Sometimes I home-dehydrate my backpacking meals. And sometimes I save some money by putting together my own meals from grocery store ingredients. But, I don’t always have the time, so I end up bringing pre-packaged commercial backpacking meals on some of my trips.

I’ll update this post every time I try a new meal so you can read through my reviews and see which ones you should pack for your trips.

This post includes:

• How I choose backpacking meals – what I like and don’t like
• My favourite meals – the ones I buy again and again
• More meals I recommend – these are also good but aren’t my absolute favourite
• Meals that are just okay – these meals weren’t bad, but I didn’t love them a lot
• Meals I don’t recommend – these meals were gross, and you should avoid them

Hey there: I bought most of the meals in this post with my own money, but a few of them where gifts from brands. As you can read below, I am pretty honest with my reviews and don’t hesitate to say when I don’t like something. As well, some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

How I Choose Backpacking Meals (My Biases)

Taste is subjective. Not everyone has the same favourite foods or the same foods that gross them out.

To help you understand if my meal reviews are helpful for you, I thought it would start by explaining what I like and don’t like, so you can see if my tastes align with yours.

To start with, I’m an omnivore. I eat and enjoy pretty much everything. I’m ok with meat, dairy, and gluten. I also have no problem eating vegetarian or vegan/plant-based meals. (As long as they are delicious.)

While I’m not a picky eater, I do have preferences:

• I like a little bit of spice… but not too much. Super-spicy food can upset my stomach, which isn’t something I want in the backcountry. But I don’t want bland food either.

• I like pasta more than rice. Most backpacking meals use rice or pasta as their base carb. I tend to like pasta dishes more than rice – that’s just a bias I’m going to have.
• I tend to choose Italian or Western backpacking meals more than Asian meals. That isn’t because I don’t like Asian food – in my everyday life, I actually cook and eat tons of East and South Asian food. However, I find that so-called “ethnic” flavours in backpacking meals are inconsistent and often poorly executed, so I’m always nervous to try them in case they are bad.
• I don’t like beans very much. I grew up in a vegetarian household and had hit my lifetime quota of bean consumption by middle school. I will eat beans, I just don’t choose them often. As well, beans are tricky in backpacking meals – if they don’t rehydrate fully, they can give you an upset stomach, which makes me nervous.

My Favourite Meals

West Coast Kitchen The West Coaster

My rating: 9/10

Calories per serving: 760

Protein per serving: 33 g

Servings per package: 1

Rehydration time: 10 minutes

Price: $18.99 CAD

Diet: Omnivore – contains pork, wheat, and dairy

This was the best new-to-me meal I tried last summer. West Coast Kitchen is a small company from Vancouver Island.

The West Coaster is their signature meal – it’s a creamy pasta dish that includes bacon, mushrooms, onions, and capers. The flavour profile is a bit like alfredo, a bit like carbonara, and a bit like stroganoff. And the sauce is made with cream cheese (as well as parmesan), which gives it a bit of a tang.

This is a freeze-dried meal, and all of the components are fairly small, so it rehydrated completely in the relatively short recommended soak time of just 10 minutes.

The stats above are for their single-serving package (they also make a plus package that purports to serve two people). Honestly, this is a decently filling meal for one person – a rarity among backpacking meals when you eat the suggested serving size.

The only downside to this meal for me is that it calls for 1.2 cups of water (280 ml). That is not an easy measurement in the backcountry! Most of the ways I measure (pots or water bottles with gradations) have them measured in 50 or 100 ml increments, so I had to eyeball it.

In the end, I think I may have added too much water since my meal ended up a little bit too soupy. I also expected the sauce to look creamy, but it looks more like veggie soup broth. Still tasty though.

Where to buy:

Peak Refuel Beef Stroganoff

My rating: 9/10

Calories per serving: 400

Protein per serving: 20 g

Servings per package: 2

Rehydration time: 10 minutes

Price: $19.95 CAD/$14.99 USD

Diet: Omnivore (Contains beef, wheat, and dairy.)

I discovered Peak Refuel meals a few years ago, and I think their Beef Stroganoff is the best meal they make. All of their meals are fairly good because they are freeze-dried, so they are full of flavour. They also use chunks of beef rather than ground beef, which has a better texture when it rehydrates. (Ground beef can be a bit like gravel.)

If you measure your water properly, the sauce on this meal ends up nice and thick, which I love since some backpacking meals can feel very runny. However, the sauce tends to separate a bit, which visually isn’t that appealing. (Food science is wild, so the fact that you can go from powdered meal to beef stroganoff in 10 minutes is pretty incredible.)

I don’t know anyone who would be satisfied with the suggested serving size of half a package for this meal. I easily eat the whole thing.

Mountain House Kung Pao Chicken

My rating: 9/10

Calories per serving: 290

Protein per serving: 16g

Servings per package: 2

Rehydration time: 15 minutes

Price: $18.95CAD/$11.99 USD

Diet: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Omnivore (Contains chicken.)

The Mountain House Kung Pao Chicken reminds me of North American-style Chinese take-out or mall food court Chinese food. It’s sweet with a hint of spice, but definitely not too spicy. It gave me real nostalgia vibes for the Chinese food I ate as a teenager in the 90s.

This rehydrated really well, including the rice. (Sometimes rice can be chewy if it doesn’t rehydrate properly or mushy if it sits too long – this was perfect.)

Texture-wise, it’s definitely a gloopy stew with rice in it, rather than rice with chunks of chicken and veggies, but I didn’t mind. Like other Mountain House meals, the freeze-dried chicken chunks are kind of bland, but the sauce makes up for it.

The portion size on this package is hilarious. I don’t know any adults who can hike all day, eat a 290-calorie dinner, and feel full. I easily ate the whole package on my own and still had room for dessert.

More Meals I Recommend

Alpine Aire Tuscan Style Pasta Roma

My rating: 8/10

Calories per serving: 300

Protein per serving: 17g

Servings per package: 2

Rehydration time: 10-12 minutes

Price: $15.95 CAD/$11.95 USD

Diet: Vegetarian (Contains wheat and dairy)

The Alpine Aire Tuscan-Style Pasta Roma pleasantly surprised me. It’s a rose-style creamy tomato sauce with a cheesy flavour that I really enjoyed.

It’s a vegetarian meal, but it has so much cheese in it, that the protein per serving is pretty good. Although that might also be because it contains soy-based textured vegetable protein. Honestly, I didn’t taste the soy protein in this at all – the cheese really hid it and I had no idea it was in there until I looked at the ingredients after I was done.

I do wish this meal had a few veggies in it, but overall, it’s pretty good for a basic vegetarian pasta.

Mountain House Stroganoff Beef With Noodles

My rating: 7/10

Calories per serving: 280

Protein per serving: 12g

Servings per package: 2

Rehydration time: 9 minutes

Price: $18.95 CAD/$11.99 USD

Diet: Omnivore (Contains beef, wheat, eggs, and dairy)

I’ve eaten the Mountain House Beef Stroganoff with noodles more times than I can count. It was one of my go-to meals for years before I discovered the superior Peak Refuel beef stroganoff.

It’s got a good creamy sauce that rehydrates well and doesn’t feel too runny. The bits of ground beef add a bit of protein and texture, but are kinda bland. While lots of the meals I’ve tried aren’t great to look at, this one is particularly beige.

While lots of backpacking meals have a fair amount of sodium, this one has a ton: If you eat the whole pouch, you are consuming 1540 mg of salt (about 67% of your recommended daily intake). I actually like the salty taste of this meal. And I often plan to eat this meal after a hot day where I’m sweating a lot and need to replenish my electrolytes.

And of course, I eat the whole package. I don’t care what it says – this is not two servings.

SLY Pad Thai

My rating: 7/10

Calories per serving: 1030

Protein per serving: 30g

Servings per package: 1

Rehydration time: 12 minutes

Price: $17.95 CAD

Diet: Vegan, Gluten-free, Dairy-free

I was excited to try a meal from SLY because they are a small plant-based freeze-dried meal company from Quebec. The SLY pad thai wasn’t very traditional, but it is pretty good. I would describe it more as a rice noodle stir fry with a tangy peanut flavour. It’s not pad thai, but it is tasty.

Many plant-based meals don’t have a ton of protein. This one has a decent amount (but still not a ton) thanks to the big pieces of soy protein. I actually found the soy protein in this meal to be pretty flavourful and kind of meaty, thanks to the sauce it’s served in.

However, the biggest issue with this meal is rehydration. I let it sit for the recommended 12 minutes, and the big pieces of soy protein were still quite crunchy and powdery. After another 5 minutes, they were a bit better, but still not fully rehydrated.

I ate the meal anyway, since I didn’t mind the crunch, but I can see that being a turn-off for some people. (It’s worth noting that I did make this meal in temperatures that were slightly below freezing, so rehydration time could be a bit slow because of that. But I did try to keep the pouch warm in my jacket.

The calories on this meal are insane – 1030 for the whole pouch. It honestly isn’t that much food by volume, so I had no problem finishing this on my own.

Meals That are Just Okay

Mountain House Chicken and Mashed Potatoes

My rating: 6.5/10

Calories per serving: 230

Protein per serving: 22g

Servings per package: 2

Rehydration time: 7 minutes

Price: $18.95 CAD/$11.99 USD

Diet: Gluten-Free, Omnivore (Contains chicken and dairy.)

If you’re backpacking with someone who is a picky eater, the Mountain House Mashed Potatoes with Chicken is the meal for them. It’s tasty, but fairly boring – perhaps a bit bland. It’s also very beige. I would have loved to have some gravy to go with this, or even some hot sauce.

However, this is a solid and reliable meal. It’s definitely filling, and the freeze-dried chicken adds protein. I also love how quickly it rehydrates – the potatoes rehydrate almost instantly. The additional waiting time is mostly so the chicken isn’t crunchy.

I recommend this meal if you want something you can just pick up off the shelf and go. However, you can replicate this meal at a lower price by combining a package of Idahoan instant mashed potatoes with a handful of Mountain House freeze-dried chicken.

Like the other Mountain House meals, you need to eat the whole package to get full. It does NOT serve two.

Mountain House Beef Lasagna

My rating: 6/10

Calories per serving: 220

Protein per serving: 11g

Servings per package: 2

Rehydration time: 9 minutes

Price: $18.95 CAD/$11.99 USD

Diet: (Omnivore: Contains beef, dairy, and wheat.)

The Mountain House Lasagna is a good meal for kids or picky eaters. It’s a very cheesy pasta with tomato sauce and ground beef.

This is another meal I’ve eaten tons of times because I really love the cheese in it. You can actually get a bit of a cheese pull going, which helps it feel more like real food and less like slop in a bag.

The meal rehydrates well, although the beef can be a bit gravelly. I do find the tomato sauce a bit on the sweet side, kind of like kids’ pasta, but there isn’t sugar in their ingredients list, so I’m not sure where I’m getting that from.

And of course, I eat the whole package since it’s not enough food for two servings.

Meals I Do NOT Recommend

Thankfully, there’s nothing on this list yet! I don’t know if I’ve just been lucky, or if I’m not a picky eater. Time will tell!

Final Thoughts

I’ve probably tried dozens of backpacking meals over the years. I wish I had started reviewing them sooner so I had a record I could refer back to when buying new meals. Sometimes I just stare at the packages at the outdoor store and guess!

I’ll keep this post updated each time I try a new meal, so stay tuned for more backpacking meal reviews.

READ NEXT:

• Grocery Store Backpacking Meals for Cheap
• Dehydrating Food For Backpacking: A Beginner’s Guide
• 16 Backpacking Breakfast Ideas

The post The Best (and Worst) Backpacking Meals Reviewed appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

You may not know this, but I used to work in the outdoor industry. I actually wrote product descriptions for a large outdoor retailer. As a result, I know a LOT about hiking gear.

And I know that lately the buzzwords for hiking and camping gear have been “eco-friendly”, “sustainable” and “recycled”. Unfortunately some of the time it’s just marketing – basically, it’s greenwashing.

BUT… lots of the time it’s great companies trying to make a more sustainable product and/or helping their customers replace disposable items in their lives with more eco-friendly ones. Many of those companies also give back to environmental or sustainable non-profits too. And that’s so great to see! 

Here’s my list of eco-friendly gifts for hikers and campers. I already own a lot of the items on this list and can vouch for their awesomeness. Each of these items has its own sustainability story and many will help us move towards a zero-waste lifestyle. Progress, not perfection, right?

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Cotopaxi Batac Del Dia 24L Backpack

Cotopaxi’s Del Dia collection uses left-over fabric scraps that would otherwise go into the garbage to make their backpacks. Their team of sewers gets to choose which fabric goes where, so each pack is totally unique.

And while the Batac backpack looks fun, it’s also totally functional. It has minimalist yet comfortable mesh shoulder straps, a zippered pocet with a sleeve for your phone, and side water bottle pockets. Another thing to feel good about: Cotopaxi also donates 1% of profits to alleviating world poverty.

Darn Tough Hiking Socks

I’ve had a few pairs of Darn Tough hiking socks for about 3 years now, and honestly, they look almost brand new. Which is great for Darn Tough, since they offer a lifetime guarantee on their socks. I love a company that makes durable products!

Darn Tough has also pledged to source all of the merino wool in their socks from farms that meet the Responsible Wool Standard for animal welfare, sustainable land management, and supply chain traceability. Another plus: Darn Tough makes all their socks at their small factory in Vermont.

Humangear GoBites Reusable Utensil Set

On road trips, my husband and I end up eating take-out food more than we’d like. And that means we use a lot of plastic forks and spoons.

That didn’t sit right with me, so we picked up a couple of GoBites reusable utensil sets. We keep them in our car so they are ready to use when we’re on the road. I can’t believe we didn’t get them sooner and I think they’re a great option for eco-friendly gifts for hikers.

Kula Pee Cloth

My Kula Cloth has definitely changed the way I pee outdoors. It’s a reusable and hygienic pee cloth for women. One side is absorbent and anti-microbial while the other side is waterproof. Fold it in half and close it with a snap to keep the dirty side from touching anything else, then clip it onto the outside of your pack to let it dry out in the sun.

Some of the versions even have original prints from female artists! Using a pee cloth takes a bit of getting used to, but it’s so much easier than packing out dirty toilet paper all the time. As a Leave No Trace Master Educator, I recommend the Kula Cloth to women in every workshop I teach.

Hydro Flask Water Bottle

Single-use plastics are a huge problem. Skip the throw-away water bottle and carry a reusable one instead.

Hydro Flask makes the Cadillac of water bottles. They’re made of high end stainless steel that won’t absorb flavours or odours. And the double-walled construction is vacuum sealed so your water stays cold (or your coffee stays hot) for hours. I carry mine around everywhere and joke that it’s my emotional support water bottle.

Through their Parks for All initiative, Hydro Flask supports non-profit organizations focused on providing better access to parks for everyone. These bottles last forEVER so they are great environmentally-friendly gifts for hikers.

Patagonia Re-Tool Snap-T Fleece Pullover

Patagonia is pretty much setting the gold standard when it comes to eco-friendly apparel for hikers. Their Re-Tool Snap-T fleece is a great example of their commitment to sustainability: it’s made of recycled polyester, it’s sewn in a Fair Trade factory, and the fabric is bluesign approved. (Bluesign is a textile standard that seeks to remove harmful chemicals from the manufacturing process.)

This cozy pullover is my go-to for chilly nights at the campsite or fall hikes. Honestly, I wear it all the time for working from my home office or casual beers with friends too. The stand-out feature for me is the hidden kangaroo pocket. It holds my phone and keeps my hands warm. I actually own two of these… and I kinda want to get another one.

Tent Lab The Deuce Trowel

I’m pretty passionate about Leave No Trace. Unfortunately, one of the ways that people leave a trace in the outdoors is human waste. Yup, poop. However, it’s a really simple problem to solve if you’re prepared. (Here’s more info about how to go to the bathroom in the woods if you’re curious.)

I carry this tiny and lightweight Deuce Trowel on most hiking trips so I can dig a quick cat hole when I have to go to the bathroom. At only 17g (0.6oz) it’s practically weightless.  And since it’s made of aluminum, it digs waaay better than plastic shovels.

Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Hoody

For years, Mountain Hardwear’s Ghost Whisperer Jackets have been the favourite puffy jacket for ultralight hikers and backpackers. They’re feather-light, pack down really small, and are super warm.

Recently, Mountain Hardwear gave them an eco-friendly overhaul. The exterior fabric is now 100% recycled. And the 800-fill down interior meets the Responsible Down Standard for animal welfare. That means the geese were never force-fed or live-plucked, both practices that are shockingly common in the poultry industry. The whole jacket is still staggeringly light at just 250g (8.8 oz).

YETI Rambler Tumbler Reusable Mug

Sadly, paper coffee cups are one of the main sources of litter found on our trails, beaches, and streets. And it takes a lot of trees to make all those cups. Pick up a reusable coffee mug and be part of the solution.

I’ve been using my YETI Rambler mug for the last few years and I can’t believe how well it insulates! I’ve picked up iced coffee in it in the morning, then still had a bit of ice in it 12 hours later! It’s made of double-walled 18/8 stainless steel with a vacuum seal that keeps hot things hot and cold things cold for hours!

The magnetic sliding lid is easy to use and the lid is made of BPA-free plastic. And thankfully, the whole thing can go in the dishwasher.

Organic and Fair Trade Chocolate

Chocolate is one of my favourite hiking snacks. But the chocolate industry has been plagued with unethical labour practices and unsustainable farming.

A few companies are aiming to change that. Theo Chocolate and Zazubean make chocolate that is certified Fair Trade, organic and non-GMO. It’s also amazingly delicious.

Humangear GoToob Refillable Squeeze Bottles

I used to buy travel-sized toiletries to take camping, but then I discovered GoToobs.

They are refillable silicone squeeze bottles that come in a bunch of sizes. They even have a folding loop that locks the cap in place so it can’t leak. Originally I bought them for sunscreen, but I realized they are great for using in my camp kitchen too. Hot sauce anyone?

