If you’re anything like me, a forecast of freezing temperatures for your carefully-planned backpacking trip just might be a deal breaker.
And on that note, may I introduce to you our most recent backpacking conditions…
Yup, after months of planning, Mother Nature had a good laugh at us.
I’m pretty sure my life was hanging on by a thread when my teenage daughters learned we were going on the hike regardless of the weather prediction. The withering glares they gave me should have been enough to force us to turn the car around as we made our way toward Mt. Rainier, but I’m stubborn and we were meeting up with friends, so we powered forward. I’d post the meme I made with the pre-hike selfie I took, but my girls would likely never talk to me again, so I’m going to exercise a little self-restraint.
While I’ve done plenty of trail running races through miserably cold conditions and am no stranger to spending hours on mountain trails in less-than-ideal weather, this was my first experience camping overnight in temperatures in the mid 20°F range. Luckily, I’m obnoxiously anal-retentive when it comes down to adventure preparation, so we had almost everything we needed to feel comfortable during the trip. I say *almost* because I forgot number 12 on my list.
Here are some items that we brought other than the obvious (like a warm sleeping bag) that I highly recommend if you’re planning a mountain adventure in chilly conditions. Cold weather backpacking isn’t miserable as long as you have the right gear!
1. Appalachian Gear Company Hoodie
I’m obsessed with this hoodie for so many reasons. It’s warm, it’s softer than merino wool, it breathes so it keeps me from overheating when I’m scrambling up a mountain, and IT NEVER STINKS. I mean never.
I am somewhat embarrassed to admit this, but I’ve never washed my All-paca hoodies. Ever. I have hiked, ran, rock climbed, traveled, and practically lived in them for about a year… and I haven’t washed one yet because THEY STILL SMELL CLEAN. And look, before you think that maybe I’ve grown accustomed to my own stench, I actually have an unusually strong sense of smell. I really can’t smell even a hint of B.O. on these!
In fact, a friend of mine put 4,000 miles on hers, never washed it, and had it on display at an event just to show the magic of alpaca fiber.
Yes, I plan on washing them eventually, but I’m also mildly curious just how long I can go without cleaning them.
For this trip, I ended up wearing my hoodie the entire time. I hiked to our destination in it, slept in it, and wore it out of the mountains. It was 28°F when we got back to the car, and I was so grateful I had it.
2. Waterproof Hiking Boots
I feel like this should be a no-brainer-cold-hiking essential, but I’ve made this mistake several times. Waterproof shoes are a backpacking must-have.
Whether you wear hiking boots or trail running shoes, your best bet for keeping your toes from feeling like blocks of ice is a pair of waterproof shoes. Sure, your feet may still be cold, but it’s less miserable than being both sopping wet and cold.
3. Wool Socks
Wool socks are a cold weather backpacking must, and you really need to have an extra pair so that you have a dry set to wear at night if you’re like me and you can’t sleep with cold feet. My favorite are the Balega Blister Resist socks. They’re thick but not too bulky, super soft, and I’ve never gotten a blister while wearing them.
4. Sleeping Bag Liner
I found a couple of silk liners on Amazon for pretty cheap, and both my girls had one in their sleeping bags. I had a thicker alpaca one from Appalachian Gear company that I debated bringing because it’s a little on the bulky side… and I am SO GLAD I brought it. My husband sleeps super warm and didn’t bring a liner, but he was comfortable in his down bag.
5. Packable Down Throw
I packed two inexpensive down throws that I got at Costco last second and they were lifesavers. Two can huddle under one pretty comfortably, and they kept us warm through dinner. My girls’ sleeping bags were not comfort-rated for the temperatures the air dropped to overnight (they were safety rated to those temps, though), so we had them wrap the down throws both under and over their sleeping bags during the night. They both said they were warm as long as the blanket was over them.
6. Hot Drinks
Hot drinks are definitely a cold weather backpacking must! Coffee, hot chocolate, and tea were perfect for thawing out in the evening and for warming up in the frigid early morning temperatures.
Whisky may have also been an adult beverage of choice on this trip.
7. Base Layers
Two words: merino wool. I have sensitive skin and don’t love wearing merino wool as a base layer, but it was too cold outside for me to even notice I was wearing it. I wore an inexpensive merino wool top I got at Costco on the hike in when it wasn’t super cold, then I changed into REI Co-op brand leggings and an old Smartwool top before bed. My hoodie was a necessary nighttime layer. In the morning, I added my hiking pants and down jacket over all of it to stay warm.
My daughters won’t wear merino wool because… well… teenagers. They opted to wear lightweight fleece-lined base layers and were comfortable. I wear the same on warmer trips during cool evenings and have to admit the fabric is definitely much softer. However, merino wool still wins in sub-freezing temps in my book.
8. Wool Gloves
Are you seeing a theme here? Yes. Wool keeps you warm even when it’s wet. I actually had an extra pair of non-wool running gloves with me as well (because I hike with kids and knew someone wouldn’t be able to find their gloves at some point), and the wool gloves ended up being warmer. Wool everything is a cold weather hiking essential!
9. Rain Jacket
I try to be super mindful about weight because I do not like carrying more than 25 pounds when I’m hiking, so trust me when I say an ultralight rain jacket is better than an emergency poncho (which I still always keep in my backpack) if you’re expecting showers or snow.
My favorite is the Cloud Cap Rain Jacket by Eddie Bauer because it packs down super tiny and is unbelievably lightweight. Bonus: this jacket is amazing for any type of travel or adventure that might involve rain. I’ve worn one through Iceland, England, and even canyoneering through insanely cold waterfalls!
10. Beanie
You should always bring a beanie in the backcountry, in my opinion, but it’s absolutely critical if you’re planning a cold weather backpacking adventure.
There are plenty of great ones, but my personal favorite is the one by Appalachian Gear Company. And yes, that name sounds familiar because see numbers one and four on this list. The alpaca wool is soft on my forehead, and it’s comfortable enough to wear all day and all night long.
And no, I’m not sponsored by Appalachian Gear Company… although I wouldn’t say no if they asked (hint, hint!).
11. Buff
I discovered the magic of buffs/neck gaiters when I won one during a raffle at my old running group. It was love at first wear because they are game changers when the temperatures start to drop.
You can wear one around your neck or as an ear warmer/headband. They can be worn around your wrist to wipe your snot when the chill hits your sinuses. They are even small enough to fit in your pocket. However you decide to wear it, a buff is definitely a cold weather backpacking essential!
I’m a huge fan of the colorful ones by INKnBURN. They don’t stretch out and they are slightly thicker fabric than most.
12. Hot Hands Hand Warmers
You know those little packets you throw in your pockets when you’re skiing? Yeah, those. Bring a pair. I thought of them, asked my husband to find them, FORGOT TO ADD THEM TO MY LIST then FORGOT TO ASK HUSBAND-CREATURE IF HE FOUND THEM, and regretted it because my friend was miserable when her hands went numb, which could have been easily avoided.
What have you learned about packing for cold weather on the trails? What items do you consider essential in the backcountry in the freezing temperatures?
For more information on hiking the backcountry, check out my Backpacking Don’ts Tips!