by Rachel Funk

Created on: November 07, 2009

The sky is clear blue, the air is crisp and everywhere is a blanket of white that sparkles in the bright sunlight. The snow covered ground crunches and squeaks beneath your feet and your breath plumes out before you as your mind clears. Perhaps you pass by an immaculate field, the rolling hills of white surrounding you or you walk beneath the crystalline branches of a secluded wood, silent except for your steps and your heartbeat. As you make your way, the stress of the day leaves your body and you feel refreshed and invigorated. Enjoying an outdoor walk is a year-round activity, by following a few simple tips you can get the most enjoyment, even in the wintertime.

First and foremost, dress for the weather. One of the main things that keeps outdoor enthusiasts homebound in the winter is the temperature outside. Depending on where you live, the temperatures can become very severe in the winter, dipping into the sub-zero range. Luckily, there are outerwear options to make even the most inhospitable temperatures comfortable.

Layering your clothing is a must. Multiple layers of clothing is more effective at retaining body heat than putting on one warm layer. The reason is because in between the layers of clothing are trapped pockets of air, these pockets are warmed by your body heat and add insulation against the cold temperatures outside. Silk underwear or thermal tops and bottoms are a great first layer of defense against the cold. Follow these with a warm top and bottom, remember that comfort is a factor as well, and the outermost layer may need to be a size or two larger in order to accommodate the underclothes.

The outermost layer should be a down or synthetically filled winter coat. The coat should be comfortable and for safety reasons, brightly colored. Wear bright clothing, such as your coat, hat or scarf even if you aren't walking in a high traffic area, the extra precaution of bright colors will ease your mind as well as drivers in the area. Pairing the coat with protective pants to keep your legs warm is a great way to stop the cold from stopping you from enjoying your walk. A pair of thermally insulated and windproof pants are a great way to get the upper hand on winter weather. Scarves, gloves and some sort of ear covering are also key to comfort and enjoyment. The extremities, such as the hands, nose and ears are often the first effected by the cold, covering and protecting from the elements is vital. Ear covering can be in the form of a hat,

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