Buff Multifunctional Headwear

It’s no secret that I love Buffs. I bring one on pretty much every hike since you can wear it as an ear warmer, neck gaiter, headband, beanie, and lots more options. A buff is one of my picks for the best stocking stuffers for hikers.

Buffs are made with recycled polyester from single-use plastic bottles, which helps reduce the amount of plastic trash in our world. They come in a seemingly infinite number of colours and patterns too.

Tenacious Tape

It’s easy to get tears and rips in your hiking jackets, tents, and sleeping bags. Instead of throwing them away, repair your hiking gear instead. I always carry a small roll of Tenacious Tape. It sticks to all kinds of high-tech outdoor fabrics (even better than duct tape) and lasts a long time. Its a great way to give old gear new life.

Reef-Safe Sunscreen

Old-school sunscreens are full of things that we now know are not great for our bodies and are pretty terrible for the planet. Lately I’ve been loving Sun Bum sunscreens, especially the easy-to-use face sticks.

They are water-resistant so they stand-up to sweat and swimming. And they also don’t contain oxybenzone and octinoxate, the two ingredients banned under Hawaii’s Bill 2571 since they damage fragile coral reefs.

Hiking App Subscriptions

Help keep them on track with a subscription to a hiking app – they are great no-waste gifts. AllTrails Plus has tons of trail options all over the world. With a subscription, you get access to offline maps and can get alerts when you make a wrong turn.

For navigation, you can’t beat Gaia GPS. It’s my go-to app for easy-to-read maps with tons of overlays like satellite photos, slope angle, and more.

Outdoorsy Books

Books are always a great gift. (And if you want to avoid giving paper, you can always get them an ebook.) One of my favourite book genres adventure memoir. If you’re looking for recommendations, check out my list of the best Canadian adventure books or my list of the best adventure books by female authors.

I’ll also take a minute to plug my books, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia and Backpacking on Vancouver Island. They each have details for dozens of backpacking trips. I might be biased, but I think they are awesome books.

Plan an Adventure Together

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “Collect memories, not things”. (Soooo many Instagram captions, right?) It’s easy to get caught up in a shopping frenzy during the holidays.

Give the gift of an adventure rather than a thing. Plan a hike together. Make a camping reservation. Sign up for that rock climbing course you’ve both always wanted to take. Register for a photography class. There are tons of options!

Make a Donation

Give back this holiday. Many non-profit organizations rely on donations to keep doing their important work. Find an organization with a cause that matters to the person you’re shopping for.

Here are some great outdoor-related non-profits to support: Leave No Trace (or Leave No Trace Canada), the American Avalanche Association (or Avalanche Canada), Protect Our Winters, She Jumps, the Sierra Club, and the Nature Conservancy. As well, consider donating to local organizations such as your regional search and rescue team or the advocacy group for your local park.

Final Thoughts

I hope you found some great gift ideas for the hiker on your list. I’m sure they’ll enjoy one of these eco-friendly gifts for hikers. Do you have any sustainable outdoor gift ideas? Leave them in the comments.

More Gift Ideas for Hikers:

• 40 Best Gifts for Backpackers
• 25 Stocking Stuffers for Hikers Under $25 (That are Totally Useful)
• Best Gifts for Snowshoers (20+ Ideas)
• 10 Best Canadian Hiking Gear Gifts
• Romantic Valentine’s Gifts for Hikers and Campers
• Black Friday Deals for Hikers and Backpackers

More Gear Advice

• 17 Ways to Save Money on Hiking Gear
• Canadian Hiking Gear Brands to Support
• Which Women’s Hiking Gear is Actually Worth Buying?

The post The Best Eco-friendly Gifts for Hikers appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

I’ve been snowshoeing for over two decades so I know a thing or two about what kinds of things snowshoers like. Here is my list of the best gifts for snowshoers. There’s something for every snowshoer on this list, from beginner to expert, and snowshoeing gifts for every budget.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for supporting my website! -Taryn

Gifts for Snowshoers Under $25

Handwarmers

Snowshoeing can get chilly so give the gift of warmth. A couple packs of these chemical handwarmers make a great stocking stuffer. (I’ve got lots of other outdoorsy stocking stuffer ideas if you need them!) Or splurge on a rechargeable electric handwarmer that they can use again and again.

Wool Hiking Socks

Keep their feet warm and comfortable on snowshoe trips. I always wear Smartwool merino wool blend hiking socks since they wick sweat, don’t chafe, and keep me warm. My favourites are the Smartwool Performance Hike Light Cushion. (Psst: good socks are sooo important. Read my tips for preventing blisters.)

Eat-on-the-Go Snacks

The best snacks for snowshoeing are ones you can eat on the go and ones that don’t freeze. Nuts, dried fruit, and jerky all hold up well in cold weather. Or hit the bulk section at the grocery store and put together a custom trail mix with all their favourite things. So far I haven’t met anyone who doesn’t like dried mango!

Snowshoeing Guidebook

Need more ideas about where to go snowshoeing? Pick up a guide book for their area. I use this one for Vancouver, but there are great ones for pretty much anywhere that gets winter weather.

Merino Wool Buff/Neck Tube

I bring a merino wool buff, also known as a neck tube or neck gaiter on pretty much every hiking, camping, or snowshoeing trip.

You can wear them around your neck, but there are also tons of other ways to wear them. I like to fold them over into a headband to keep my ears warm.

They are super soft and warm without being too heavy. I have this Smartwool one since I LOVE the tree pattern, but you can get Buff merino wool neck tubes in lots of different colour and pattern options.

Gifts for Snowshoers Under $50

Foam Seat Pad

Sitting in the snow to take breaks can be cold and wet. I always pack this super light Therm-a-rest foam seat pad. It folds down accordion-style so it doesn’t take up much room in my pack and I can pull it out in seconds. It’s also great to have to kneel on while I put on snowshoes at the trailhead.

Budget tip: The Forclaz Trekking Foam Seat from Decathlon is MUCH cheaper and is nearly identical. The foam also feels a bit more substantial but it isn’t any heavier.

Beanie Hat in Fun Colours or Designs

Known as a toque in Canada, a beanie hat is an essential piece of snowshoeing kit. You lose a lot of heat through your head! Get them a fun one that they will be excited to wear.

Some ideas: their favourite sports team or an fun pattern. I have this reversible Smartwool hat that lets me have two different looks.

Insulated Water Bottle

Staying hydrated is important while you are snowshoeing, but it can be tough if your water keeps freezing. I used to try to use hydration bladders or plastic water bottles, but they kept icing up.

A few years ago, I switched to a double-walled Hydro flask bottle. So far my water hasn’t frozen! I also use it daily since it keeps my water cold. It goes everywhere with me and I jokingly refer to it as my emotional support water bottle.

Thermos or Insulated Food Jar

Warm-up on the trail with a mug of hot chocolate, coffee, or even some soup. I have this basic no-name Thermos for liquids. It keeps my tea warm for hours. (And if you’re going to give the gift of a thermos… make sure you throw in a couple packets of hot chocolate to go with it!)

For eating hot lunches (think pasta, soup, or chili), I use go a wide mouth Hydroflask insulated food jar.

Snowshoe Carry Bag

Snowshoes have sharp points that can snag on gear or the interior of your car. I pack mine inside an old, discontinued snowshoe carry bag to minimize damage. The snowshoe bag I have is pretty minimalist, but I’ve seen nicer MSR snowshoe bags that have a mesh panel so your snowshoes can dry off.

Budget tip: There are a few cheaper versions on Amazon.)

Windproof Fleece Gloves

I usually carry two pairs of gloves when I snowshoe: a pair of super warm ski gloves and a lightweight pair of windproof fleece gloves.

I find I wear the fleece ones way more often since it’s easy to overheat in the ski gloves. The fleece is good for a bit of warmth, but the real benefit here is the lightweight windproof fabric. Mine are an older version of these MEC ones.

Polarized Sunglasses

When it’s sunny, the rays bouncing off the snow can be blinding… literally. (Read up on snowblindness if you haven’t heard of it.) I always bring sunglasses on snowshoe trips to protect my eyes. I like polarized sunglasses since they cut the glare and offer better clarity than traditional lenses.

Polarized sunglasses are often stupidly expensive, which is why I was happy to discover these ones from Goodr. They have a classic look that I like, they last a long time, and they don’t cost a lot.

Budget tip: Amazon has tons of inexpensive polarized sunglasses.

Gifts for Snowshoers Under $100

Headlamp

It gets dark early in the winter, but if you bring a headlamp, you can extend your snowshoe trip. One of my favourite things to do is watch the sunset, then snowshoe back to the trailhead in the dark.

I also always pack a headlamp when I go snowshoeing, just in case the hike takes long than I planned. I use this Petzl headlamp. It’s really bright, water-resistant, and super-dependable.

Gaiters

Nothing is worse than snow trickling down into your boot. I always wear gaiters when I snowshoe to close the gap between the top of my boot and the bottom of my pants. You can also use them in the summer to keep mud, sand, and gravel out of your boots while hiking. 

I like these MEC Gore Tex gaiters since they aren’t too hot. Plus they have a velcro closure which is easy to use with gloves on. For snowshoeing, any tall waterproof or water-resistant gaiters will work, but the Outdoor Research Crocodile Gore-Tex Gaiters are the gold standard.

Park or Trail Pass

Depending on where you want to go snowshoeing, you may need a National Park pass or a trail pass for your local area. Some ski hills also have snowshoe trail networks. An annual pass makes a great gift since you know it’s something they’ll use over and over. You can buy passes for national parks, state recreation areas, and national forests at local parks offices or at REI.

Microspikes (Mini-Crampons)

I spend most of my time snowshoeing in BC’s Coastal Mountains. We often get hard-packed and icy snow which means that I don’t always need my snowshoes for flotation. But I do need traction underfoot. That’s why I usually bring both my snowshoes and my microspikes since I never know what the conditions are going to be like.

The microspikes are a big game-changer for me: They are mini-crampons that grip really well on icy and packed snow, so they add a lot of safety on steep slopes. In general, snowshoeing is pretty safe, but it’s easier than you think to get into trouble. Read my tips for snowshoeing safety.

Curious about the differences between microspikes, crampons, and snowshoes and when to wear them? I got you covered in this guide to winter traction devices.

Budget option: These knock-offs on Amazon get great reviews, although they aren’t as rugged. But they sure are cheaper!

Jetboil Stove

One of the easiest and most satisfying ways to warm up while snowshoeing is to whip up a hot meal or a fresh cup of coffee. The tiny Jetboil stove systems integrate the stove and pot into one sleek unit so they disappear inside a backpack. They are also super-efficient and designed to conserve fuel in cold temperatures.

Insulated Skirt

I know insulated skirts sound a bit crazy, but hear me out! Women feel the cold more than men, especially in our core and upper legs. It’s easy to put on a warm jacket to warm up our core, but what about our legs?

Enter the insulated skirt. A friend recommended them and I tried one for the first time a few years ago. Such a great idea! They pack down small so you can pull them out of your backpack to warm up when you take breaks. Mine is this Smartwool one.

READ NEXT: Best Insulated Skirts to Keep Your Butt Warm on the Trails

Base Layers

Staying warm and dry while snowshoeing starts with base layers. I wear these super soft merino wool ones from Smartwool. They wick sweat and keep me warm without adding too much bulk. (Also I love the cute patterns.) Not sure what to wear snowshoeing? Read my guide to snowshoeing clothing.

Best Gifts for Snowshoers Under $200

Budget Snowshoes

The best gift for snowshoers is… snowshoes. Hahaha yup. My husband actually bought me my first pair of snowshoes the first Christmas we were dating. (Before that, I had always rented.)

If you’re buying someone their very first pair, I recommend these all-purpose budget snowshoes from MSR. (Not sure how to shop for snowshoes? Read my how to choose snowshoes guide.)

Winter Backpack

You can use any old hiking backpack to go snowshoeing, but I love using the winter-specific Deuter Freerider. Sometimes you have to walk a few minutes (or hours) up the mountain to get to the snowline and being able to lash my snowshoes to my backpack easily is a huge plus.

Look for packs with snowboard straps – they work best for carrying snowshoes. Another great winter feature: no mesh that can collect snow.

Trekking Poles

Snowshoeing is waaaay better with poles. They help you keep your balance and reduce the impact on your knees. I use adjustable height trekking poles for backpacking in the summer, then in the winter, I put snow baskets on them to use for snowshoeing.

Make sure you get ones that have snow baskets or buy the snow basket accessory – otherwise they will just sink into the snow! I have these Black Diamond ones and I love that they have foam grips below the handles so I have lots of hand position options.

Insulated Hiking Boots

If you snowshoe in really cold weather or get cold feet, you’ll want to snowshoe in insulated boots. Regular winter boots don’t have the ankle support you need for snowshoeing so grab them some insulated hiking boots instead.

They have the same support and grip as regular hiking boots, but with a thin layer of insulation inside. I wear these insulated Salomon boots. Need more recommendations? I wrote a whole guide to the best boots for snowshoeing.

Best Splurge Gifts for Snowshoers (Over $200)

Heated Socks

If the snowshoer on your Christmas list gets cold feet, treat them to some heated socks. They can even control the temperature from an app on their phone! They provide better heat than disposable toe warmers and are much more low profile inside boots.

Budget Option: There are lots of heated socks on Amazon. They aren’t as good as the high end ones since they aren’t as reliable, the batteries don’t last as long, and they don’t have a phone app to control them. But they are much more affordable.

Ultralight Snowshoes

If money is no object, get them the best snowshoes on the market. I  got a pair of these super-lightweight MSR snowshoes a few years ago and can’t believe I didn’t get them earlier.

So much more comfortable to wear and LOTS of traction for steep slopes. These are a definite must for serious snowshoers, especially if they are heading to the mountains.

(Not sure how to shop for snowshoes? Read my how to choose snowshoes guide.)

Breathable Insulated Jacket

Snowshoeing can get your heart rate up, which can make you warm and sweaty. But it’s also cold outside, so you want to stay warm.

The secret is a breathable insulated jacket. It keeps you from getting too sweaty by using a breathable fabric and synthetic insulation to let sweat out. But it also traps warm air so you don’t get chilled. I love my Mountain Hardwear Kor Stasis jacket for snowshoeing and winter hiking.

Satellite Messenger

Being able to call for help in the wilderness is important. I’ve had the Garmin inReach Mini 2 satellite messenger for a few years. It lets you send text messengers via satellite to let loved ones at home know you are OK, or that you will be late.

And it also has an SOS button so you can summon search and rescue in an emergency. It’s not cheap, and you need to pair it with a monthly service plan, but it’s a great piece of safety kit.

Avalanche Safety Gear

If they’re snowshoeing in the mountains, they’re snowshoeing in avalanche terrain. Help keep them safe by making sure they have essential avalanche safety gear: a probe and transceiver to help locate them or their companions if they get buried, and a collapsible shovel to dig them out.

This avalanche safety gear bundle from Backcountry Access includes all three.

Avalanche Safety Course

Buying avalanche safety course is not that helpful without knowing how to use it. Buy them a gift certificate for a basic avalanche safety course.

They’ll learn how to recognize and avoid avalanche terrain and how to search for and recover avalanche victims. When I took my course a few years ago I was shocked to learn how many unsafe places I had unknowingly snowshoed!

In the USA find course providers through avalanche.org. In Canada, check avalanche.ca.

Final Thoughts

So that’s all of my recommendations for the best gifts for snowshoers. Do you have any other suggestions for snowshoeing gifts? Leave them in the comments.

MORE GIFT GUIDES:

• 40 Best Gifts for Backpackers
• The Best Eco-friendly Gifts for Hikers
• 25 Stocking Stuffers for Hikers Under $25
• 10 Best Canadian Hiking Gear Gifts in 2025
• Romantic Valentine’s Gifts for Hikers and Campers
• Black Friday Deals for Hikers

MORE SNOWSHOEING POSTS:

• How to Choose Snowshoes: A Complete Guide
• The Best Boots For Snowshoeing
• Snowshoeing Safety: 14 Ways to Get into Trouble and How to Prevent Them
• Microspikes vs. Crampons vs. Snowshoes: What’s the Difference?
• What to Wear Winter Hiking and Snowshoeing
• 9 Tips for Winter Hiking (You Don’t Have to Freeze!)
• Best Insulated Skirts to Keep Your Butt Warm on the Trails

The post Best Gifts for Snowshoers in 2025 (25+ Ideas) appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

No matter whether the person on you are buying for is a beginner or an experienced hiker, you’ll find something on this list of backpacking gifts for them. All of these items are things I have personally used and recommend. It’s all quality gear – no gimmicks or stupid gadgets.

My list of over 40 gifts for backpackers includes:

• Budget gifts for backpackers (under $50)
• Gifts for backpackers under $100
• Gifts for backpackers under $200
• Splurge gifts for backpackers (over $200)

READ NEXT: Stocking Stuffers for Hikers Under $25

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Budget Gifts for Backpackers (Under $50)

Backpacking Guidebooks

Give them the gift of more adventure ideas. Backpacking guidebooks are a great way to learn about new destinations and they have lots of info on permits, campsites, and recommended itineraries.

If you’re buying for someone in Canada, make sure you get them my books, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia and Backpacking on Vancouver Island. (Sorry for the shameless plug – I can’t help it!)

Kula Cloth

Kula Cloth has definitely changed the way I pee outdoors. As a Leave No Trace Level 2 Instructor, I recommend the Kula Cloth in every workshop I teach. It’s a reusable and hygienic pee cloth for women so you don’t have to use so much toilet paper.

One side is absorbent and anti-microbial for wiping and the other is waterproof. Fold it in half and close it with a snap to keep the dirty side from touching anything else, then clip it onto the outside of your pack to let it dry out in the sun.

Smartwool Hiking Socks

Quality hiking socks can be the difference between happy feet and horrible blister-covered feet. (Trust me. I’ve been there. It’s not pretty.) Durable, wool-blend hiking socks are the answer. My favourites are the Smartwool Performance Hike Light Socks. They are thin so they don’t get too hot.

