What to look for when purchasing handwear

Keeping your hands warm and dry is just as important as doing so with your feet. In addition to being a source of great discomfort, cold, wet hands can lead to hypothermia and in winter even to frostbite.

As an extremity, your hands can quickly get cold. And as we need use hands to access items in our backpacks, open a trail mix package, or to adjust clothing, we are quick to take off any gloves, meaning the exposed fingers and palms easily can get wet and chilled.

Given this, knowing what to look for when purchasing handwear is vital. Buying the wrong gloves and mittens can be almost as bad as not wearing any at all.

Gloves are an excellent choice for teens and adults, as they make manipulation of items with the fingers easy, but always opt for mittens with children, especially preschoolers. Kids’ fingers stay warmer in mittens, and with more slender digits, they are at a greater risk for cold hands than are adults.

Make sure the gloves and mittens, whether for adults or children, come with the following components:
• Cuffs – This is an area that can be cinched at the wrist, usually via a Velcro strap or a drawstring. A tightened cuff helps to keep snow and rain from getting inside the handwear.
• Waterproof shell – This layering allows you to touch snow without getting your hands wet and hence cold. A grippy palm adds an extra layer of waterproofing at the spots (palm and fingers) where you are most likely to touch snow or a wet object.
• Insulation – You’ll need to determine what is best for you as an individual. If you have sweaty hands, you often can get by with lighter insulation. In addition, the colder the weather, generally the thicker the insulation should be.

Finally, the glove and mitten needs to fit well on your hand. Don’t go for a size too large or air pockets that can turn cold will form. Too small of a size will cut off blood circulation, making them uncomfortable and thus increasing the chances of your hands getting cold. With a well-fitting glove or mitten, you should be able to curl your fingers inside of them to form a fist.

Learn about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

Layer clothing when hiking in cold climates

Whenever hiking during winter, you face two challenges: staying warm and staying dry. To beat both, your best bet is to layer your clothes.

Wearing multiple layers of clothing will provide various levels of protection against sweat, heat loss, wind, and potentially snow (As often the case with kids, they love to tramp through and fall in it!). Layering works because the type of clothing you select for each stratum serves a different function, such as wicking moisture or shielding against wind. In addition, trapped air between each layer of clothing is warmed by the child’s body heat. Layers also can be added or taken off as needed.

First three layers
Generally, both you and a child need at least three layers and if really cold four layers. Closest to your skin is the wicking layer, such as long-sleeved synthetic material like polypropylene (This can be found as modern long underwear, both bottoms and tops), which pulls perspiration away from the body and into the next layer, where it evaporates. Exertion from walking means you will sweat and generate heat, even if the weather is cold.

The second layer is an insulation layer, which helps keep you warm. This layer probably also should cover the neck, which often is exposed to the elements. A turtleneck works fine, but preferably not one made of cotton, as this won’t wick moisture from the skin when you sweat.

The third layer is a water-resistant shell that protects you from rain, wind, snow and sleet. Depending on the temperature, could be a wool sweater, a half-zippered long sleeved fleece jacket, or a fleece vest. Any windbreaker worn should be breathable and water-resistant/waterproof.

Fourth layer
You also might even add a fourth layer of a hooded parka with pockets, made of material that can block wind and resist water. Gloves or mittens as well as a stocking cap or ski mask also are necessary on cold days.

For your feet, use a synthetic sock liner with a wool sock. This then can be covered with your hiking boots, to give your ankles the support they need when walking. Since you’ll be walking over and possibly through snow, wear winter boots over your hiking boots to keep them dry.

Finally, don’t forget sunglasses to prevent snow blindness.

Read more about day hiking with children in my Hikes with Tykes guidebooks.

Dress kids properly for cold-weather hikes

For the northern United States, winter as well as early spring and late autumn require cold-weather clothing.

Besides layering with thicker clothing or even adding a fourth layer, you’ll want to wear gloves or mittens. The latter is better for children as they keep the fingers grouped together and so warmer. Scarves or mufflers are needed to the cover neck.

Always bring extra shirts, socks and even shoes to change into after the hike. Shoes likely will get wet on a cold weather hike, and children will need new socks so they don’t have to suffer through cold feet on the drive home.

Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.

Treating children for trail's thorns, burrs

Photo courtesy of Illinois DNR

Thorns and burrs typically are more an annoyance than anything, but with a child the nuisance can be enough to put an end to the hike. If left untreated, infections also can result.

The plants can be avoided by walking down the center of the trail.

Use tweezers to pull out thorns. Then swab the site with an antiseptic such as iodine.

Cockleburs, nature's original version of Velcro, simply need to be pulled them off. Be aware that they can prick you as you're doing that, so you may want to wear thick gloves.

Read more about day hiking with children in the guidebook Hikes with Tykes.