I’m less thrilled to be outdoors in the winter than I am in the summer, but the right layers do help immensely. Over the years I’ve learned (by trial and error) some basic strategies for layering for winter running, skate skiing, classic Nordic skiing, and hiking. I will dispense some of this wisdom here.
I’ve broken down my layering system by sport, but unless you work in the outdoor industry or have an outrageous budget for athletic apparel, you don’t need fully different clothes for every sport. With that in mind, I’ve added an *asterisk* next to the most versatile layering items for winter activities. These are also listed at the bottom.
Our goal with Backpacking Routes is not to shove affiliate-linked “advice” in your face and encourage you to buy gear you don’t need. Rather, this is the honest information about the gear I’ve been using this winter for my outdoor activities, and whether it would make sense for you as well. A lot of this gear isn’t affordable for many people, and I received many pieces as test samples. With that in mind, I’ve offered comparable alternatives for the different layers for the most expensive items.
Note: My footwear doesn’t change in each category. I wear the Altra Lone Peaks with Kahtoola MICROspikes (my HOKA Speedgoats are too voluptuous to comfortably wear with traction) and these mid-weight Swiftwick socks for winter hiking, running, and Nordic skiing.
Clothing for Winter Day Hikes
Winter Hiking Layering Overview
Winter hiking can be hard to layer for. You’ll definitely want to carry a small backpack for stashing layers on longer hikes. I’m usually sweating going uphill and freezing going downhill, so it’s worth carrying a pack to avoid the ol’ lumpy waist tie.
Also! These recommendations are for chill, snowy trails with some elevation gain—no more than a half-day. These are not for exposed peakbagging or extended backcountry excursions. With that in mind, for this type of winter hiking I wear a wicking base layer top, an insulated vest, and a light jacket. I can also pack a jacket if I’ll be hanging out outside for a while. Running tights are fine. For bigger peakbagging days in the Northeast, I’d also be wearing the Ortovox outer shell pants (listed in Classic XC Skiing) to protect from exposure.
For accessories, I wear whatever cute knit mittens and beanie my mom sent me for my birthday this year.
*Base Layer Top: Tracksmith Brighton Base Layer
This Tracksmith layer is wicking, breathable, and snug enough that it fits easily under a few layers without looking wildly unflattering. While this is a super nice shirt, you don’t need to spend $80+ on a base layer. Any on-sale merino base layer will work fine. Clearance at a local department store is clutch, and I’ve listed one below on mega clearance from Sierra Trading Post.
Save: Liv Outdoor Kora Base Layer. This basic base layer isn’t merino (those are hard to find cheap), but it’s on clearance and treated with Polygiene so it stays stink-free longer.
Vest: Something from Costco Five Years Ago
I can’t invent a cooler listing here. I’ve been wearing the same down vest I got from Costco for $15. For this category, look for a thin, packable, lightweight down vest. You can splurge on this Sierra Designs model, or you can go to Costco and hunt down the updated version of my vest that’s lasted longer than most of my name-brand gear.
Active Insulated Jacket: Black Diamond First Light Hoodie
I actually have a similar jacket (discontinued) from Marmot, but this is the closest inline model I could find. I like a winter hiking outer layer that has a protective face fabric and insulation I won’t sweat out in if I wear it while hiking. This model has Primaloft insulation in the core, and warm-but-breathable merino panels under the arms. My friend wears this skate skiing and on other high-output activities and can attest to its versatility and warmth.
*Pants: Brooks Method 7/8 Tights (*if it’s not too cold)
These are my go-to pants for this year for moderate-temperature hikes (more used for running, listed below), but if it’s going to be colder, I like to wear merino tights for moderate day hikes. Here is a warmer men’s pair from Smartwool, and a wind-resistant pair for women. This all depends on the temperature. Sometimes the basic running tights are adequate, but if it gets below 20 degrees at the trailhead, I’m opting for something warmer.