Buff

Fabric tube scarves, often known as buffs are pretty awesome. You can wear them as a scarf, a hat, an ear warmer, a headband, a balaclava, an eye mask and more. I bring one on every trip.

Tent Lab The Deuce Trowel

I’m pretty passionate about Leave No Trace. Unfortunately, one of the ways that people leave a trace in the outdoors is human waste. Yup, poop. However, it’s a really simple problem to solve if you’re prepared. (Here’s more info about how to go to the bathroom in the woods if you’re curious.)

I carry the tiny and lightweight Tent Lab The Deuce Trowel on most hiking trips so I can dig a quick cat hole when I have to go to the bathroom. At only 17g (0.6oz) it’s practically weightless. And since it’s made of aluminum, it digs waaay better than plastic shovels.

Opinel Pocket Knife

Every backpacker needs a good knife. It doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated. Opinel makes quality knives with a classic design. They’re compact, lightweight, and fairly inexpensive too.

Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat

I never go on a backpacking trip without a hat. I want one that provides shade from the sun and has a brim to help keep the rain off on wet days.

The Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat is my go-to hat for backpacking trips. It has a wide curved brim in front and a neck shield in the back. My favourite feature: slots in the brim hold my sunglasses so I don’t drop them!

AeroPress Go Travel Coffee Press

Snobby drinkers can’t stomach drip coffee, even on a backpacking trip. That’s where this travel-sized AeroPress coffee maker comes in. It makes delicious espresso or cold-brew-style coffee. The entire set-up nests together inside the included mug. My husband brings his travel-sized Aeropress on most backpacking trips.

Gaia GPS Premium Subscription

My favourite hiking app is Gaia GPS. I have a premium subscription that gives you access to all kinds of detailed maps. You can also use layers to see things like slope angle, snow depth, Indigenous territory, and more. This is the app I rely on most for navigation.

Psst! Use the link below to save 10% off a Gaia GPS premium subscription.

Backpacking Meals

Dehydrated and freeze-dried backpacking meals are a quick and easy way to make dinner on a backpacking trip. There are lots of delicious options out there, but I like the ones from Mountain House and Peak Refuel best.

Jetboil Crunchit Fuel Canister Recycling Tool

Canister stoves are easy to use, but the downside is finding a way to dispose of the empty canisters. In many places they are recyclable, but you have to puncture them first. The Jetboil Crunchit tool makes that easy.

Goal Zero Flip 36 Power Bank

The little Goal Zero Flip 36 power bank has enough juice to charge my iPhone three times. Combined with the power-save mode on my phone, that means my phone can last for a week-long backpacking trip where I use it for photos and to run Gaia GPS for navigation. It’s pretty light too.

ThermoWorks ThermoDrop Zipper-Pull Thermometer

One of the keys to my backpacking gear systems is a thermometer. I like to know how cold it is so I can determine how well my gear worked at that temperature. Last year I upgraded from a cheap thermometer to the ThermoDrop.

My favourite part – it has a memory feature so it can display the min and max temperature since the last time it was turned on. That means I know how cold it got overnight!

Gifts for Backpackers Under $100

Sea to Summit Aeros Down Pillow

I used to sleep with my extra clothes bunched under my head. I splurged on the Sea to Summit Aeros Down inflatable pillow a few years ago and I don’t know why I waited so long to get one.

It weighs almost nothing (2.5 oz/71g) and packs down to the size of a mandarin orange. It has a thin layer of down on the top and then an inflatable chamber underneath. The down pillow top makes it so much more comfortable than other inflatable pillows I’ve tried.

National Parks Pass

An annual national parks pass makes a great gift. The America the Beautiful Pass gets a vehicle’s worth of people into over 2000 federation recreation sites and all the national parks.

Katadyn BeFree Water Filter

The tiny Katadyn BeFree Water Filter is the filter I pack for solo trips or as a backup when I’m going with a group. (My fave filter for groups is the Platypus Gravityworks, below). It weights almost nothing, filters quickly by squeezing the bottle, and is easy to use.

Petzl Bindi Headlamp

I take the tiny Petzl Bindi headlamp on every backpacking trip. It’s not the brightest one out there, but it’s plenty bright enough for tent chores and finding the outhouse in the middle of the night. It only weighs 1.2 oz (35g) too!

BearVault BV500 Bear Resistant Food Container

Constructing a proper bear-proof food hang in a tree can be tricky and time-consuming. And in some areas, it’s just impossible since the trees are too small or there aren’t any trees. I use my BearVault canister whenever I backpack above treeline.

Its locking lid requires thumbs to open, which thankfully, bears don’t have. I like the see-through design since it makes organization easier.

MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe Stove

The MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe is my favourite stove. (My husband loves backpacking stoves so I’ve tried tons of them.) It’s really easy to use and the built-in piezo igniter makes lighting it easy. It also has a built-in pressure regulator so it puts out a consistent flame. It’s also really tiny – it fits inside a mug!

Snow Peak Titanium Double Wall Mug

The Snow Peak Titanium Double Wall Mug is definitely a splurge, but I love it. It’s made of titanium, which makes it super light. And the double-wall construction keeps my morning tea warm for a long time – I like to sip it slowly while I pack up. The folding handles make it easy to shove in my backpack.

Prana Halle or Stretch Zion Hiking Pants

Prana’s Halle pants are my favourite hiking pants. They’re made with a slightly stretchy fabric that moves well but stands up to abrasion. They have a DWR coating to resist moisture and dry quickly. And they have lots of functional pockets. They come in plus-sizes too, which is great.

The Stretch Zion pants are the men’s version. One of my guy friends likes them so much he owns four pairs!

Peak Design Capture Camera Clip

If you backpack with a camera, you know it can be tough to figure out how to carry it. I got a Peak Design Capture Clip to hold my Sony mirrorless camera a few years ago and it has made backcountry photography soooo much easier.

The clip clamps onto your backpack’s shoulder strap, and then a spring-loaded, lockable mechanism secures your camera to the clip using your tripod plate.

Nesco Snackmaster Food Dehydrator

Pre-packed dehydrated backpacking meals can be expensive. But it’s really easy to make your own meals at home, then dehydrate them. I’ve had a basic Nesco dehydrator for over 10 years. It’s really easy to use. And since it’s a basic model, it’s good for beginners and cheaper than other dehydrators.

Outdoor Research Echo Hoodie

I do a lot of hiking above the treeline where I’m exposed to the full strength of the sun. I also sweat a lot, which makes it hard to keep sunscreen on. For the last two summers I’ve been wearing a sun hoodie instead of sunscreen and I don’t know why I didn’t do it sooner.

The Outdoor Research Echo Hoodie is one of my favourite sun hoodies. The fabric is thin and breathable so I don’t overheat, even though I’m wearing long sleeves and a hood. Even though the Echo doesn’t provide as much UPF sun protection as other hoodies, I like the fabric better since it isn’t hot to wear.

Kahtoola Microspikes

I got a pair of the Kahtoola Microspikes a few years ago and they have changed the way I hike in winter. They slip easily over my hiking boots or trail runners and the spikes underfoot provide great traction on ice or packed snow.

And unlike some of the items on this list, you won’t have have to wait until summer to use them!

Gifts for Backpackers Under $200

Ursack Major Bear-Resistant Food Sack

The Ursack Major Bear-Resisant food storage bag is made with Kevlar fibres that stand up to the teeth and claws of bears, raccoons, mice, and other food-stealing critters. If you put your food inside a smell-proof inner bag, you can tie it securely to the trunk of a tree and don’t have to worry about constructing a tricky bear hang. They weigh a lot less than a bear canister too!

Platypus GravityWorks Filter

On backpacking trips, I always bring my Platypus GravityWorks filter. Simply fill up the dirty bag and let gravity do the work of filtering your water while you attend to other camp chores (or just chill out). No annoying pumping or squeezing needed.

The 2L version is great for couples and I recommend the 4L version for groups.

Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket

The lightweight Patagonia Nano Puff jacket adds lots of warmth but packs down small. It uses down-free PrimaLoft Gold synthetic insulation which keeps you warm even when it gets wet. My husband loves this jacket.

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad

If you value a good night’s sleep and a light pack, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite sleeping pad is the perfect compromise. With 2.5″ of thickness, it keeps even side sleepers off the cold, hard ground. And it has an R-value of 4.2, which is enough insulation for everything but winter trips.

Kindle Paperwhite eReader

I love reading in the tent on a backpacking trip. I got my first Kindle eReader over a decade ago since I was tired of hauling books into the backcountry. The newest version has up to 10 weeks of battery life, holds thousands of books, and is waterproof – perfect for backpacking.

Helinox Chair One

A few years ago I couldn’t imagine taking a chair on a backpacking trip. They were just too heavy. But then I tried out the Helinox Chair One. It folds down super small but is still super comfortable to sit in.

At 2 pounds, it’s light enough to bring on chill backpacking trips. (Although my husband brings his on every trip. He says it’s much easier on his back compared to sitting on the ground.)

Fjallraven Abisko Trail Fleece Jacket

The lightweight Fjallraven Abisko Trail fleece jacket is one of my favourite layering pieces. It uses grid-knit fleece to trap warm air next to your body without adding bulk. I also love the Scandi-styling.

Ultralight Tarp

On longer trips, we always bring an ultralight tarp. That way we can rig up a kitchen shelter or have a dry place to eat lunch in a rainstorm. There are lots of ultralight tarp options out there, but most weigh less than a pound and pack down to the size of a burrito.

Splurge Gifts for Backpackers

Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles

The Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork poles are the Cadillac of trekking poles: lightweight carbon shafts, comfy cork grips, and easy-to-use FlickLock Pro telescopic adjustments. I love the rubber extension grips for even more hand positions in tricky terrain.

In the winter, add powder baskets (sold separately) and use them for snowshoeing or backcountry skiing.

Garmin inReach Mini 2

Being able to call for help in the wilderness is important. I’ve had a Garmin inReach Mini 2 satellite messenger for a few years. It lets you send text messengers via satellite to loved ones at home. And it also has an SOS button so you can summon search and rescue in an emergency.

It’s not cheap, and you need to pair it with a monthly service plan, but it’s a great piece of safety kit

Big Agnes Copper Spur 2-Person Tent

A few years ago I got a Big Agnes Copper Spur tent. In my opinion, it’s the best backpacking tent for most people. It’s lightweight, great in bad weather, and has tons of interior room. It’s also much easier to set up and use than truly ultralight trekking pole shelters. I’ve used mine all over BC and the Canadian Rockies.

Gregory Amber 68/Stout 70 Backpack

I’ve had this backpack for a few years now, and I think it’s a great option for most backpackers. It’s neither ultralight nor ultra-burly but it is comfortable to carry. It has a few features that I really like, such as the stretchy mesh outside pocket and a hipbelt pocket that’s big enough to fit my phone.

I have the women’s version called the Amber. The men’s is called the Stout. The 68L and 70L sizes are perfect for week-long trips. On shorter trips, I just cinch down the top of the bag.

Final Thoughts

So those are all my picks for the best gifts for backpackers. Do you have any other suggestions for backpacking gifts? Leave them in the comments.

MORE GIFT GUIDES:

• 25 Stocking Stuffers for Hikers Under $25
• The Best Eco-friendly Gifts for Hikers
• 10 Best Canadian Hiking Gear Gifts
• Best Gifts for Snowshoers (25+ Ideas)
• Romantic Gifts for Hikers and Campers
• Black Friday and Boxing Day Deals for Hikers

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The post 40 Best Gifts for Backpackers in 2025 appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

I’ve been snowshoeing for decades and have put in countless hours on snowshoe trails over the years. I also used to work at an outdoor store, both in the head office and on the store floor, so I know lots about snowshoeing gear.

I’ve put together a complete guide to choosing the best boots for snowshoeing. It has everything you need to know to buy your first pair and it’s totally updated for winter 2025/26. Here’s what you’ll learn:

• What type of boots are best for snowshoeing? Should you snowshoe in traditional winter boots, summer hiking boots, or insulated hiking boots?
• My recommendations for snowshoeing boots: I’ve got picks for boots that are lightweight, extra warm, budget-priced, for wide feet, and more.
• Which features to look for in snowshoeing boots: How important are waterproofing, insulation, support, and fit?
• Which snowshoeing boot accessories will help keep you warm and dry? Learn about gaiters, warm socks, thermal insoles, heated socks, and heated insoles.
• Snowshoe boots FAQ – All your questions answered.

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

Why You Should Trust My Advice

I’ve been snowshoeing most of my life. My dad used to take us out on borrowed snowshoes once a year or so. Over 20 years ago, I got my first pair of snowshoes. I’ve been going snowshoeing every winter since then.

I also used to work in the outdoor industry. In my twenties, I spent three years working in an outdoor store helping people choose boots.

Later, I spent six years writing marketing materials at the head office of a large Canadian outdoor retailer. I wrote product descriptions, gear guides, and staff training materials for tons of different products. And one of my areas of expertise was snowshoeing.

So I know A LOT about snowshoeing and which features are actually important when choosing the best boots to wear with snowshoes.

What Type of Boots Do You Need for Snowshoeing?

There are a few types of boots you can wear for snowshoeing: classic winter boots, hiking boots, and insulated hiking boots. Here’s the lowdown on each of them. (Spoiler: I REALLY don’t recommend one of these types of snowshoeing boots.)

Old-Fashioned Winter Boots

Have you ever tried snowshoeing in big and soft old-fashioned winter boots? (Think Pac boots like ones you get from Sorel or Baffin.) They are nice and warm and fit a lot of people, but they offer no support – the whole foot, ankle, and upper is floppy and your foot slides around inside.

On one of the first overnight snowshoeing trips I did years ago, I wore a pair of Baffin winter boots. They were super warm, but I got blisters from my foot sliding around and wrenched my ankle badly a few times since they offered no support. I haven’t worn them snowshoeing since. (But I have worn them for winter car camping and around the city – they’re great for that!)

If you already own old-fashioned winter boots you can use them for snowshoeing if you stick to flat trails and don’t have ankle issues. However, for the reasons mentioned above, I really don’t recommend winter boots for snowshoeing. Read on to learn about better snowshoeing boot options.

Hiking Boots

If you already own hiking boots, great – you don’t need to buy anything new! As long as they are waterproof, your summer hiking boots will work for snowshoeing. I’ve worn summer hiking boots snowshoeing dozens of times.

If you find your feet are getting cold, warmer socks, heated socks, or special winter insoles can help. (See the accessories section of this post for details on those.)

Hiking boots plus warm socks are often all you will need if it’s not that cold out or you tend to run hot.

Insulated Winter Hiking Boots

I used my summer hiking boots for snowshoeing for years. Eventually, I found that my feet were always cold, so I switched to a pair of insulated winter hiking boots.

Gear companies often make winter versions of popular hiking boots simply by adding a little bit of synthetic insulation. If you snowshoe a lot, I suggest getting a pair of insulated winter hiking boots.

I never thought I needed them, but now that I have warm snowshoeing boots, my trips are a little bit more pleasant. No more cold toes! I’m definitely a believer: Insulated winter hiking boots are the best boots for snowshoeing.

Best Boots for Snowshoeing

If you’re looking to buy snowshoeing boots, I’ve got a bunch of recommendations in this section for you. These recommendations are based on my personal experience snowshoeing, my years of work in the outdoor industry, and recommendations from my newsletter readers.

Just a heads up that all the boots on this list are insulated hiking boots designed for snowshoeing and winter hiking. You won’t find any regular hiking boots on this list because you probably already own some.

But… if you’re looking for ways to turn your regular hiking boots into snowshoeing boots, scroll down to the snowshoe boot accessories section at the bottom for some tips.

Best Boots for Snowshoeing: Quick Picks

Best All-Around Snowshoeing Boots: Columbia Bugaboot

Best Budget-Priced Snowshoeing Boots: Merrell Thermo Chill Mid

Best Ultra-Durable Snowshoeing Boots: Oboz Bridger Insulated

Best Lightweight Snowshoeing Boots: Salomon X Ultra Snowpilot

Best Snowshoeing Boots for Wide Feet: KEEN Revel IV Polar

Best Extra-Warm Snowshoeing Boots: The North Face Chilkat V

Best Leather-Free Snowshoeing Boots: Salomon Shelter Waterproof

Columbia Bugaboot: Best All-Around Snowshoeing Boots

Columbia’s Bugaboot series has been around for years – they were one of the most popular winter boots I helped people buy back in my boot fitter days. They’re reasonably priced boots that aren’t the highest tech or the lowest weight but are still well made and work great for snowshoeing.

The waterproof uppers are fully seam-sealed to keep moisture out. They have cozy warm synthetic insulation and they use Columbia’s OmniHeat reflective technology to keep the heat your body generates in. I have a different pair of Columbia winter boots for city use that have OmniHeat and it’s shocking how much extra warmth it adds.

The soles and construction of these boots are pretty burly, which means they are a bit heavy and bulky. But for the price and the warmth, the Bugaboots are great all-around winter boots to wear with snowshoes.

Check prices:

Merrell Thermo Chill Mid: Best Budget-Priced Snowshoeing Boots

If you’re looking for insulated hiking boots that won’t break the bank, check out the Merrell Thermo Chill Mid boots. They don’t have as many high-end features as Merrell’s other winter boots, but they still have the basics that make them a great choice for snowshoeing.

The outers are made of leather with a waterproof polyurethane coating and an interior waterproof breathable membrane.

Inside, they have low-bulk insulation to keep you warm. The overall package is fairly lightweight, so they don’t look like bulky winter boots. They also come in both wide and standard widths.

Check prices:

Oboz Bridger Insulated: Best Ultra-Durable Boots for Snowshoeing

Many hikers I know swear by the Oboz Bridger Insulated boots for their summer hikes. They are super-durable, provide lots of ankle support, and are known for their great fit thanks to their slightly wider forefoot. Thankfully for snowshoers, Oboz also makes the Bridger in a winter insulated version.

