What to Wear Hiking in Winter to Stay Warm

The clothing you wear hiking should change with the seasons. With the cooler months approaching, you need to consider the weather conditions and ensure that you’re wearing the right layers to stay warm and dry.

Autumn is a wonderful time to hike and it’s my favourite time to be outdoors. However, as we get closer to winter, it becomes really important to wear the right clothing, and I find myself packing a little differently for my hikes.

In this post, I’m going to outline what I’ve been wearing while hiking in the cooler weather in partnership with Icebreaker. This will include what you should consider when packing your clothes for a winter hike and the benefits of merino wool.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I received free product and financial compensation for my partnership with Icebreaker, but all information provided in this post is true and based on my own personal experience.

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What to Consider for Winter Hiking

Hiking in the cooler months can be vastly different than hiking in other seasons. This is because the colder conditions mean that you need to consider different gear and clothing options to combat some of the risks and discomforts with being outside in winter.

There’s nothing worse than being cold on a hike. While you may feel that you usually get warm while exercising, being exposed to the outdoors during winter can certainly be brutal. You don’t want to be caught out in freezing temperatures or wind chills, especially in remote areas.

However, as the saying goes, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing. In other words, you can certainly hike in autumn and winter with ease, as long as you wear the right clothes and pack the appropriate layers. Let’s look at what to wear hiking in winter and why.

What I’m Wearing on Trail: Icebreaker’s Autumn/Winter Collection AW25

This autumn I’ve been testing out Icebreaker’s new Autumn/Winter 2025 range. Known for their exceptional merino wool clothing, Icebreaker have been consistently at the top of the market when it comes to merino wool options since their launch 30 years ago.

Born and bred in New Zealand and using high quality merino wool from passionate farmers, Icebreaker’s collections are always simple yet functional and perfect for layering. Let’s take a look at the new AW25 collection and the pieces I’ve been testing out.

What’s New with the AW25 Collection

The new collection from Icebreaker is all about function and innovation, with pieces that fit seamlessly into your cold weather wardrobe. With simple base layers made with high quality merino to well-designed mid-layers to add extra warmth easily when you need, they have everything covered for autumn and winter hiking.

The new colourways for the autumn collection are also adding earthy tones with some splashes of colour to what might otherwise be grey days on the trail. Here are my favourite items from their latest collection:

Women Merino Blend 260 ZoneKnit Seamless 25” Tights (Graphite)

On the bottom, I always prefer to hike in leggings because of the freedom of movement and overall comfort compared to loose pants. Icebreaker’s 260 ZoneKnit Seamless Tights are ideal for autumn and winter with their thicker warm fabric compared to regular leggings.

They’re still incredibly breathable with panels of mesh for ventilation, while keeping me warm and comfortable when the air is cool. They’re also great as a base layer, so you could easily wear them on their own while out hiking in autumn like I have been doing, or even add pants over the top when winter rolls around or if you’re going to be doing any snow sports.

Women Merino 200 Oasis Long Sleeve Crew (Dusty Clay)

On top, I usually switch from a tee to a long sleeve top for hiking in colder weather. Icebreaker’s 200 Oasis Long Sleeve Crew tops are a versatile base layer. It’s a simple design, but it’s warm and soft and designed to work best under other layers. Plus, the longer hemline means it doesn’t ride up when wearing a backpack and it provides more coverage.

I particularly love the new dusty clay colour which is the perfect earthy tone for autumn hikes. This piece is a bestseller for a reason and it will definitely be a staple in my cold weather gear!

Icebreaker Merino Wool Long Sleeve Half Zip

Women Merino 200 RealFleece Descender Long Sleeve Half Zip (Passion)

Adding a pop of colour to my winter wardrobe, this merino-blend mid-layer is a really versatile piece. While it adds an extra layer of warmth on top of the base layer, it’s thin enough to be breathable and lightweight without slowing me down while hiking. I can throw it in my backpack and just put it on whenever I need.

A few extra features like thumb loops and a hidden chest pocket make it really functional. Honestly, I could wear this trail running in winter too!

Women Hike+ Light Crew Socks

These socks from Icebreaker are a merino wool blend which are incredibly soft but breathable at the same time. Their contoured design offers comfort and support in the right areas for my feet. Merino wool is an incredible moisture wicking fabric, so it helps to prevent blisters and keep your feet from feeling too hot after walking all day.

Of course, the odour resistance of merino wool is also a bonus when it comes to socks. For multi-day hikes, this means I won’t have to worry about smelly feet even after a few days wearing the same pair.

