Winter Rucking #6

Cold Weather Rucking: Stay Active, Stay Warm

Episode Description:
Welcome to Just Ruck It! In this episode, Lindsay dives into the challenges and rewards of winter rucking. Don’t let the groundhog’s forecast of six more weeks of winter keep you indoors! Learn how to stay motivated, layer up properly, and conquer snowy trails with confidence. Whether you’re an experienced rucker or just starting out, this episode is packed with tips to make cold-weather rucking enjoyable, safe, and rewarding. From the right mindset to the best gear for tackling winter conditions, Lindsay has you covered.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. Motivation for Winter Rucking
   • How cold-weather rucks build mental toughness and discipline.
   • The surprising calorie-burning benefits of winter rucking.
   • Why snowy trails are perfect for reflection and stress relief.
   • How to stay active indoors with creative alternatives like gym rucks or workplace challenges.
2. Essential Winter Rucking Gear
   • The importance of layering: base layers, mid-layers, and outer layers.
   • Tips for keeping extremities warm with innovative hacks like exam gloves and sock layering.
   • Choosing the right boots and socks to keep your feet comfortable and dry.
3. Traction and Safety on the Trails
   • When to use Yaktrax for snowy sidewalks versus microspikes for icy trails.
   • Practical winter packing essentials like a first-aid kit, hot-hands, and bivy bags.
   • How to keep your water from freezing and why a thermos of hot broth can be a game-changer.
4. Why Winter Rucking is Worth It
   • The magical beauty of snow-covered trails and the quiet solitude of winter landscapes.
   • How winter rucking offers a unique way to connect with nature and stay resilient.

Quotes to Remember:

• "Be bold, start cold! You’ll warm up quickly once you’re moving."
• "Cotton kills—choose wool or synthetic layers to stay dry and warm."
• "Every crunch of snow underfoot is a step toward a stronger, more confident you."

Takeaway:
With the right gear, preparation, and mindset, winter rucking can transform even the coldest days into opportunities for growth and adventure. Layer up, pack smart, and embrace the beauty of winter.

Call to Action:
If today’s episode inspired you to embrace winter rucking, share your favorite snowy trails and cold-weather tips with us on social media! Don’t forget to leave a 5-star review to help others discover the joy of rucking. Remember, life is rucking wonderful—so grab your pack and get moving!

Life is Rucking Wonderful!

Transcript

Winter Rucking #6

[00:00:00] Lindsay: Welcome back to Just Ruck It, I'm your host, Lindsay, and today we're going to realize that the groundhog just forecasted six more weeks of winter. Rucking in the cold can feel intimidating, but with the right mindset and gear, it can be one of the most rewarding and refreshing ways to stay active.

[00:00:17] Whether you're a winter enthusiast or looking to try something new, this episode is going to help you prepare for an outdoor adventure and keep you comfortable doing it.

[00:00:27] Let's start with the biggest hurdle, motivation. It's cold, and just hitting the gym sounds like a much better option for a workout.

[00:00:37] But in all honesty, cold rucks can offer a unique benefit to your body and your mind. Winter rucks are going to force you to get out of your comfort zone and build on that mental toughness. With commitment, it will strengthen your discipline and confidence, providing you with a unique view on what you consider difficult on a fair weather day. The cold has the added bonus of burning more calories. I mean, your body is gonna have to work harder just to stay warm and your workouts are gonna have a small boost.

[00:01:10] Okay, while it's gonna be a minuscule change, every extra bit helps to work off those, oh, Christmas cookies.

[00:01:18] Winter trails are going to make for great reflection. Fewer people on the trails, the dampening of the sound and the snow covered trees, it's gonna make for a peaceful, mentally relaxing ruck. Being outdoors in natural light is good for the soul and it can help ward off Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as S.

[00:01:41] A. D. Even a bright, cloudy day is going to help ward off that seasonal depression when in most of us, never see natural light outside of the workplace.

[00:01:51] Not all days are great for outdoors. Winter storms can keep us all inside. But you know what?

[00:01:58] You can bring your ruck to the gym. You can hit the treadmill, stair climber, or even laps around the mall can get those endorphins flowing in the worst of weather. Me? I often will add weight to my work bag and carry it from customer to customer to add a little extra. You know, when time or weather prohibit a midday ruck.

[00:02:18] For me, I like outdoor rucks, and to keep me motivated, I like to set an end of ruck as a prize or goal to shoot for. Sometimes it's fitness related, but more often than that, it's allowing myself to enjoy something like a long hot shower or cup of cocoa.

[00:02:37] Motivated workout for that luxury item. Now, now that you've found your motivation, let's switch focus to gear. Having the right equipment is going to make or ruck experience. No one wants to be cold and wet when it's easy to avoid. So layer up! This is where having a rucksack comes in handy. You have the ability to bring everything you need with you to keep you comfortable and warm.

[00:03:09] Rucking itself is going to make you pretty warm in the process. And while moving, that means sweat. Your base layer needs to not only keep you warm, but wick that back puddle away from your body. No cotton. You can either use a natural fiber like merino wool or alpaca, or a synthetic. Anything mixed with cotton is gonna hold moisture close to your skin, so stay away, cotton kills.