They’ve taken the regular Bridger and added cozy insulation, a plush lining, and a wool-topped insole with a thermal layer to retain heat. They come in both mid and high top, depending on how much support you like. (The high top version has even more insulation so it’s better for very cold weather or people who get chilled feet easily.)

Oboz is really dedicated to creating boots that fit well, so they adjusted the fit on these boots so that you can buy your regular size but still have enough room for thick winter socks. They come in both wide and standard widths too. That’s thoughtful design!

Check prices:

Salomon X Ultra Snowpilot: Best Lightweight Boots for Snowshoeing

I’ve been wearing the regular version of Salomon’s X Ultra boots for summer hiking for years. (I’m on my third pair.) So Salomon X Ultra Snowpilot (the winter version of those boots) looked like the best snowshoeing boot option for me.

They have lightweight Thinsulate insulation and all of the mesh patches on the summer version are upgraded to full leather for better waterproofing. They’re mid-cut boots with a cushy midsole that feels like a trail runner, so they aren’t very bulky or heavy.

Like most Salomon boots, they have a very forgiving fit that works great for most people’s feet.

Check prices:

KEEN Revel IV Polar: Best Snowshoeing Boots for Wide Feet

Back when I worked as a boot fitter, I saw a lot of people with wide feet who had trouble finding boots. I always recommended they try KEEN boots, and 99% of the time, that was the answer.

KEEN’s most popular winter hiking boot is the Revel IV Polar. Like all KEEN boots, they have an extra-wide toe box and wide fit throughout, making them the best snowshoeing boot for wide feet. Reviewers online and in my FB group with wide feet talk about how well these fit.

The Revel IV Polar comes in both a mid and full height version so you get the amount of ankle support you prefer. It’s a full leather boot with a waterproof breathable internal membrane to keep water out.

To keep you toasty warm, they have compact but cozy synthetic insulation. They also have thermal insoles that reflect your body’s heat back to you.

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MORE BOOTS FOR WIDE FEET: The Oboz Bridger Insulated and Merrell Thermo Chill come in standard and wide widths.

The North Face Chilkat V: Best Extra-Warm Boots for Snowshoeing

If you snowshoe in a cold climate, or your feet get cold very easily, you need boots with extra insulation. The North Face Chilkat V boots use 400g synthetic insulation (compared to 200g in most of the other boots on this list), so there is lots of toasty warmth. They’re so warm that The North Face says they are good down to -40!

Other winter-ready features include waterproof leather uppers, soles designed to grip on ice, and cozy faux-fur lining. They even have a built-in D-ring to secure your gaiters.

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More extra-warm snowshoeing boot options: The Salomon Toundra, Oboz Bridger 10″ (men’s), Oboz Bridger 9″ (women’s), and Columbia Bugaboot Celsius Plus all use 400g insulation too.

Salomon Shelter Waterproof: Best Leather-Free Boots for Snowshoeing

If you’re trying to avoid leather, check out Salomon’s Shelter Waterproof boots. Instead of using leather, these mid-height boots have a synthetic exterior. They also have a waterproof breathable membrane inside to keep you totally dry. For warmth, they have lots of low volume Thinsulate synthetic insulation.

The Shelter boots are a bit less technical than some of the other boots on this list and have less ankle support, but they are they are still a good option casual snowshoeing. Honestly, I had a hard time finding leather-free options so this was the best I could find.

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Features to Look For in Boots for Snowshoeing

If you’re buying boots for snowshoeing, there are some key features you should keep in mind like waterproofing, ankle support, insulation, and fit. Some of these are personal preferences but NEVER compromise on fit.

Waterproofing

Since you’ll be walking in the snow (which is made of water) waterproof boots are a must for snowshoeing. Leather and some synthetic materials have excellent water resistance on their own.

But to make them totally waterproof, most hiking boots have a waterproof-breathable membrane sandwiched between the outer fabric and inner lining. GORE-TEX is the most well known waterproof-breathable technology, but eVent and brand-specific technologies can work just as well.

Foot and Ankle Support

The amount of foot and ankle support you choose is a matter of personal preference. However, on snowshoes, you often end up landing off-camber with the inside or outside edge of your snowshoe tilted. This can wrench your ankles into an uncomfortable position unexpectedly. Supportive boots can protect your ankles.

As well, you will be tightening your snowshoe bindings over your toes and forefeet. You want to wear boots that cradle your feet and aren’t too soft. Otherwise, your bindings will squish your toes, which can be really uncomfortable.

Hiking boots and insulated winter hiking boots offer great support for your ankles and cradle your feet better than traditional floppy winter boots. Hiking boots also fit more snugly so your feet won’t slide around, which can cause blisters. (Psst: Read my tips for preventing blisters!)

My recommendation: wear boots with foot and ankle support for snowshoeing.

Insulation

Depending on where you snowshoe and how much you feel the cold, the best boots for snowshoeing are winter hiking boots with insulation. Many hiking boot companies make winter versions of their summer hiking boots by adding a little bit of insulation.

Don’t worry about getting exceptionally warm polar expedition-worthy snowshoeing boots rated for -40. Big, heavy-duty winter boots are designed for standing still or sitting in very cold conditions (like ice fishing or snowmobiling).

Snowshoeing is an aerobic activity that will warm up your body so you don’t need tons of warmth. If you pick boots with too much insulation, your feet will just get sweaty and wet when snowshoeing.

For most hikers, boots that use 200g synthetic insulation will be perfect. This is a moderate amount of insulation that won’t make you overheat too much but will still offer lots of warmth.

Comfortable Fit

Don’t buy boots based on which ones work for your friend’s feet or some reviewer on the internet’s feet. Buy comfortable snowshoeing boots that fit your unique feet. Some brands are better for wide feet, while others are better for narrow ones. (I’ve got details on that in the boot recommendations above.)

Make sure you have enough room to wear thicker winter socks (if that’s what you prefer) and that your insoles or orthotics fit inside too.

If possible, try on boots later in the day after your feet swell a little bit. Lace them up all the way, then walk around for a bit.

Try walking up and down a ramp or stairs to see if your heel slips (which means they are too big) or your toe bumps (which means they are too small).

If you’re ordering online and trying on at home, order a few pairs to compare, then return the ones that don’t work.

Snowshoeing Boot Accessories to Keep You Warmer and Drier

Keeping your feet comfortable while snowshoeing doesn’t end up with choosing boots. I’ve got tips for accessories to keep you warm and dry. These accessories are good add-ons for insulated hiking boots and are essential for making your summer hiking boots snowshoe-ready.

Gaiters to Keep the Snow Out

One of the quickest ways to get cold and wet feet while snowshoeing is to let snow go down the tops of your boots. If there’s fresh or deep snow, I always wear gaiters. They are fabric covers that bridge the gap between the bottom of your pants and the top of your boots to keep the snow out.

There are lots of different gaiters on the market, but for snowshoeing, you don’t need anything too fancy. Look for gaiters that are waterproof or water-resistant. I also like ones that are easy to put on with gloves on, like gaiters with Velcro closures. Consider sizing up to make sure they fit over bulkier winter boots.

I wear an old pair of MEC Kokanee Gaiters. The REI Traverse Gaiters are also great. If you want cheap ones, the Unigear Gaiters on Amazon get good reviews.

Pro tip: You can skip gaiters if you wear pants with built-in gaiters. I also like mountaineering pants that have eyelets at the bottom that let you attach your cord to secure the pants under your boots and a hook at the front to clip on to your boot laces. See which ones I recommend in my post about what to wear for snowshoeing.

Waterproof Socks to Keep Your Feet Dry

If it turns out that your boots are not as waterproof as you’d like, consider some waterproof socks. They look like regular (if a bit thick) hiking socks, but have a hidden waterproof breathable membrane inside. They will keep your feet dry, but also let them breathe so they don’t get too sweaty. (Be careful: sweaty feet get blisters!)

Pro tip: The membrane makes them a bit less stretchy than regular socks, so be sure to get the right size, or else you’ll have uncomfortable fit issues.

Sealskinz waterproof socks get great reviews. In my experience, all waterproof socks are a bit thick but they work well and they add some warmth too.

Winter Insoles to Add Warmth and Support

I’m not going to sugar-coat it: The insoles that come with most boots are crap. They are made of thin foam with no real shape or support. They also don’t last very long before getting squished paper-thin.

I replace the insoles in pretty every pair of shoes or hiking boots that I buy with cradling insoles like Superfeet. (I have them in all of my boots.)

If you’re looking to boost the warmth of your regular hiking boots for snowshoeing, adding a winter insole is a great trick. Winter insoles add warmth with insulating foam and reflective foil layers to keep heat in. They are sometimes made with cozy materials like wool or fleece to add more warmth.

The Oboz Thermal insoles use a thermal reflective layer for added warmth.

Thick Wool Socks to Add Warmth

In the summer I like to wear thin hiking socks that let my feet breathe. (My favourites are the Smartwool Hike Light Cushion.) But in the winter I wear thicker wool-blend socks to add extra warmth.

If you’re choosing socks for snowshoeing, look for a wool-synthetic blend for a balance of durability and warmth. Choose ones that are thicker than your usual summer hiking socks, but don’t pick extra thick ones – you need to make sure they will fit inside your boots without being too tight!

Lately, I’ve been loving the Darn Tough Hiker Cushion Socks for snowshoeing. They are a bit thicker for extra warmth but don’t feel too bulky in my boots.

Psst: Wearing the wrong socks is a surefire way to get blisters. Get my tips for preventing blisters.

Heated Socks for the Ultimate in Warmth

A friend of mine has Reynaud’s Disease (a circulatory disorder where you always have very cold hands and feet). She says heated socks are a game-changer for snowshoeing. Unlike disposable heat packs, they last for hours and can be used over and over again. Plus they are very low profile so they don’t bunch up in your boots.

Heated socks have small battery packs mounted on the calves. There are lots of heated socks out there, but the quality can vary a LOT. (Pro tip: Pay attention to what you are buying – sometimes you have to buy the battery packs separately.)

Lenz heated socks are really pricey but get great reviews. They are made with merino wool so they are super soft. The batteries last for up to 14 hours and you can control the temperature via an app on your phone.

Heated Insoles for Affordable Warmth

Heated socks can be very expensive and need careful washing. If that’s a turn-off for you, heated insoles are a more affordable way to add hours of warmth to your snowshoe trip. They work the same way, except that they have battery packs that strap on to your ankles or shins.

Thermic’s heated insoles get good reviews, but they are pretty expensive. They have several options for insoles and separate battery packs.

There are lots of crappy and cheap heated insoles on Amazon. If you want budget-priced ones, Thermrup makes reliable heated insoles at a reasonable price.

Snowshoe Boots FAQ

Final Thoughts

So that’s the lowdown on the best boots for snowshoeing. Now you should have all the info you need to choose snowshoeing boots. If you have more questions, leave them in the comments. I’d love to help.

MORE SNOWSHOE ADVICE:

• How to Choose Snowshoes: A Complete Guide
• What to Wear Winter Hiking and Snowshoeing
• Best Insulated Skirts to Keep Your Butt Warm on the Trails
• Snowshoeing Safety: 14 Ways to Get into Trouble and How to Prevent Them
• 9 Tips for Winter Hiking (You Don’t Have to Freeze!)

The post The Best Boots For Snowshoeing (Winter 2025/26) appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

I’ve lived in the Vancouver area all my life and I’m an avid hiker. I have written two hiking guidebooks and done volunteer work with several local outdoor advocacy organizations regarding park advocacy and access. I’ve also scoured the BC Parks website and chatted with BC Parks staff so I know everything there is to know about BC Parks day passes.

Quick Summary: In winter 2025/2026, you need a vehicle day pass to visit Mount Seymour Provincial Park. In summer, you need a vehicle day pass to visit Garibaldi and Golden Ears Provincial Parks and you need a trail pass (for each adult) to visit Joffre Lakes Provincial Park. In some parks, you don’t need a pass on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

In this guide to day passes in BC parks you’ll find:

• Which parks require a BC Parks day pass
• How much does a day pass cost
• Who needs to get a day pass and when you don’t need a pass
• How to get a day pass and when you can get one
• How to use your day pass
• Day passes at Joffre Lakes Provincial Park – everything you need to know
• Day passes at Golden Ears Provincial Park – everything you need to know
• Day passes at Garibaldi Provincial Park – everything you need to know
• Winter day passes at Mount Seymour Provincial Park – everything you need to know
• Tips and tricks for getting a day pass
• Why do BC Parks require day passes – what problem are they trying to solve?
• BC Parks day pass FAQ – all your questions answered

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Which Parks Require a BC Parks Day Pass?

In summer 2025, you need a day pass to visit Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, Garibaldi Provincial Park, and Golden Ears Provincial Park. More details on each of these parks is below – click the links to jump to those sections.

In previous years, BC Parks day passes were required at other parks. However, in summer 2025 you do NOT need a day pass to visit Stawamus Chief Provincial Park, Mount Robson Provincial Park, Mount Seymour Provincial Park, or Cypress Provincial Park.

In winter 2025/2026, you needed a day pass to visit Mount Seymour Provincial Park. More info on winter day passes is below – click the link to jump to that section

How Much Do Day Passes Cost?

BC Parks Day passes are totally free. There is no cost.

Who Needs a Day Pass? When Don’t You Need a Pass?

Summer Day Passes

Most visitors to Joffre, Garibaldi, and Golden Ears Provincial Parks in summer 2025 will need a day pass.

However, there are a few situations where you don’t need a day pass:

• If you have booked a day trip with Park Bus to Golden Ears, Garibaldi, or Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, you do NOT need a day pass. Note: Park Bus did not operate in summer 2024 and does not seem to be running in summer 2025.
• If you have a front-country (drive-in) camping reservation for Golden Ears Provincial Park you do NOT need a day pass.
• If you have a backcountry camping reservation (Garibaldi or Joffre), OR a backcountry permit registration (Golden Ears), you do NOT need a day pass. (Read my guide to booking backcountry camping in BC for more info.)
• If you arrive at the park outside of the hours/days that day passes are required. This varies by park by is typically before 7 am or after 4 pm every day for summer passes. Some parks do not require passes on weekdays during some time periods. As well, day passes are not required in the spring, fall, and winter in some parks – read park specific rules below. Note: This does not apply to Joffre Lakes – you need a pass 24 hours a day at Joffre.
• If you plan to visit part of Golden Ears or Garibaldi Park that is not covered by day passes. (Unpopular parking lots and trailheads do not require a day pass. See park details for Garibaldi and Golden Ears below for specific information.)
• If you arrive by bike or on foot at Garibaldi, Golden Ears, or Mount Seymour. Only motor vehicles need a pass at these parks. At Joffre, each person requires a pass no matter how they arrive.
• Kids do NOT need their own trail pass at Joffre as long as they are accompanied by an adult.

Winter Day Passes

Most visitors to Mount Seymour Provincial Park in winter 2025/26 needed a day pass.

However, there are a few situations where you don’t need a day pass:

• If you have booked the Mount Seymour shuttle bus in winter 2025/26, you do NOT need a day pass
• If you have reserved paid tickets to ski, snowshoe, or snow-tube at Mount Seymour Ski Resort, you do NOT need a day pass – You only need a day pass for the free BC Parks trails outside the ski resort.
• If you arrive at the park outside of the hours/days that day passes are required. This means arriving after 4pm or on a weekday (outside of the Christmas holiday period).

How to Get a BC Parks Day Pass? When Can You Get a Day Pass?

You need to book on the BC Parks Day Pass website. This is the only way to book – there are no phone bookings.

Passes are available to book starting at 7 am two days before your visit. For example, if you want to visit on July 22, you can book your pass online starting at 7 am on July 20. Be sure to book early because passes get booked up in the first few minutes for summer weekends.

How to Use Your Day Pass?

When you book a pass, it will be emailed to you. Either print it out or take a screenshot. There is no cell service or bad cell service at most parks so you won’t be able to access your email once you arrive.

When you arrive at the park, a staff member will ask to see your pass. They will confirm that it is valid for the right park, day, time slot (morning, afternoon, or all day) and parking area. For Joffre Lakes, they will confirm that you have a pass for each adult. (Kids under 18 don’t need passes.) They will also check your ID to make sure that the person who booked the pass is present.

For Garibaldi, Golden Ears, and Mount Seymour, this check happens on the park entrance roads. For Joffre, this check happens at the trailhead.

Day Passes at Joffre Lakes Provincial Park

Joffre Lakes Day Passes Quick Facts

• Required daily starting on May 17, 2025 (They haven’t announced when the day pass season will end yet, but it will likely be in mid-October.)
• Each adult requires their own pass. Kids under 18 don’t need a pass.
• There are no parking passes for Joffre Lakes. Day passes here are per person.
• Passes are valid for an entire day and are required 24 hours a day – you need a pass even if you plan to arrive at 2 am when there won’t be anyone checking passes.
• You can book up to 4 passes at once for the same day.
• Passes are available on the BC Parks day pass website starting at 7 am two days before your trip.
• The park will be closed to the public from April 25 to May 16, 2025, June 17 to 27, 2025, and September 2 to October 3, 2025 to support Indigenous harvesting and cultural practices.
• You don’t need a pass if you have a backcountry camping reservation. (Read my guide to booking backcountry camping in BC for more info.)

Info For Visiting Joffre Lakes

Joffre Lakes Provincial Park is one of the most popular parks in BC. The small park is home to three gorgeous turquoise lakes, all accessed from the same trail. There are no other trails or destinations in the park.

My Joffre Lakes hiking guide has all the details you need to visit. The first lake (Lower Joffre Lake) is just 0.2 km (5 minutes) from the parking lot on a flat and easy trail.

It is a much harder hike to reach Middle Joffre Lake, Upper Joffre Lake, and the campground at the far end of Upper Joffre Lake. If you hike to the campground and back you will have hiked about 10 kilometres with 370 metres of elevation gain. Allow 4 hours for the hike, and more if you want to stop for lunch or photos.