Benefits of Merino Wool: Why I Wear Merino Wool for Hiking in All Seasons

So, what’s the deal with merino wool and why is it so good? Merino is a natural wool fibre that is one of the finest you can find in nature. This makes it incredibly different from traditional wool, which is heavier, bulkier and itchier. So, let’s not confuse the two!

One of the most important aspects of hiking clothing is the fabric they’re made from, because this can make all the difference when it comes to function, comfort, and practicality. Merino wool is easily one of the best materials for several reasons and it outperforms other synthetic materials in most categories. I personally hike in merino wool clothing through all four seasons, and wouldn’t choose anything else. Here’s why.

Breathability, Quick Drying and Soft

Merino wool is an incredible natural fibre that is breathable, quick drying, and soft to touch (especially when you purchase high quality merino). While some synthetic materials claim to be quicker drying, merino wool has a better insulating effect, so you won’t feel cold even when sweating and you won’t get too hot either.

Odour Resistant

Merino wool is also unique in that the particular sheep that grows the wool also produces lanolin, a natural anti-bacterial, which in turn makes the fabric odour resistant. This is perfect for when you’re sweating it out on the trail and it means you don’t even have to wash your merino wool after a single wear. Honestly, I’ve worn merino wool tees on both my thru hikes and only washed my t-shirt once a week for months and it was fine.

Environmental Impact

If sustainability is important to you like it is me, then merino wool gets another big green tick. Merino is a natural fibre compared to synthetic fabrics that are made with plastics. Wool is also biodegradable, so once you’ve worn your merino clothing to death it’ll eventually break down rather than sit in landfill for decades.

It’s also encouraged to not wash your merino wool garments after every wear. This is because they are naturally odour resistant (and it really is true) and it also lengthens the lifespan of your clothing.

Purchasing from a responsible producer like Icebreaker is also important. They maintain a good relationship with their farmers and 100% of their merino wool is traceable.

Merino For Every Season: Weight/GSM

Merino wool is not only an autumn/winter fabric. As I mentioned, it’s incredibly breathable, moisture wicking, and quick drying. This makes it perfect for all seasons.

However, you’ll notice merino clothing often includes the weight/density number on the packaging, which is labelled as GSM (grams per square metre). This is important to note, because the bigger the number the heavier and warmer the clothing will be.

For summer, you can select merino wool clothing that is under 200 for something more lightweight. While for autumn and winter, I’d definitely aim for items that are 200 and above. You’ll notice that the layers I’ve been wearing from Icebreaker this autumn described above were 200 or above.

The Art of Layering for Hiking in Winter

The best way to ensure you’ll be warm enough on a hike in the colder months is to wear layers. While wearing merino wool clothing is a great step to staying warm, adding layers is how you can prepare for the potential change in conditions.

You might start out wearing multiple layers and then remove them as you start to warm up. However, if you stop for a break or the weather changes, then you might find yourself cooling down and needing to wear additional layers again to get warm.

A basic layering system works in three layers and Icebreaker’s range includes options for each:

A base layer: Thermal or insulating items that are moisture wicking to keep you warm and dry, ideally 100% merino wool. This is why Icebreaker’s 200 Oasis Long Sleeve option is the perfect base layer, as it works well on its own or under as many layers as you need.
A mid-layer: An insulating layer is used to keep you extra warm and usually made from merino wool or fleece. There are a range of options for mid-layers from long sleeve pullovers to fleece jackets depending on the temperatures you’ll be hiking in. While moving on trail, Icebreaker’s 200 RealFleece Descender Long Sleeve Half Zip Pullover is ideal on top of the base layer for extra warmth. Or you can also select from their warmer jackets, like the 260 Quantum Long Sleeve Zip Hoodie or 400 RealFleece Descender Long Sleeve Full Zip for winter.
An outer layer or shell: This is a weatherproof or extra warm layer designed to keep you dry from the elements, like a windproof rain jacket or down jacket. If I was hiking in the rain or heading up to exposed areas on a mountain, I’d add a down jacket or rain jacket on top of my Icebreaker layers to ensure I’m staying dry.

Final Thoughts

Staying warm outdoors during the cooler months can be a tough task, which is why it’s important to wear appropriate clothing. This means opting for high performing, insulating, and moisture wicking fabric like merino wool is key. Plus, adding multiple layers to your wardrobe will help you pack for the varying conditions in autumn and winter.

Icebreaker’s latest collection for Autumn/Winter 25 has a range of staple pieces that are perfect for filling out your layering system. Their merino wool base layers add warmth and comfort under all conditions, with additional mid-layers in various weights to ensure you stay warm no matter the weather or your chosen outdoor activity.

What to Wear Hiking in Winter to Stay Warm

What to Consider for Winter Hiking