Salmon Arms Gear Guide: The Best Cold-Weather Gear for the Whole Family
Colorful toques are a great gift giving idea for the gear lover on your list!
Shop Local, Shop Salmon Arm!
Discover Salmon Arms' year around shopping! You'll find many local shops offering everything from technical outdoor gear to high-end clothing and beautiful art galleries. Bike shops, beauty boutiques, sweet shops, and specialty book stores line the sidewalks of Salmon Arm. With a lively restaurant and coffee shop scene to add to it, there is sure to be something for everyone on your gift list this winter.
The streets of Salmon Arm are charming and enjoyable to stroll. Parking is a picnic, and the natural surroundings' scenery is breathtaking.
Salmon Arm is the perfect place to visit, stay local and do all of your seasonal shopping!
Charming boutiques, seasonal window décor, and a lively presence make Salmon Arm’s downtown an enjoyable shopping experience!
You can find Yeti thermal mugs and water bottles at several shops throughout Salmon Arm, such as Wearabouts Clothing and Westside Stores.
Shop Winter & Seasonal Gear Here!
As the temperatures fall and the days get shorter, we turn to welcome winter. Keeping up with cold-weather activities comes with its challenges, especially when gearing up for outdoor adventures.
With the right apparel, we can embrace the enthusiasm of a snow day! Whether it’s for hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, winter strolls or, enjoying s'more-filled weekends with family and friends, the right gear goes a long way.
We've rounded the best items that any outdoor enthusiast will need (and will love receiving) this holiday season. The best part is, you can find all of it locally in Salmon Arm!
With the right apparel, we can embrace the enthusiasm of a snow day!
Toasty Toes
When your feet are comfortable, you're comfortable. Warm and toasty toes for the whole family are a must! Having one or two quality warm socks is essential on your gear list.
Favorite Local Picks:
Smartwool socks are perfect for every adventure regardless of the season and come in a wide variety of designs. Find Smartwool socks at Wearabouts Clothing, Kintec Footwear & Orthotics, and Skookum Cycle & Ski.
Darn Tough socks boast of being the best possible socks the world has to offer, and they stand behind that! Offering a lifetime guarantee, these socks are durable, comfortable, and fun! Check out the latest designs at Shuswap Clothing & Shoe Company on Alexander Street and at Buckerfield's.
J.B. Fields are proudly Canadain-owned and operated. They make a great outdoor thermal adventure sock and are wallet-friendly. We love the colorful array of athletic and casual socks, as well as hiking, alpine and Icelandic choices. Find them at Shuswap Clothing & Shoe Company.
J.B. Fields makes an excellent outdoor thermal adventure sock and comes in a variety of colors.
Socks for the Kids:
We can keep our pint-sized adventurers' toes nice and toasty too, with warm and comfy socks.
Hartty Clothing, located in the Centenoka Park Mall, provides a fantastic assortment of performance Carharrt socks for the whole family.
Find kids’ winter sport Smartwool socks at Skookum Cycle & Ski.
Find kids’ winter sport Smartwool socks at Skookum Cycle & Ski.
Comfortable & Safe Footwear
A pair of high-cut, waterproof hikers can be sufficient for most outdoor activities. Add Yaktrax, microspikes, or crampons to your boots, and you are ready to hit the trails of the Shuswap. In Salmon Arm, we have an excellent selection of stores that carry hiking boots, shoes, and footwear accessories.
There is a fantastic selection of boots and shoes at Kintec Footwear and Orthotics.
Find Hiking Boots Locally:
Wearabouts Clothing, Shuswap Clothing & Shoe Company, and Kintec Footwear & Orthotics have plenty of hiking and mountaineering boots. With knowledgeable staff, you are sure to find what you are looking for. Try several pairs on, take the time to get a great fit, and focus on the weatherproof capabilities, outsole grip, and ankle support.
Get ready to hike the trails of the Shuswap this winter season! A durable pair of waterproof hiking boots are essential.
Boots for the Kids:
Tobogganing, snowmobiling, snowball fights, building snow forts, and outdoor play are what winters are made of.
At Hartty Clothing and Buckerfield's, you’ll find a variety of winter boots for kids, toddlers, and babies, including Bogs, Muks, Kamiks, and more.
Kamik is a Canadian-owned and operated company. Kids and adults Kamik boots are availble at Hartty Clothing.
Ice & Snow Grips
Hiking in winter usually requires extra traction on your feet to prevent slips on ice and snow. A good pair of snow grips can give you confidence, security, and peace of mind while adventuring in winter conditions. There are a couple of options for ice and snow grips: crampons, microspikes, snowshoes, or Yaktraks. Local retailers that carry footwear traction include Kintec Footwear & Orthotics and Skookum Cycle & Ski.
For a winter walking boot that comes equipped with a retractable cleat, check out NexGrip boots from Shuswap Clothing & Shoe Company!
Crampons and Yaktrax are the perfect ice and snow traction accessory.
NexGrip is a Canadian company from Quebec. These winter walking boots come with a retractable cleat and an anti-slip rubber sole.
