Winter hiking can be enjoyable, but it’s important to stay warm. This article offers seven tips to help hikers maintain warmth in cold weather. The first tip is to consider ways to retain, produce, or increase heat. This can be done by adopting various strategies that fit the weather, your budget, and the needs of your group.
The second tip is layering. This involves wearing a thin base layer made of wool or synthetic material to draw moisture away from the body. A mid-layer like a fleece or sweater provides insulation, and a waterproof outer layer keeps you dry. The goal is to prevent overheating and excessive sweating.
The third tip is to pack gloves, a warm hat, and extra layers during winter. These items can replace wet layers in case of unexpected rain or accidental immersion in water. The fourth tip is to keep moving. Movement generates heat, so whether you’re moving fast, climbing steep paths, or just continuing on, it helps to stay warm. If you’re moving slower, doing lunges can help.