It is always fun to venture out in the snow, but you need to ensure you are prepared for the weather. The last thing you want is to deal with an illness, injury, or just discomfort because of the lack of equipment. You want to dress warmly and ensure you can easily move in the snow, especially if your plans are as active as a snow hike.
Are you ready to get outside and enjoy the snow? Use the following tips to best equip yourself for a snow-heavy day.
Layered Clothing
Start with layered clothing to keep warm while in the snow. Your layers include a base layer top and bottom, an insulating mid-layer, and a waterproof outer shell. There are many websites that give you an idea of what to wear for each layer, from the material to the apparel itself. You also want to include accessories such as headwear, gloves, a neck gaiter, and polarized sunglasses. If you start to feel overheated, you can always remove a layer until you cool down.
Wool Socks
It is better to wear wool socks over thick hiking socks. If you wear hiking socks under your boots or snowshoes, you may cut off circulation and cause discomfort. The key is to stay warm but not uncomfortable. You can still keep warm with wool socks, and there is more space in your footwear to move around comfortably.
When packing your supplies, be sure to add an extra pair of wool socks. This way, you can change if your first pair gets wet from snow or slush. After all, there are few things as uncomfortable as cold, wet socks.
Toe Warmers
You want to avoid cold feet and frostbite as much as possible while walking or hiking in the snow. Otherwise, you could find yourself dealing with health problems later. One idea is to invest in toe warmers, which fit under the ball of your foot.
It takes just several minutes for toe warmers to activate, but these warm little pads last for several hours. The compact design of toe warmers also makes it easier to toss a few packs in your bag because they do not take up much space. You may even want to bring a few packs of toe warmers for yourself and your friends.
Boots or Snowshoes
It is important to look for insulated, waterproof boots that can withstand the snow and cold. Your boots should also be comfortable enough to walk in for several hours. Depending on your destination, you may need to buy snowshoes for your activity. You especially need a pair of snowshoes for an area that is covered in deep snow. In most cases, snowshoes are the only way to comfortably hike in such an area.
When choosing your footwear, aesthetics should take the back seat to comfort and durability. The style of your footwear is not going to make a difference if you are cold and uncomfortable.
Insulated Water bottle
You need to stay hydrated throughout the year, rather than only in warm weather. There is a chance you are going to sweat in your layers at some point, or the dry air may cause you to lose moisture as you exhale.
Use an insulated water bottle to stay hydrated and healthy during your snow hike. You can even fill it with lukewarm water to keep warm in the cold air. One idea is to bring an insulated water bottle with a hot beverage as a treat, but it is important to bring water for lengthy or strenuous hikes.
Other Winter Accessories
There are other accessories you should bring for your snow-day activity. First, you need a day pack for those accessories. Use your day pack for items such as SPF chapstick and sunscreen, lotion, and hand warmers. Of course, you can also place your water bottle, high-calorie snacks, extra wool socks, and toe warmers into the day pack. Additionally, a day pack is useful if you need to remove a layer for a while.
Bottom Line
It is important to take all the proper precautions when venturing out into the snow and cold. If you keep the above list in mind and pack everything you need, you can enjoy your snow-heavy day with little-to-no issues.
