Let’s talk about winter gear. There are million permutations of this list so consider this my preferences and tips. What works best will depend on a variety of factors including your sport, the terrain, weather, length of the day out, output level, fitness and other physiological factors. What I bring for the day changes even for subtle, daily differences within each of those sports. I’ll talk about what’s foundational to my kit and will try to call out what would drive my decision to bring something else.
Over the past couple decades, I’ve primarily skied and climbed in the winter. My knowledge extends to these activities and not much further. I snowmobile quite a bit as well and feel that most of this applies fairly well. It will also work for snowshoeing. Apologies to those that are looking for insights on other winter sports. Specialized activities like cross country skiing, ice skating, ice fishing, etc. will probably all have specific considerations.
Your choice of gear is super important. Especially in the winter. Just existing out there at this time of year puts you at an above average level of exposure. The cold and higher objective risk inevitably means you’re stuffing more into your backpack. But with the right selections that keeps you comfortable (ie. cool to neutral when you’re moving and warm when you’re stopped), well-hydrated and safe to imminent risks, winter is the ultimate playground. Get equipped and get stoked!
Lists and recipes that make you scroll to the center of the earth to get to what you want suck. So, let’s dive in. I’m going to start next to skin and work my way out.
Base layer:
On your upper body this is a non-cotton t-shirt. In winter I tend to prefer long sleeves. That way if I get really hot while moving, I can go down to this layer but still have my skin covered. Sometimes that air is so cold it bites on bare skin even if your body is really warm. It also provides a comfort layer between your skin and a hard shell if you end up with this layering combo. Gor-tex against bare skin is pretty cringe.
Pro tip: if you’re a relatively sweaty human, bring a change of this one. I learned this ice climbing in the Rockies. The guide would walk the approach in one shirt and then change it before heading up the climb. It’s amazing how much warmer putting on a dry shirt (even if it’s just a mild sweat) will make you vs layering a sweaty shirt under multiple jackets. It’s a very light, compact way to ensure warmth optionality.
Legs is a different story. Unless it’s quite cold, sort of, sub-20 degrees Fahrenheit or maybe even a bit colder, I don’t wear a base layer. That is, if I’m doing a sport that requires a lot of consistent movement throughout the day like ski touring or mountaineering. If, for example, I’m ice climbing, and will need to sit still at belays, I’ll probably throw on a light pair of thermal long underwear. If it’s really, really cold, like below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, besides probably being a better time to wait it out, you’ll want to load up on a heavier pair of thermals.
Risk mitigation: That all being said, I usually throw my light thermal leggings into the bottom of my pack. This is a risk mitigation factor in case I have to stop unexpectedly for a long period of time. But wearing them for a full day of ski touring can be a recipe for disaster. I’ve never had worse chaffing than when I did this on a long 12+ hour tour to ski the Black Hole Couloir in the Cascades. The thermal layer caused moisture to build up, which started rubbing while I walked. It got bad at the half way point... the entire walk back was pain. Cautionary tale. All I’m saying is give it a try without. Even if you think you’ll be cold… You might be surprised.
Mid-layer:
There’s a huge amount of variability here. My preference is to go pretty light. Layering works as a summation of individual pieces. I don’t want to be boiling when I put this on. If I’m moving in it, it’s because it’s too cold for just a t-shirt but too warm for a jacket. Even a jacket on top of the t-shirt. If I’m cold and/or stopped, even a light layer will do a lot in conjunction with jackets.
A thermal “long-underwear” top was my go-to choice for a long time. However, more recently I’ve switched to a light, waffle construction synthetic. I find that these breathe a lot better than a solid, tight-fitting shirt. They dry out faster too.
A personal curiosity, that I have not explored yet, is synthetic vests. I’ve toured with a variety of people that really like this approach. It makes sense, to keep your core warm but letting your arms breathe. I’ll probably try it out at some point. Figured I’ve seen it used enough that it bears mentioning for you to consider.
Outerwear:
In soft shells we trust. This has probably been the single greatest improvement my experienced self has made to my outdoor winter kit. Like many, my formative years were filled with Gore-Tex. That rigid, clammy, heat trap has its place. And it’s when the snow is up to your ass and/or is still nuking. If it’s windy as hell. Or if it’s raining (dude… go home).
A mid to heavy-weight soft shell pant and jacket works wonders. There are quite a few options out there these days that actually integrate a variety of different fabrics into strategically placed panels throughout the garment. Breathable, stretchy material where it needs to move, flex and release heat from your sweaty crevasses or from under your backpack. And closer to hard shell material where you’re likely to be in contact with snow. Lower legs, seat and shoulders being the most important. These are the best. They keep you warm and protected from the elements but they also keep you much, much cooler as you move.
