Everything You Need for a Snowy Walk in the Winter
Waking up to a snow-draped landscape outside your window makes for a charming start to your day. But if you need to fight your way through those drifts to run errands, get to work, pop out for some snow-day snacks, or simply take a walk to admire the flakes, your journey outside can quickly become a struggle without the proper gear.
With below-average temperatures nationwide and the recent bomb cyclone in the Northeast dropping more record-breaking winter weather, many regions of the country are experiencing more snow than they have in years. This intense round of winter weather has left many people facing the challenge of navigating snow-packed driveways, sidewalks, and streets.
No matter your snow-day plans, it’s best to prepare ahead for your winter travels on foot with a few outdoor necessities that’ll keep you warm and dry and keep your steps stable. Here are our picks—from head to toe—for anyone who wants to enjoy a walk outside on a snowy day.
This is a warm topper whether you’re chopping wood, pushing swings, or getting the paper at the end of the driveway.
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These cozy gloves have a double-layer knit design that makes typing easier and creates better insulation than the competition.
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Ridge Merino Men’s Aspect Midweight Wool Base Layer Long Sleeve Shirt
A versatile long-sleeve top (men’s sizes)
This thin, merino-blend shirt comes in basic colors for wearing alone or layering under clothing.
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Ridge Merino Women’s Aspect Midweight Wool Base Layer Long Sleeve Shirt
A versatile long-sleeve top (women’s sizes)
The same shirt as the men’s-size version, in a more tapered cut.
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This jacket is the best at providing ample warmth for most outdoor excursions, and it has enough pockets to comfortably tote the necessities of daily life. It’s our go-to insulator for commuting or backcountry adventuring.
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Taller and slightly broader than the women’s-size version, this highly packable go-to insulator continually rises to the task, no matter the context.
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Best for the price, these pants are available in both short and long versions and come in black or gray.
The same design as the men’s version. These pants also come in three inseam lengths, but they’re available only in black.
Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Lightweight Hiking Sock (Women’s)
The best hiking socks (women’s sizes)
These socks offer the best mix of comfort, durability, and cushioning in a versatile height.
Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Lightweight Hiking Sock (Men’s)
The best hiking socks (men’s version)
This is the same great versatile sock as the women’s model, but in different color options.
The Kamik Nation Plus offers the best combination of performance on the most types of cold-weather surfaces—from icy driveways to snow-packed fields—that we’ve found.
These cleats offer an unusual traction design that can bite into ice and snow but still allow you to walk across asphalt without causing a lot of damage to the pavement or the traction device itself.
Further reading
The Best Winter Boots
by Trey French and Eve O'Neill
After trudging through snow and ice in 30 pairs of boots, we’ve chosen 11 that will keep you warm, dry, and stable all winter long.
The Best Snow Blowers
by Doug Mahoney
After six winters of testing, the Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE 24-inch snow blower is the first tool we reach for.
The Best Lightweight Windbreaker
by Jenni Gritters
We spent 60 hours testing 27 lightweight windbreakers and decided that the Salomon Agile Wind Jacket (men's, women's) is the best for most people.
The Best Laundry Baskets and Hampers
by Danna Lorch
After testing dozens of laundry baskets and hampers, we found the six best ones—from classic baskets to laundry sorters—to suit a variety of needs.
