What to Wear for Winter in the Grand Canyon

Waterproof footwear is usually a bad idea in an arid environment like the
canyon, because you want your feet to breathe. But wet feet are cold feet in winter,
and wet, cold feet can be killers. Good news: Any standard high-cut waterproof hiking
boots will work—no need for insulated models. BACKPACKER testers recently rated
Kayland’s Zephyr as the best new all-around boot, giving it their 2009 Editors’

Choice Award. Read up on this and other boots here.
(Photo courtesy Julia Vandenoever)

Pair your boots with waterproof gaiters to keep snow out of them. (New
to hiking? Gaiters are synthetic leggings that create a seal around your boots and
coverage up to your knees.) Outdoor Research makes several outstanding models (check
out the classic Crocodiles), and Mountain Hardwear’s Xenon Stretch
is one of the most rugged (read: cactus-proof) models we’ve seen. See a review here.

Even in the winter, you really don’t need a waterproof jacket in the desert
Southwest. But the winds can whip into a future anywhere in the canyon, so a windproof
shell is key for comfort and warmth. Pair a softshell like Marmot’s Tempo or an
ultralight nylon windshirt like Sugoi’s Helium (see jacket reviews here)
with an insulated jacket for a smart and versatile system. (Photo courtesy Marmot)

Windproofing goes for your lower layer, too. No need for rainpaints or snowpants;
a good pair of stretch-woven nylon pants will slough off wind, falling snow, and
cactus spines, and most are warm enough to wear alone in temperatures down to freezing.
Look for super-durable Schoeller fabrics on the pants rack at your local outdoor
store, or try L.L. Bean’s Winterledge Winter Sport Pant (full review here). (Photo
courtesy L. L. Bean)

Complete your cold-weather kit with lightweight picks for your extremities.
BACKPACKER editors liked the sun/wind/warmth functionality of Outdoor Research’s
Prismatic Cap, a windproof baseball hat with a microfleece lining and removable
ear flaps (read the review here). For your hands, they love Kombi’s Windbreaker
Fleece glove, a workhorse with good grip (review here). (Photo courtesy Outdoor
Research)