The Best Hiker’s Guide to Cold Weather Layers for Women
Looking for quality cold-weather hiking layers to wear during the winter? In this post, you’ll find advice and recommendations for hiking layers for women to stay comfortable and safe while hiking in cold weather conditions. I’ll cover topics such as layering, choosing the right fabrics, and selecting appropriate accessories for a winter hike.
Growing up in upstate NY, I’ve learned a lot about winter activities and how to stay warm and dry during them! Half the battle for staying warm in the winter is staying dry. If you are wet—either from the snow or from your own sweat—your temperature can drop rapidly if you’re not careful, which can be a major safety hazard. Opt for cold-weather hiking layers that wick sweat, which will keep you from getting cold.
Note: This blog post covers my favorite cold-weather hiking layers, but be sure to check out this one, where I cover all of the gear essentials you need when hiking in cold weather.
Disclaimer: Some of these links are affiliate links, and I’ll earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them at no additional cost to you.
Table of Contents
Cold Weather Hiking Layers: The Ideal Layering Strategy
Depending on your location and weather, these can change slightly. We barely get any sunshine in northern NY, so it is very cold and doesn’t usually get warm. Colorado winter hikes can often get warm, so I like to layer a tank top as my base layer that I can wear if I get really hot! Adjust to where you are and how your body does with cold temps.
For most winter hiking, you’ll want to wear 3 top layers (sometimes I wear 4-5), but it’s important to know about your 3 main layers. These will be your base layer, Mid layer, and outer layer. For your bottom half, I often do only 1 or 2 layers. Base layer and outer layer. The base layer can be either a hard shell(waterproof) or a soft shell. Most of the time soft shell will be better. I only wear a hard shell when it is raining a ton or snowing a ton.
The Essential Role of Layering and Delayering
Listen to your body! I start hiking with every single layer I bring. Especially if it’s below 30 degrees. They are all on. After about 10-15 min I can tell my heart rate is increasing and my body is creating heat. Usually, I will shed my hard rainshell at this point. When I start a good incline, I will often take my hat off and maybe even my puffy. This helps to keep me from sweating in my base layer. Which is crucial for staying warm on a long winter hike. If I start to sweat in my base layer too much, I will end up wet and possibly cold from the moisture.
Yes we will all sweat a little but the goal is to delayer as soon as you feel warm enough too. You can always layer back up as soon as you cool off. After I get to my “peak,” or if I stop at my viewpoint for more than 5 minutes, I am going to put all of my layers back on as soon as I start to cool down from the hiking.
Breathable, Insulated, and Quick-Drying Matters!
Wool blends, nylons, polyester, bamboo, spandex, down, and synthetics are your best friend. You are looking for clothes that wick moisture from your body, insulate your body, and also let your body breathe. These materials are meant to dry faster, so you don’t turn into a frozen popsicle if you fall into some snow/get wet. Definitely no cotton, yes this means no to regular comfy cotton hoodies.
Cold Weather Hiking Layers: Top Base Layers
Kari Traa Rose Base Layer 100% Merino Wool
High $$$
Kari Traa base layers are extremely popular, and for good reason. They are a women-owned company, and they only make clothes that work really well for women in the outdoors. The material is a 4-way stretch that is super comfortable against your body. This base layer is considered a midweight layer, perfect for freezing temps and snow sports!
REI Co-op Merino 185 Base Layer Top
Mid-range $$
REI knows its stuff. They are always trying to come out with a very useful product for the people! This is one of them. They are more affordable than a lot of other merino wool base layers but still come with the same comfortability and quality. This particular one is a “lightweight” base layer, which is great for all active winter activities. It won’t be as warm as the mid-weight, but it is almost better for an active hiking, snowshoeing, or running trip where it will not constantly be below freezing.
Thermal Fleece Lined Base Layer
Budget-friendly + at-home items
These are long underwear-style base layers. They are 92% Polyester and 8% Spandex. This means they should have great stretch, should be dry quickly, and do some sweat-wicking from your body.
At home, you’ll find this material combo in most leggings. You can always use leggings you have at home if they are made from good, quick-drying material. If you have a lightweight gym long-sleeve shirt that is also this style, feel free to use that as your base layer top.
Cold Weather Hiking Layers: Top Mid-Layers
High $$$
These are fully customizable hoodies made from recycled Polartec microgrid fleece fabric. They are perfect as a mid-layer in the backcountry and a cozy layer on the couch. I own one and it’s incredible how cozy and warm it is!
The Squak Women’s Fleece Mid-Layer Grid Hoodie
Mid-range $$
This mid-layer hoodie is probably the best-priced gridded hoodie I’ve personally found. It’s not as warm as some of them, but it’s super breathable and comfy. I wear it trail running a ton and have taken it backpacking.
GIMECEN Women’s Lightweight Full Zip Soft Polar Fleece Jacket
Budget-friendly + at-home items
For a mid-layer, you want to look for a fleece. They should be breathable yet warm. The main con of this layer is that it is usually slightly heavier than a gridded hoodie and less breathable because it doesn’t have the same airflow that the grids provide.
