Winter walking can be beautiful and rewarding – as long as you are prepared! Having the right clothing, pack and especially boots can change a wet and cold walk into a winter adventure!
Here are our tips for walking in winter:
Be Prepared
With winter comes added risks and difficulties, which means that you need to pack extra items which you might not need in Summer.
In winter it gets dark early, so always pack a torch even if you don’t intend to stay out late. You will be thankful for packing one on those days where you get lost or want to try a new route!
An extra layer is also a good idea – you will heat up as you walk, but as soon as you stop your body will start to lose heat – having an extra layer to pop on when you stop will help you to stay warm.
Weather
Checking the weather before you go may seem like an obvious thing to do, especially in the winter! However this is an important part of planning your trip.
While it may be bright and sunny at home (or even in the car park), the weather on the hills can be completely different. So if you are heading to the hills and mountains it is best to check the designated mountain weather forecast – MWIS is a great resource and is easy to understand even for novice hill walkers.
Check the Route
If you are walking a route that you have walked in Summer then be aware that things can change a lot between the seasons. If the route is a risk of flooding
Always have a back up plan in-case your usual route is blocked or inaccessible and turn back if you are in doubt.
Traction
With winter comes ice, snow and (more commonly in the UK) mud – all of which can be tricky for winter walkers to navigate. Depending on the route and conditions you take crampons, poles or even snowshoes to help give traction on ice and snow.
Other routes may just require a good pair of waterproof walking boots with a grippy sole.
Boots for Winter Walking
Rush TRK Polar
While some of our boots are designed for all year use and will perform well in the winter, the Rush Polar GTX is specifically designed for winter.
The Rush Polar GTX is the latest addition to the Rush family, designed specifically for the winter and ideal for excursions in the snow and snowshoeing.
Perfect for those looking for a comfortable shoe able to give stability and protection to the wearer even in the harshest of conditions.
The upper has been designed to combat the cold, wet and snow of winter conditions. The 1.7-1.9 mm water-resistant suede + Gore-Tex Duratherm + Primaloft 200 upper will protect from even the harshest of winters.
The water-resistant, slimline design of PRIMALOFT® Gold (100% recycled) withstands compression and offers freedom of movement while keeping the foot warm in wet conditions. Meanwhile, the GORE-TEX® Duratherm membrane, with its highly insulating layer, gives superb protection in the form of long-lasting waterproofing, great breathability and effective insulation.
The PRESA sole (designed by Scarpa’s in-house R&D team offers IKS (Interactive Kinetic System) technology that helps to progressively and specifically support the weight of our body during mountain activities, and consequently reduce foot fatigue. The tread compound is designed for winter conditions
