Winter Hiking
Kit List
Hiking in the Winter Months can be considerably more Challenging, especially in the hills and mountains. Complacency is not your friend.
We recommend that you bring the following to ensure an enjoyable, safe, and comfortable time on one of our AAA Hiking Adventures.
Many of these items could be critical in cold and wet weather.
When you join an AAA Hiking experience, you should bring the correct fitting kit for your particular activity type, whether joining us for a day hike or a week-long European adventure.
When you check the Kit List for your specific event type, you’ll see the ESSENTIAL items listed at the top of the page—you must have these items with you to begin your activity with us.
The Recommended Extras are the items that will ensure you are more comfortable and provide you with a better and more comfortable experience.
The following list represents AAA's best guide for the kit and equipment to maximise your activity.
Essentials
Walking boots
Walking shoes will often get wet and uncomfortable.
Walking socks and liner socks.
Wearing two pairs of socks can help prevent blisters, and a spare pair can prove valuable in wet conditions.
A base layer
Ideally, one that wicks away sweat and dries quickly.
Walking trousers that allow a full range of movement and dry quickly.
A fleece or alternative light down jacket as a warm layer.
To keep you warm, should you be stationary for a while.
Waterproof Jacket.
Ideally, be breathable with a hood (i.e. Gore-Tex, Paramo or similar).
Waterproof Trousers.
Depending on the weather conditions.
Gaiters.
These will keep your trousers and boots drier and cleaner, and can prevent water from getting into your boots.
A hat or cap that protects you from the sun
A warm hat and or neck buff are essential
Gloves,
I have yet to find a truly waterproof pair besides rubber gloves. So, warm gloves and thin gloves combined often work well
25-45L Small Rucksack
In the winter, you tend to carry more warm kit
Head Torch & Spare Batteries
A dry bag to pack your kit into to keep it dry
A good, strong black bag will also do
Water bottle ‐ 2 litres.
A Thermos Flask with a warm drink can be a lifesaver
Emergency pealess whistle
One is often integrated into good rucksacks.
Mobile phone.
Cash/money (Not all pubs and cafes except cards).
Food – High-energy, low-weight snacks are ideal.
Any medication that you require.
Inhalers or Anti-histamines/Anti-Allergy Medication
Recommended Extras
These are the items that make the difference
Hiking poles
Spare Gloves
Sunglasses.
Sunblock.
Personal First Aid Kit
Spare batteries for the torch.
Luxury Items (nice to have)
Lip balm/chapstick.
Insect repellent.
Camera/film/memory card
Spare batteries for the camera
Feminine hygiene products.
Toilet paper.
The following blog posts might provide insight into an event and or equipment. We hope you find them useful.
Ultimate Guide to Walking Poles: Why Every Hiker Should Use Them