Cold Weather Military Boots
During the winter, you need footwear that can withstand adverse weather conditions, keeping your feet protected and supported whilst keeping you feeling light on your feet. LOWA have a range of cold weather military boots that are perfectly suited to exercising outdoors in winter. One of our top recommendations would be the LOWA Z8N GTX C military boots. A Gore-Tex lining protects against wind and rain, whilst a specialist Z trac sole offers exceptional grip in icy or slippery conditions. Lightweight and versatile, this boot is perfect for a wide range of training in the winter, including rucking and running. The LOWA mountain boots are also a practical fit for a range of cold weather activities, such as hiking. Robust full-grain leather protects against the cold, whilst a Vibram® "Tsavo" sole offers the high level of grip required for exercising outdoors in winter.
Thermal Socks
In order to support the effectiveness of your cold weather military boots, it’s important that you’re wearing the right socks when exercising outdoors in winter. The best socks for working out outside in the cold should provide you with warmth, whilst still allowing your feet to breathe. The Bridgedale WoolFusion® Summit Socks are a perfect option for winter training. These thermal socks benefit from dense cushioning that provides extra warmth, impact resistance and comfort. If you’re planning on doing a lot of hiking during the winter, the Sealskinz hiking mid-knee waterproof socks are another great option. Offering the perfect balance of warmth and breathability, these high performance socks also benefit from windproof technology.
Gloves & Hat
Wearing a hat when exercising outdoors in winter is essential for helping to keep your body at the right temperature. If you’re camping overnight, it will also help you to keep warm when sleeping. Gloves are another essential, not to be missed off any winter kit list. You want gloves that are waterproof if possible so that your hands are protected, whatever the weather conditions.
Gaiters
Another essential piece of kit that we’d recommend for training in the outdoors during the winter is gaiters. Gaiters are fabric guards that cover the gap between your trousers and your walking boots. They wrap around your ankles and calves, hooking onto or over your boots in order to protect your lower legs and ankles from mud, snow, water and loose debris, such as stones. The extra protection that gaiters provide is particularly important for exercise during winter months when conditions are more challenging. They also provide an extra layer of warmth. During cold weather, full length gaiters such as the Berghaus Yeti Attak Gore-Tex® Gaiters are your best option as they will provide 100% waterproof protection for your entire lower leg.
Thermal Layers
Dressing in layers is the best way to prepare for cold weather training and workouts. Start with a tight-fitting base layer that is moisture-wicking as this will keep you comfortable and prevent you from overheating. Avoid cotton, as this traps moisture. Next, add a mid layer followed by a waterproof outer layer, depending on the weather conditions. You want to look for a jacket that’s water-resistant and wind-resistant and that has some form of hi-vis or reflective detailing to make you more visible in low light.
Daysac
Another essential piece of kit for winter workouts is a waterproof, durable daysac. This will ensure you can bring all the essential kit that you need with you, keeping it secure, dry and safe, whatever the weather conditions. The Camelbak Motherlode is perfect for winter expeditions. It offers 35L of capacity and features specialist panels that allow for easy attachment of accessories. Alternatively, the Camelbak BFM is another great option for exercising outdoors in winter.
Sleeping Gear
If you’re heading out on a multi-day training exercise, it’s crucial that you have the necessary sleeping gear to keep yourself warm. Alongside a high quality winterproof tent, you’ll also need a winter sleeping bag, insulating mat (to separate your sleeping bag from the cold ground), and a bivy bag to keep yourself protected from the rain. Regardless of whether or not you’re planning on camping out overnight, you should always bring sleeping gear with you, in case of emergencies.
Food, Water & Survival Rations
Carrying plenty of food and water with you is always important when you’re training, but particularly when you’re exercising outdoors in winter. You should always carry emergency rations in case the weather leaves you trapped for longer than expected. When it comes to choosing the best survival rations, you should always opt for foods that are non-perishable and high in energy.
Survival Bag
When exercising outdoors in winter in remote locations such as Dartmoor, you need to be prepared for all eventualities. For example, should you injure yourself, you need to make sure that you can stay safe overnight, potentially in snowy conditions, until a rescue team arrives. That’s why it’s so important to carry a survival bag with you. A survival bag packs down easily into your bag and it really is a potentially life saving essential to carry with you when exercising outdoors in winter.
First Aid Kit
A basic first aid kit should always form part of your training kit. It’s important that you can tend to minor injuries, and prevent cuts and wounds from becoming infected until you can get them properly treated. It’s easy to find a compact first aid kit that contains all the basic necessities.
Outdoor Cooking Equipment
Another essential piece of gear for when you’re on outdoor expeditions during the winter is cooking equipment. You’ll need a camping stove that is winter proof, such as a canister stove and the necessary cooking apparatus to go with it.
Torch/Head Torch
During the winter, we have less hours of daylight, meaning that darkness is more of an issue. A torch/ head torch should always be on your kit list, however it’s particularly important for exercising outdoors in winter. A head torch will allow you to set up camp/cook safely and without hassle when light is reduced.
Comms
Last but certainly not least, always remember to carry a mobile phone with you. This is essential in ensuring that you can call for help in the event of an emergency. This is particularly important in winter, where the weather can change quickly and create potential hazards.
