Winter hiking requires additional gear which keeps you going safe and steady on snowy or icy trails. Gaiters, crampons and an ice axe are the three most often used items for winter hiking gear. Gaiters prevent snow from entering your boots while crampons provide you with traction on icy surfaces. An ice axe allows you to arrest your fall in case you slip. Gaiters are typically worn on all winter hiking trips while crampons and an ice axe are only used if the conditions require them.
Many of those who are new to winter hiking don’t know how to put on gaiters or adequately use crampons and an ice axe. We’ll explain when you need which item and how to use it properly.
Gaiters
When to wear gaiters:
Snowy trails
Muddy trails
What are gaiters?
Gaiters are typically made of waterproof/breathable fabric and are worn over the top of your boots and covering the lower part of pant legs. Therefore, they prevent snow and dirt from entering your boots without decreasing breathability. Gaiters typically have instep straps and lace hooks, so that they stay firmly attached to your boots. They secured to your pant legs with a Velcro system (older and budget models have zippers instead) and a drawcord at the top. Gaiters are available in different lengths. Hikers typically use knee-length gaiters as these offer the best versatility.
Crampons
When to wear crampons:
Icy terrain
What are crampons?
Crampons are devices which are attached to boots to improve traction on the snowy and icy terrain. Crampons are made of steel or aluminium and have spikes which cut into the ice, thus ensuring proper traction. There are three different types of crampons (C1, C2 and C3) but here we’ll focus only on C1 crampons as these offer the best performance for hiking (C2 and C3 crampons are intended for ice climbing and mountaineering). C1 crampons have strap-on bindings, and therefore they can be used with any hiking boots. However, for the optimal fit, it is recommended to wear boots with relatively stiff soles.
Ice Axe
When to use an ice axe:
Icy terrain
What is an ice axe?
An ice axe is a multi-purpose tool which among other things can be used for arresting a fall. While hiking, an ice axe is held at the head (with the pick pointing to the rear) and used as a trekking pole. In case you should slip on the icy surface, you lean on the pick and break. A hiking ice axe consists of a shaft and the head. The head has a pick and a rear-facing adze. Hiking and glacier travelling ice axes have long and straight shafts while climbing ice axes have convex shafts.