Clothing for Winter Running AND Skate Skiing
Winter Running / Skate Skiing Layering Overview
I had a meltdown trying to make these into two different categories without being completely redundant, but it turns out I layer almost identically for these two sports. Skate skiing has a high cardiovascular output, and since I’m a Bad Runner, running = high output for me as well.
You’ll want to start a little cold for skate skiing and running, and have the option of tucking a hat or gloves into pockets if you end up overheating anyway. I wear running tights for both sports, then a wicking top and a wind shell. Thin gloves and a versatile gaiter or half-Buff round it out.
*Pants: Brooks Method 7/8 Tights
I just got these tights this year. I love the fit, but I haven’t tried them backpacking so I can’t attest to how they hold up under a hip belt. I’ve been wearing them for running, day hiking, and skate skiing. They have the high waist, light compression, and easy fit I want from running tights, and they don’t slide down or bunch on runs. Brooks makes men’s tights too, found here.
Save: 90 Degree by Reflex Tights. I love the fit and feel of these tights. I find them at TJ Maxx for $10-20!
Shirt: Brooks Dash Half-Zip Top
I would call this a combination base / mid layer. If you’re looking for a next-to-skin layer that isn’t merino, this is a solid option. It doesn’t have the cold, slippery feel of other synthetic base layers, and it comes with longer sleeves and thumb loops for people like me who rate thumb loops as one of the defining features of any shirt. This is a nicely fitted top that can layer under a wind shirt and a down vest if it’s truly frigid outside. Here’s the men’s version in a Cool Dude’s Blue. (Mine is hot pink which brings me great joy.)
Save: Icyzone (???) Quarter-Zip Top: I cannot attest to the longevity of this top, but it does have thumb holes and it does cost $21. I vote for the likely nicer construction of the Brooks top, but also I know that name-brand prices can be prohibitive.
*Wind Jacket: Patagonia Houdini
Any similar wind shirt will do. I have a few wind shirts and I don’t notice a big difference between them. It’s nice to have one around though—it’s a 3-ounce layer I wear for skate skiing, hiking, and running. You can throw it in your pocket if you don’t want to wear it right away. If I had to choose, I’d go for the Arc’teryx Squamish Hoody, but it’s not as readily available as the Houdini. Here’s a men’s version with limited sizing.
Headband: Hightail Designs Gaiter
I drop this around my neck if I get hot, but mostly wear it around my ears. There’s a lot of material here, plenty of insulation to keep your ears warm without overheating with a head covering. This is a Buff-style tube, and can also be twisted into a not-sexy hat if you do want the head covering.
Gloves: Nathan Reflective Running Gloves
I just got these this winter, and they’re fantastic. For my moderate in-town runs, these streamlined gloves have been working great, and they are touch-screen compatible so I can make sure that every time I go outdoors, I am able to document it for my unfortunate addiction to proving my continued relevance on social media.
Clothing for Classic Cross-Country Skiing
Classic Cross-Country Skiing Layering Overview
Out of all of the winter outdoor activities I do (except downhill skiing) this is the activity when I’m most likely to be cold. There are ways to get your heart rate up with classic cross-country skiing, but I’m so slow and clumsy that I rarely get winded, which means I need to dress warmer.
Classic cross-country skiing can take you way into the boonies, so I like to be prepared with more layers. The trails I frequent for classic cross-country skiing are up in a canyon, where the temperatures can be 10 degrees colder than town. If the trail is flat, I’ll wear an active insulation layer, a mid-layer, and a wicking base-layer. On the bottom, I wear a heavy pair of base-layer pants, plus a waterproof pants with articulated knees. I wear heavier gloves or mittens, a hat, and merino-blend socks. This amount of layering isn’t necessary for in-town excursions, but if I’m heading way out of town, it’s a solid strategy.
Base Layer: Janji Runterra Shirt
This is a slim-fit long-sleeve shirt that’s actually made mostly of cotton, but has this built-in ingredient from tech company 37.5. The 37.5 polyester is made from volcanic ash composites, and works to regulate your body temperature. Janji gear fits me well, and this thermoregulating shirt works for a range of activities. (Bonus fun fact: I used to write for 37.5, including this one where they assigned me an absolutely inane title I had no idea what to do with.)
