Winter Hiking & Camping Gear

MSR Reactor Stove System

This is my go-to backpacking stove and ESPECIALLY in the winter or at higher altitudes. The wind protection offered on this stove is unmatched!

MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes

MSR makes the best snowshoes, and the women’s version of the Lightning Ascent are lighter and lower-profile but still provide aggressiveness on the snow.

Kahtoola Microspikes

Traction is crucial for hiking icy, slippery trails in the winter, and Kahtoola Microspikes help you maintain your footing when the trails get slick.

Petzl Actik Core Headlamp

You definitely need a headlamp for hiking in the dark, short days of winter, and the Petzl Actik Core is my favorite.

Black Diamond Trekking Poles

I use trekking poles a lot when hiking, and they are especially useful in winter. I highly recommend Black Diamond Trekking poles, and these come with snow baskets for winter hiking.

Nalgene Water Bottle

When the temps are cold in the winter, using a Camelbak or hydration bladder for water is not ideal because the tube can freeze, so a classic Nalgene is a better choice in frigid weather.

Plus, if you’re camping, you can put hot water in the Nalgene and keep the bottle in your sleeping bag at night for extra warmth.

Nalgene Insulated Sleeve

For extra protection to prevent your water from freezing, you can get an insulated sleeve for your Nalgene.

GSI Microlite Thermos

I love bringing a hot beverage when winter hiking, and this flip-top insulated thermos is perfect for keeping tea or broth piping hot.

Katadyn SteriPen Ultra UV Water Purifier

The SteriPen is great for purifying water in the winter when filters might freeze. Just make sure to keep the batteries warm since cold temps can cause them to die quickly.

Hot Hands Hand Warmers

Obviously, hand warmers are a must-have for winter hiking, and Hot Hands are a classic. Buy a bunch and you can stick some in your pack and coat pockets so you never forget them.

pStyle Female Urination Device

When it’s cold out, a pee funnel like the pStyle comes in clutch when you need to pee while winter hiking.

Garmin inReach Mini 3 Plus or Messenger Plus

I always recommend a satellite communicator when you’re hiking in the backcountry, whatever the season, and the Garmin inReach Mini 3 Plus or Messenger Plus are both excellent devices.

Therm-a-Rest Z Seat Pad

A small foam pad, like the Therm-a-Rest Z Seat Pad, is super nice to have when winter hiking so you can sit down when you take a break without having to sit in wet, cold snow.

Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .5 Medical Kit

A small first aid kit is one of the ten essentials you should bring on any hike in winter or any season. This small kit from Adventure Medical Kits is lightweight and takes up very little space in your pack.

Joshua Tree Sun Stick

Don’t be fooled into thinking you don’t need sunscreen in the winter! Snow reflects sunlight and can easily cause a sunburn if your face isn’t protected, so I love keeping the Joshua Tree Sun Stick handy.

Goodr Polarized Sunglasses

You need sun protection for your eyes while winter hiking, too, and Goodr Sunglasses are a great choice for hitting the trails in the winter.

Julbo Explorer Glacier Glasses

If you’re doing mountaineering and glacier travel, Julbo Explorer Glacier Glasses will give your eyes extra protection.

Smith ChromaPop Goggles

For intense winter outdoor travel, Smith ChromaPop Goggles will even more fully protect your eyes.

NEMO Equipment Sonic Down Mummy Sleeping Bag

You’ll need a warm down sleeping bag for winter camping, and the NEMO Sonic down sleeping bag is worth the investment.

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Ultralight Sleeping Pad

This is a great sleeping pad to insulate you from the cold at night when you’re winter camping.

Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Foam Sleeping Pad

A foam sleeping pad can add extra insulation when camping in the winter.

MSR Access 2 Tent

You need a 4-season tent for winter camping, and the MSR Access 2 tent offers excellent warmth for winter backpacking.

Black Diamond Transfer LT Backcountry Snow Shovel

A lightweight shovel might be necessary if you need to dig out a tent platform in the snow when winter camping.

Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills

This book is the bible for anyone getting into adventures in the mountains.

Training for the New Alpinism

This book will help you get in alpine shape for your mountain adventures.

Blue Ice Choucas Harness

If you’re doing glacier travel, you’ll need a harness like the Blue Ice Choucas.

Black Diamond Vapor Helmet

The Black Diamond Vapor helmet is a great lightweight helmet for mountaineering.

Petzl Summit Evo Ice Axe

The Petzl Summit Evo is a lightweight, durable ice axe for mountaineering.

Grivel Evo Leash

Keep your ice axe attached so you don’t drop it with the Grivel Evo Leash.

MSR Snow Picket

A snow picket is necessary to build an anchor for glacier travel and mountaineering.

Petzl Micro Traxion Pulley

A pulley is important for glacier travel and crevasse rescue.

Black Diamond ATC-XP Belay Device

A belay device is a key piece of equipment when you need to rope up while mountaineering.

Grivel G12 New-Matic EVO Crampons

An excellent choice for mountaineering crampons that perform well in a variety of snow and ice conditions.

Oboz Bridger Insulated Waterproof Boots

These boots are perfect for winter hiking in snowy, cold conditions, but not for actual mountaineering.

La Sportiva Nepal EVO GTX Mountaineering Boots

For mountaineering, you’ll need to invest in mountaineering boots which are designed to be crampon compatible and to withstand extreme conditions, and the La Sportiva Nepal EVO are a solid choice.

La Sportiva Nepal Cube GTX Mountaineering Boots

Another option for mountaineering boots are the La Sportiva Nepal Cube, which come in women’s specific sizing and tend to run narrower.

Outdoor Research Crocodile Gaiters

Gaiters help keep snow out of your boots so your feet stay warm, and Outdoor Research makes good ones.

Darn Tough Mountaineering Socks

Warm socks are crucial in winter hiking, so choose wool socks that are made for mountaineering.

Black Diamond Mercury Mittens

The Black Diamond Mercury Mittens will keep you warm while hiking and mountaineering in the winter.

REI Gauntlet GTX Split-Finger Mittens

Split-finger mittens offer more dexterity than typical mittens which is useful when mountaineering.

Black Diamond Lightweight Screentap Liner Gloves

Wear liner gloves under your mittens for extra warmth.

BlackStrap Expedition Hood Balaclava

A balaclava is necessary in extremely cold winter conditions to protect your face and keep your head warm.

Carhartt Knit Cuffed Beanie

A warm beanie is a must for winter hiking.

Smartwool Thermal Merino Reversible Cuffed Beanie

A breathable merino wool beanie is useful when you’re working hard and sweating while winter hiking.

Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket

You definitely need a puffy jacket for winter hiking, and my absolute fave is the Patagonia Nano Puff.

Rab Firewall Mountain Waterproof Jacket

You’ll also want a waterproof jacket to protect you from the elements, like the Rab Firewall.

Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Full-Zip Pants

The Black Diamond Fineline are waterproof pants for hiking in the snow.

Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Quarter-Zip Base Layer Top

I love Smartwool base layers for winter hiking. The thermal merino is heavy weight for cold temperatures, and a quarter-zip top is nice to cover your neck.

Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Crew Base Layer Top

A classic crew neck top is also a good option to have for winter hiking and camping.

Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer Bottoms

Of course, you’ll also need some long underwear bottoms, too.