comfortable), this backpack is best described as detail-oriented.

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