How to Dress in Really, Super Cold Weather!
It's that time of the year! Time to go out hiking in the snow! There's really no better time of the year for exploring all that the outdoors have to offer! Snow, great photo shots, and just an all around fun time! However, there is one little problem! If you're not used to the cold, it can get, well, cold! Dang cold!
So what's the best way to dress to have fun in the snow without getting frost bite? Layers and good outdoor gear! That's it! Well let's discuss this further!
Layers
Layers can definitely be your friend. Layers upon layers! It will be very difficult for the cold air outside to push through all those outer layers of clothing.
Yes! Wear thermals underneath, sweats, pants, etc. The only problem is, depending on how cold it is outside, you're gonna have to wear a lot of layers! In fact, if it's below 30 degrees Fahrenheit, you'll probably have to wear like, 5 layers! That's not just impractical, it's also very difficult to even get 5 layers of clothing on your body! Let alone walk around comfortably.
Good Outdoor Gear
This then brings us to our next solution.
Truth is, nothing can beat good outdoor gear. It's true they are gonna be pricey but you'll be thanking me when you realize you only have to wear one layer of clothing and still be warm! Thank the gore-tex gods!
Not just that but a lot of the good gear is made with mobility in mind! Not only do you not have to wear layers but you also can get good clothing that allows you to walk and move freely without 5 layers of clothing bogging you down and making you feel like you're stuck in a bush!
Outdoor Gear Recommendations
So without further ado, here is my list of recommendations for some of the best outdoor gear you'll find for hiking in the snow:
- Jacket: Men's North face Apex Flex GTX Jacket and Women's APEX FLEX GTX 2.0 JACKET. Both of these jackets have a slim fit and are super warm! You just have to look at the specs to see! The jackets have a Gore-Tex shell and are windproof and waterproof. That membrane technology! There's no way any cold is getting in this thing! You could probably survive on the moon with this jacket (don't try that).
- Pants: Men's Columbia Bugaboo II Pants and Women's Columbia Bugaboo Pants. These pants are awesome! They're waterproof, breathable, and designed specifically for mobility and running around!
- Boots: Danner Men's 600 Mountain Hiking Boots and Danner Women's 600 Mountain Hiking Boots. Now these boots are some of the best you'll find! They're waterproof, cushiony, lightweight, and built for hiking rough terrain!
- Gloves: Dakine Men's Titan Gloves Now these gloves can withstand snow and any extreme cold temperatures honestly. They're built with gore-tex, they're waterproof, and insulated. What more can you ask for? Now for women, I gotta go with the Burton Women's Gore-Tex Glove. These gloves are amazing! They're built with the gore-tex, they're waterproof, have a breathable warming tech built in, and have a heat vent pocket!
- Beanie: The North Face Men's Bones Beanie and Patagonia makes some nice beanies as well. I'd recommend the Patagonia Women's Pom Beanie.
- Balaclava: The North Face Women's Underballa Balaclava and the North Face Patrol Balaclava for men. Balaclavas are actually really handy when you're in the snow! If you've ever felt your face get numb from 20 degree weather, then you know what I mean!
- Traction Cleats: Yaktrax for Snow and Ice. If you've never used traction cleats before, you don't know what you're missing! Forget slipping and sliding, these cleats easily slide right over your boots and are like tire chains for your feet! The first time I wore them, I thought it was magic! They're indispensable! These ones are for simple hikes but if you're looking to do some more rigorous hikes, Yaktrax makes some really good ones for different terrains.
Well that sums up my recommendations. Get a good jacket, pants, boots, gloves, a beanie, and a balaclava and there will be little the environment will be able to throw your way that you couldn't handle! Let me know what you think in the comments and below!