Winter Hiking On The Cheap: Where To Skimp And Where To Splurge

Hiking is one of the few fun activities that you can do with essentially no gear - just yourself.

Except in the winter. Wintertime hiking requires more planning and a bit more gear to stay safe.

But the good thing is, you really don't have to spend a fortune to prep yourself for a nice 2-4 hour cold weather hike.

Here's a budget-friendly way to get outdoors this winter without breaking the bank - or getting hypothermia.

The usual "short hike" essentials will be the same: high energy snacks, water, day pack, etc. (for my complete "short hike" checklist click here.)

But for the winter, you'll also need: some kind of crampons or snow cleats, a winter jacket (obviously), boots, walking sticks, hiking pants, a scarf, hat, gloves, and (optional) hand and toe warmers, and (optional but recommended) an emergency blanket.

So, what do you really need to spend money on, and what can you look for at the Dollar Store? Here's the breakdown:

SKIMP:

Crampons: Personally, unless you're out there climbing the 4000-footers or thru-hiking the parts of the A.T. in the dead of winter, I don't see the need to spend $100 on crampons. Or even $20 on Yaktrax - or similar products like that.

But you really do need something.

Once again, I headed to my local Ocean State Job Lot (I swear, I get no money for endorsing them!), and found snow cleats that easily fit over my winter boots - for $5! These little metal studs are super useful at helping you navigate tricky patches of snow and ice - even if you are wearing a really nice pair of boots.

Walking sticks: If you've been following me for a while, then you know my fondness for walking sticks (if not, read this post to learn why).

Last weekend, I was fortunate enough to find a pile of freshly-cleared deadfall on the side of the trail. I found a long, sturdy stick to use that hadn't been touched by the snow yet.

However, such sticks will obviously become impossible to find soon.

If that's the case, you might consider purchasing your own lightweight trekking poles. Again, check out Ocean State, Walmart, Ben Franklin Crafts, etc. for a decent set of poles for under $50. I even saw a great deal on a set at a campground general store last year for only $20, so keep your eyes peeled. A trekking pole/walking stick is a definite must have for winter hiking.

Gloves: When I hike, I get very warm. So warm in fact, that I only wear gloves about half the time. It's only when I stop for a break that I begin to feel the cold.

For a short hike, (where I'm not concerned about the amount of weight I'm carrying), I actually bring 3 pairs of gloves.

That's right: 3!

Here's why: One pair are "winter gloves": a wind-blocking, fleece-lined and water-resistant pair...but I still got them at Ocean State Job Lot, so not expensive. And the other two pairs came as a set from the Dollar Store. They're the thin, stretchy kind. One is full-length and the other is cut off at the knuckles.

90% of the time, the thin, full-length pair are all I end up wearing while I hike. When I stop to do something that requires more dexterity (like setting up a hammock - post on this coming soon), I switch to my half-glove pair.

However, on the brutally cold days, if I've been wearing the half-glove pair for too long, and I'm starting to lose feeling in my fingertips, I'll switch to my heavier, winter gloves. And, I can even fit the thin full-length pair underneath, if need be.

Scarf: Some people wear scarves, others like balaclavas or face masks. This is all personal preference. I don't really like face masks because I feel the same way I did when I was a little girl and my sister and I went out trick-or-treating wearing plastic masks with only a tiny slit for a mouth hole. The moisture caused by my breath would always cling to my mask, making me feel sticky. And on a cold, windy day, it'll only make you feel colder.

I use an absurdly long scarf that I tuck in my jacket to prevent drafts from sneaking in my coat. It's also long enough that I could still wrap it around my face if I was really that desperate for warmth.

SPLURGE:

Pants: Everyone seems to wear something a little bit different when it comes to hiking pants, but whatever you wear, it should be waterproof or highly water-resistant, fairly light-weight so it doesn't hinder your ability to clamber up snowy peaks, and it needs to have some degree of wind-resistance, or you won't last five minutes outside on a day when the windchill is 5 degrees. I actually use lightweight, waterproof, wind-blocking ski pants and wear some long-johns or fleece leggings underneath them.

Jackets: For several years, I made do with a winter jacket from Walmart, and on the colder days, I just added extra layers underneath. If you're on a super-tight budget, this will be fine - but only for a short while.

Those 5 degree windchill days I just mentioned? Even with FIVE LAYERS underneath my jacket, it still didn't keep me warm enough to clear an inch of snow off my car, let alone go for a 3 hour hike.

Eventually, you will need to find a jacket with some real winter protection: wind-blocking and waterproof/water-resistant, with some good insulation. Mine is a middle-of-the-road Columbia jacket that I love! It fits all the criteria I listed above, plus it has a big ol' faux-fur lined hood, which is awesome for blocking some of the wind that tries to blast my face.

For your jacket, check the sales first obviously, but expect to pay around $99-$150 for a decent jacket, and more if you want a lightweight jacket with a warmer down fill.

Hat: Until recently, I would have said skimp on this one. Until last year, when I happened to fall in love with a bright and colorful hat (you can easily spot in my photos). I'll be honest, I choose this hat based purely on looks, but I'm so glad I did! Not only does this hat block almost 100% of the wind while I'm outside, it's lined with a super-soft fleece that comes down over my ears, keeping them completely covered and completely warm. It also has braids down the side, which again, I always just assumed was for looks, but actually it's super useful for making quick adjustments if my wandering has shifted my hat, or if a swift wind kicked up and I need to cover my head tighter.

Boots: At the minimum, you really need a pair of waterproof boots for winter hiking. You're going to be trudging through the snow - you don't want wet feet a mile into your hike when it's 10 degrees out!

For a short period of time, you could make do with a pair of $50 or $60 waterproof boots. They won't be warm enough in the long run though, so you'll either have to compensate by using toe warmers or wearing an extra pair of hiking socks - which I wouldn't recommend, because the extra socks can slide around in your boots causing blisters and will probably make your feet sweat more, without properly wicking the moisture away, giving you cold, wet feet - not something you want. Expect to pay anywhere from $125 to $250 for a great pair of warm winter hiking boots.

Once you've got those basics covered, there are a few other items to consider packing:

1. An emergency blanket: for less than $5, this virtually weightless, super-packable aluminum/mylar sheet can be an actual lifesaver if you get disoriented or lost on the snowy trail, and end up wandering around a lot longer than you planned.

2. Hand and toe warmers: in the same vein as the emergency blanket -although slightly less essential - these small heating packs can be helpful if you tend to get cold easily.

3. Coffee/Tea/Hot Cocoa: this one is a bit of a luxury, but also not at the same time. Sipping a nice hot drink always make me feel toastier while I hike. Or, if you've gotten a chill, it's a great way to warm your body from the inside out.

Now that you know what you need and how to stay safe, it's time to get offline and get outside!

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