Essential Tips for Winter Sports Preparation

Discover essential tips for enjoying winter sports like skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing. Learn how to layer your winter gear, choose the right winter accessories, and find top-rated cold weather gear to keep you warm and comfortable outdoors.

12/3/202411 min read

person in blue jacket and red pants sitting on snow covered ground during daytime

Winter Gear for Staying Warm During Outdoor Winter Activities

Winter sports are great. There are so many cold-weather activities that just cannot be enjoyed at any other time of year. Whether it is winter hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, or any other number of winter sports, there is always something to do out in nature during this time of year. However, if you aren't prepared for the elements, it can become miserable fast! No one likes to be cold and wet while trying to have some fun! The tips in this post will help you prepare for cold weather, so you can stay warm and comfortable no matter which winter activity you are enjoying. Read about layering your winter gear to stay warm, winter accessories that can help you stay comfortable, and get recommendations for cold weather gear with good reviews.

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Base Layer

The base layer is a crucial clothing layer when you are participating in outdoor winter activities. The purpose of the base layer is to wick moisture away from the skin. When you are engaged in outdoor winter activities, it is pretty typical and normal to sweat a bit. That sweat, if it stays trapped against your skin, can actually cool your body temperature quickly. You'll feel cold, damp, and chilled. You'll risk hypothermia at a much quicker rate, and you definitely won't fully enjoy your outdoor fun if you are feeling cold and miserable! A good base layer will avoid all of this!

When choosing a base layer for your winter gear, look for merino wool or synthetic fibers like polyester. How do you decide between the two? Well, it comes down to several factors: breathability of the fabric, fabric care, and the price.

Merino Wool: This fabric comes from the Merino sheep. The wool is fine and soft to the touch. The wool fibers allow for good airflow, making this natural fabric extremely breathable. Merino wool is excellent at moisture-wicking, so your skin will stay dry, even as you break a sweat. The downsides to Merino wool are that it requires a bit more delicate care. No harsh detergents and no putting this fabric into the dryer. However, the material does not trap odors as readily as some fabrics, so it needs to be washed less frequently. Additionally, it typically comes at a slightly higher price point.
Polyester: This synthetic fabric also has excellent moisture-wicking properties. It is less breathable than Merino wool, but it dries quickly, so even if you feel some moisture as you sweat, your skin will soon feel dry again. The fabric is extremely durable and does not require delicate care. It also typically comes at a lower price point.

Note that cotton is NOT a suitable choice for a base layer. It absorbs moisture and it takes a long time to dry. This will trap moisture against your skin and chill you quickly.

Here are a few other tips for choosing a good base layer. First, be sure you select a snug fit. The base layer must be touching your skin in order to wick moisture away from it. A base layer that is too loose will not be able to do its job well. Also, base layers come in varying degrees of thickness and weight.

A heavier-weight base layer is good for extremely cold weather conditions
A mid-weight base layer is a good all-around choice
A lighter-weight base layer is good for milder weather or for extreme activities where you will really be working your body

If you are looking for some good base layer options, check out the list below:

MENS

WOMENS

KIDS

Mid Layer

Next up is the mid-layer, although a lot of coats now have the mid and outer layer together. I'll explain both layers separately, but several recommended options may contain both layers in one product! The purpose of the mid-layer is to store and retain body heat. This typically involves some type of mid-layer jacket or vest. However, don't forget your legs! Look for warm winter pants, like fleece pants or insulated pants.

When choosing a mid-layer, look for warm materials that insulate well. Fleece is a good option. So is down or synthetic materials. There are several things to consider when choosing a mid-layer: warmth, breathability, and the activity conditions.

Fleece: Polyester fleece is an excellent choice for a mid-layer. It is warm, lightweight, and extremely breathable. This is great because the breathability means you are less likely to feel overheated if you are doing high levels of activity. However, the breathability does allow wind to blow right through, which can quickly chill you. This is why it is critical to have a good outer shell when wearing fleece as a mid-layer material. More on outer shells in a bit!
Down: Puffy down jackets can be a good choice for a mid-layer. They are excellent insulators, and they will keep heat near your body. However, down is not good if it gets wet. Wet down material will quickly lose its insulating properties.
Synthetic: Puffy jackets made of synthetic materials can be a great alternative to down jackets. They insulate well, and they continue to insulate if damp from conditions or excessive sweating. However, these jackets can become heavier when damp.

Don't forget the pants! Fleece pants or insulated pants can offer your legs some mid-layer protection.

A few other things to keep in mind are the fit and the weight of the middle layer. You will want a middle layer that is not too tight, but not too loose. The mid-layer should be loose enough to allow for layering and movement. You will want to be comfortable as you do you favorite winter sport! However, the mid-layer should not be overly loose. Overly loose materials will allow cold air to get in and will trap it there. That kind of defeats the purpose! Mid-layers come in varying weights as well. A lightweight mid-layer is good for moderately cold temperatures and high activity levels. Heavier mid-layers are better used for extreme cold or low-level activities where much of your time will be spent sitting or standing.

