The Best Hiking APPAREL
fall/winter
Hiking CLOTHES FROM HEAD TO TOE
for Everyone in the family
When cold weather sets in, you need to set out in the best fall and winter hiking clothing if you want your outing to be safe and enjoyable. Which is why we have rounded up all of our favorite hiking apparel for cold weather, because safety first, but fun comes in a close second.
If you’re wondering: “What should I wear hiking in the winter?” or “What should kids wear for a hike in cold weather?” you’re in the right place. We are featuring selections from brands we know well and have tested ourselves time and time again in fall and winter weather, and tested everywhere from 14,000-foot mountains to snowy forests to icy trails. From head to toe, quite literally, here you’ll find go-to family cold weather hiking clothing tested and approved by your very own DGR team.
Here, you’ll find clothing that’s all about layering, you’ll find sweat-wicking and breathable fabrics (because sweating in the cold is no fun and can be very dangerous) and you’ll find outer layers that can repel rain and snow and block that wind chill. In other words, you’ll find hiking clothes that will keep you as comfortable as possible even on breezy fall days or during a true winter chill.
Men’s Hiking Apparel
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Socks: Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew
Warm, supportive, comfortable, and naturally temperature-regulating and moisture-wicking, these are the socks you want on your feet as you log miles on the snowy trail or push for a winter summit. They maintain their shape and snug feel all day long.
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Hat: BUFF DryFlx Hat
Plenty warm but not too thick or chunky, this DryFlx Hat from Buff will release extra heat that builds up as you trek, so you’ll be warm but not hot. And not sweaty. The hat weighs just a few ounces and can be tucked away into a pocket when you don’t need it. And it’s thin enough for use under a helmet, too.
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Baselayer Shirt: Kanji Rover Merino Hoodie
When the temperature drops, layering is essential for safety and comfort in the outdoors, and it’s easy to argue that your baselayer is as important as your shell. This baselayer shirt wicks sweat and releases heat and has a hood and thumb loops that help you control your level of insulation.
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Baselayer Bottom: Patagonia Capilene Midweight
Warm, wicking, and highly flexible, the Capilene Midweight Bottoms from Patagonia won’t slow you down even as they keep you cozy during a long, frosty hike. And of course these sweat-wicking, quick-drying pants also work great for skiing, for trail runs, and more.
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MIDLAYER: Patagonoa Nano Puff Hoody
Yes, we talk about the Patagonia Nano Puff a lot. We also wear these jackets a lot. Like on any given day from September through April. Packable, comfortable, and warm, the Nano Puff can be your outer layer on cooler days and is your ultimate insulating mid layer under an outer shell when it’s truly frigid out there.
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Shell: Columbia Alpine Action Jacket
If you’re headed out into truly wintery weather, it’s a good idea to hike in a jacket that was designed for a different winter activity, namely skiing. You can count on this coat for warmth, complete water-resistance, and excellent flexibility. It has adjustable cuffs, a removable hood, zippered pockets, and a heat-reflective lining.
Women’s Hiking Apparel
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Socks: Columbia Super Soft Micro Poly Crew
Warm and soft, you’ll want to wear these crew socks every day when it’s cold out, and you should by all means were them every time you’re out in the cold. They have enough stretch to stay up all day long and a perfect balance of warmth and heat release.
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Hat: Turtle Fur Cleo Beanie
Warm and soft and great-looking, too, this hat is trail-ready yet also works well in town. The Turtle Fur Cleo Beanie is lined with a plush fleece that adds warmth but also helps wick away moisture, so your temperature stays well-regulated even as you log the miles.
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Baselayer Shirt: Cotopaxi Debajo
The Cotopaxi Debajo Seamless Baselayer shirt is completely seamless, so you won’t experience any friction points even during an all-day hike with a pack on your back. What you will experience is warmth and wicking and comfort. Another thing you won’t face? Odors, which the shirt resists.
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Baselayer Pants: Columbia Omni-Heat Midnight Tights
On milder days, you can hike in these leggings and feel good for mile after mile. On colder says, these tights, which have heat-reflective thermal dots lining the interior, are a perfect layering choice under your wind- and water-resistant hiking pants.
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Midlayer: Patagonia Nano Puff
This packable puffer weighs less than 11 ounces yet it can keep you so warm you’ll feel like a million bucks. A great outer layer in milder weather (it even sheds light rain) and a perfect mid layer in the icy cold, a Nano Puff is a must-have fore the dedicated outdoorswoman. Once you have tried this jacket, you’ll measure all other puffers against it.
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Shell: Helly Hansen Powderqueen 3.0
It’s nothing short of impressive that a jacket can be as warm as this one is while still being slender in profile. The Powderqueen 3.0 from Helly Hansen will keep you warm but it won’t bog you down as you trek (or ski) for mile after mile. It also keeps you dry and has zippered hand pockets, a drawstring hood, and adjustable underarm venting.
Kids’ Hiking Apparel
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Socks: Darn Tough Quest Quarter Hiking Sock
The tight weave of these superb kids’ hiking socks ensures a comfortable, secure fit without friction and rubbing, while the natural wicking properties of wool keep those feet dry and comfy even as your family crushes mile after mile of trail. The tall collar keeps adds insulation on cold days out on the trail and the nature-themed designs keep the wilderness on the mind even when the kids aren’t out in the wild.
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Hat: Sunday Afternoons Graphic Series Beanie
Soft, warm, and charming, this lightweight hat (it weighs all of 2.29 ounces) is a great addition to the wardrobe of your young hiker. The flexible knit of the acrylic fibers means one size fits most, while a polyester lining is cozy and wicking and will help get kids happy about being outside even when it’s cold. Theh hats feature nature-themed scenes patterned onto their exteriors, which will also make them a hit.
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Baselayer Shirt: Patagonia Capilene Midnight Crew
This kids’ baselayer shirt has flat seams so there won’t be any chafing or rubbing as the little hikers charge down the trail, even with other layers of apparel atop the Capilene Midweight Crew. Made from 100% recycled polyester, this kids’ baselayer shirt wicks sweat and releases excess heat, helping young hikers stay comfortable and safe as they adventure in the cold.
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Baselayer Pants: Columbia Omni-Heat Midweight
Not quite so form-fitting as adult baselayer pants tend to be — which allows for some room to grow — these kids’ baselayer pants are plenty warm nonetheless. They feature heat-reflecting metallic dots on the interior, they wick away sweat, and they release excess heat built up during a trek.
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Midlayer: Patagonia Nano Puff
As great a jacket as the vaunted Nano Puff is for moms and dads (and non-mom and dad adults, too) it’s arguably an even better layering coat for kids, because this jacket is so warm yet so lightweight that it will keep them cozy without adding any extra strain in terms of gear weight. And it tucks away in a pack (yours pack…) when needed.
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Shell: Reima Autti Jacket
If it’s warm enough for snow sports, it’s warm enough for winter hiking, and the Autti Jacket from Reima is definitely warm enough for snowy fun. This waterproof jacket is breathable and flexible and it has many adjustable features, like the hood’s closure, the tightness of the cuffs, and the optional powder skirt. The jacket can be cinched tight at the neck in highly windy or snowy conditions.