The temperature on a fourteener in January can drop to -30 degrees Fahrenheit, and that isn’t even taking wind chill into account. In such a cold environment, dressing warm isn’t just an issue of comfort. It’s a matter of life or death. Layering your clothing is a tried and true method. By providing flexibility to add and remove layers as the temperature warms or cools, you can adapt constantly and keep warm without beginning to sweat or suffer.
Here is a complete guide to dressing for winter 14ers with a focus on layers. I also share a few recommendations on my own favorite clothing for winter hikes and climbs.
Winter Hiking Layers: The Fundamentals
Everyone uses a layer system that works best for them. However, there are a few general layers that everyone uses. They form the core of any clothing system for mountain adventures in the winter. From there, people add more layers where they feel they need them. Here’s a run-down on the essentials:
- Base Layer. This is the bottom layer worn directly over your skin. It is often a merino wool or spandex material that wicks sweat away from your body so it can be sweat off instead of pooling and creating humidity. Avoid cotton base layers, which do a poor job at this.
- Mid Layer. Mid layers vary considerably according to personal taste, with some people preferring wool, others synthetics like fleece. Most mid layers balance warmth with mobility, perfect for cool weather where just a light sweater will keep you warm.
- Hard Shell. A hard shell is a waterproof exterior jacket, often the topmost layer warn above all others. It keeps rain and snow out so you remain dry underneath. It is also usually wind-resistant, making it ideal for cold and windy days even without moisture.
While some people rely on these three basic layers, most people (including myself) wear 4-5 layers while in true winter conditions, adding and removing them throughout their climb as required.
Additional Essential Clothing Accessories
Layers keep your core warm, but they do little to protect against frostbite on your extremities. To keep your face, ears, fingers, and toes nice and safe you will need the right gloves, socks, and other accessories. Here are a few to always keep with you while dressing for winter fourteeners:
1. Winter Mountaineering Socks
Check out these excellent winter mountaineering socks from Smartwool.
2. Warm Gloves or Mittens
Click here to check out my favorite waterproof winter weather gloves.
3. Hat or Face Mask
4. Snow Goggles or Glacier Glasses
Click here to see the Julbo pair of glasses I use during winter.
Your Gear is Only Helpful if You Bring It With You
Often times you may go several trips without using a piece of gear. For example, I run fairly warm and haven’t often needed to wear my warmest mid-layer. However, that doesn’t mean you should stop bringing it with you. The margin for error is very small in the winter, when even a small risk can snowball into a life-threatening emergency. Keep every bit of extra gear with you, as when you do need it, you will want it more than anything.
Base Winter Hiking Layers: My Three Recommendations
Here are several specific choices for a winter base layer, depending on your personal taste and needs.
1. Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer Bottoms
2. Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Crew Base Layer Top
3. Smartwool Classic All-Season Merino Base Layer Long-Sleeve Top
Winter Hiking Layers: Mid Layer Recommendations
These mid-layer options provide warmth and insulation but are still sleek enough to fit under heavier and bulkier exterior layers and jackets. Here are three good choices for winter hikes in Colorado.
1. Patagonia Better Sweater Fleece Jacket
See Men’s Price | See Women’s Price
2. REI Co-op Trailsmith Fleece Jacket
3. Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket
Hard Shell Winter Hiking Layers: Three Recommendations
These hard shells cost more than some of my other suggestions, but that’s because they are among the most critical layers. The protect you from the wind, rain, and snow to keep you dry and warm. If you don’t bring a good hard shell jacket with you, your chance of getting cold is much higher. Here are three great options to choose from.
1. Arc'teryx Beta LT Jacket
2. Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Jacket
3. REI Co-op Stormbolt GTX Jacket
Tips for Safe Winter Hiking and Climbing Adventures
Even with the right layers, the mountains are a treacherous place in winter. It takes the right knowledge and skill to make it safely to the summit and back. Here are a few tried-and-true tips to stay safe in the snowy, cold alpine terrain.
- Bring a buddy if you don’t have much experience. It is helpful to have someone you can talk to about route-finding and navigation issues, which come up more when everything is buried in snow. Accidents also happen to even the most prepared hikers, so having someone with you who can help go for help can be the difference between life and death.
- Always check the avalanche forecast before heading into the mountains. Any slope covered in snow could be a potential slide path if you don’t have the skill to differentiate between low and high risk slopes. I highly recommend that everyone who heads into the mountains during winter take the time to get trained in avalanche terrain recognition, avoidance, and rescue.
- Don’t forget to look up the snow status in the area you plan to visit. Use tools like the Colorado SNOTEL system, as well as recent weather forecasts to determine whether you need microspikes, crampons, snowshoes, or multiple types of traction. When in doubt, bring it all, and make a decision at the trailhead once you can see the peak above you.
- A lot of people who climb winter 14ers see others glissading and decide to try it themselves. Glissading is a fancy way of saying sliding down a snowy slope on your butt. However, if you glissade without an ice axe, it is extremely easy to lose control of your speed and careen into rocks below. Never glissade without an ice axe and the skill needed to self-arrest a fall. To learn how to do this, check out classes with the Colorado Mountain Club.
- Wind is annoying in the summer but potentially deadly in the winter. Always remember to check the wind forecast and factor that into your plans. A 32 degree day might seem relatively warm. However, with sustained 30mph winds, the chill drops to 17 degrees. On any day with even limited winds, bring gloves, facemasks, snow goggles, and anything else necessary to cover all of your skin to protect it from the bitter cold.
Dressing for Winter Fourteeners with Winter Hiking Layers: Now You Know!
Planning your wardrobe for a winter hike or climb is less intuitive than you might expect. However, using the layer system simplifies it by providing an easy-to-follow model to copy and then personalize according to your needs. If you have a favorite piece of clothing you like to wear for winter fourteeners, please share it below in the comment section and it might get added above in our next article update. Thanks for reading, and safe travels on the trail!
Additional Resources Related to Winter Hiking Layers for 14ers
If you are looking for more articles about dressing for winter fourteeners, try visiting some of these related links and resources.
