How do you choose your hiking gear? Taking a hiking trip can happen at any time of the year, provided you have the right clothing. Depending on where you would want to hike, snow hikes comprise of relatively low temperatures that are uncomfortable and might bring injuries and illnesses if not adequately prepared for.
This article will discuss some of the tips and knowledge to help you plan for your next snow hike. The guidance will help you in having the right clothing and gear, explained in detail. Here is what to consider.
1. Research
Researching things online is pretty easy these days and most people know how to navigate Google, using alternative words for the same meaning. There is a wealth of knowledge about different types of fabric, products, lightweight material which is warm and breathes such as merino wool etc. Of course price point plays a huge part in making your decision so sometimes waiting for a discount offer or sale is worth keeping in mind.
2. Reviews
Nearly anything being purchased online has a rating or links to various review platforms, letting protentional customers know about a product or item. Customer to customer interaction is limited to this but it offers an insight into the product, first hand information from a third party. They are normally well rounded, informing people what is good and what is bad about it. The person writing the review isn't associated with the company/product in question and therefore offers a respectable un-biased perspective.
3. Asking Friends
With the above two section in mind, why not ask your friends for their perspective and point of view. Have they bought anything recently they think is simply amazing, for the exact purpose they bought it for? They can provide detailed feedback and answers to your questions should you ask and they wish to divulge. Similarly if you a have friend who works as a shop assistant, in a well known sports shop, they have a wealth of knowledge that's definitely worth exploring. Even if it's just basics, they can point you in the right direction.
4. Buying Brands Your Idols Wear
Remember when you were younger and you used to watch videos of your favourite bands, skaters, skiiers, kayakers, climbers? Well why not have a look what the people at the top of their game are wearing? Ben Wicks pictured has a major influence in the sales of kayaks. Candide Thovex basically put Faction skis on the map. They are now very respectable brand selling worldwide. Naturally their products have got better and better, perfecting their art and diversifying.
5. Avoid Cotton
Your clothing shouldn't be of cotton material. While cotton is a comfortable material, it's not suitable for hiking in wet areas. Why is it so? The reason is that when it gets wet, cotton takes a lot of time to dry up, which can create inconveniences to the trip. It's essential to embrace materials other than cotton to avoid being damp and cold. Experts recommend picking wool and synthetic materials that help keep sweat off the skin other than absorbing moisture.
6. Avoid Wearing Tight Clothing
Thermal layers should be tight round your skin to keep the warmth in. Your other layers however are not recommended to be tight during hiking, since it creates lots of inconveniences. It limits your movements, meaning it will restrict your strides and comfort. It also restricts your blood flow, which can lead to frostbite, and the clothes might be torn due to pressure exposing your body to cold and excessive moisture content. Ensure your clothes and gear isn't too big or too small to limit these inconveniences. Besides the clothing, you also need to check on the boots, wristwatches, bands, cuffs of gloves, and gaiters to ensure everything is of the right size.
7. Sunglasses Are Necessary
Your eyes need protection from strong sunlight and wind during your hiking mission. This situation means that you should consider buying sunglasses with official UV protection that fit perfectly for the task. If there is going to be a lot of wind then even consider goggles. Some sophisticated goggles and sunglasses enable the swapping of lenses depending on weather and occasion. You can get those to avoid having more than one pair of glasses or incurring considerable costs in purchasing the gear. You can ask the gear experts on the right goggles to buy that will prevent your eyes against excessive moisture, sun, and wind.
8. Cover Your Skin
You should not expose your skin to cold climates to avoid freezing and getting diseases such as pneumonia or frostbite. Most people decide against snow hikes due to the freezing conditions, but you can easily hack this with the right clothing and gear that protects your skin. According to gear experts from Premier Outdoor Gear, you can have fleece gloves to safeguard your hands, which are either lightweight or heavyweight depending on your needs and should be in two pairs to exchange when one gets wet. You also require wool socks for your feet, which shouldn't interfere with your boots' comfort. The shoes, too, can be insulated to make them easy to trek on the snow and must have enough treads to avoid sliding or falling while hiking.
9. Consider Having A Headlamp
If hiking during winter or the rainy season, a headlamp is worth a consideration for the mission. Why? During winter, there are fewer daylight hours than nights. You might not complete the hiking before dusk falls. Even if you have done your calculations, it's better to be safe than sorry since you don't know what you might encounter during your hiking trip. Have a headlamp to help you if you spend more time on your journey. The headlamp should always be ready for use with new batteries. It will help you secure your journey back and light your way if heavy clouds limit visibility.
10. Put On Layers
It will help if you put on layers to protect your body against the cold. Layering gets done in three phases, including the base layer, which takes sweat away from your skin, the middle layer, which insulates and keeps you warm, and the outer layer keeps off wind and moisture. These layers must be removable at some stages during your hike to remain comfortable during your journey without sweating out and undergo overheating. You should also not expose your body to strong wind and moisture to prevent hypothermia and other related diseases. You can find all these in online stores according to your needs and preferences.
Summary
In every hiking session, ensure you have the right clothing and gear to avoid injuries, diseases, and other inconveniences along the way. According to reports, most people lose their lives when snow hiking due to adverse weather. You will not want to fall into this category, meaning you have to prepare yourself well for the trip. We hope this article will help you a lot in making the hiking arrangements.
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