How I Stay Warm Hiking and Backpacking in Cold Weather!

Hey Miranda. I’m an older person and usually only go outside around -10c and above Any tips on a good long John for legs. So far I haven’t found anything and my thighs get so cold. Any tips would be greatly appreciated

Mittens.. run a lanyard between the mittens and loop that to your gear or coat (or drape over your neck if you aren’t afraid of it getting tangled). The lanyard allows you to de-mitten for tasks, keeps the mitten off the ground, and ensures you don’t lose a mitten or three.

I hear too sleep with the clothing you will put on the next day so it is warm in the morning.

Have you considered wearing some thin gloves under your mittens?

My favorite keep warm idea is at night I fill my Nalgene with hot water- put my hot Nalgene in a sock- to insulate and keep the warmth- and use it to keep me warm- either snuggling up in my core area- or at my feet

1 nalgene with hot water in the foot of the sleeping bag and or around your core.

2 sleep with less clothing on! Your sleeping bag is there to capture and redirect heat back to your body. If you have lots of clothing on it will slow and maybe stop that process. If you can... try sleeping nude. If not try shorts and tee or long john underwear.

3 hot foods and drinks! All foods add calories (calorie is a unit of heat) but hot foods add that extra heat that is comforting. Hot juice. Hot jello. Bone broth. Anything high in sugar, fat, and or protein will be helpful. Add butter or cooking oil to your hot choc, or melt in some peanut butter or Nutella.

4 don't hold your pee too long. Of course don't wet yourself. But do go sooner rather than later. It is so hard to get out of that bag at night esp when it's cold. But your body heats that pee and could be reallocated to your organs.

5 stay dry...a no brainer but also...dont bundle up so much that you sweat. Dressing in layers (and using buttons and zips) will help you adjust your clothing and ventilate to keep you dry. Also no cotton. And don't get your down wet at all.

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Get a slim pack for the water bladder and wear it under you jacket. Wear coat and pack above. Water will be warm but never frozen, also helps regulate body heat. You will warm up water during periods of high exertion. The heat will dissipate back out during rest.

Tiny red thing = best
Got it!

I am in my 50's and today was the first day I have every heard about toe covers! I am ordering several pairs. My feet are NEVER warm! Thank you!

When you have to pee, go pee! Your body has to expend energy keeping your urine at a certain temp which steals heat from your extremities. So that means if you wake up freezing in the night, you might be better off quickly leaving your warm sleeping bag to pee. For me it's always worth it.

I have an electronic handwarmer that I tuck into my sports bra which helps me maintain my core temp in cold weather. Rechargeable and my biggest lasts 12 hours.

winter is my favorite time to camp! I don't believe I have that condition that you mentioned, as I've looked it up and my hands and toes don't discolor like I saw under the symptoms, but they do get cold easily, ESPECIALLY my feet. it's been a struggle to keep them warm. if they get cold before breaking camp it's an hour of hard hiking (where the rest of my body is steaming in just a baselayer below 20F before my feet start to feel somewhat normal. My biggest tips are: 1.) a medium thickness wool sock and a thin dress sock are warmer and more comfortable than just a thick wool sock 2.) find a good size waterbottle for fitting your socks over it. when you tuck in for the night, boil some water to put in the bottle. make sure it's secure. put your damp socks over it, one from the bottom and one from the top, then wear dry socks to bed. the heat from the bottle will force the dampness out of them and out of your sleep system, or at least to the edge of the system. 3.) in cold weather below 20F especially if the air is humid, your down quilt or bag can accumulate moisture in its outer layer quickly, even on a 2 night trip, worsening its insulation, and it will be hard to dry. Take a layer other than down to lay over top of your sleeping bag to grab this moisture to save the warmth of your bag. A synthetic jungle blanket is an option that isn't too heavy, or if you want a multiuse object, replace your outer insulation clothing layer with a wool blanket fashioned into a ruana cloak. at night this will do it's secondary job as a sleep system outer layer, making its weight easier to stomach as you're leaving behind a jacket. 4.) even if you rarely find occasion to make a fire, or simply don't love making them (responsibly) like I do, please practice the skills of making one. nothing hardcore, use a lighter and quality fire starters. On one trip after an hour of hiking in the morning in wet frozen boots I still couldn't feel my feet and I felt surely I'd get frost bitten soon if I didn't do something. I noticed quality firewood sticking above the snow nice and dry, and I swear that's the fastest I ever got a fire going in my life. This doesn't apply to being above tree line but if there's wood around and you're freezing, a quick fire can be a foot saver. 5.) know when to bail. if conditions are beyond you and you have the option, swallow your pride. better to cut a trip short and come back stronger next time with better skills and equipment.

sleep with your water filter and maybe some water in your sleeping bag to prevent it from freezing overnight. put your power bank and phone in there too.

always bring an emergency blanket, or 2. they weigh nothing and can be life saving. or just very comfy. ear plugs recommended. air flow too to prevent condensation.

