Picking winter gear for the woman prepper may be overwhelming (and even confusing) if she is just getting started. Just so you know, it’s okay to be confused. I, too, was when I started prepping nearly a decade ago. We only learned to get it right through a lot of trials and errors.
A starter can become an expert prepper; all it takes is time and dedication. But survival is more important than the two. That’s why we are looking at what the woman needs to wear if she is camping in winter. The wrong clothing choices could be suicidal.
Drawing Up The Ideal Winter Gear For The Woman Prepper
The growing community of women winter preppers impresses me. Who’d have thought in 2010 that there would be such a large number of women winter survivalists just a decade later? I remember my reluctance to join the winter parade in 2011. It’s been a tasking journey, but it’s worth it — I have taken it, so you don’t make the same mistakes I did.
Let’s quickly look at nine aspects of your clothing to look at before discussing them.
- Hiking Boots
- Coat
- Gloves/Scarf/Hat
- Backpack
- Survival Knife
- Sleeping Bag/Hammock
- First Aid Kit
- MRE’s
- Whistle
Hiking Boots
Quality hiking boots are arguably an essential part of your gear when you go camping. To me, they are the most important. Your hiking shoes will make it easy to walk, run or do anything in all terrains, although specifically built boots for a terrain would be the best for any terrain. If you are without good hiking boots, you’ll hardly make it to camp before tiring from the tiresome terrains and unrelenting cold. Remember, it is winter.
The qualities of good hiking boots are:
- Should be resistant to water.
- The insoles have to be supportive, yet comfortable.
- Should cover the ankles well.
- Durable sole and threads that can plod any terrain
Tip: replace lace with paracord. It is stronger and more effective.
Coat
Before choosing a coat, remember that it is winter. That means perpetual cold and drizzling snow. Your coat, therefore, should be designed to keep out the cold, yet be light enough to walk in. You do not want a coat that is extremely heavy because you’re keeping warm. A good coat should be waterproof or weatherproof as well. Lastly, if you’re the outdoorsy type who spends most of her time outside, stick to darker colors.
Gloves/Scarf/Hat
These are compulsory in your gear. A thick pair of gloves for your hands, a heat-inducing scarf for the head and neck, and a good hat to keep the head warm. Without these, you leave yourself most vulnerable to hypothermia, a condition that kills about 1300 every year. So, you can see that the inclusion of these items is non-negotiable in your gear.
Tip: carry more than a pair of gloves or stick to one with removable fingers. Either will help you carry out tasks.
Backpack
For the woman who is a newbie to winter prepping, a light backpack is most ideal. You will realize this as you hike over long miles at once. There’s nothing wrong with starting with a heavy, large bag, but knowing women and our tendency to fill our purses to the brim, this may be a wrong decision. I started with a heavy backpack myself, but my back was aching badly after hiking for just 2 miles. Except you’re moving to camp in a chopper or car, you should carry a light backpack.
Your backpack should be weatherproof. It should have several zip compartments, as this will help to keep your gear more organized.
Survival Knife
A survival item should be in your gear on your very first trip to the survival store. This is a far too valuable gear to not have. When I started, I bought a 4” blade with a sheath, and thanks to careful care, it has remained sharp as ever.
A knife to carry for survival is never a spontaneous “on the whim” purchase. You have to shop around and assess all available options before making a choice. I mentioned my survival knife’s durability, so you can see that one good choice is enough to last you a decade. A good survival knife should be sturdy, have a strong blade, and be comfortable to handle. There’s a saying which I think is true: “you’ll identify your perfect survival knife soon as you’re holding it in your hands”.
That’s why you have to shop as long as you can.
Sleeping Bag/Hammock
Depending on who you ask, a sleeping bag may or may not be an essential part of your survival gear. I, personally, only carry a sleeping bag when on a camping trip. If you’re just going for a hike, a sleeping bag may not be necessary. However, if you’re a keen prepper, this does not matter anyway. It is in your gene to plan, so I guess you’ll be going with a sleeping bag no matter what.
If you’re unsure of a sleeping bag due to its size or weight, you can carry a hammock as it is lighter.
First-Aid Kit
A first-aid kit is a crucial part of your gear. Although you’re going on a controlled hiking trip, you have to keep in mind that it is in the wild, and thus, there’s still the possibility of danger. Carry a portable first-aid kit, including only the most essential items. You can read on the items to carry in your first-aid kit here.
MRE’s
MRE’s refer to “meals ready to eat.” They are prepackaged meal packs that you can instantly eat when hungry.
Whistle
This is something you’d never be without. It helps to ward off attackers or wild animals. Both hate attention, which is the very essence of a whistle. A whistle will also help to seek for help if you ever get lost.
Concluding The Winter Gear For The Woman Prepper
As you can see, settling for the ideal winter gear for the woman prepper isn’t a tough process. It can be confusing only because you’re unfamiliar with the process. You can get the items above for affordable prices on online or local survival stores.