If you are looking for some good mid-layer options, check out the list below:

MEN

WOMEN

KIDS

Outer Layer

Finally, there is the outer layer. The purpose of this layer is to protect from snow, rain, and wind. It is often thought of as the shell layer because it acts as a shell, protecting the inner layers from the elements. As I mentioned before, some products have this outer layer built in to the product. For example, a warm down jacket may have a protective outer waterproof layer. Separate outer shell layers are often thin and focused on protection, not warmth.

Key things to consider:

Your outer shell needs to be waterproof, not just water-resistant. Water-resistant jackets and pants may keep you dry for a while, but during extended rains or intense storms, you will get wet. Look for a jacket with a high waterproof rating.
Waterproof AND breathable is best. Remember, one goal is to keep moisture away from your body. If your outer shell is waterproof, but you are sweating a lot, that moisture from the sweat has nowhere to go. It is trapped. That can lead to dampness and chills. The more active you will be, the more breathable you will want your fabric to be. Gore-Tex balances waterproofing and breathability well. Some jackets also have strategically placed zippers that allow you to "open up" the jacket's breathability as needed.
Look for a jacket with a windproof membrane to block bracing winds and wind chills.
There are different jacket styles. Hardshell jackets are usually more rigid and less breathable. They are good for heavy rains and snows. Softshell jackets provide a bit more flexibility and breathability. They are good for moderate weather and high activity levels.
If you are not going to be very active, you may want to consider an insulated outer layer. This will add a bit more warmth.
For pants, your mid-layer options may already be insulated and waterproof. If this is the case, you don't need to add another layer. However, if you are planning on being quite active, you may want to consider a base layer with an outer shell pants layer on top. That can provide you another option with warmth and flexibility.

Here are a few outer layer options to consider:

MENS

WOMENS

KIDS

Accessories

In addition to your main layers, you definitely need to think about accessories that will help you to stay warm and dry as you enjoy outdoor winter sports.

SOCKS

When hiking in cold weather or doing another active sport outdoors in the winter, it can be very helpful to layer your socks. Not just any socks will work, though. You will want to choose a good sock liner to act as your base layer, and then a thicker outer sock to trap warmth. The sock liner can be made of merino wool or a synthetic fabric. The purpose of the base layer is to wick moisture away from your feet as they sweat. Sock liners are thin, not thick. You don't want your feet to sweat. Make sure the liner goes higher on your leg than your outer sock. This will stop it from slipping. Your outer sock is meant to trap heat. It can be made from merino wool, synthetic fabrics, or a mix of the two. The socks should not be loose, but they should not be too tight. Compressed feet get cold quickly. The sock should go higher on your leg than the top of your hiking boot to avoid slippage.

Fox River makes a great liner sock.
Darn Tough Vermont makes quality hiking socks that are guaranteed

HATS

You will probably want two hat options because your needs will vary as you change activity levels. A thick hat that covers your ears is essential for cold weather and windy conditions. It will also keep you warm as you first start your activity. However, as you get warmer, you may find yourself heating up and needing to reduce the insulation on your head. In this case, a thin hat that covers your ears is a great thing to have. Some even like to use a headband that covers the ears for those overly warm moments. The key is to keep something that covers your ears, whether it is a thinner hat or a headband. Ears chill very quickly, and it is not fun to have hurting ears, or worse yet, ears that get frostbitten.

GLOVES OR MITTENS

Warm, insulated gloves that have a waterproof but breathable shell will help your fingers to stay warm while you are out enjoying winter sports. Gloves with polyester insulation usually work best. Here are a few additional tips for keeping your hands warm on cold winter days. First, you can layer gloves like you would your clothing. Find a pair of lightweight, thin gloves to wear under your insulated gloves. This will help to keep you a bit warmer. Second, choose gloves with a long sleeve. There is nothing worse than getting cold, wet snow down in your gloves when you are trying to have some winter fun. That is a quick way to get chilly fingers! Finally, if your fingers tend to get cold, opt for mittens rather than gloves. Mittens allow your fingers to share warmth and tend to keep your hands a bit warmer.

NECK BUFF

When it is windy and cold outside, you will definitely want a way to protect your face from the elements! Neck gaiters or buffs come in handy for this purpose. Look for one that will stay in place without you having to adjust it frequently! Also, look for materials that insulate well and that are breathable. Merino wool or fleece are good options.

BOOTS

It is essential that you have good boots when you are out enjoying winter sports. The specific boots that you choose will depend upon your activity, but a good all-around winter boot will be well-insulated, waterproof, and have good traction. Choose boots that are slightly larger than your normal size so you can account for the extra thick socks you may wear. When looking at how the boot closes, opt for boots that lace up or buckle. Slip on boots often let snow and ice in. Consider your typical activities when looking at boot height. Your boots should go above your ankle, to help keep snow and ice out. However, if you plan to be in deep snow, you will want a boot that goes even higher. I'll link in a few good boot brands below. Explore to find the best boot option that fits your needs!

As you can see, there are a lot of things to consider when preparing for winter fun. Product material, fit, weight...it all plays a role in how comfortable you are outside. With the right preparation and the right gear, you can be out enjoying the fresh winter air while engaging in your favorite winter activity!

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