Bundle up! New Mexico winters can be cold — but with proper layering you can still enjoy outdoor activities

Opportunities are abound for outdoor enthusiasts during New Mexico’s winter, but these activities are best enjoyed with the proper clothing and equipment for the season.

After serving as a ranger for the National Park Service in New Mexico, Colorado and Utah for approximately a decade, Derek Wallentinsen has a pretty good idea about proper protocols when it comes to hiking — in any season.

“I worked at a lot of desert parks, so the emphasis was probably a little bit more on staying cool and hydrated in the summer than the opposite, but weather protection is key to being responsible and enjoying outdoor activities,” he said.

Today, Wallentinsen is the vice president of the New Mexico Mountain Club, an Albuquerque-based hiking group that was founded in 1952. While he admittedly isn’t a “big snow bunny,” Wallentinsen doesn’t let cold conditions stop him from going on a hike.

With that in mind, layering and staying dry are paramount to ensuring that a winter trek is the best experience possible.

“They kind of go hand in hand. Water conducts so much heat away from the body due to its high (heat) capacity, it’s really important to keep dry both from outside and from inside,” Wallentinsen said. “So your inner layer should be something that’s not going to just soak up water and stay, but it should wick the water away from your body to try to keep you a little bit warmer.”

Once upon a time, wool was the clear-cut choice. According to Wallentinsen, that remains a solid option, “but it’s heavier and people can be allergic to it — or it just plain itches. It’s probably less popular than it used to be.” Fleece is another popular option, while Wallentinsen himself typically goes with Polartec long underwear along with a nylon or rayon shirt on especially cold days.

During the winter, Wallentinsen likes hiking trails on the lower Sandias such as Tramway or La Luz, both of which can have icy sections. For the more slippery terrain, he recommends trekking poles and micro spikes, the latter of which slide over boots to provide extra traction.

“If you slip a little bit on mush or snow or ice, that’s gonna help you,” he said.

Meanwhile, those who run in the cold must adopt a somewhat tactical approach. According to outdoor retailer REI, it’s essential to utilize “smart layering” for a jog. This includes a warm base layer with a fabric such as polyester or nylon to wick away moisture; cotton should be avoided. Additionally, leggings, a lightweight running shell, a warm hat or headband, lightweight gloves and thicker, higher socks are also suggested.

“You can always shed a layer, but you can’t add a layer when you’re miles from home,” it says on REI.com. “You’ll warm up once you start moving, so dress so that you’re a bit on the chilly side when you get started.”

When it comes to cycling, a popular refrain is that it’s better to overdress in the winter.

“It is true for me and many others, but ultimately it depends on the individual,” said Matthias Geissel, president of the ABQ Cycling Club. “I know folks who don’t mind being a bit cold first or occasionally, but who get miserable when the mercury rises and they sweat.

“In general, I suggest using front and side zippers for ventilation early, before you get too hot (or) wet, and keep even a thin windbreaker for downhill riding. Evaporation from fast moving air can cool you out into misery if you are sweaty and roll at 30 mile per hour or more in winter.”

Geissel prefers three midweight layers — a base, jersey, and jacket or vest — as opposed to two heavier ones.

“Never wear cotton for the base, because it doesn’t wick moisture well, and that can be miserable,” Geissel said. “A good tech fiber is much better, or use wool — my favorite. And don’t underestimate the heat loss through your head — wear a skully.”

Geissel also points to warm wool socks, Windstopper fabric jackets and knickers or knee warmers as worthwhile additions to a cold ride. Two layers of gloves are also a good idea as the temperature rises from the morning to the middle of the day. One other factor — which doesn’t receive as much emphasis in winter months — is hydration, which is still essential for any activity that might involve exertion.

“Even though one doesn’t easily get parched and thirsty in winter, we still lose fluid,” Geissel said. “It is important to drink even when it is cold. I get away with a bottle for a two-hour ride, but more doesn’t hurt.”

During the winter, the ABQ Cycling Club still has plenty of ride options — though the participation numbers aren’t typically as high. The greatest deterrent for these isn’t actually the cold.

“Temperatures are less of an issue than precipitation,” Geissel said. “I stay at home if ice and snow are likely to be encountered. Even if you can handle it, which is a tall order on a road bike, there are plenty of other humans in winter traffic who present a danger to you. On those days, the indoor trainer is a better option.”