Clothing for Winter
Hiking & Camping
Cold, Hard Facts
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Cold weather exposure one of the leading
causes of death for hikers in the U.S.
About 600 people die every year from
exposure.
20% of the deaths on Mt. Washington since
1849 due to hypothermia.
Just a few hours in freezing, windy weather
can be fatal.
Source: Stevenson, Jason. “Natural Born Killers.” BACKPACKER. October 2008. pg. 32.
Consequences: Frostbite
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Damage caused to skin and
appendages in extreme
cold.
Can set in as high as 32°F.
Blood vessels constrict to
preserve core body
temperature, resulting in
blood loss to fingers, ears,
nose, etc.
Severe frostbite can lead to
gangrene, amputation.
Consequences: Trench Foot
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Occurs when feet are cold
and damp while wearing
restrictive footwear.
Can occur in as little as 12
hours.
Feet become numb, turn
red or blue, then swell.
While treatable, can lead to
open sores, fungal infection,
gangrene, and possible
amputation.
Consequences: Hypothermia
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Drop in core body
temperature, causing
metabolic shutdown.
Can occur in temperatures
as high as 50°F.
Results in confusion,
muscle stiffness,
unconsciousness, cardiac
arrest.
Know and look for
symptoms while on a trip!
#1 Prevention: Proper Clothing & Footwear
If you dress properly and prepare accordingly, you
can safely enjoy the worst winter weather Mother
Nature has to offer!
Cotton: What NOT to Wear
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Absorbs moisture, dries slowly.
Loses all insulating properties when wet.
“Cotton is the work of the Devil”
- Motto of Appalachian Mountain Club
Bottom Line: Do not wear any cotton
clothing on a winter trip. You will be cold,
wet, miserable, and risking hypothermia
in the process. So remember, don’t be a
Denim Dan!
COTTON KILLS!!!
 Notice the jeans
Boots
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Hiking or mountaineering boots are
absolutely essential.
Must be waterproof.
Should have some sort of insulated lining
to provide extra warmth.
Look for boots that have crampon
connections.
If your boots are NOT waterproof: Buy
either Sno-Seal or NikWax and apply it to
your boots. This can be beneficial even
for GORE-TEX lined leather boots which
are wearing out.
PAMPER YOUR FEET!!!
Socks
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Heavyweight wool socks are an absolute
must!
Provide superior warmth, cushioning.
Retain insulating properties even when
wet.
Bring at least 2 extra pair on your trips.
Changing your socks is the first step in
keeping your feet dry.
TIP: Look for liner socks. They are made
of thin synthetics or wool, and wick
moisture from your feet. They also help
to prevent hot spots and blisters.
Gloves & Mitts
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Layer Up! Wear fleece or wool liner
gloves, followed by a
waterproof/breathable outer shell glove
or mitt.
Sweat builds up easily inside your outer
gloves, which freezes quickly once
removed in cold weather. Only wear
them when necessary.
Mitts keep your fingers warmer by
enclosing them in a single chamber,
allowing heat to circulate better.
Neck & Headwear
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Wind-proof wool or fleece caps are good
for retaining heat.
Neck gaiters offer added protection.
Balaclavas give full head, neck and face
protection; highly recommended for
brutal cold and extreme weather.
Headbands offer warmth for ears while
allowing heat to vent from the top of your
head.
Headwear is versatile. Mix and match to
meet the weather and your needs.
STAY WARM! Most heat loss occurs from
the neck up!
Goggles & Sunglasses
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The sun is closer to Earth during our
winter, making radiation more intense.
Glare on days with a clear sky can cause
snow blindness.
Sunglasses with side coverings offer
solid UV protection on sunny days when
traversing over snow.
Goggles offer better visibility during
winter storms and squalls, keeping snow
out of your eyes.
Look for sunglasses and goggles with
100% UV and IR protection.
Layering System
One of the most important aspects of outdoor activities in winter weather is the layering
system, and it varies depending on your level of activity. A hunter in a tree stand all day in
20°F weather is going to be wearing more layers than a hiker heading up a mountain in the
same temperature. Because a hiker’s exertion level is so much higher, too many layers can
actually be a detriment.
Here’s what the pros wear…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JFVN2y4SDg&eurl=http://marmot.com/fall_2008/mens/outerwear/shells/exum_jacket/info/video&feature=player_embedded
Level 1: Base Layer
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Acts as a second layer of skin.
Usually polyester, silk, or wool.
Wicks moisture, dries quickly.
3 tiers: lightweight, mid-weight,
expedition weight.
Lightweight is ideal for hiking due to
better performance at high exertion levels
in cool temperatures.
Mid-weight better for colder conditions.
Heaviest base layers only necessary
when level of activity is low, or if the
mercury really bottoms out.
Look for features such as ¼ zip necks,
and (for guys) a working fly.
Recommendations: Under Armour
ColdGear, Patagonia Capilene,
SmartWool.