[00:03:37] My coach likes to say, be bold, start cold. And that means, your base layer is your starting layer. It's gonna be chilly at first, but about a half mile in, your body's gonna warm right up and start to sweat. Your mid layer is usually a fleece, which can add loft for warmth, yet be breathable and also moisture wicking.

[00:03:58] You can double up on this layer too. For me, I like a fleece vest. This keeps my core warm, but allows my arms to be cooler to regulate, a temp better. A slight breeze can cool me off a little further, so a pullover fleece is my next option. Really cold? I'm going to carry a puffy vest and a puffy jacket, too.

[00:04:19] Outer layer weather protection is needed when there's heavy wind or snow. You're going to want something that's going to protect all those mid and base layers from the elements. My choice is a quality rain jacket. Find a rain jacket with pit zips. It's going to help keep that air flowing underneath, allowing that body moisture to escape, but keeping Mother Nature from creeping on in.

[00:04:44] Your extremities can't fit into your base layers, and they need love, too. Much of how you treat these areas depends on whether you run hot or cold as a person. I tend to run hot, so I choose to use a headband versus a hat. It helps let that excess heat out while keeping my ears warm.

[00:05:02] If I need more protection, I'm going to carry a windproof baklava or ski goggles for full head protection. Hands are another layering option. My farmer's trick is to use exam gloves as a protective layer. Put them on first. With thicker gloves, it's gonna keep that moisture locked in with a windproof barrier.

[00:05:24] Need a layer later for better dexterity? Use thin, non cotton liner gloves and put the exam glove on over it. Now you have a thin, waterproof, windproof glove that is surprisingly warm. With full use of your fingers, even with cell phones.

[00:05:44] Feet can be a tough one. Insulated boots are an option, but if you happen to be a heavy sweater, your feet can get themselves wet and ultimately cold.

[00:05:55] Non insulated boots, they allow you to layer up your socks to get the right temperature variance. But, for me, I find the lack of insulation on the sole to be a problem. My feet tend to get cold due to contact from the ground, so I go with an insulated boot and a very thin alpaca sock as my happy place.

[00:06:16] And socks are key. You should always use a merino wool or alpaca as an option and stay as far away from cotton as you can. Carry one or two extra pairs with you should your feet get wet or sweat right through. A good sock can be expensive, but are worth every penny to keep your feet happy. Play with all of your layers on each ruck until you find the one that works for you.

[00:06:44] On the trail, traction is key for safety and how enjoyable a winter ruck can be. If you're heading out around your neighborhood on snowy sidewalks, I recommend Yak Trax. These are lesser aggressive add ons that help you grip onto packed snow and ice, yet allow you to traverse pavement should bare patches be present.

[00:07:05] Note, do not walk on tile with Yaktrax. It's like walking on ice. Ask me how I figured that one out. Zip! Boom! 

[00:07:15] If you're hitting the trails with more aggressive terrain, up your game to a microspike. These are much more aggressive and will grip onto ice as you climb up and over obstacles easily.

[00:07:27] However, they do not work well should you encounter patches of pavement along the way. Large spikes make walking over it very slow and awkward.

[00:07:39] Winter weather can be unpredictable, ruck, it's best to pack practical. Now, what I mean by this is fill your ruck with things that could help you or another person in case of an emergency.

[00:07:54] A first aid kit, hot hands, a sit pad, a bivvy, these are all good extras. Bring a battery pack for your phone, too. Use a hot hand and a sock to keep your battery warmer, as batteries that are cold lose charge faster. It's always better to be over prepared than under, even for seem like short rucks.

[00:08:18] You'll also want to protect your water supply from freezing along the way. Many of us are more dehydrated than we realize in the colder weather and don't feel like drinking.

[00:08:28] Add electrolytes to your water to help entice you to drink more, and that added salt is going to help lower the temperature the water freezes at. Get a thick wool sock and put your water bottle in it for added insulation. Place it upside down in your pack. Water freezes from the top down and this keeps the water opening available and accessible.

[00:08:50] Since the added weight is the goal, why not fill a thermos with a treat like a hot drink or a broth? Nothing like a warm treat halfway through a long ruck.

[00:09:03] With the right gear and mindset, winter rucking can be just as enjoyable. And perhaps even more rewarding than a sunny spring day. There is something magical about the quiet beauty of a snow covered trail, the crispness of the air, and the solitude that winter brings.

[00:09:22] It's an opportunity to connect with nature in a way that's entirely unique to the season. The crunch of snow under your boots, the breath visible in the cold air, and the peaceful stillness all around can turn a simple ruck into an unforgettable experience.

[00:09:41] Thank you for tuning in to Just Ruck It. If today's episode inspired you to embrace winter rucking, share your favorite snowy trail, cold weather tip, or post ruck tradition with me on social media. Help make this visible to others by leaving a five star review, and remember, life is rucking wonderful. So layer up, grab your pack, and get moving.