No Bad Weather: The Family Guide to Cold Weather Hiking Gear

There is a saying that changed everything about how we approach the outdoors: there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear. We learned this the hard way during one of the most transformative seasons of our lives.

During Covid, we sold and donated almost everything we owned and hit the road, traveling the states while my husband worked remotely. Our first destination was Utah in winter. As Californians who had never hiked in snow, we were stepping into completely unfamiliar territory. We were nervous, a little clueless, and absolutely excited for whatever life was about to throw at us.

"There is no such thing as bad weather. Only bad gear. Once we understood that, everything changed."

The biggest lesson we had to learn was how to dress for cold conditions. Getting your layers right is the difference between a miserable, cut-short adventure and a genuinely incredible one.

Layer 1: The Base Layer

The foundation of any cold-weather outfit is the base layer, and the single most important rule here is this: avoid cotton entirely. Cotton holds moisture against your skin, takes forever to dry, and offers zero insulation when wet. In cold or snowy conditions, this is not just uncomfortable, it can be genuinely dangerous.

🐑 Why Merino Wool: After trying several options, we fell completely in love with merino wool base layers. They wick moisture away from your skin while you hike, regulate temperature naturally, and do not itch the way many wool products do. The one downside is the price, but for adults doing serious cold-weather hiking or camping, it is an investment that pays for itself in comfort and performance every single time you wear it.

What to avoid: Cotton in any form. Denim, cotton t-shirts, cotton hoodies. Leave them at home when the temperature drops.

✦ Our favorite merino wool base layer (adults): Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino at REI →

✦ Budget-friendly merino wool set: Merino Wool Set on Amazon →

✦ Midweight base layers for kids (REI): Kids Base Layer Tops at REI →

Layer 2: The Fleece Mid-Layer

The middle layer is all about trapping warmth, and a fleece sweater and fleece pants are your best friends here. If wearing two separate tops feels like too much, a fleece-lined base layer works just as well and simplifies the whole system. The good news is you do not need to spend much on fleece.

💡 Good to Know: The mid-layer's job is insulation, trapping the heat your base layer generates and holding it close to your body. Fleece does this especially well because it stays warm even when slightly damp, dries quickly, and is lightweight enough to move freely in.

Layer 3: The Top Layer

The outermost layer is your shield against the elements. A down jacket is ideal for extreme cold since it insulates and locks warmth in, but for rain, snow, creeks, and mud, a waterproof shell is often all you need on top of your other layers.

For kids, my absolute favorite waterproof layer is the Oaki suit. The kids simply layer up underneath and throw this on whenever there is snow, rain, a river, a creek, or a mud puddle involved. I cannot overstate how much these have changed our outdoor experience.

Shop Oaki Kids Waterproof Suits: Find them on Amazon →

Now that you know the system, here is a quick visual guide to bring it all together. ▶ Watch: Dressing in Layers for Winter Hiking →

Snow Essential: Shoe Spikes and Microspikes

We thought we had the layering system figured out, but living in the snow introduced us to a whole category of gear we had never even considered. Shoe spikes were completely new to us, and we quickly discovered they are an absolute must for snow hiking, especially on icy trails.

There are many different types of microspikes available. For most casual snow and ice hiking, a mid-range option does the job perfectly well. We went with Yaktrax as a budget-friendly choice and they delivered exactly what we needed.

💰 Smart Shopping for Spikes: If you are visiting snowy conditions for a short trip rather than living in them year-round, there is no need to spend a lot here. Kids especially outgrow them so quickly that budget options make much more sense.

Shop Yaktrax: Find Yaktrax on Amazon →

Essential: Shoes

Getting the right footwear for kids in cold and wet conditions makes an enormous difference, and after a lot of trial and error across all kinds of terrain, here is what we love and why.

✦ Toddlers — everyday snow, mud and rain: Bogs on Amazon → — slip on and off effortlessly, handle everything.

✦ Girls — longer hikes: Merrells on Amazon → — great grip and support on longer trails.

✦ Toddlers — hiking with more support: Keens on Amazon → — excellent traction and durability.

Game Changer: Socks

I genuinely never thought socks could change my life until they did. I spent years wearing cotton socks without realizing what I was missing, and the moment I switched to merino wool I threw out every cotton sock we owned and never looked back.

"You can wear them two to four times before washing, with zero smell. I threw out all our cotton socks and never looked back."

Our absolute favorites for the whole family are Smartwool and Darn Tough. We have them in different thicknesses so we can wear them year-round. Each family member has two pairs and we simply alternate between them.

🧦 Why Merino Wool Socks: Merino wool regulates temperature, wicks moisture, and naturally resists odor far better than any synthetic or cotton sock. Wearing them two to four times before washing is not a trick, it is just how the material works.

Shop our sock favorites: Smartwool on Amazon → | Darn Tough on Amazon →

Essential: Snow Gloves

If you are heading into snow with kids, gloves are non-negotiable. There is simply no scenario in which children will resist eating snow, throwing it, building with it, or diving into it headfirst, and cold, wet hands will end the adventure fast.

We found a pair we absolutely loved and have used them through snowboarding, snowball fights, and everything in between. The kids stayed warm and dry no matter how long they were in the snow.

🧤 What to Look For: Look for gloves that are fully waterproof rather than just water resistant, with insulation rated for actual snow play. A longer cuff that goes over the jacket sleeve is a bonus since it prevents snow from sneaking in at the wrist.

Shop our favorite snow gloves for kids: Find them on Amazon →

Cold weather hiking and camping with kids does not have to be intimidating. With the right gear in place, the temperature stops being a reason to stay home and starts being just another part of the adventure.

"There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear. And now you have the good gear."

I hope this guide gives you the confidence to bundle up your kids, hit the trail, and discover just how magical the outdoors can be in the colder months. The cold does not stop the adventure. It just makes it more memorable.

If you have any questions about any of the gear mentioned, drop them in the comments or send me an email.

* Some of the links shared above are affiliate links. That means it doesn't cost anything extra for you buying through them but I earn a small commission for sharing the links. I am only sharing products that I actually have used and loved!