Level 2: Mid-Layer
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Provides added warmth to your base
layer.
Should be a synthetic, breathable,
wicking, stretchy fabric such as polyester.
Can be either a shirt or jacket.
Jackets offer more venting options and
easier on-off.
Bottoms for this layer may not be
necessary due to activity level.
Look for features such as chest pockets,
thumb holes, full-length zipper, etc.
Recommendations: EMS Power
Stretch SYNC Jacket & Tights.
Level 3: Inner Insulating Layer
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Puffy synthetic insulation provides ample
warmth, is highly water resistant, light
weight, and compresses well.
Ideal for inner layers where sweat is
more prevalent.
Fleece works well, but very bulky.
Jacket should be versatile - usable as
either a mid layer or outer layer.
Pants only necessary in extreme cold or
at camp.
Look for features such as water & wind
resistance, pit zips, chest pockets, draw
strings, full side zips (for pants), etc.
Recommendations: Marmot TR6
Jacket, Mountain Hardwear
Compressor Pants.
Level 4: Soft Shell
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Covers all other clothing in a wind-proof,
water resistant layer.
Appropriate for windy conditions, as well
as light snowfall.
Usually has fleece backing, providing a
minimal amount of insulation.
More breathable than hard shell.
Pants work well over just your base layer.
Look for features such as pit zips, chest
pockets, draw strings, adjustable hood
(for jacket), etc.
When combined with levels 1 & 2, you’re
set for most weather.
Recommendations: Marmot Sharp
Point Jacket & Scree Pants.
Level 5: Hard Shell
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This is what you wear WSHTF.
Provides complete weather protection for
your inner layers.
Should be constructed of heavy duty
nylon, with a high quality
waterproof/breathable membrane.
Jacket should have pit zips, and pants
should have full-length side zips in order
to increase ventilation and easily remove.
Should provide NO insulation.
Look for features such as chest pockets,
suspenders (for pants), draw strings, etc.
Recommendations: Outdoor Research
Mentor Jacket, Marmot Exum Pants.
Level 6: Outer Insulating Layer
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Goose down jackets and parkas provide
unheralded warmth, are ultralight, and
compress well.
Only necessary in extreme cold, or at
camp when activity levels are low.
Outer shell should be wind-proof and at
least water resistant.
Down retains zero warmth when wet, so
reserve only for cold, dry places.
Recommendation: Marmot Ama
Dablam Jacket.
**Unless you’re climbing Everest,
you’ll never need the full suit!
Layer by the Weather
Base
Layer
Mid
Layer
Clear, calm, low-mid 30s
X
O
O
Clear, windy, low 30s
X
O
X
Light snow, calm, upper 20s
X
O
X
Light snow, windy, low 20s
X
X
X
Heavy snow, calm, low-mid 10s
X
X
O
X
Heavy snow, windy, approaching 0°F
X
X
X
X
Clear, calm, -5°F
X
X
X
O
Light snow, windy, -15°F
X
X
X
X
Record Snow, Record Wind, Record Low
X
X
X
Weather Encountered
X = needed O = optional
Inner
Ins.
Soft
Shell
Hard
Shell
Outer
Ins.
O
O
O
O
X
X
Wait a minute…this $hit is
EXPENSIVE!
Total MSRP for recommended
clothing $1,762.00
Outdoor clothing and equipment, especially high-end brands, can be ridiculously
overpriced. College students normally can’t afford most of this stuff.
So…what is there to do?
Tips for Getting Good Deals
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Subscribe to emailing lists of as many outdoor retailers as you can find. They frequently offer sales on high-end
brands, as well as free shipping.
Examples:
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Backcountry.com (http://www.backcountry.com)
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Moosejaw Mountaineering (http://www.moosejaw.com)
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Eastern Mountain Sports (http://www.ems.com) ***EMS offers 15% off full price items to college students.
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Recreational Equipment, Inc. (http://www.rei.com)
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Campmor (http://www.campmor.com)
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Mountain Gear (http://www.mountaingear.com)
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Summit Hut (http://www.summithut.com)
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Altrec (http://www.altrec.com)
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Peak 62 (http://www.peak62.com)
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Travel Country (http://www.travelcountry.com)
Check out the outlet sections of these Web sites. You can find some high-end clothing and gear for up to 50% off!
Steepandcheep.com
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Steepandcheap is a Web site that sells one item at a time until it’s sold out, then brings in a new product.
The good news? Everything is anywhere from 50% to 80% off!
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http://www.steepandcheap.com
Look for similar clothing offered by brands other than the Big Four (The North Face, Marmot, Mountain Hardwear,
Arc’teryx). Clothing made by EMS, REI, L.L. Bean, and Cabela’s is high quality at a lower price.
Check out eBay – you can find tons of new and used clothing for fractions of the full price.
Things to Remember
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BE PREPARED!!!
Only wear the layers that are necessary for YOU!
Keep your extra layers on hand…weather in the mountains can change
at any time!
Have fun, and stay safe!!!