Save: Any basic, wicking long-sleeve tech shirt. This one starts at $5
*Mid-Layer: Appalachian Gear Company All-Paca Fleece Hoodie
This layer is perpetually sold out, but if you can get your hands on one of these fleeces, you should. This is my go-to mid-layer for backpacking, low-output winter sports, and I wear it for downhill skiing. Jeff runs, skis, hikes, and lounges around the house in his. Neither of us really ever take them off. The remarkable alpaca fibers trap heat without getting clammy, it never smells, and it stays comfortable in a wide range of temperatures. I find it a bit itchy to wear without a base-layer, hence the long-sleeve listed above. These also run big—I’m a women’s medium usually, but I wear a small in this hoodie.
*Insulation: Jack Wolfskin Tasman Jacket
This is my favorite new layer this winter. The Tasman Jacket is an “active” insulation layer, which means it’s more breathable than wearing a regular down coat and sweating in it. I wear this jacket hiking, classic Nordic skiing, and even skate skiing if it’s cold enough outside. It has an insulated core similar to a down vest, with sleeves and side panels made of a breathable, stretchy material that dries quickly and vents well. It’s not bulky, has a mid-fit hood, and wind-resistant face fabric on the core to help buffer against blowing wind. I don’t have a “save” option for this jacket because I was looking for this exact type of layer, this one fell into my lap, and I am not familiar with comparable jackets. Men’s version here.
Base Layer Pants: Ortovox Fleece Light Long Pants
These are the warmest tights I own. I’ll be packing them for my next winter peakbagging trip in New Hampshire. These are made from a finely woven merino and a waffle structure for added warmth without weight. The fibers are so fine that they aren’t itchy next-to-skin, and these are quite a bit warmer than my next-warmest pants. I wear these combined with the outer layer below, and the combination is breathable and wicks sweat while maintaining insulation.
Outer Layer Pants: Ortovox Westalpen 3L Light Pants
These pants are lightweight, breathable, and super durable. If you want a pair of pants for technical alpine expeditions, protection from wet snow, alpine tours, and epic peakbagging, these are them. They zip all the way from top to bottom, and have easy-to-use zippers on the leg that I can stash a snack and phone in. These are baggier than just wearing tights, which makes them perfect for classic cross-country skiing. The classic stride doesn’t require a lot of lateral extension (unlike skate skiing), and I’m often in snowier areas or under trees on these trails, which necessitates a waterproof outer layer. These are also the pants I would wear for extended peakbagging in the winter. I got them with exposed White Mountain hiking in mind before my trip was canceled (thanks Covid!). They will be coming with me when I finally get back there for winter expeditions.
Save: REI Co-op Essential Rain Pants. These are a super basic pair of rain pants for $60. These won’t be as breathable as the Westalpen 3L Light Pants, but they’ll do a good job protecting you from snow, wind, and rain.
If You Have One Winter Clothing System!
Congrats on making it this far! I hope some of this was relevant and useful. Like I said, you don’t need a separate outfit for every outdoor winter activity. The best thing to remember is that you’ll need a base-layer, mid-layer, wind / precipitation protection, and some sort of insulation on top. Protect your head and hands, then add running tights and an optional additional wind protection on the bottom, you’ll be all set for a variety of non-technical winter activities.
Here’s my recommended winter layering system. Mix-and-match depending on conditions, flavor of sport, and duration of outing. Remember that these are just the items I’ve been wearing this year—there are plenty of cost-friendly comparable items that will do just as well as what I’ve listed.
Base-Layer: Tracksmith Brighton Base Layer
Mid-Layer: Appalachian Gear Company All-Paca Hoodie
Pants: Brooks Method 7/8 Tights
Wind Shell: Patagonia Houdini (or similar)
Insulation :Jack Wolfskin Tasman Jacket
Head Protection: Any Buff, gaiter, or beanie
Socks: Swiftwick Pursuit 6
Hand Protection: Running Gloves to cute mittens, depending on activity