The foam on top of your mattress or even inside the sleeping bag is even warmer. helped me to survive. It can curl around your feet too that way. You might have to cut to shape a bit.

hi Miranda, just going to suggest cuddling with Al Quinn will keep you warm. yes, he is stupid and ugly, but his mitochondria still manages to produce ample waste heat. thanks for your consideration

I get the mittens point, but I really like to use my fingers. One of my favorite items is something I picked up at a rendezvous (I do pre-1840s Rendezvous, primarily mountain man and Colonial). They were period correct and I've found myself using them when not at Rendezvous; which are wool fingerless gloves with an attached mitten top. The top covers down past your mid knuckles. So you essentially have a mitten until you need to use your fingers, just pull the top off to expose the finger to just the first knuckle and strap it back (or modern version, velcro). I've used these quite comfortably in the 20s.

reallt disagree. the thousand of joules I expelled

I can't believe you called Siri that. 🤣

I just had a very cold (unexpected) night camping and my old cheap sleeping bag and yoga mat (I know stupid, but I was expecting summer temperatures!) were definitely not made for it (temperature was around 5C with 85% humidity and that sleeping bag is a 2-season at most). Definitely my mistake! But I found that putting an emergency blanket under mat and wrapping it over my sleeping bag made a huge difference! Not a long term solution for sure (very noisy/crinkly and not too comfortable as I had to keep pulling it over me), but it does wonders in a pinch! Would definitely recommend always carrying one not only for real emergency but also as extra insulation on nights colder than expected! I only thought of it on the second night, so the first one was a bit of a nightmare but glad I did then, got a got a good couple hours sleep when way below the temperature rating my sleep system could handle.

I find silk glove liners inside my mitts really help. Esp if you must take you glove off. To do…you know.

Thank you… I am going to get the mittens and toe covers… Enjoy your journey in life and keep shining..

I have foot issues from raynauds and a permanently broken 5th metatarsal. Once cold sets into my bones that's it. I appreciate the toe hot sake advice

I have raynauds too. I usually wear fingerless gloves with mitten covers that fold over. . I'm looking for some base layers or mid layers that r baggy or not tights. In spring I work outside and can get too cold then too hot. I want a loose flannel layer and some overalls, suit or work pants over top.

My favorite are vintage chiller killers. But can be bulky and big but I'm never cold in them.

I love to warm up rocks to cuddle with at night… specially behind my knees. Glad you mentioned the vest… and buffs… you can never have enough…

I use the same insulated thermos water bottle in summer to keep my water cool and in winter to keep my water from freezing. The only downside is it's a tad bit heavier, but not by much.

What are the slippers you have on your feet? Do you camp with them? I’ve been trying to find something for my feet to wear at night?

I'll just say my osprey insulated hydration kit did not stop my hose and mouthpiece from freezing, even when I had it tucked under my shirt and coat. But I didn't know about blowing the water back into the reservoir until now.....

Boiling water into a Nalgene bottle in an insulated sleeve right before bed.......into the bottom of your sleeping bag. Also a rigorous walk/hike right before bed......get that body fire burning before you get into bed. Hydration is your most excellent point.....always, always, always keep hydrated as it makes a huge impact on keeping things in check in so many ways.

I throw a small emergency blanket under my sleeping pad on cold nights. I’m not sure if it works or if it’s just in my head, but either way I sleep at night. It’s cheap, lightweight, and not a bad idea to have anyway.

When cooking on snow, elevate your ispbutane canister off the snow. I put a plastic container lid underneath the canister. Otherwise the fuel is used up quick quickly.

I use a regular sheet. I can’t handle the restrictiveness of the liners .

Hey Miranda! Not sure if you get notifications from your old videos but can you do a video on your land nav skills? Also where can I get topographic maps for trails??

YAY!!!! stumbles in the wild is back!