Again, there are caveats. It is winter. If you obviously need to be wearing a hard-shell, please do. I love dawning the soft shells. But still tour in hard shells quite a bit when it’s storming. Pow days are great places for hard-shells. But let’s be honest, most days aren’t nipple deep. In this case, pay attention to vent zippers! I find that the ideal pants (although a bit heavier as a results) have vents on both the inner and outer thigh. This way you actually get an effective draft. Just one of these is fine, but much less effective. And don’t forget, your fly is a great vent.
Risk mitigation: If I plan to primarily wear my soft shell for the day, I will usually throw in a very light hard-shell jacket. Unless I’m quite confident I won’t need it. This is different from the full weight hard shell that I’d wear if it was going to be my primary layer. In this case, I’ll bring a stuff-able layer that serves as a risk mitigation for unexpected weather or as another layer if I start to get really cold. A light, wind-protective layer under your puffy is a great way to add warmth. Let’s talk about puffs…
Puffy layer:
Decisions, decisions, decisions. Actually, this one is pretty easy. How cold is it? Are you going to be standing still for long periods of time? If the answers to those questions are, “not too bad,” and, “no,” then bring a light to mid-weight. If they’re either, “pretty cold,” or, “for a while,” bring a mid to heavy-weight. If you’re looking at, “pretty cold,” AND, “for a while,” bring a heavy-weight.
Shoot for 700 – 900 fill down. I’m not personally a fan of synthetics here. Especially for day trips. Higher fill is not a difference in warmth. It’s way more packable. Get ones that have a built-in stuff sack or pack into the pocket. Also, unless it’s really wet out (puffy jackets are not rain jackets!) put the puffy on the outside. Yes, on top of your hard shell. The puffy insulation works when it’s allowed to expand and trap air. If you put it on under another layer it will compress and be rendered relatively useless. It’s also important that you predict when you will need a puffy. Don’t wait to get cold. These layers work the best when they trap existing body heat. When you stop, put it on right away.
Other warmth:
I always bring at least two pairs of gloves. A light-ish one and a mid-heavy one. Personally, I think that knit liners are worthless. They do nothing to protect from wind or wet. I also have very poor circulation in my fingers. So maybe I’m not the right measure of the mean on this topic. But having wet, cold gloves, no matter what your physiological circumstances, is the worst. Leather palms dramatically improve dexterity. Even on my lighter gloves, I go with a leather palm, lightly insulated interior and knit back. The heavier ones are the same except more insulation and a water proofing layer. I’ll add an actual heavy pair if I’m belaying and/or if it’s really cold. Or if I know my gloves are going to get really wet, either from sweat, snow, or water, I’ll pack a third pair of either the light or mid-weight depending on the day.
Always bring a beanie (toque, same thing). Maybe this is a stand-alone hat that is a bit thicker. Or I’ve found that I really like a super thin one that fits under my climbing helmet. Either way this is critical. Even if you’re skiing and have a heavier helmet. Bring one of these to swap into. It feels great and does a lot to keep you warm with a small garment.
Don’t go over-board on socks. Again, modulate it to the circumstances, including what footwear you have for the day. To be honest, in the vast majority of circumstances I find that a relatively thin pair of wool blend ski socks do the trick. That is, unless it’s super cold. In which case I’ll take a heavy pair of wool socks. Be aware though. If your socks are so thick, they start to compress your feet in your boots, it can cut off circulation and your feet might end up colder than without.
Lastly, if I’m going out on a stormy day, I’ll toss in some form of balaclava. This can be crucial to protect your face from cold or from whatever is falling out of the sky.
Water system:
Let’s start to talk about what else is in the pack. Water is a bit of an amoeba in winter. What’s hard to comprehend is that the cold simultaneously makes you more dehydrated and feel less thirsty. Hydration management is just as important in the winter as it is in the summer. But it often overlooked due to this effect.
The traditional options to consider here are hard bottles, soft bottles, water bladders and stoves. Most people, approximately 75%, bring a one-liter hard water bottle or two. Only 18% opt for a bladder in winter. And a tiny 7% choose to bring a stove on winter day trips. I’ve always landed in the two hard bottle category for most days. I love bladders in the summer. And they are feasible to use in the winter, but the risk of a frozen hose isn’t something I want to deal with.
I tend to bring two liters as opposed to one. Even two liters for a full day out is technically insufficient water to stay hydrated. This is at the expense of a very dense pack. It’s winter, so there is naturally more equipment stuffed away in there. But I find the space. There have just been too many times where I’ve hopelessly tried to melt snow in the bottle of an empty Nalgene. PSA: it doesn’t work. Lots of people make due with one liter. I honestly don’t understand how they stretch it over a whole day and still feel ok.
