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Many people think that cooler temperatures and shorter days are a natural pairing with Netflix marathons. But, in fact, winter can be one of the nicest times of year to go hiking. It might sound like a cliché, but truly, there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear.

When it comes to dressing for a day outdoors, think of an onion. It’s all about wearing thin layers so you can quickly moderate your temperature for changing weather conditions and activity intensities.

Here we round up some items of clothing that are guaranteed to keep you warm, dry and comfortable when hiking in the winter months as well as some of the essential pieces of winter walking gear we wouldn’t leave the house without.

1. A headtorch

No matter what time of day you are embarking on your hike we would recommend bringing a headtorch. As soon as the clocks go back in Autumn our headtorch doesn’t leave our winter walking gear bag. Not all headtorches are created equal, however.

When it comes to buying a new headtorch we would consider the following main factors. How bright is it? What is the run time on the battery? What is the form factor? The brand-new Ledlenser HFR range scores very highly on all of these criteria. The entry-level HF4R would be a perfect beginner head torch (300 lumens for 2.5 hours). The HF6R is the next step up in the range and offers an impressive bump to the specs (500 lumens for 3 hours). The top of the HFR range is the HF8R. This impressive torch comes with Adaptive Light Beam technology and boasts a max power of 1600 lumens (900 lumens for 3.5 hours). The HF8R is one of the most advanced torches we have had the joy of testing and has deservedly found its way into our nighttime and winter walking gear bags.

Available at Outdoor Stores Nationwide

2. A GPS watch

In the past few years, we have seen huge advances in outdoor technology. So much so that telling the time is no longer the primary function of a watch! GPS watches can measure the distance, elevation and duration of your hike as well as even help you navigate. While we would not rely on the navigation features on any watch it is exceptionally useful to have a map of your location on your wrist at all times if you need it. We have been testing the COROS Apex 2 Pro for the past few weeks and are very impressed with it.

To The Test: Coros Apex 2 Pro

3. Bone-dry Baselayers

The layer next to the skin is the most important. Having tested a wide range of breathable baselayers, we have come across a few firm favourites.

Merino Wool: This natural fabric is cosy and breathable, and, most importantly, it doesn’t get cold when wet. It’s also naturally anti-bacterial, so it resists odours – even if you wear it for multiple days in a row.

Synthetic: Base layers made from synthetic materials are generally cheaper and more stretchy than their natural woollen counterparts.

5 of the Best Baselayers

4. Vital Mid-Layers

Next, it’s on to the mid-layer. Again, you should opt for something relatively light. Collared mid-layers with a half zip are brilliant as they offer extra neck protection when temperatures drop and additional ventilation when you get too warm. We are very partial to a fleece mid-layer all year round in Ireland. They are generally breathable enough for high-energy climbs but offer enough insulation to keep you warm when you stop moving. We love the Salewa fleeces as they are durable, responsibly made and extremely comfortable.

5. Effective Outer Shells

Your final layer should consist of a quality waterproof shell. Gore-Tex membrane used to be the gold standard when it came to waterproofing and breathability, but these days, many outdoor brands use alternative materials or have developed proprietary breathable and waterproof technologies, often reducing costs. One favourite of ours is Helly Hansen’s HellyTech Professional. We have extensively tested 3 of their jackets that use this membrane and we have never had any issues. Lightweight and highly waterproof we swear by them.

We have also tested jackets that use the Pertex membrane, GoreTex and OutDry and we have found them all to work very well in Irish conditions.

Product We Love: Helly Hansen Shell

6. Waterproof Trousers

Waterproof trousers are also very important. They not only keep you dry but will also keep wind chill at bay. We have found that having the most top-to-the-range breathable fabric is less important for waterproof trousers. Waterproof pants also see a lot more abuse, especially in Ireland if you are heading off the beaten track. Sprayway offers entry-level waterproof trousers from €55 while Rask Pant from Sprayway  (€135) offers a higher level of waterproofing and breathability. It also uses GoreTex Paclite which as the name suggests is incredibly compact. Ideal for winter walking in Ireland!

