Winter Camping Essential Gear Checklist

Winter camping in the backcountry requires more—and slightly different—gear than a summer backpacking trip does.

In addition to the resources on REI.com, we can help you prepare for your outdoor adventure at REI Co-op stores nationwide, where you can ask questions, join local outings and classes, buy essentials, and rent gear. You can also ask questions and order gear by calling 1-800-426-4840, or you can send us an email or live chat with us.

While you're packing, use this handy checklist to make sure you don't forget anything important. Here are some notes on how to best use this list:

The Ten Essentials: Items that are part of the Ten Essentials should be carried on every trip. These are marked by an asterisk (*). To learn more, see our article on the Ten Essentials.
This checklist is deliberately comprehensive. The exact items you take should be tailored to your trip based on mode of backcountry travel, personal preferences and considerations such as weather, difficulty, duration and distance from help.
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Snow Travel

Backpack

Daypack or ski pack

Snowshoes

Skis (with skins)

Snowboard or splitboard (with skins)

Backcountry ski poles or trekking poles with snow baskets

Crampons

Ice axe

Avalanche Gear:

Avalanche transceiver (1 per person)

Avalanche probe (1 per person)

Snow shovel (1 per person; also handy around camp)

Slope meter

Snow saw

Optional:

Handwarmers and footwarmers

Oversized zipper pulls (so you can work zippers with mittens on)

Two-way radios

Binoculars

Campsite

Winter tent with guylines

Snow or tent stakes

Cold-weather sleeping bag(s)

Well-insulated sleeping pads(s)

Sit pad(s)

Headlamp(s)* (and extra batteries)

Optional:

Camping pillow(s)

Sleeping bag liner(s)

Kitchen

If you're an ultralight packer, you can cut (or forgo) many of these items:

Stove and fuel

Matches* or lighters* and fire starter*

Cook set and pot lifter

Cooking and eating utensils

Dishes/bowls

Insulated vacuum bottles

Mugs or cups (insulated)

Biodegradable soap

Pot scrubber/sponge

Trash/recycling bags

Water & Food

Placing a bottle and/or filter in a plastic bag next to you at night is one strategy to avoid nighttime freeze-ups. Your body will burn more calories just to stay warm, too, so bring plenty of food for both snacks and camp meals.

Water bottle(s) and/or reservoir*

Insulated sleeves for bottles and reservoirs

Water filter/purifier or chemical treatment*

Extra fuel and a large pot to melt snow*

Meals

Snacks

Extra day's supply of food*

Cocoa and other mixes for hot beverages or soups

Animal-resistant food container(s)

Clothing & Footwear

Check the forecast and make sure you're prepared for both extreme cold and stormy conditions.

Moisture-wicking long underwear

Long-sleeve shirt

Insulated jacket or fleece jacket

Insulated pants or fleece pants

Rainwear (jacket and pants)

Winter boots

Gaiters

Socks (synthetic or wool)

Gloves or mittens

Warm hat or balaclava

Extra clothes* (beyond the minimum expectation)

Navigation

Navigation is one of the Ten Essentials systems. The type of trip you're taking and your personal preferences will determine exactly which items you'll bring. If you like to use a GPS, note that it's not a substitute for a map and compass.

Map* (in a waterproof sleeve)

Compass* (a clinometer feature is a plus)

Route dsecription or guidebook

Watch

GPS

Satellite messenger/personal locator beacon

Emergency & First Aid

One of the Ten Essentials is an emergency shelter. Even if you're carrying a tent with you, you should also have an emergency shelter if you plan to take day trips away from your base camp.

First-aid kit or first-aid supplies* (see First-Aid Checklist)

Whistle

Emergency shelter*

Two itineraries: 1 left with friend + 1 under car seat

Health & Hygiene

Hand sanitizer

Quick-dry towel

Toothbrush and toothpaste and floss

Sanitation trowel or wag bag (preferred)

Toilet paper/wipes and sealable bag (to pack it out)

Menstrual and urinary products

Prescription medications

Prescription glasses

Sun protection:

Sunglasses* (+ sunglasses straps)

Sunscreen*

SPF-rated lip balm*

Sun hat*

Tools & Repair Items

Knife or Multi-tool*

Duct tape and repair kits for pad/mattress and stove*

Extra cord

Tent-pole repair sleeve

Personal Items

redit card and/or cash

Cellphone

Campsite permit (if required

Trail pass (if required)

Notebook and pen or pencil

*These items are part of the Ten Essentials systems. The exact items you take for each system can be tailored to your trip based on considerations such as weather, difficulty, duration and distance from help. To learn more, see our article on the Ten Essentials.

Winter Backcountry Camping Checklist