All trails beyond the campground are unofficial mountaineering trails that lead into steep terrain prone to rockfall and glacier collapse.

READ NEXT: Joffre Lakes Hike (By a Local)

Day Passes at Golden Ears Provincial Park

Golden Ears Provincial Park Day Pass Quick Facts

• Required from May 16 to September 1, 2025 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and holidays. You do NOT need a pass on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
• Each vehicle requires a pass. You can have a max of 12 people (of any age) in the vehicle.
• You must have a day pass to park at Alouette Lake South Beach, Alouette Lake Boat Launch, Gold Creek Trailhea, and West Canyon Trailhead. You do NOT need a pass to park at Spirea Nature Trail, Main Corral, or Mike Lake (but those parking lots are not close to the lake or the most popular hiking trails)
• For most parking areas, you have to book an AM (7am to 1pm) or PM (arrive after 1pm) pass. You can book an all day pass for the Aloutette Lake Boat Launch parking lot.
• You can book one pass per time slot per day
• Passes are available on the BC Parks day pass website starting at 7 am two days before your trip
• You don’t need a pass if you have a reservation for drive-in camping.
• You don’t need a pass if you have a backcountry camping permit registration. (Read my guide to booking backcountry camping in BC for more info.)
• You don’t need a pass if you arrive after 3:30 pm. (This is slightly earlier than the 4 pm cut-off in previous years.)

Info For Visiting Golden Ears Provincial Park

There is one road in and out of Golden Ears Park (called Golden Ears Parkway) and all of the parking lots that require day passes are along the last part of this road. The road is open from 7 am to 11 pm. The gate is locked and you can’t drive in at night.

To help you decide which day pass to book, here’s a quick run-down of the areas at the park:

Alouette Lake South Beach Day-Use Area: This is a huge beach at the south end of Alouette Lake. It has a beach, swimming area, canoe rentals, picnic area, and washrooms. If you want to hang out at the beach, you want this pass. This is by far the largest parking lot in the park.

Alouette Lake Boat Launch: This parking lot is a short walk from South Beach day-use area and is designed as a parking lot for people with boat trailers. It is a smaller lot so it could be harder to get a pass.

West Canyon Parking Lot: This small parking lot is a good place to park for hikes to Golden Ears Summit or the loop of Gold Creek Canyon. However, those are long hikes. You can also use this parking lot for the short hikes to North Beach or Lower Falls, but the Gold Creek Parking lot is much closer to those.

Gold Creek Parking Lot: This parking lot is the best place to park for the short hikes to Lower Falls (aka Gold Creek Falls) or North Beach. This parking lot is also a good place to park for the loop of Gold Creek Canyon or the summit of Golden Ears.

Other parking lots (no pass required): Three other parking lots near the park entrance don’t require day passes: Spirea Nature Trail, Mike Lake, and Main Corral. Main Corral provides access to a network of horseback riding trails. The Mike Lake parking lot is a good place to park for the short hike around Mike Lake or the long and challenging hike to Alouette Mountain. Spirea Nature Trail is a short wheelchair accessible trail with a small parking lot.

Day Passes at Garibaldi Provincial Park

Garibaldi Provincial Park Day Pass

• There are three trailheads that require passes: Diamond Head (Elfin Lakes), Rubble Creek (Garibaldi Lake) and Cheakamus. Each one has different rules.
• At Diamond Head and Rubble Creek, day passes are required from June 13 to October 13, 2025 on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and holidays. Unlike in previous years, passes are not required on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
• At Cheakamus Lake, day passes are required every day between June 13 and September 1, 2025. From From September 2 October 13, they are required Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday only. You can book an AM pass (arrival and departure before 1 pm) or a PM pass (arrival and departure after 1 pm). You can only book one time slot per day, but you can book both AM and PM passes if you want to stay all day.
• Each vehicle requires a pass. You can have a max of 12 people (of any age) in the vehicle.
• Passes are available on the BC Parks day pass website starting at 7 am two days before your trip
• You don’t need a pass if you have a backcountry camping reservation. (Read my guide to booking backcountry camping in BC for more info.)

Info For Visiting Garibaldi Park

Garibaldi Provincial Park is huge and has several access points between Squamish and Whistler. Only some of the trailheads require day passes.

To help you decide which day pass to book, here’s a quick rundown of the areas at the park:

Diamondhead (Elfin Lakes) Trailhead: Located up a 2WD accessible gravel road near Squamish, this parking lot is the trailhead for hikes to Elfin Lakes and beyond to the Rampart Ponds. It is a 22 km round trip hike to Elfin Lakes with 600 m of elevation gain. The hike takes 6-8 hours. My Elfin Lakes hiking guide has more info.

READ NEXT: Elfin Lakes Hike in Squamish (By a Local)

Rubble Creek (Garibaldi Lakes) Trailhead: Located on a short paved road between Squamish and Whistler, this trailhead leads to Garibaldi Lake, Taylor Meadows, and beyond to Panorama Ridge and Black Tusk. The hike to Garibaldi Lake is an 18 km round trip with 820 m of elevation gain. The hike takes 6-7 hours.

Cheakamus Lake Trailhead: Located on a 2WD accessible gravel road at the south end of Whistler. From here you can hike the flat and easy 7 km round trip to Cheakamus Lake which only takes 2-3 hours so you could do it on a single AM or PM pass. Or you can continue further down the lake to Singing Creek for a total round-trip distance of 16 km. You can also hike up to Helm Creek campground (17 km round trip with 700 m of elevation gain) or beyond to Helm Pass. You will need BOTH an AM pass and a PM pass for Singing Creek or Helm Creek.

Singing Pass Trailhead (no pass required): This trailhead is right in Whistler Village and you don’t need a day pass. It is a 31 km round trip to Russet Lake with 1280 m of elevation and will take 9-10 hours. You can also pay to take the Whistler Gondola up, then hike to Russet Lake via the High Note or Musical Bumps trails. My Russet Lake trail guide has more info.

Wedgemount Lake Trailhead (no pass required): This trailhead is on a somewhat rough (but 2WD-accessible) gravel road just north of Whistler and you don’t need a day pass. The hike to the lake is 13 km return with 1160 m of elevation gain. Allow 7 hours.

Day Passes at Mount Seymour Provincial Park

Day passes are required in winter 2025/2026 at this park.

Mount Seymour Provincial Park Winter Day Pass Quick Facts

• Required every day from December 19, 2025 to January 4, 2026. Required only on weekends and holidays from January 9 to March 29, 2026.
• Each vehicle requires a pass. You can have a max of 12 people (of any age) in the vehicle.
• You can book an AM Pass (valid 7 am to 12 pm) or a PM pass (valid 12 pm to 4 pm)
• You do NOT need a pass if you arrive after 4 pm.
• You can book one pass per time slot per day. If you want to do a longer hike, backcountry ski, or snowshoe, you will need to book BOTH an AM and a PM pass.
• Passes are available on the BC Parks day pass website starting at 7 am two days before your trip
• If you are backcountry camping, you only need a pass for the day that you enter the park. You don’t need a pass for the second (or third, etc.) day.
• If you take the Mount Seymour Shuttle bus, you do not need a day pass.

Info for Winter Visits to Mount Seymour Provincial Park

There is one road in and out of Mount Seymour Park (called Mount Seymour Parkway) and all of the parking is at the end of this road. The road is open from 7 am to 10 pm. The gate is locked and you can’t drive in at night or early in the morning. Between October 1 and March 31, you need winter tires (M+S or snowflake symbol) to legally drive the road.

There are two main areas for winter recreation at Mount Seymour Provincial Park. One is free and requires day passes. The other is paid since it is inside the ski resort. There are different rules for each, here’s a run-down to help you decide whether you need a day pass:

Mount Seymour Resort Ski Area: You NOT not need a day pass for this area if you buy tickets for downhill skiing/snowboarding, the resort’s paid snowshoe trails, or the resort’s tube park. Your tickets include parking in Lots 2, 3, and 4 (the closest lots to the mountain).

BC Park Trails: You NEED a free day pass to access the BC Parks trails to Dog Mountain and Mount Seymour. These trails are popular with backcountry skiers and snowshoers. See my guide to snowshoeing in Vancouver for more info and trail descriptions. If you have a day pass you must park in Lots 1 or 5 (furthest from the mountain).

Pro tip: Mount Seymour is the ONLY place you need a day pass to go snowshoeing. If you’re looking for a place to go snowshoeing without a day pass, check out my guides to snowshoeing in Vancouver, Squamish, Whistler, the Fraser Valley, and Manning Park. I’ve got tons of other options for you – no pass required!

Tips and Tricks for Getting a Day Pass

On sunny summer weekends, especially long weekends, it can be tough to get a pass. Here are a few tips and tricks for getting a BC Parks day pass.

• Visit the day pass website in advance so you can get familiar with how it works.
• Be online at 7 am two days before your trip and click right away.
• Have everyone in your group try to get passes at the same time to increase your chances. Use a voice chat to coordinate so you don’t end up booking more passes than you need.
• If possible, use a computer instead of a phone as the system works a bit better on desktop.
• If you didn’t get passes, keep checking back as sometimes people cancel and passes become available again.
• Check back at 7 am on the day of your trip – sometimes BC Parks releases more passes at that time.

Why Do BC Parks Require Day Passes?

What BC Parks Says

The short answer is that BC Parks website says that day passes are needed to manage large numbers of visitors who have negative impacts on the environment and the enjoyment of other visitors. But the long answer is much more complicated than that.

Initially, BC Parks said that the Day Pass system was a “Pilot Program”. But they have quietly made it permanent with no officially announcement. They have changed it a little bit each year, and removed it in some areas.

My Opinion

I volunteer on the advocacy committee for the Friends of Garibaldi Park Society and the Southwestern British Columbia Recreation and Conservation Committee of the Federation of Mountain Clubs of British Columbia. I’ve spent a lot of time talking to parks staff, politicians, and other outdoors folk about day passes. Below is a summary of what I’ve learned.

The Day Pass System Costs Tax Payers Millions Each Year

BC Parks introduced the day pass system in summer 2020 as a response to the pandemic and a way to promote social distancing. That year, the BC government spent $900,000 to implement the day pass website software and hire staff to check passes at parking lots and trailheads.

In 2021 and 2022, BC Parks changed the wording around day passes, saying they were needed to protect park environments and reduce large crowds. In summer 2021 and winter 2021/2022, the cost of implementing day passes was $1.3 million. BC Parks hasn’t released costs for more recent seasons, but we can assume they are similar.

BC Parks Has Almost No Budget to Maintain or Build Trails

The reality is that BC Parks is grossly underfunded and has been for decades. That means that trails are in terrible condition because they have not been maintained. It also means that even though the population of the metro Vancouver area has grown by about 1 million people since 1990, almost no new trails have been built in provincial parks near Vancouver in that time.

It’s not surprising that our trails are busy if there hasn’t been any money to build more trails so that more people can get outdoors.

As well, almost no money has been spent on upgrading trails to handle more traffic (or even to withstand the traffic they already see.) If BC Parks were so concerned about the environmental degradation of increased traffic, they would spend money on long overdue trail maintenance to prevent erosion and reduce trail braiding. But they just don’t have the budget.

In the last few years, the BC government has made a few big announcements about funding for BC parks. However, only a small fraction of that funding is going towards trail maintenance. And so far, none of the funding has gone towards new trails in the Vancouver area.

BC Parks Has No Budget to Increase Parking Lot Sizes

BC Parks also does not have the budget to upgrade gravel parking lots to install parking stall lines (which would allow for more efficient parking), or to increase parking lot size.

Yes, in a few places, trails in BC’s provincial parks truly are overcrowded. But in most places, BC Parks day passes are not about crowding or environmental impact – they are about parking lots being too small. Once you leave the crowded parking lot and go for a hike, there is plenty of room on the trails for everyone.

In fact, BC Parks acknowledges that the reason they stopped requiring day passes at Stawamus Chief Provincial Park was that it has enough parking.

Day Passes Have Negative Knock-On Effects on Other Trails

In general, many news stories have demonstrated that hikers in Vancouver are not in favour of day passes. As well, a survey of hikers and outdoor folks from the Friends of Garibaldi Park Society concluded that 67% of respondents did not support day passes.

Day passes also have other knock-on effects. They push trail users out of provincial parks into other areas where trails are volunteer maintained or in many cases, have no maintenance at all. Day passes also mean that many hikers may choose trails that are outside their ability, increasing search and rescue call-outs.

Make Your Voice Heard

The money spent on the day pass system could fund so much trail maintenance and build so many new trails. It could also expand parking lots to increase capacity at many locations. BC Parks doesn’t have enough money to do basic trail maintenance, so it is a shame that the little money they have is being used for a system that shuts people out of parks.

If you agree with me that the money spent on the day pass system should be used for trail maintenance and building new trails, make your voice heard. Send an email or a voicemail to Premier David Eby at premier@gov.bc.ca or the Minister of the Environment and Parks, Tamara Davidson at ENV.Minister@gov.bc.ca. You should also email or call your local MLA.

BC Parks Day Pass 2025 FAQ

Final Thoughts

So now you have all the info you need about BC Parks day passes. If you have more questions, leave them in the comments – I’m happy to help!

READ NEXT:

• Joffre Lakes Hike (By a Local)
• How to Make Backcountry Camping Reservations in BC
• Camping Near Vancouver, BC: 40+ Best Campgrounds
• The 10 Best Hikes in Vancouver – A Local’s Guide
• The Best Hikes in Squamish, BC (From a Local)
• The Best Hikes in Whistler: A Guide to All the Trails
• Where to Go Snowshoeing in Vancouver

The post BC Parks Day Passes 2025 – Everything You Need to Know appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

Different conditions and preferences call for different hiking pants. In this guide, I’m just going to focus on regular hiking pants – you won’t find any waterproof hiking pants or winter hiking pants. And if you’re looking for hiking tights, check out my hiking leggings guide.

In this post, I have everything you need to know about women’s hiking pants, including:

• Details and reviews for 9 different pairs of women’s hiking pants
• Best women’s hiking pants in several categories including petite, tall, plus-size, high-rise, with big pockets, and lots more
• Hiking pants vs. hiking leggings – which is better?
• How to choose hiking pants – tips on fit, fabric, and features

Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

How I Picked

I’ve been hiking and backpacking for over two decades and I’ve written two hiking guidebooks. I also worked at an outdoor store for three years and writing marketing materials for a large outdoor retailer for seven years. I spent a ton of time learning from their design team so I got really familiar with the properties of outdoor fabrics and garment construction.

For this guide, I drew on my outdoor industry experience as well as my personal experience with hiking pants both on day hikes and backpacking trips.

But since hikers come in all shapes and sizes, I also asked other adventure travel writers, talked to friends, asked for reviews on Facebook and Instagram, and read dozens of online reviews.

I was tired of reading reviews of women’s hiking pants that were all written by slim, athletic women of average height. Those reviews aren’t that helpful to huge segments of the population!

There are lots of hiking pants out there, so it can be difficult to choose. In this post, I’m going to focus on pants with features and fabrics designed for hiking. For a run-down on how to choose hiking pants, skip to the bottom of this post.

You also won’t find any hiking leggings in this post. That’s because I have an entire guide to the best hiking leggings. If you’re curious about the pros and cons of hiking pants vs. hiking leggings, you can find that at the bottom of this post.

Best Women’s Hiking Pants: Quick Picks

Best Petite Women’s Hiking Pants: REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants

Best Tall Women’s Hiking Pants: Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants

Best Plus Size Women’s Hiking Pants: REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants

Best Curvy Women’s Hiking Pants: Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants

Best High-Waist Women’s Hiking Pants: Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants

Best Elastic-Waist Women’s Hiking Pants: The North Face Aphrodite 2.0

Best Zip-Off Convertible Women’s Hiking Pants: REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants

Best Women’s Hiking Pants That Roll-Up Into Capris: Kuhl Freeflex Roll-up Pants

Best Women’s Hiking Pants With a Phone Pocket: Mountain Hardwear Dynama2 Pants

Best Women’s Jogger Hiking Pants: prAna Halle II Joggers

Best Lightweight Women’s Hiking Pants: Mountain Hardwear Dynama2 Pants

Best Durable Women’s Hiking Pants: Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Trousers

Best Budget Women’s Hiking Pants: REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants

Best Splurge Women’s Hiking Pants: Arc’Teryx Gamma LT Pants

REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants

Best Petite Women’s Hiking Pants (More petite recommendations)

Best Zip-Off Convertible Women’s Hiking Pants (More zip-off convertible recommendations)

Also great for: Tall women, plus size women, curvy women

Pros: Elastic waist in back; petite and tall size options; lots of pockets

Cons: Some people preferred the older version without an elastic waist. Women with larger thighs say the convertible shorts zippers dig in.

Fabric: Stretchy and quick-drying nylon with a water-resistant DWR finish and UPF 50 sun protection

Features: Convertible to shorts; ankle zips; elastic waist with zippered fly and drawstring adjustment; lots of pockets

Fit: Mid-rise, straight leg

Sizes: 0-26 in petite, regular, and tall lengths

Heather Kasvinsky from This Noshtalgic Life says “The REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants offer the perfect fit for shorter active curvy women such as myself. I’m middle-aged, 5′ 1″, with a 27” inseam. Size 2 petite fits me like a glove with no need to hem them! I recently wore my Sahara Convertible Pants while on a backpacking trip in McCarthy, Alaska. They were ideal to wear while hiking across the Root Glacier. The pants kept me comfortable and protected me from the fluctuating elements while allowing for agility and flexibility throughout the glacier camping trip.”

On Instagram, Amanda (@amanda.tuey) messaged me to say “I have big hips/thighs (size 10-14). I find pants generally are tight in my hips/thighs and loose in my waist. The Sahara Pants fit me well as they have adjustments in the waist and legs. I found the zipper in other convertible pants would dig in, but these don’t do that.”

The REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants are my pick for the best petite women’s hiking pants as they get consistently good reviews amongst petite women. With a 28.5″ inseam and a rise adjusted for petite women’s shorter torsos, they provide the best fit.

The Sahara pants are also my pick for the best zip-off convertible women’s hiking pants. Reviewers found that the zippers didn’t dig in and were easy to use. They also liked the mid-length inseam on the shorts (6.75″ in petite, 7.5″ in regular; 8.5″ in tall).

Check prices:

Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants

Best Tall Women’s Hiking Pants (More tall recommendations)

Also great for: Petite women, plus size women, curvy women, durability, zip-off convertible pants

Pros: Durability; available in tall sizes, great fit for curvy figures

Cons: Stretch-out on long trips (but tighten up after washing)

Fabric: Quick-drying, water-resistant nylon and spandex stretch woven with UPF 50+ sun protection

Features: Zippered fly with internal drawcord and brushed waistband, lots of pockets, drawcord hem

Fit: Standard fit with articulated knees

Sizes: 0-24 in short, regular, and tall lengths. There is also a convertible version.

Carrie from Trains, Planes and Tuktuks says “I hiked and backpacked over 1,200 miles last year – and almost every step I took, I wore Outdoor Research’s Ferrosi pants. They’re lightweight, insanely breathable, and dry literally within minutes. They’re my go-to pants for everything from backpacking on the Appalachian Trail to creek walks and bushwhacks to remote waterfalls. As a stubby-legged woman, the 4 short fits me perfectly – it’s the only pair of outdoor pants I own that doesn’t run too long. Plus the button/drawstring combo means I never have to wear a belt, even at the end of a 100-mile backpacking trip when I’ve dropped a few pounds.”

Lots of other women on Instagram and Facebook raved about how well these pants fit their curvy figures and accommodated people who have a small waist and bigger butt.

The Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants are my pick for the best tall women’s hiking pants because multiple women reached out to me on Instagram to recommend the Outdoor Research Ferrossi pants since they come in a 34″ inseam.

Check prices:

Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants

Best Curvy Women’s Hiking Pants (More curvy recommendations)

Best High-Waist Women’s Hiking Pants (More high-waist recommendations)

Also great for: petite women, tall women, plus size women, hiking pants with a phone pocket

Pros: Great fit for lots of body types, big pockets, often on sale

Cons: Stretches out over time

Fabric: Nylon with a bit of spandex for stretch, a water-resistant DWR finish and UPF 50+ sun protection

Features: Two zippered cargo pockets are large enough to fit your phone

Fit: Curvy fit through hip and thigh. Regular version is mid-rise, but a high-rise version that sits at the natural waist is also available.

Sizes: 0-24 with some sizes available in petite and tall lengths.

Kiran Basra (@bkazra on Instagram) says: “Eddie Bauer’s Guide Pro Pants are pretty good. I run warm so I appreciate how breathable and light they are. They also fit people with hips! Hip, hip, hooray! Expect the downside is they tend to stretch out, so now the waist is quite loose and I could use a belt.”

When I asked for recommendations on Instagram, lots of women messaged me to say how much they loved these pants. The through-line in their responses was how much they liked the fit – and the comments were about so many different body types since they have tall, petite, and plus sizes as well as a high-rise option.

I own the shorts version of these and like how they fit my curvy waist. I also love the big side pockets, which fit my phone.

The Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants are my pick for the best curvy women’s hiking pants. I can personally attest to their great fit for women who have big hips. And hundreds of reviewers agree.

Since they come in a dedicated high-waist version with great reviews, these are also my pick for the best high-waist women’s hiking pants.

Check prices:

The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 Pants

Best Elastic Waist Women’s Hiking Pants (More elastic waist recommendations)

Also great for: petite women, plus size women, curvy women, lightweight hiking pants

Pros: Comfortable waist, breathable fabric, great fit for curvy bodies

Cons: Tend to run long, even in short length

Fabric: Quick-drying nylon stretch with water-resistant DWR finish and UPF 40+ sun protection

Features: Rib knit elastic waist with drawcord, zippered pockets, drawcord adjustable cuffs

Fit: Standard fit, straight leg with articulated knees

Sizes: XXS-3XL in short and regular lengths

Jody Phifer from My Travel Obsession says “The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 pants are one of the most comfortable pairs of pants I own (including pajama pants). These pants dry super-fast and are thin enough to wear in warm, humid climates. This came in handy when we were hiking in the rain on Kauai! I have a small waist and bigger hips. These pants fit great because they have a drawstring to cinch up the waist & they are a little stretchy, so they will work for just about any body type. I also like the straight leg because they fit well over hiking boots.”

I agree with Jody – I also have a pair of TNF Aphrodite 2.0 Pants. They work well for my curvy, plus-sized figure. And since they don’t look that technical, I also love them as casual pants for travelling.

I think that the elastic waist on these is so comfortable, and lots of reviewers agree, which is why The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 Pants are my pick for the best elastic waist women’s hiking pants.

Check prices:

prAna Halle Pant II

Best Jogger Hiking Pants (More jogger recommendations)

Also great for: petite women, tall women, plus size women, curvy women, hiking pants that roll-up into capris

Pros: Comfortable, stretchy fabric, good fit for curvy women

Cons: Pockets are too small, inseam in regular and tall sizes runs short

Fabric: Nylon stretch with a water-resistant DWR finish and UPF 50+ sun protection

Features: Zippered fly with internal drawstring, lots of pockets, snaps to roll up into capri length

Fit: Mid-rise with a boot cut

Sizes: 00-22 in short, regular, and tall lengths. Also available in straight-leg and jogger cuts.

Chelsea from Adventures of Chels says: “As a 5’4 woman with an average body type, these pants fit me like a glove. They’re comfortable, made of quick dry material, and (my favorite part) can be rolled up at the bottom and secured with a snap to create capris pants. I packed these pants for a trip on the Trans Siberian Railway. They came in handy for hiking up dunes, riding on camels, and exploring rock formations in the Gobi Desert.”

Melissa on Instagram says: “I love these pants. I wear size 12 and have large hips. They have a bit of stretch so they are very comfortable, and that along with the articulated knees is great for hiking/scrambling. They are durable too – I still have my first pair from 2014. I also like that water beads off them.”

The prAna Halle II Pants are an all-around favourite for so many people. Lots of women also love the jogger version for a less technical-looking fit that translates well to travel or apres, which is why they are my pick for the best women’s jogger hiking pants.

Check Prices:

ArcTeryx Gamma LT Pants

Best Splurge Hiking Pants (More splurge recommendations)

Also great for: petite women, tall women, durability, hiking pants with a phone pocket

Pros: Great water resistance, stretch, and durability. Thigh pocket fits a phone.

Cons: Expensive, stretch out over time, slim cut is not for everyone

Fabric: nylon and spandex stretch woven softshell with a water-resistant DWR finish and a bit of wind resistance

Features: Zippered fly with integrated webbing waistbelt, zippered hand pocket, adjustable cuffs

Fit: Fitted and close to the body with a straight leg

Sizes: 00 to 16 in short, regular and tall lengths

Dinah from my Facebook group, Backpacking in BC says: “They feel so comfortable and are light and airy. I’m 5 ‘1” with big thighs, butt and calves, and I purchased the short length in size 8. Wore then backpacking the Juan de Fuca Trail and it was so muddy. They dried quickly and they didn’t seem to hold on to the mud. Love them so much I’m gonna get them in more colours! LOL”

A few other women on Instagram and Facebook praised the durable fabric and big zippered pocket that fits a phone.

Like all Arc’Teryx products, the Gamma LT Pants certainly aren’t cheap. But the durable fabric and impeccable design make them my pick for the best splurge women’s hiking pants.

Check prices:

Mountain Hardwear Dynama/2 Pants

Best Women’s Hiking Pants with a Phone Pocket (More pants with a phone pocket recommendations)

Best Lightweight Women’s Hiking Pants (More lightweight recommendations)

Also great for: plus size women, jogger hiking pants, elastic-waist hiking pants, high-waist hiking pants

Pros: Comfortable, elastic waistband; stretchy lightweight material; pocket holds a phone

Cons: Some reviewers feel they run big and are too baggy, others don’t like the low rise

Fabric: Stretchy nylon and spandex with a water-resistant DWR finish, anti-odor treatment, and UPF50 sun protection

Features: Wide and flat stretch waistband, lots of pockets

Fit: Standard fit with a mid-rise that is on the low side. Available in a straight leg version, a jogger version, an ankle version, and a high-waist version.

Sizes: XS-3X. The straight leg version is available in petite and tall lengths.

Kristen from Bearfoot Theory says: “The Mountain Hardwear Dynama/2 Ankle Pants have been a staple of mine for hiking and backpacking trips for a few years now. They are lightweight and super comfortable due to the soft, wide waistband and loose fit. I’m curvy up top and have thinner legs so these are a bit baggier on me than they might be for others. They pack down small making them easy to bring along on any adventure. I also love that these pants have just the right amount of stretch for easy mobility but are also plenty durable. I most recently wore these on a 6-day backpacking trip in Sequoia National Park and they held up very well. Plus they have hand pockets, are UPF 50, and water-resistant.”

When I asked for women’s hiking pant recommendations on Instagram, a few people reached out to say how much they loved the Mountain Hardwear Dynama2 Pants. Most mentioned how much they liked the smooth elastic waistband that is much more comfortable under a hip belt than a traditional zippered fly.

A few people also mentioned that the fabric was thin and breathable, so they felt cool. As well, they didn’t smell after a few days in the backcountry. That’s why they are my pick for the best lightweight women’s hiking pants. (Psst! Read my guide to getting the smell out of hiking clothes.)

The big zippered pocket that fits a phone was also a big selling feature – so many women’s hiking pants have tiny pockets! The Mountain Hardwear Dynama2/Ankle Pants are my pick for the best women’s hiking pants with a phone pocket.

Check price: $85

Kuhl Freeflex Roll-Up Pants

Best Women’s Hiking Pants That Roll-up Into Capris (More roll-up into capri recommendations)

Also great for: petite women, tall women, curvy women

Pros: Soft, comfortable fabric that dries quickly

Cons: Small pockets don’t fit a phone, some reviewers find the waist too low-rise

Fabric: stretchy and soft polyester with a water-resistant finish and UPF 50+ sun protection

Features: Zippered fly, snap-closure cargo pockets, roll-up to convert to capris

Fit: Mid-rise at the front, contouring to a high rise at the back. Fitted through hip and thigh, relaxed lower leg

Sizes: 0-16 in 30″, 32″, and 34″ inseams

In my Backpacking in BC Facebook group, Naomi said “I recently bought a pair of Kuhl Freelex Roll-Up Pants. They are perfect for hiking and kayaking. I am 5’10” and I have a 34” inseam. I wear a size 8-10. Finding pants that are long enough but not oversized has been an issue my entire life.”

I also have the Kuhl Freeflex Roll-up pants and love how soft the fabric feels while also being durable. I also like how easy it is to roll these up into capris – which makes them my pick in that category.

Check prices:

Fjallraven Abisko Trail Trekking Trousers

Best Durable Women’s Hiking Pants (More durable recommendations)

Also good for: curvy women, splurge, petite

Pros: durable fabric that breathes, big pockets

Cons: heavy, expensive

Fabric: Stretchy nylon and elastane with Fjallraven’s super durable and water-resistant G-1000 polyester/cotton fabric in high-wear areas.

Features: Ventilation zippers from hips to knees; lots of pockets; adjustable cuffs with boot hooks

Fit: Mid-rise with higher cut in the back, tapered legs, technical cut

Sizes: 26″-37″ waist and 30″ or 32″ inseam

Hannah from That Adventurer says “As someone with a slightly bigger waist-thigh ratio, I often find it tricky to get pants that I can get past my thighs that aren’t super loose on my waist. The Fjällräven Abisko trekking pants have a stretchy fabric that’s both perfect for people with a bigger hip/thigh yet isn’t then too loose on the waist. Plus there a belt loops so you can add a belt if needed. With many years living in BC and more recently hiking in the Lofoten Islands in Norway and Scotland, the water resistance and windproof factors are very valuable to me and make them my favourite hiking pant over leggings for sure! Plus, there are large pockets (some with zips) which are great for snacks!”

Fjallraven’s gear all has traditional Scandinavian styling, which lasts a long time. That’s why the Abisko Trail pants are my picks for the most durable women’s hiking pants.

Check prices:

Best Women’s Hiking Pants by Type

Best Petite Womens Hiking Pants

REI Co-op Sahara (28.5″ inseam)

More Petite Women’s Hiking Pants:

• Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants (29″ inseam)
• prAna Halle II Pants (30″ inseam)
• Arc’Teryx Gamma LT Pants (29″ inseam)
• Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants (29″ inseam)
• Kuhl Freeflex Roll-up Pants (30″ inseam)
• Mountain Hardwear Dynama2 Pants (30″ inseam)
• Fjallraven Abisko Lite Trousers (30″ inseam)

Best Tall Womens Hiking Pants

Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants (34″ inseam)

More tall women’s hiking pants:

• REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants (34″ inseam)
• prAna Halle II Pants (34″ inseam)
• Arc’Teryx Gamma LT Pants (34″ inseam)
• Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants (35″ inseam)
• Kuhl Freeflex Roll-up Pants (34″ inseam)
• Mountain Hardwear Dynama2 Pants (34″ inseam)

Best Plus Size Womens Hiking Pants

REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants (sizes 0-26)

More plus size women’s hiking pants:

• Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants (sizes 0-24)
• prAna Halle II Pants (sizes 00-22)
• The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 Pants (sizes XXS-3XL)
• Mountain Hardwear Dynama2 Pants (sizes XS-3XL)
• Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants (sizes 0-24)

Best Curvy Womens Hiking Pants

Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants

More Curvy Women’s Hiking Pants:

• REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants
• Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants
• prAna Halle II Pants
• The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 Pants
• Kuhl Freeflex Roll-Up Pants
• Fjallraven Abisko Lite Trekking Trousers

Best High-Waist Womens Hiking Pants

Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants

More High-Waist Women’s Hiking Pants: Mountain Hardwear Dynama2 Pants

Best Elastic-Waist Womens Hiking Pants

The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 Pants

More Elastic Waist Women’s Hiking Pants: Mountain Hardwear Dynama2 Pants

Best Zip-Off Convertible Womens Hiking Pants

REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants

More Zip-Off Convertible Women’s Hiking Pants: Outdoor Research Ferrosi Convertible Pants

Best Womens Hiking Pants That Roll-Up Into Capris

Kuhl Freeflex Roll-up Pants

More women’s hiking pants that roll into capris:

• prAna Halle II Pants

Best Womens Hiking Pants With a Phone Pocket

Mountain Hardwear Dynama2 Pants

More Best women’s hiking pants with a phone pocket:

• Arc’Teryx Gamma LT Pants
• Mountain Hardwear Dynama2 Pants
• Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants

Best Womens Jogger Hiking Pants

prAna Halle II Joggers

More Women’s Jogger Hiking Pants: Mountain Hardwear Dynama2 Pants

More Best Lightweight Womens Hiking Pants

Mountain Hardwear Dynama2 Pants

More Lightweight Women’s Hiking Pants: The North Face Aphrodite 2.0

Best Durable Womens Hiking Pants

Fjallraven Abisko Lite Trekking Trousers

More Durable Women’s Hiking Pants: Arc’Teryx Gamma LT Pants

Best Budget Women’s Hiking Pants

REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants

Best Splurge Womens Hiking Pants

Arc’Teryx Gamma LT Pants

More Splurge Women’s Hiking Pants: Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Trousers

Hiking Pants vs Hiking Leggings – What’s the Difference?

For a long time, most running or workout leggings weren’t durable enough for hiking, so hikers had to wear pants. However, that changed a few years ago.

Now, you can buy leggings specifically designed for hiking with durable fabrics and a fit designed for the trail. Some of them even have great pockets. Check out my hiking leggings guide for all the details.

Whether you choose to hike in pants or leggings comes down to personal preference for fit and features. Here’s a brief look at hiking pants vs. leggings

How To Choose Hiking Pants

Not all hiking pants are created equal. Here are a few things to keep in mind while you shop for hiking pants.

Fit

Fit is the most important factor to keep in mind when choosing hiking pants. If your pants are falling down or rubbing you in a weird way, you won’t have a good hike. On a multi-day trip, this can slow you down or cause painful chafing and rashes.

Read reviews and look for hiking pants designed for your body type. Many brands make pants in petite and tall lengths, as well as plus sizes. Some also have both a curvy and straight fit.

Expect to try on a few pairs of hiking pants before you find the perfect ones. Go to a good outdoor store with a wide selection. Or order a bunch to try on at home.

When you try on hiking pants, be sure to walk around in them and see how they feel. Do some squats and lunges. And try climbing up onto a bench or chair. You want to make sure they are comfortable doing all sorts of movements.

Fabric

Most hiking pants are made of woven nylon or polyester with spandex or elastane for stretch. The stretch means that the pants move well as you hike or scramble. But too much spandex can mean that the pants get saggy and stretch out between washes.

Nylon and polyester are durable, moisture-wicking and fairly breathable. However, more durable pants are usually thicker, which means they will be less breathable.

Hiking pants usually have a DWR finish applied to add water resistance. This means that splashes of water will bead up and run off and that they dry quickly. It doesn’t mean they will keep you dry in a rain storm – you need waterproof rain pants for that.

Some hiking pants have an additional odor-resistant treatment. On their own, nylon and especially polyester can hold on to smells. This can be a problem on backpacking trips. (Have stinky pants? Read my guide to getting smells out of hiking clothing.)

Most hiking pants provide good sun protection due to the durable fabric. Some brands chose to have their pants certified to get a UPF sun protection rating. But even unrated pants should offer good sun protection.

Waistband

The most important place that hiking pants should fit is your waist. Make sure they aren’t too tight or too loose. And make sure that the rise works for you – some people and body types find that a high rise or low rise works better for them.