Thank you so much! I also live in WA state and I started winter backpacking for the first time this year. I had a wonderful outing on January 7th near Packwood. Although I don't have a medical condition, the front half of my feet seem to be a constant source of discomfort. Adding down booties at night solved this issue, but I am still cold when in boots during the day, even with ski boots or insulated hiking boots. It sometimes takes hours for me to warm them up at night. I just ordered the neoprene sleeves and I can't wait to try them. It's something I've never heard mentioned anywhere else. Thank you for not just regurgitating the standard tips, but bringing your own experience. LOVE!

Please subtitles 🙏

Lots of cool tips. I did not realize that about upside down water bottles and freezing.

The brain only sends excess heat to the fingers and toes. They are your radiators to cool the core. Remember only excess heat goes to the toes, produce more heat or keep the legs warmer to prevent the warm blood from cooling before it reaches the toes. To keep the core warm when sleeping double the foam waffle ground pad for the trunk and put your pack with any day clothing inside under your legs and feet. Remember a sleeping bag does not produce heat. Your body produces heat, and your sleep system traps your body heat. Layer up your sleep system just as you layer your core during the day. wear a base layer of tops and bottoms. to move moisture away from your body, #2 use a bag liner, or a one pound down summer bag inside the 3 season bag #3 sleeping bag layer with a one pound hooded down jacket and a #4 wind break layer (one pound bivy bag) over the sleeping bag. Have wool socks dedicated to sleeping only. Always wear a hoody under layer day and night so that the brain is never allowed to cool. search the web for MSS for sleeping warm. Toe warmers confuse the heat regulating center in the brain and will chill the core. That is why when you sit by a fire to warm your feet you start to shiver.

In contrast to hand warmers, toe warmers don't work. Here's why. The heat is produced by a chemical reaction, which is triggered by oxygen (oxidative reaction). In mittens, there is a sufficient amount of air to feed the hand warmers. There simply isn't enough circulation in your boot for toe warmers to work. Yes, I know, you need to get them "cooking" and warm before you put them in your boot. Been there, done that. The only way to maintain heat is for the chemical reaction to continue to run its course, and once you put the "warmed up" toe warmers in your boot, they will gradually die. Buying a bigger size boot won't solve the problem. The manufacturers should know this, but hey, they are making money "hand over fist" (pun intended). Also, re Reynaud's, if you have Reynaud's, you are also predisposed to develop chilblains. Look it up. You can get over chilblains, but it takes several weeks. No fun.

Just waiting for someone to write a backpacker romance novel called "Internal Burning" or "The Heat From Within"

Wait. Does the closed foam sleep pad go shiny side up or down?

It is so important to stay/be dry. Be it tuning in your layers to prevent too much sweating or getting out of your wet hiking clothes and into dry clothes to sleep in. Sleeping in wet clothing in the cold is miserable and will definitely take your heat.

THANK YOU!!! I thought I would never get to hike in snow because as a Type 1 diabetic I couldn’t keep my hands warm. Mittens for the win!!! You are amazing and I’m so happy to so you soar!

I was given the advice to cut a length of refectix to go under my sleeping pad to add a little R value to my sleep system. It's light and cheap. It certainly added to my comfort in an unusually cold, wet, and windy spring night up in the smokies.

Loved this! Another tip for having the water bladder not freezing is to add a little salt or vodka to it to give you a little lower freezing point.

I used to think vests were silly, 'cause you know what about my cold arms? Now I use vests a lot as a layer under jackets/coats and as an extra layer of warmth over a shirt when a full jacket isn't needed. Plus they keep my neck warm. Say YES to the vest.
Never seen the toe sleeves before. I have chronically cold extremities even at home. Glad to learn about those!

Here are two things that help me. One is to put my entire sleep system (pad and bag) inside one of those cheap foil emergency sleeping bags, like a bivvy. Many will tell you that it will collect moisture but that has not proved true for me. It does make it a bit harder to get out to pee in the middle of night, but staying warm is a high priority. Second (I tried this for the first time last week at 27 deg) I filled a Nalgene bottle with 2 cups of boiling water and threw it to the bottom of my bag right before I crawled in. It kept my feet nice and warm. PS: I just ordered the Neoprene toe warmers. Great tip!

Kinco best bang for buck in the game

+1 for the sleeping bag liner! I have done some experimenting, and the claim of adding about 5°f seemed true for mine from Sea to Summit. Bring a neck gator as well to help block drafts at night.