-
Step 1
Plan for temperature when choosing socks and gloves. What temperatures are you going to be hiking in? 32 degrees Fahrenheit? 0 degrees? Colder? Socks and gloves come in different thicknesses and wool composite materials for more or less insulation depending on what you will need.
-
Step 2
Plan on layers. Whether for hands or feet, the insulating effect of layers are an essential part of keeping warm and protecting hands and feet. Wool or wool blends with wick-away properties (removes moisture from the skin) are the most preferred materials.
-
Step 3
Choose socks wisely. For feet, you'll want your first layer to be a wick-away sock to remove moisture away from the foot. This is particularly important in winter. Look for wool liner socks for extra warmth and wicking, and heavier wool or wool-blend socks for the second layer. Wool’s thermal properties and ability to wick moisture make it the ideal material for winter wear insulation.
-
Step 4
Get both glove liners and mittens for the hands. Gloves or glove liners provide the first layer for the hands. Wool, wool-blend or fleece mittens serve as the outer layer, sometimes known as "overmitts." Mittens are warmer than gloves, which is why you wear them on the outside. The added advantage of glove liners is that when you remove your mittens, your fingers are still protected. If you're expecting to be in wet weather, consider water-resistant or waterproof outer gloves to wear as an additional layer.
-
Step 5
Think battery-heated socks. No kidding, there are battery-powered hiking socks for additional warmth (see Resources below). An extremely thin heating element keeps the comfortably feet warm, with the battery holders up along the rim of sock to prevent any discomfort. The socks can "run" for up to 12 hours. This is a particularly great idea when you're doing overnight hiking to keep your feet warm while you sleep.