There are two main types of waistbands – elastic and adjustable. Elastic waists sit flat under your hip belt and don’t have any buttons, zippers, buckles, or drawstrings to chafe. However, pants with elastic waists often come in small-medium-large-etc. sizes rather than numerical sizes, which means it can be harder to find the right fit.

An adjustable waist is helpful for a precise fit. It is especially useful on multi-day hikes where your pants might stretch out with multiple wears between washes. Most hiking pants have a standard zippered fly and belt loops.

However, many pants also add an internal drawstring so you can cinch them without a belt. A few hiking pants have a built-in belt or even a hook and ladder adjustment system.

Pockets

Like most women’s pants, women’s hiking pants often have terrible and tiny pockets. If you have been hiking awhile, you likely have a system for where you carry things and have an idea of what kind of pockets you are looking for.

I typically don’t carry much in my hiking pants pockets since not much fits in there! I want to make sure I have enough room for lip balm, and that’s it. My phone and snacks go in the hip belt pockets in my backpack to hold my phone and snacks.

Read reviews of pockets carefully and bring the things you want to store in them with you when you try on the pants. Be sure to walk, bend, and stretch to see if the pockets actually work when you’re moving. Sometimes stuff falls out or the fit is too tight.

Do You Want Convertible Pants?

Hiking pants often come in a convertible version with zip-off legs. And some hiking pants have buttons, snaps, or tabs to roll them up into capris. Whether you will like or use these features comes down to fit and personal preference.

Zip-off pants are great if you don’t want to carry both shorts and pants on the same trip. However, the zip off aspect can be hard to get right. For some women, the length of the zip-off shorts is too short or too long for what they prefer.

As well, sometimes the zippers can chafe or rub your thighs. I’ve never found a pair of women’s zip-off hiking pants that work for me!

A feature that lets you roll or cinch up the pants into capris can be a nice feature. But you can roll up any pants and they usually stay put – you don’t need the added fastener to keep them there.

Final Thoughts

I hope this post helped you find some hiking pants for women that will work for your body, whether it is petite, tall, plus-size, or curvy. If you have questions or other hiking pants to recommend, leave them in the comments.

MORE WOMEN’S GEAR POSTS:

• 19 Best Hiking Leggings
• How to Get the Smell Out of Hiking Clothes
• Best Hiking Underwear For Women and Men
• Which Women’s Specific Hiking Gear is Actually Worth Buying?
• How to Camp and Hike on Your Period

The post Best Women’s Hiking Pants (Picks for Every Body Type) appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

I’m a plus size hiker and it’s a struggle to find things that fit me. In this article, I’ll give you the low down on where to find women’s plus size hiking clothes in sizes up to size 22 and 3X. It includes a list of the best plus size hiking clothing brands and tips on where to buy them.

While there are a few niche and cottage brands, unfortunately they seem to crop up and then go out of business regularly – it’s a tough industry. While I encourage you to support niche brands, especially in the plus size space, in this post, I’m going to focus on brands that are widely available.

Hey there: Some of the brands mentioned in this article sent me clothing to try. You will find only my honest opinion below. As well, some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn

What Sizes are Plus Size?

In general, sizes larger than size 12 are considered plus size in the outdoor industry. Some brands may carry up to a size 16. Traditionally, most hiking clothing companies have not made apparel in size 18 or larger.

However, a few companies now recognize that plus sizes make up a huge part of the clothing market. From what I’ve read, nearly 70% of American women wear a size 14 or larger so it makes sense that outdoor brands are beginning to offer clothing in extended sizes. This is in part because of the work of plus size outdoor activists like Mirna Valerio, Fat Girls Hiking, and Unlikely Hikers.

I want to be clear that I recognize that as a size 16 to 18, I still hold a lot of privilege in the plus size community. Many companies make hiking clothes in my size. The fit and style may sometimes suck, but at least my size is offered.

Active Wear Isn’t Designed for Hiking

In this article, I’m going to focus mainly on brands and companies that make plus size women’s clothing designed specifically for hiking. There are lots of places to source plus size activewear, from big box stores like Walmart and Old Navy to niche small businesses.

Thankfully, it’s much less challenging (although still not easy) to find plus size leggings and quick dry tops, mostly designed for working out or yoga.

Active wear pieces work fine for casual hikes, but they will rip on sharp rocks or pointy branches. And for all-weather hiking you will need base layers, a waterproof rainjacket and warm layers made of fleece, down, or synthetic insulation. And it’s MUCH more difficult to find those in plus sizes.

So that’s what I’m going to focus on here: a list of brands that make quality women’s plus size hiking clothes and info on where to find them.

Just a quick note: I recognize that hiking clothing can be expensive. But it doesn’t have to be! Check out my tips for saving money on hiking gear.

The Best Women’s Plus Size Hiking Clothing Brands

REI

In 2017, REI committed to offering more sizes in an effort to fit more women. Since then, they have had a dedicated plus size section on their site that usually includes over 1000 items of clothing from lots of different brands in sizes up to 26/5XL.

They also offer over 100 plus size items in their own REI Co-op brand including everything from hiking pants to rain jackets to quick dry shirts to base layers in sizes up to 5XL

For the full selection, you’ll have to shop online, but some of their larger stores do have a good plus size selection. Every time I’m in Seattle, I go to the giant downtown REI store. I’ve found great plus size hiking shorts there, as well as long-sleeved trekking shirts.

MEC

If you’re in Canada, MEC is probably your best bet for women’s plus size hiking clothing. They have been quietly expanding their assortment from a few different brands.

They used to just carry up to a size 14 or XL in most things, but in the last few years they’ve added a LOT of styles in size 16, 18 and XXL and a few up to size 4XL. However, most things over size 16 are online only. They’ve also started to offer a bigger size range in their house MEC brand.

Outdoor Research

Outdoor Research launched a huge extended size collection in 2021 with input from plus size outdoor influencers including Sam Ortiz and Kaila Walton. And unlike some brands that started offering plus size and then scaled back production, OR has kept making plus sizes every year since then.

Their range is available up to size 3X and up to 24W. They are also committed to charging the same price for all sizes, which is great.

They make all kinds of technical clothing in plus sizes, including the popular Echo sun hoodie – one of my favourite sun hoodies.

prAna

prAna used to make quite a few plus size styles, but in the last few years they have scaled back their extended size collection.

I’ve been a fan of their Halle pants for hiking for years. They used to stop at size 16 but now they are available up to size 22 as well! Find them on my list of the best women’s hiking pants.

Patagonia

After years of offering a pretty small range of sizes, Patagonia has quietly launched an extended size collection with sizes up 3XL. I have the Capilene Cool Daily Hoody, which I wear as a sun shirt – the fit is great.

Smartwool

If you’re looking for cozy warm base layers, Smartwool makes awesome ones made of moisture-wicking and antimicrobial merino wool. They offer plus sizes in a few of their styles up to size 3XL.

Their patterns are really cute too! I love my snowflake-patterned long underwear! I also love their merino wool hiking tops.

Columbia

Columbia is a great source for women’s plus size hiking clothes with over 200 items in their collection! S

Columbia has everything from rain jackets to snow pants to hiking shirts in extended sizes. Compared to some other brands, their clothing is pretty reasonably priced too.

The North Face

The North Face has an extended size range that includes jackets, tops, and pants in sizes up to 3X.

I have their Aphrodite Motion 2.0 Capris. They are meant for hiking, but I love them for travel too since they look a bit more like casual pants. They are stretchy and they breathe really well. I wore them a LOT during my trip to Australia. They are on my list of the best women’s hiking pants.

Helly Hansen

Scandinavian sailing brand Helly Hansen also makes great hiking clothing. They have a plus size collection that includes rain jackets, base layers, fleece, and ski clothing. I have the Helly Hansen Daybreaker Fleee. It’s a great basic.

Eddie Bauer

While Eddie Bauer makes lots of great casual clothing, they also have a huge selection of plus sized hiking clothing. So far I’ve tried their Trail Tight leggings, Guide Pro shorts, and the MicroTherm down jacket and love them all.

Athleta

Athleta is The Gap’s athletic apparel brand. They have a huge selection of clothing available up to size 3X. They make lots of work out clothing, but they also make great hiking pants and fleeces.

My favourite winter hiking tights are their Altitude Stash Tights are my favourite. (They made my list of the best hiking leggings.)

The Best Plus Size Hiking Gear Brands

Gregory

Gregory has been making backpacks since 1977. A few years ago they a launched a series of plus size backpacks. They have shoulder straps and hipbelts that are designed to fit bigger bodies. The packs also have lots of adjustability since people’s bodies come in lots of different proportions. The plus size collection includes both day packs and backpacking packs.

Osprey

Osprey also makes a handful of plus size packs as part of their extended size collection. They offer a few day packs, backpacking packs, and waist packs with lots of adjustability, longer straps, and repositioned pockets.

Marmot

While they aren’t labelled as plus-size, Marmot makes lots of plus-size-friendly sleeping bags. Just look for their sleeping bags available in “wide” sizes – they have a few extra inches around the hips and shoulders to fit bigger bodies.

REI

In addition to making lots of plus size clothes, REI also makes plus size sleeping bags. Their popular Magma sleeping bags, along with a few other models, come in wide sizes that will fit most plus size people.

Plus Size Sleeping Pads

While you won’t find them labelled as plus-size, many brands make plus-size-friendly sleeping pads. Look for pads labelled as wide or long. In general, look for pads that are over 22″ wide.

A few brands to consider are NEMO, Therm-a-Rest, Big Agnes, and Sea to Summit. I love my long and wide Sea to Summit Ether Light XT pad.

Final Thoughts

So there’s my list of the best places to find plus size hiking clothes for women. I hope you find it helpful. If you have a women’s plus size hiking clothes brand to recommend, please tell me in the comments. I’d love to add more resources to this list!

READ NEXT: MORE ADVICE FOR FEMALE HIKERS

• Which Women’s Hiking Gear is Actually Worth Buying? (and which can you buy unisex?)
• 12 Best Women’s Hiking Pants (Picks for Every Body Type)
• How to Camp and Hike on Your Period
• Best Hiking Underwear For Women and Men
• 17 Ways to Save Money on Hiking Gear
• 18 Best Hiking Leggings

The post Where to Find Women’s Plus Size Hiking Clothes and Gear appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

I started out as a Leave No Trace Trainer back in 2006. In 2019, I got certified as a Leave No Trace Master Educator (now called a Level 2 Instructor). In this post I’ll help you understand the basics of Leave No Trace including:

• What is Leave No Trace? What does it mean?
• Why is Leave No Trace important?
• The 7 principles of Leave No Trace and how to implement them

What is Leave No Trace?

After noticing increased impacts like trash and campfire scars on heavily used trails in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, the US Forest Service developed the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace in the 1960s. Since then, Leave No Trace (often shortened to LNT) has become a registered non-profit with chapters around the world.

The idea behind the principles is to leave nature as unchanged by our presence as possible, so that future generations can enjoy it too. In essence, the purpose of Leave No Trace is to keep the wilderness wild.

I’ve heard people dismiss the idea of Leave No Trace as pointless since it’s impossible not to leave tiny traces wherever we go. However, those people are missing the point – we are looking for progress, not perfection. The principles of Leave No Trace guide us to leave as little impact as we can.

Why is Leave No Trace Important?

As more and more people chose to hike and camp and camp in wilderness areas, lessening our impact is becoming more important. In many areas some trails are getting loved to death by large crowds, garbage and environmental damage. This was especially true during the pandemic.

I firmly believe that nature is for everyone. Both experienced outdoors-people and newbies deserve to experience the outdoors.

But in order for that to happen, we all need to learn a bit more about how to be responsible hikers and campers. Remember that we were all beginners once.

My Introduction to Leave No Trace

On one of my first backpacking trips I washed the crusty noodles out of my pot… into a tiny alpine stream. I was surprised when they just sank to the bottom instead of magically flowing away (like they would in my sink at home).

I knew I was doing it wrong… but I didn’t know what else to do.  It was an important moment for me. I realized that I didn’t know what I didn’t know.. and that I needed to learn more about how to treat the wilderness. I did some research and learned about the Leave No Trace principles.

Maybe you’ve had a similar a-ha moment. Did you see trash in a campsite? Were you concerned about overcrowding in a National Park? Did you come across unburied human poop?

We all start somewhere in our Leave No Trace journey. It’s ok to admit you didn’t know. But we can all take a bit of time to learn how to do better next time.

The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace

It’s important to know the seven principles of Leave No Trace. When I teach people about LNT, I find that the info sinks in better if they know the “why” and “how” behind each principle.

Remember that the 7 principles of Leave No Trace are not rules – they are guidelines that we can look to when we make decisions about how to behave outdoors.

Plan Ahead and Prepare

What Does Plan Ahead and Prepare Include: Research trail info, weather forecasts, park rules, and trail conditions before your hike.

Why: When you do some research before your hike, you are more likely to have a fun and SAFE hike. You will also minimize damage to nature.

How:

• Check the weather forecast and trail conditions to make sure you have the right gear and you are up to the challenges of the trail. (Read my guide to best weather apps for hikers.)
• Check local regulations to find out about closures, permits, fire regulations or other policies.
• Bring a first aid kit and the 10 essentials in case not everything goes according to plan.
• Avoid getting lost: bring a map and compass, a GPS and a trail description to stay on track.
• Repackage food to create less waste on the trail.

READ NEXT: 16 Things to do Before a Hike

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

What Does Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces Mean? Hike and camp on durable surfaces like rocks, gravel, and snow.

Why: Some surface like alpine meadows, marshes and bogs are just too fragile to withstand much impact. The vegetation in those areas can take years to grow, and then be destroyed by a few boot-prints.

How:

• Stay on the trail to prevent trampling vegetation. Walk through mud, not around it to avoid widening the trail. Don’t cut corners on switchbacks since that causes erosion.
• In areas with no trails, spread out your tracks to spread out the impact and avoid creating a new trail.
• Camp in a designated campsites or ones that have been used before. Remember the best campsites are found, not made. (You don’t need to dig trenches or cut trees.)
• If there are no designated or previously used campsites, camp on gravel, bare dirt, snow or dry grass to minimize your impact.
• Try to camp at least 200ft/70 m from water sources. The plants by lakes and streams very fragile. Animals need to access water to drink and your presence may scare them off or cause conflict.

Dispose of Waste Properly

What Does Dispose of Waste Properly Mean? Pack out all garbage and food scraps. Learn how to poop and wash the Leave No Trace way.

Why: Animals who learn to eat people food or human waste may stop eating their natural food or may attack people. It can also make wildlife sick. Garbage, poop and soap can pollute water, making it unsafe to drink or killing plants and fish. Plus garbage and poop on the trails looks disgusting!

How:

• Pack out your trash, including fruit peels and eggshells. They can take months to biodegrade and in the meantime they attract animals. I like to say “It it doesn’t grow there, it doesn’t go there.”
• Never burn your trash in a campfire. Some materials don’t burn very well so you might leave a mess.
• Wash dishes and yourself in biodegradable soap using your largest pot as a sink. Strain out any large particles then dump your dirty dishwater 200ft/70m from a water source. (Just because soap is biodegradable doesn’t mean it’s good for fish or plants so it shouldn’t go directly into the water source.) Try going without soap – sometimes a wet cloth or a scrubber is all you need.
• When possible, use an outhouse or pit toilet.
• If you have to poop and there is no outhouse, pick a spot 200ft/70m away from trails, campsites and water sources. (This keeps water sources clean so people won’t get sick.) Use a small trowel, a tent peg or a stick to dig a hole 6″/15cm deep, then bury your poop.
• Pack out your menstrual supplies. Learn more about how to camp and hike with your period.
• Pack out your dog’s poop in a plastic bag or bury in it just like you would human poop. Wild animals like to eat dog poop but it is full of bacteria and parasites that they aren’t used to. (Get more Leave No Trace tips for hiking with dogs.)
• Bring a ziploc bag to pack out your used toilet paper. If you packing it out grosses you out, be sure to bury it with your poop.  Another alternative is to use natural TP like moss, leaves, rocks or snow. (Snow is particularly refreshing!)

Leave What You Find

What Does Leave What You Find Mean? Leave natural and historical items like flowers, rocks, pictographs, artefacts, etc. where you find them. Don’t move them or bring them home with you.

Why: Leaving the trail the way you found it lets others enjoy it too. It also keeps ecosystems intact.

How:

• Leave flowers, rocks and historical artifacts where nature put them. Take a photo and then leave them for others to enjoy. If we all picked a flower or brought home a rock, there wouldn’t be any left.
• Good campsites are found, not made. Avoid building structures, cutting trees or digging trenches.
• Graffiti is never acceptable. 
• Don’t build extra inukshuks, rock stacks or cairns unless they are necessary as trail markers. Building rock stacks can confuse hikers who might they are trail markers. (Did you know many insects and animals live under rocks? When you move them you destroy their homes.)

Minimize Campfire Impacts

What Does Minimize Campfire Impacts Mean? Plan to cook over a stove, not a fire. If you do build a campfire, learn how to minimize your impact.

Why: Campfires can have negative impacts. They damage the soil and can lead to excessive firewood harvesting in sensitive areas. Plus forest fires are pretty terrible.

How:

• Always bring a stove instead of planning to cook on a fire. It’s quicker, more fuel efficient and has less impact on the wilderness.
• Consider having a campfire-free night by using a small lantern instead.
• Check regulations before you go to find out if fires are allowed. Many areas have fire bans in place during dry spells or to protect sensitive ecosystems like the alpine or grasslands where fires are not appropriate due to fragile soils, short growing seasons for plants, the ease of wildfire spreading and/or a lack of firewood.
• If you do make a fire, use an existing fire ring and avoid building new ones.
• Keep your fire small.
• Use dead wood that is already on the ground to avoid harming trees. (It burns better too.) Choose small sticks that you can break up with your hands.
• Put your fire out completely when you are done.