7. Favourable Footwear

A waterproof hiking boot or trail running shoe is also a must for wet, winter outings. Traditionalists will recommend you go for boots to protect your ankles if you’re hiking on uneven ground. However, for those with good ankles, travelling on less challenging terrain, trail shoes are becoming more popular. Good ones will offer excellent grip and stability. We have hiked extensively in a pair of Hoka Speedgoats for example. However, footwear is particular to each individual, so it’s best to seek expert advice and fitting. Basecamp, Wild Side Sports, Great Outdoors and Cotswold Outdoor all have experts on hand to help you.

We’re fans of Salewa’s comfortable and versatile Mountain Trainer Mid Gore-Tex Boots (€220) for more technically challenging hikes. The Salewa Mountain Trainer Mid is a perfect blend of stiffness while remaining comfortable for longer days. They also offer ankle protection without inhibiting the natural hiking gait cycle.

Sticking to the trails? Grab a pair of Hoka Kaha GTX (€235) for longer hikes or Anacappa GTX Mids (€180) for simpler trails. These are excellent footwear options that feel like a shoe yet perform like a mid. The soft Hoka midsole is reminiscent of their running shoes which makes them exceptionally comfortable for long days on the trail. Perfect for waymarked hiking.

If your hikes take you across boggy ground or long, wet grass, gaiters like Trekmates Cairngorm GoreTex Gaiter (€45) are a godsend. And don’t forget good socks. SealSkinz makes a great array of waterproof and thermal socks (from €12) and Bridgedale’s Range of hiking socks (form €21) are long-lasting favourites.

8. Desirable Down Jackets

No matter how optimistic the forecast is, it’s always sensible to pack extra layers. There are so many different options for outer layers nowadays. Here are some of the pros and cons to all the options.

Down: Widely considered to be the best option in terms of its warm-to-weight ratio and compressibility. Down insulation’s weight does come at the expense of its durability, however. Most reputable brands nowadays use hydrophobic down. This means that if the down gets wet it should resist clumping which results in the down losing its insulative properties. This may work at first but the durability of hydrophobic finishes is yet to be proven. If you are after the lightest option, go for down.

Rab Microlite 

Wool: An emerging option for outer layer insulation with many advantages. It is marginally less compressible than down but far more durable. Its insulative properties are unaffected by getting wet unlike down and it is unaffected by repeated compression or washing like synthetics. Salewa make jackets using their own Tirol Wool fill which is excellent. The Catenaccio is photographed above.

Salewa Catinaccio

Synthetic: The more ubiquitous option. The old saying, “You get what you pay for” rings true when you are talking about synthetic insulation. At the bottom of the scale, you can get very poor-quality garments and at the top, you can get garments that are the best in class. There are a few different types of great quality synthetic insulation materials  these are: PrimaLoft, Thermoball and PlumaFill.

Patagonia Nano Puff

Lightweight Down Jackets: 5 of the Best

9. Pack for the Day

As for your backpack, opt for either a fully waterproof one or a non-waterproof pack with either a dry bag inside or a rain cover. Mountain Hardwear has a great range of fully waterproof packs, and so does SealLine. However, these waterproof options are generally less practical for Irish hiking as pockets are limited and the comfort and carry system is usually compromised. There are a number of great brands, Osprey, Salewa and Deuter to name a few, however, we have always found Lowe Alpine packs to be excellent. We use the Aeon 27 for shorter day hikes, the Airzone Pro for longer days on the trails and the Manaslu for thru-hikes and winter overnights. Their packs even have an SOS guide sewn into it should things really go sideways.

Winter Running Kit: The Essential List

10. Must-Have Accessories

In addition to your main layers, other gear worth throwing into your pack includes spare gloves, a warm or waterproof hat, a first aid kit, a Buff, a foil blanket, plenty of water, some snacks, and a charged mobile phone.

Gloves are a challenging one t get right and are very personal. While some people may get cold hands very quickly, others may manage fine without gloves. Much like for the rest of your kit we would advise layering your gloves. Icebreaker Merino glove liners underneath a thicker pair of insulated gloves is the way to go on super cold days.

A Thermos is always a great addition to your kit, and Kambukka makes some great mugs that can keep drinks hot or cold for extended periods of time.

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