Stove users have the right idea. In summer, you may bring one water bottle and be able to refill it quickly from running water sources. The irony of winter sports is that you’re surrounded by water, but without the right equipment, that frozen landscape has you locked out. With a stove you can refill. The downside is that unlike quickly filtering some water from a stream. A stove takes a significant amount of time and tinkering to melt water. That’s time to get cold. Time to make friends grumpy. Time away from doing what you got all the way out there to do.
The VASSR bottle was built so that you never have to worry about water again. It's your tool to unlock the frozen landscape and ensure that you always have the right amount. It’s a battery-powered bottle that melts and purifies snow while you play. It combines the best attributes of a single bottle and a stove. Minus the hassle. Start with it full. Drink liberally. And when you’re ready for more, use the shovel to load snow into the bottle. Turn it on with the glove-friendly, single button design. Throw it in your backpack. And keep enjoying your day. In minutes, it will have melted and purified your next round of water. It will help you maximize your own hydration and can also serve as a backup water supply for you and your friends.
This topic carries a significant amount of personal preference. I built VASSR because after years of struggling with the insufficiencies of traditional water systems, I wanted to make something that met my needs. If you prefer to run a bladder or are perfectly happy with one liter of water, more power to you! Equally, if you want to count every gram and take the lightest, soft bottles you can find, count away! I value the flexibility and abundance of being able to drink a lot of water. It helps me perform better and feel like I get the most out of my day.
Food:
Bring food and eat it. Sure, you’re cold and don’t feel that hungry. But you’re out there expending energy and you need to replenish it. I like to bring a blend of a couple bars, a couple gels, some gummies, and usually a sandwich for a proper lunch time.
Helmet & goggles:
Helmets are cool. I’ll admit to leaving it at home if I’m going for a cruiser ski tour. Or if you are going for a casual snowshoe, you can probably stick with the hat. But nine times out of ten, I’ve got either a ski or climbing helmet in the pack. Just do it.
If I’m skiing in the winter, I bring goggles. I know people who use oversized sunglasses. These work great as a replacement to goggles in spring and summer conditions. But in the winter, I prefer to have that complete barrier.
Other tools:
There are a variety of other gadgets and things you can throw into you pack. I’ll try to keep this fairly generic to what I’ve found to be the most useful items.
Always bring a headlamp. Days are short. Things go wrong. Even if your plan isn’t to start or end in the dark. You’ll be really happy you have this after that wrong turn.
Handheld radios are awesome. If the day’s activity is likely to create space between you and your partners, bring radios. They make communication so much better. And it can be fun to have a chat.
A GPS/rescue device like and InReach or SPOT is never a bad idea. Again, things can go wrong when you least expect them. This has become an integral part of my kit, independent of season.
The snow can have a surprisingly intense effect on your eyes and skin. Bring sun glasses and sun screen. I got snow blind on Mt Adams once. What they don’t tell you is it hurts like hell.
I’m not going to tell you to bring the ten essentials like a boy scout handbook. But bring a first aid kit. Basics like blister care (Compeed! If you don’t know about Compeed look it up. Buy some. Your moleskin & tape is infinitely inferior), small wound care (disinfectant, bandaids, and/or tape) and some basic meds like Tylenol, Advil, Immodium, Pepto, etc. can dramatically improve a day if you encounter some issues. I also consider hand a toe warmers to be part of this kit. I rarely use them (except ice climbing), but I usually throw a pair of each into my kit.
If you are going into the backcountry, knowing how to use a GPS app on your phone can be extremely valuable. I prefer Gaia or CalTopo. Know where you’re going and check regularly to stay on track.
If you’re going into the mountains make sure you bring avalanche equipment when appropriate and have trained on how to use it. Beacon, shovel, probe. I’m not going to spell this all out. But it’s imperative that you know how to mitigate avalanche risks & terrain. If you do it right, you’ll never have to use this stuff. But it’s really dumb to go into the mountains in the winter without knowing what’s up with this.
Sport-specific tools:
These are your skis, split board, snowshoes, boots, crampons, skates, fishing pole, etc. There’s obviously a huge variety of highly specific equipment that goes into each activity. That’s not the topic of this post. But I’m a big proponent of making informed selections on each and every item. Take your time. Do your research. It’s worth it to have equipment that fits you, your interests, skill level and aspirations. If you’re getting into skiing, mountaineering, ice & mixed climbing or snowmobiling I’m happy to chat about what I use.
That’s all for this one. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out! I didn’t include too many specific examples of the exact items I use since there are so many that are very similar. But if you’d like to know I’m happy to tell you. I’d also really encourage you to give the VASSR bottle a try. It’s a divergence from tradition. But if you currently or think you might struggle with the issues I mentioned, it’s a great solution to take your winter to the next level.