Respect Wildlife

What Does Respect Wildlife Mean? Give animals some space, and make sure your dog does too. Don’t let animals have human food.

Why:  The wilderness is the animals’ home and it deserves respect. They need enough space to maintain their natural behaviour and may attack if provoked. Dogs love the outdoors too but their prey-drive means they may harass wildlife.

How:

• Never feed animals. Your human food isn’t healthy for them and if they develop a taste for human food, they may lose their ability to find food naturally. Some cute animals like squirrels and whiskey jacks have learned to beg for food. Don’t give in!
• Don’t let animals have access to your food. Never leave food unattended. When camping safely store your food for the night inside a food locker or bear canister or learn how to properly hang it in a tree.
• Observe animals from a respectful distance. Use binoculars or the zoom lens on your camera to get a better look.
• Keep your dog on a leash and under control so they don’t chase or bother wildlife. You might think that it’s not a big deal for your dog to chase a squirrel… but if they chase a bear both you and your dog might think it’s a big deal! Research local rules before you go to find out if dogs are allowed and if leashes are required. (Get more tips for Leaving No Trace with your dog.)

READ NEXT: Bear Safety for Hikers, Campers and Backpackers

Be Considerate of Other Visitors

What Be Considerate of Other Visitors Mean? Keep the experience of other visitors in mind so that your actions don’t negatively impact someone else’s experience. Learn and follow trail and camp etiquette.

Why: We all need to share trails and campsites in order to let everyone experience the wilderness. Some people go hiking for fitness, others to socialize and others hike to spend time in nature. Respect the way that other people wish to experience the wilderness and try not to let your experience negatively impact theirs.

How:

• Yield to other users on the trail. Step off the trail to take breaks so you aren’t in someone’s way.
• Give other groups space at viewpoints or in camp. If there’s a popular photo spot, snap a few pics, then move aside so someone else can have their turn.
• Keep your voice low and avoid yelling. Keep your group together to avoid shouting back and forth. (You’re safer that way too.)
• Leave the music at home (or wear headphones if your life requires your own personal soundtrack). Most hikers and campers want to hear the sounds of nature, not music.
• Keep your group small to create less impact, take up less space and make less noise. A good guideline is no more than 8-10 people.

READ NEXT: 15 Ways to Avoid Crowded Hiking Trails

Final Thoughts

This is just a broad overview of how to Leave No Trace when hiking and camping. If you are interested in learning more about Leave No Trace you can visit leavenotrace.ca or lnt.org. On those sites you can also find listings for Leave No Trace awareness course providers in your area.

Keep Leave No Trace in mind when hiking and camp so we can all keep the wilderness wild.

READ NEXT:

• How to Leave No Trace With Dogs
• 16 Things to do Before a Hike
• Bear Safety for Hikers, Campers and Backpackers
• Tips for Safe Hiking in Wildfire Season
• The Best Weather Apps for Hiking

The post How to Leave No Trace (And Why it’s Important!) appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.

As of January 2025, MEC, also known as Mountain Equipment Company (historically Mountain Equipment Co-op), is for sale again. As a former employee and a person who keeps up with the outdoor retail industry, I have some thoughts. I want to be clear that this is just my opinion and I could be wrong on a few fronts.

What’s Going On?

If you haven’t heard, MEC is up for sale for the second time in less than 5 years. MEC was a member-owned cooperative for almost 50 years. In October 2020, the cooperative was dissolved and the business was sold to Kingswood Capital Management, a private equity firm. According to recent reports, Kingswood notified suppliers on December 27, 2024, that they were putting MEC back up for sale.

In general, the entire outdoor retail industry hasn’t been doing well. American giant REI just laid off 400 people and closed its entire experiences division. Last year, Moosejaw, a big American outdoor retailer with a robust online presence, closed up all of their brick-and-mortar stores and their online shop. Tons of bike brands are also going out of business including BC-founded Rocky Mountain.

My Insider Knowledge

I worked at MEC for nearly a decade in total (from 2007 to 2009 and then from 2012 to 2019). I started in a customer service in a store. Later, I worked as a product copywriter working closely with their buying and design department. In 2019, I resigned to work for myself full-time.

While I worked at MEC my job as a product copywriter required me to chat regularly with their buyers and designers about consumer trends, product ordering, and sourcing. I didn’t work in these areas so I wasn’t involved in the math and finance of it all. But I did learn a lot about how outdoor retailers do business.

I was also an MEC athlete ambassador from 2018 to 2020. I resigned during their first sale because I was upset about the dissolution of the co-op business model and the way that employees were being laid off with little to no severance.

Since 2020, I haven’t had any first-hand knowledge of the inner workings at MEC. But many of my friends continued to work there after I did, so I’ve definitely heard some things. However, I haven’t spoken to any current MEC employees since the most recent sale was announced.

I’ve also continued to follow the outdoor retail industry fairly closely. That’s partially because I’m still interested, but also because I put together weekly gear deals for my Backpacking in BC and Canadian Outdoor Gear Deals newsletters. From following the patterns of sales and clearance events, it’s been obvious to me that MEC hasn’t been doing well since the 2020 sale.

Why MEC Isn’t Doing Well (My Opinion)

While I don’t have any inside info on what is happening with MEC’s finances, I think a few things are influencing the broader outdoor retail space that led to their current financial misfortunes. I’ll start by summarizing the issues they inherited from former management and then give my opinion on why they continue to fail.

Issues Inherited from the Former Management

There was a flurry of news articles speculating about why MEC went into creditor protection and had to be sold in 2020. In general, they can be summarized as:

• expanded into too many locations too fast,
• spent way too much money on real estate for fancy stores and offices,
• high labour costs and staff turnover,
• diversified away from their core outdoor business into other areas that their customers didn’t care about (yoga, casual wear, bikes)
• poor trend forecasting

I don’t have a lot to say about which of the factors was more responsible for the downturn because it would only be speculation. However, it’s safe to say that when Kingswood bought MEC in 2020 they knew the company was in the hole financially and they thought they could turn it around, or at least wring some real estate sale money out of it.

Private Equity Ownership Isn’t Long-Term

I won’t pretend to understand the ins and outs of private equity firms. However, it’s pretty clear that they value profits over everything else. When Kingswood bought MEC they admitted they had a 5 year timeline in mind for selling the company.

Kingswood wanted to make it more profitable, then flip to a new owner. It’s similar to the way people buy run-down houses, do a cheap reno, then sell them for way more, but with an outdoor retail company.

Pandemic Hang-Over and Poor Trend Forecasting

During the pandemic (2020 and 2021), most Canadians stayed close to home and began a lot of outdoor hobbies. This necessitated buying new gear.

At the time, retailers like MEC were struggling to keep gear in stock due to global supply chain issues. They ordered whatever they could in the hopes that it would arrive and they would sell it. Outdoor retailers like MEC as well as bike shops and sporting goods stores had record-breaking sales.

But then the pandemic ended. Retailers were stuck watching bulk orders roll in without the same crazy level of demand for sales. They ended up with an overstock of items they had to sell at a discount to get rid of them.

As well, each year retailers have to forecast what sales will be like the following year to figure out what to order and how much of it. One of the factors they use is past sales. This means that now they have to build forecast models using crazy pandemic data as well as pre-pandemic norms that we might not return to.

Even the savviest forecasters were bound to get it wrong using this data, leading to more over-orders that must be sold at a discount or under-orders that make shoppers head elsewhere since they don’t have any stock.

The final issue with the pandemic hang-over is that outdoor gear typically lasts 5 to 15 years. If most people bought a bunch of new gear in 2020/2021 they won’t need new gear for a while and that leads to lower sales.

Rising Cost of Living

Outdoor gear is expensive and is a luxury purchase for most people. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard about the rising cost of living. Grocery prices are way up and are forecast to continue climbing. Rents and real estate are unaffordable. Unemployment is up. People just don’t have as much disposable income to spend on outdoor gear.

Increased Competition From Non-Traditional Discount Retailers

MEC has been around since 1971. They started because there was nowhere to buy specialized outdoor gear in Vancouver. Over the years they continued to stock specialized outdoor gear and besides other small gear shops, there wasn’t really anywhere else to buy that kind of gear.

In the last decade or less, that’s changed. Social media, wellness culture, and the pandemic have made outdoor recreation more popular. And lots of other retailers noticed… especially discount retailers.

You used to have to go to a dedicated outdoor store to buy gear, and the gear you could buy was moderately priced or expensive.

Now, you can buy cheap (in both price and quality) outdoor gear at big box stores, at budget-priced sporting goods stores like Decathlon, and of course on the almighty Amazon. These entrants to the outdoor retail space are (mostly) poor quality and low technology, but most casual consumers don’t care. They only hike or camp a few times a year and want cheap gear.

MEC and other traditional outdoor retailers can’t (or won’t) compete without lowering their prices and quality.

It’s also worth mentioning that while outdoor gear purchased at a discount retailer a decade ago was guaranteed to be garbage, these days, that’s not always the case. Cheap gear has gotten so much better, so consumers find it hard to tell when to buy cheap stuff from Amazon and when to buy from an established outdoor brand.

Brick-and-Mortar Businesses Can’t Compete with E-Commerce

This one isn’t unique to outdoor gear or MEC. Brick-and-mortar stores have lost huge market share to online retailers over the last 10 to 15 years.

Customers say they want to try on or touch products in stores, but then they buy them online elsewhere at lower prices or with better shipping. (This is called “show-rooming”.) The in-store shopping experience is expensive for retailers primarily because of rent and staff.

As well, traditional retailers also have to run an e-commerce division to compete with online-only stores. So they have to have warehouses and shipping systems to accommodate the rapid pace of online shopping.

But many brick-and-mortar retailers like MEC don’t just ship orders from their warehouse. If it’s sold out in the warehouse, but available in a store, they’ll ship it from a store. That means that store staff have to pick, pack, and post orders too.

The whole thing gets complicated, time-consuming, and expensive, especially when you consider MEC’s free shipping policy. For as long as I can remember (but probably for about 10 years) MEC has offered free domestic shipping on orders over $50. For a store that carries $600 tents and $300 jackets, that ends up being almost every order.

In some cases, the retailer will end up taking a loss on the sale since the cost of shipping ate into the profit. But retailers like MEC keep doing it because they have to compete with online and they hope that they can streamline online things enough to make a profit on more orders than they take a loss on.

Focus on High-End Gear

MEC and other outdoor shops know they can’t (or won’t) compete with cheap Chinese-made knock-off gear. So instead they focus on what they do best: carrying specialized, high-end gear. That’s great and it serves their core audience…

But the average consumer doesn’t want or need expensive high-end gear. They need introductory gear that will make it easy for them to do a new outdoor activity and won’t break the bank. They don’t need advanced features and pricey technologies when they are first starting (or if they don’t do the activity often).

I think this has been a problem for other parts of the outdoor industry (especially bikes) more than it has been for MEC since some of their gear is more mid-range than high-end. But it still trickles down to MEC when customers don’t want to spend $500 for a 4-person family camping tent or $150 for a kids snow jacket. At MEC, those might be mid-range, low-tech options… but most consumers still view them as high-end.

Ultralight/Cottage Gear Trend

One of the biggest trends in outdoor gear in the last few years has been ultralight and cottage gear made by small, independent brands. Supporting small businesses is great… but it hurts big gear shops like MEC.

Ultralight and cottage gear is very niche and specialized – it’s not something that the average consumer will want or use. It’s also very expensive to manufacture, making it a risky nightmare for a big company that has to order a lot of it (their factories have minimum orders, unlike cottage companies that sew in-house). As well, it’s often fragile, which is bad for companies with a historically great warranty like MEC. (Their warranty isn’t as good now, sadly.)

MEC and other big brands have to follow trends like this or they look like they are out of date and irrelevant.

But people immersed in the ultralight and cottage gear community are quite snobby. They often reject ultralight gear made by big brands like MEC. This is especially true for UL influencers and prolific posters on UL forums (which is where most people hear about new gear).

That’s understandable since those brands have to make gear that compromises ultralightness or customization to appeal to more customers since they have to order more of each product. But it doesn’t help it sell, which furthers the problem.

Focus on Sustainable/Ethical Gear

I’ve worked in the outdoor industry on and off since 2006. Twenty years ago lots of outdoor brands talked about how they were incorporating recycled content into their clothing, building out fair labour practices in their factories, and donating partial proceeds to social and environmental causes. They were loud about it. And they were proud to make their gear a bit more expensive to incorporate these practices.

Over the last two decades, outdoor brands have continued to do that. Outdoor companies are at the forefront of green technologies like phasing out harmful PFSAs in rainwear and green anodizing for tent poles. But after a while, all the outdoor brands were doing the same environmentally and socially responsible things so they stopped making that as prominent in their marketing. Instead, they focused on why their gear was different than their competitors – not on the things that made it the same.

The result is that current consumers have no idea why outdoor gear from the main brands is expensive. They don’t know that it takes a lot of money to pay factory workers who don’t toil in sweatshops or have to breathe in toxic fumes. Those consumers don’t know that their jacket cost more since it uses less toxic chemicals and recycled materials that keeps plastics out of landfills.

Instead, they just see cheap gear from China on Amazon. Those gear brands make no claims about their environmental and social responsibility (because they can’t!), so consumers don’t even think about it.

Unclear Brand Voice

This is something MEC has struggled with for a long time. They’ve always carried other brands in their stores and usually, those brands are high-end or specialized in their sport. But they’ve also made backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, clothing, and other gear under the MEC Label.

The MEC Label confuses customers. Is it the same tech as the high-end brands but at a more reasonable price? Sometimes, yes. Is it a budget, less technical version of the high-end brand gear? Sometimes, also yes.

This makes it hard for customers to connect with the brand. It has led to perceptions that MEC is less desirable or poor quality.

While they’ve had some hits and misses over the years, I’ve had some amazing MEC pieces made with the same high-end tech as big brands like Arc’teryx. I also have budget gear from MEC that is going strong after decades. However, it takes a while for people to develop brand loyalty, and since MEC’s brand voice is unclear, most customers don’t make it far enough to develop that loyalty.

MAP Pricing Becomes Ubiquitous

If you’ve never worked in retail, you probably have never heard of MAP pricing. MAP pricing is the Minimum Advertised Price a retailer can advertise a product for. The MAP price is stipulated in the contract from their supplier and if they advertise something for less than their MAP, they are in breach of contract. The industry takes it very seriously.

MAP pricing didn’t used to be very common in outdoor retail. Only a few brands did it. But now, tons of the major outdoor brands all use MAP. At certain times of the year, like Black Friday, if a brand drops its MAP price on something, e.g. a tent, then all retailers can (and do) offer that lower MAP price. So the same tent is always the same price at all retailers, even if it goes on sale.

That’s great for consumers since it gives them a ton of buying options. But for a store like MEC that has to pay store rents and the salaries of in-store customer service staff, that means that they make less money on every sale compared to an online-only retailer like Altitude Sports or Amazon (which carries more and more big outdoor brands than they ever have before).

It also means they have less control over their pricing. Suppliers can lower their MAP pricing on a product with not that much notice, leading to a lower profit for the retailer. It’s worth noting that MAP pricing would run afoul of competition laws in the U.K. and the EU. But MAP pricing is legal in Canada and the USA.

What Next? Where Should We Shop?

Like a lot of MEC employees and members of the outdoors community, I went through a phase where I had a cult-like affection for MEC. (Fun fact, my husband and I went to MEC as part of our first date back in 2003. Don’t worry, we went for dinner first!)

After witnessing the inner workings and ups and downs, the shine faded. I was very upset when MEC was sold and they dissolved the cooperative structure in 2020.

But as the years have passed, I’ve come to accept that MEC is now just another retail store. It doesn’t owe anything to the community. MEC doesn’t need to be a cultural hub. It just needs to sell things that people want to buy. And like any other store, it’s susceptible to economic variations and poor management.

And for that reason, I still shop at MEC sometimes. For a lot of people, MEC is the easiest place to buy outdoor gear. They often have more selection than other stores and they offer good shipping.

But since I live in Squamish now, I tend to make most of my in-person purchases at Valhalla Pure Outfitters, since it’s convenient. Each of their stores across BC is locally owned but their combined purchasing power means they can get access to the latest and greatest gear.

If I have to shop online, I sometimes also buy from Altitude Sports. They are a Quebec-based e-commerce retailer. (Altitude Sports closed their last brick-and-mortar store in 2019). They have a huge selection and stock most major brands. They also have a great return policy.

I also buy online directly from brands I trust and love like Outdoor Research, Patagonia, and Mountain Hardwear.

I still rarely buy cheap outdoor gear from discount stores or Amazon. Quality gear that will last and that is made in an environmentally and socially responsible way is something I value highly.

I definitely appreciate that being able to afford outdoor gear is a barrier to the outdoors. However, if it’s possible, I encourage you to buy quality gear that will last for years instead of cheap, disposable gear from discount stores.

Do your research before you buy something and look for claims about environmental and social responsibility as well as warranties. The oft-repeated maxim is “Buy once, cry once.” You can buy quality gear used or wait for sales. My tips for saving money on outdoor gear has lots of suggestions to avoid paying full price.

Final Thoughts

I know I’ve missed out on a few other factors for MEC’s recent struggles. For example, the way social media has changed marketing and shopping habits or the rise of direct-to-consumer brands. Honestly, I could go on and on about this stuff, since I find it fascinating, but I have to stop somewhere!

While I’m sad to see MEC struggling, I hope they pull through. Yes, it’s just a store. But despite their faults, it’s a pretty great outdoor store. I think that the current management team has turned around a lot of the issues that they inherited from the coop days, but there are likely still hard times ahead. Fingers crossed for them.

As for who I think is going to buy MEC? I have no clue. It’s likely going to be another private equity firm. But it could also be an established retailer like Canadian Tire, which owns SportChek and Atmosphere (although that is unlikely since many Atmosphere locations are closing). Like many people, I’m really curious to see what happens next.

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The post MEC is For Sale Again: What Happened? appeared first on Dawn Outdoors.