At home- If I was on a tight budget, a regular fleece from the closet or thrift store should work fine for a while! Look for tags that say synthetic/fleece that is made from polyester not cotton.
Cold Weather Hiking Layers: Top Outer Layers
Sierra Designs Whitney Down Hoodie
High $$$
I cannot argue with Sierra Designs down jackets! I’ve owned two and have loved them both so much! They are extremely warm and light-weight. This jacket is made with 800-fill DriDown. I love the color a ton and get many compliments.
Forclaz Women’s MT100 Down Puffer Jacket
Mid Range $$
I love a lot of Decathlons gear and clothes. They are a European company that puts out affordable gear! It is rated to be comfortable between 23°F and 41°F. It is filled with “ethical down with a fill power of 800.” I personally own it and am a huge fan of the warmth for the price! Decathlon tends to run small, so if you are near a border, always size up!
Outdoor Ventures Women’s Packable Puffer Jacket
Budget-friendly + at-home items
I personally don’t own this jacket, but the rating is very high. It is 100% polyester, which is a common type of material for an insulating jacket. This jacket features water-resistant fabric, which will keep you dry on a light rainy day. The fabric should work well and keep you warm!
At home—If you don’t already own a down jacket at home, look for a synthetic one or make sure to wear a good rain jacket with two mid-layers. Always keep an eye out for them at thrift stores, though!
Cold Weather Hiking Layers: Bottom Base Layers
Kari Traa Rose Base Layer 100% Merino Wool
Budget-friendly + at-home items
Just like I said above Kari Traa base layers are extremely popular and for good reason. They are a women-owned company, and they only make clothes that work really well for women in the outdoors. The material is a 4-way stretch that is super comfortable against your body. This base layer is considered a midweight layer, perfect for freezing temps and snow sports!
REI Co-op Merino 185 Base Layer Bottom
Budget-friendly + at-home items
Mid Range $$
Like I said above. REI is always trying to come out with a very useful product for the people! This is one of them. They are more affordable than a lot of other merino wool base layers but still come with the same comfortability and quality. This particular one is a “lightweight” base layer, which is great for all active winter activities. It won’t be as warm as the mid-weight, but it is almost better for an active hiking, snowshoeing, or running trip where it will not constantly be below freezing.
Thermal Fleece Lined Base Layer
Budget-friendly + at-home items
Like I said above, these are long underwear-style base layers. They are 92% Polyester and 8% Spandex. They have great stretch, should be dry quickly, and do some sweat-wicking from your body.
At home – You’ll find this material combo in most leggings. You can always use your home leggings if they are made from good quick-drying material. If you have a lightweight gym long-sleeve shirt that is also this style material, feel free to use that as your base layer top.
Cold Weather Hiking Layers: Bottom Shell Layers
High $$$
I do not own these, but they are highly rated by REI and look super comfortable. They are made of water-resistant soft shell fabric with a “durable water repellent treatment that repels light rain and is wind resistant to 35 mph.” Sounds pretty good to me.
Mid Range $$
These are my go-to trail pants right now! I have a hard time finding pants that I like because I want them to be extremely lightweight and breathable yet can be used to keep me warm during the colder temps.
Baleaf Women’s Hiking Pants Quick Dry
Budget-friendly + at-home items
I still wear these hiking pants! They dry extremely fast and are also very lightweight. I think the trail-made pants above are just a little bit warmer, and I like the Botton waste instead of these drawstring ones. I think they are great hiking pants for the price. Be sure to size down because they tend to run a little loose!
At home, I could only think of synthetic material workout pants. Or maybe an old pair of loose, quick, dry gym pants. These are definitely more unique to have on hand. You can always opt for two leggings. Just make sure they are too tight or cutting off any circulation!
Cold Weather Hiking Layers: Hands & Feet
Base layer gloves
You can easily keep gloves on while doing things like getting snacks out, taking photos, or tying shoes. These aren’t going to be waterproof, so keep that in mind and take them off when needed, or bring a second pair. Even a cheap pair you already own will work great for this layer. They come in multiple colors.
Waterproof Mittens
These are for super snowy or below-freezing days. If your hands run cold, you’re going to want these all the time in the winter! They should be on your wrist at all times and taken off whenever you need to use your fingers, haha. I run warm until we stop at the top, or if we stop for a snack mid-hike, I’ll need to throw these on.
Darn Tough socks have been around for a long time and they have been so amazing for me for all hiking activities. They come in multiple colors, lengths, and cushion sizes. I really love this company because they have a lifetime guarantee for their socks and truly mean it! It is easy to do that when you make such a high- quality product.
I am someone who will randomly, out of nowhere, get blisters or have foot problems. These socks have changed my long-hiking game completely. I wear them for running, hiking, and backpacking. I immediately saw an improvement when I started wearing these socks. They aren’t for everyone but they helped me a ton.
I love this hat mainly because I don’t overheat while wearing it, and it comes in so many cute colors!
I hope this list on the best cold weather hiking layers will encourage you to get outside and enjoy all that the cold season has to offer! For more winter hiking tips read my winter hiking “gear” essentials list here!
