December is a magical time for hikers, offering crisp air, snowy trails, and the perfect excuse to update your gear stash.

This month, we wanted to share a handful of items that we've been loving, using or interested in. Innovation is high as the cold blows and and we've done the work to round up gear that's sure to make a splash- or continue splashing away -all winter long. From big pieces to little ones, we're pretty sure you're going to oooh and ahhh about some of our favorite hiking gear of December!

How We Chose Our Favorites

Here at SouthwestHikes, we're a small but mighty team of gear-obsessed outdoor professionals. So between falling down gear rabbit holes and constantly using various outdoor and hiking gear, our brains have gear fever. The pieces you'll find on our December roundup are items we genuinely really like or find fascinating!

Let the Roundup Commence!

Best Hiking Clothes of December

The Hoodie by PAKA
This alpaca wool hoodie by PAKA is one of their core pieces and we love it because of it's versatility on and off trail. It is odor-resistant, very soft and cozy, and it is phenomenal for thermoregulation when you're hiking in cold conditions.
Read our review of The Hoodie here.

TinCup Ultralight Down Jacket by Katabatic Gear

Katabatic Gear's TinCup UL Down Jacket is a retooled version of their original TinCup. This iteration has a much nicer fit and more pockets! Since I got it, it's been my go-to down puffy.

Nano-Air Light Bottoms by Patagonia
To put it simply, the Nano-Air Light Bottoms from Patagonia are a revelation of tech pants, comfort and amazing fit. They are not only exceptional for hiking and backpacking, but they play perfect mid-layer for camping too! If you love rocking sweatpants, you will love these dearly.

Best Hiking Footwear of December

Ultra Raptor II Mid by La Sportiva

For about four years now, these have been the icy weather pick for footwear by the SouthwestHikes team. The grip on the Ultra Raptors by La Sportiva is epic and the shoe is very durable, warm and waterproof.

MICROspikes by Kahtoola
Great traction is essential when the trails get icy. Kahtoola's MICROSPIKES, like the rest of the Kahtoola lineup, are great! They're durable, easy to put on and very aggressive on the iciest terrain. They pack up nice and small and don't weigh as much as some of the other options on the market.

Random Gear You MUST See of December

Sometimes, it’s the small things that make the biggest difference. This is a hodge -podge section for the bits and bobs that can make a big difference in your HikeLife.

Alpenblow Micro Inflator by Alpenglow Gear
This autumn, we picked up the Alpenblow Micro Inflator. A little gadget we never knew we needed. It's been awesome to test out on our various air pads and if you had blowing them up, this is a game changer.

2.5L SwitchPack by Chicken Tramper Gear

Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear is a brand with a reputation for quality UL gear for hikers and backpackers. Their 2.5L SwitchPack is a great alternative to a hip belt if you're using a backpack without one and feel the need for more pockets. It's quite versatile for walking around town as well.

Armless Sunglasses by Ombraz
Ultralight fiends, paddlers, folks who break sunglasses... rejoice! Armless Sunglasses from Ombraz are such a unique and clutch piece of gear it's insane. Not only do they fit well and look good, they actually work really well to block out intense glare and sun. They take up pretty much no room in a backpack and are surprisingly versatile.

Adventure Stacking Beer Pint by Stanley
Gotta love an insulated pint glass that actually keeps drinks nice and hot or nice and chilly, right? Even without a lid Stankley's Stacking Beer Pint does exactly that and we're here for it!

Best Hiking Fuel of December

You must stay fueled while hiking and adventuring. This December we're stoked on these picks!

One Complete Meal by RecPak
This month we tried out One Complete Meal by RecPak and it's a super cool product. It's good for hiking, but spectacular for backpacking. When you've worked so hard on trail that you cannot muster eating, One Complete Meal is simple. You pour water into the pouch. Shake, shake, shake and drink. Done. Tastes awesome.

Packaroons by Heather's Choice

We've all probably had Packaroons by now right? They are the MVP hiking cookie. The OG paleo backpacking desert delight. They come in so many different flavors and they all are yummy AF. Best of all, they have nice ingredients that wont make your stomach flip out in the wilderness. Yay!

Spotlight: December Shoutout!

December’s Favorite: Kumo 36 Superlight Backpack by Gossamer Gear
This backpack has been a revelation of comfort, practical design and functionality. It's the right size and layout for backpacking overnights, and day hikes that require lots of gear. It's exceptionally lightweight and there is nothing frivolous about it; every single design choice has purpose. We love that!
Check out the Kumo 36 Superlight Backpack by Gossamer Gear if you're looking for a really comfortable, frameless lightweight backpack!

Tips for Buying Hiking Gear in December

December is one of the best months to stock up on hiking gear, thanks to holiday sales and end-of-year discounts. We've been sharing a handful of sales and trying to stay super up to date with them, here on our Gear News page.

December 2024 Gear Roundup

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