Cozy Base Layers and Weather Proof Outer Layers
When it comes to enjoying the seasons outdoors, it is all about layers of fun! Layering can be broken into three categories: A sweat-wicking base layer, an insulating mid-layer, and a waterproof outer layer.
Base Layers:
Base layers are designed to draw moisture from your skin. Find cozy and stylish sets of wool or synthetic base layers from Wearabouts Clothing, Hartty Clothing, John’s Ski Shack, and Shuswap Clothing & Shoe Company.
Smartwool makes a beautiful merino wool base layer set!
Mid and Outer Layers:
Outerwear made for the mountains will keep you warm and dry on snowy trails and city streets alike. Luckily for shoppers in Salmon Arm, there is an excellent selection of stylish, functional, and technical outer layers to keep you snug as a bug this winter!
Our outdoor gear shops carry an assortment of different options at different price points.
Higher-end brands such as Fjallraven make high-quality, fashionable, long-lasting layers.
For snowboarding or skiing, look no further than Ashes Skateboards and Snowboards and Skookum Cycle & Ski. For a higher-end selection, Wearabouts Clothing carries popular brands such as Patagonia, Mountain Hardware, Kuhl, Fjallraven.
On the way up to Larch Hills, stop into John’s Ski Shack, where they carry a great line of women's Scandinavian wintersports wear!
Hartty Clothing specializes in all things Carhartt, including jackets, vests, and performance pants.
For the Kids: Skookum Cycle & Ski and Hartty Clothing has warm junior jackets, pants, and base layers. John’s Ski Shack carries layers for kids and juniors, from the base layer to high-quality outer layers.
When it comes to enjoying the seasons outdoors, it is all about the layers.
Winter Sports Gear | Rentals & Purchases
If you are looking to buy or rent outdoor gear, stores in Salmon Arm are ready with the best new equipment, apparel, and advice. Whether it is snowshoeing, cross country skiing, snowboarding, or downhill skiing, retailers here have you covered.
John’s Ski Shack is your Nordic skiing and snowshoeing expert. You can rent kids snowshoes and cross country skis here, as well as adult sizes. Let John outfit the whole family for a full day of fun at the renowned Larch Hills Nordic Ski Club.
As Salmon Arms' ski and bike specialty shop, Skookum Cycle & Ski is an excellent location for ski purchases and other outdoor equipment like snowshoes. Ski rentals are available for all ages while snowshoes rentals are available for adults only.
Get the kids out on the snowshoe trails this season! Youth sizes are available for purchase or to rent in Salmon Arm.
Skookum Cycle & Ski sells and rents snowshoes and cross country skis. You can also rent kids cross country skis here!
Accessories:
Give the gift of gear! Outdoor accessories make the perfect gift for giving and receiving.
Our Favorite Backcountry Accessories:
Salmon Arm Mitts! These humorous and high-performance mitts and gloves are available at Ashes Skateboards and Snowboards. And yes, they are named after Salmon Arm!
Be bold in the colorful BUFF neck tube, custom edition by Revelstoke’s visual artist Hayley Stewart. Available at The Handmade Shoppe.
Defy the dark in the Black Diamond Headlamp from Skookum Cycle & Ski.
Adventure in style and keep dry with Liga gaiters from Wearabouts Clothing. You can also find Tubbs snowshoe gaiters at John’s Ski Shack.
Stay safe and hydrated in reflective Salomon or Camelbak running vests from Kintec Footwear & Orthotics. The runner on your list will love this!
Explore more with the hiking guide book “Popular Day Hikes: Northern Okanagan” by Gerry Shea. Pick up this trail guide featuring the Shuswap, Vernon, and Lumby from Bookingham Palace Bookstore in The Mall at Piccadilly.
Trekking and hiking poles! Every explorer needs a pair. They help with stability and balance and take pressure off your joints. You can find multi-purpose poles at Skookum Cycle & Ski. and John’s Ski Shack.
Keep cozy and warm all day long with a heated vest from Westside Stores. They carry a whole line of heated clothing and accessories!
Be bold in the colorful BUFF neck tube, custom edition by Revelstoke’s visual artist Hayley Stewart. Available at The Handmade Shoppe.
Adventure in style and keep dry with Liga gaiters from Wearabouts Clothing.
Stay safe and hydrated in reflective Salomon or Camelbak running vests from Kintec Footwear & Orthotics.
Named after Salmon Arm, these humorous and high-performance mitts are available at Ashes Skateboards and Snowboards.”
For the Kids and Pets:
Bundle them up with a cozy and multifunctional fleece balaclava made by Calikids from Hartty Clothing. This hood can also be worn under helmets, and as a neck warmer. Check out the selection of popular and colorful Carharrt toques at the same time!
Keep your little adventurer warm and happy with Buff neckwear in junior sizes from John’s Ski Shack. These all-day pieces are a headband, bandanna, beanie, and neck warmer!
Protect your pup in wet, windy weather and keep them warm in the Carharrt chore and hiking coat from Hartty Clothing.
Keep your little adventurer warm and happy with Buff neckwear in junior sizes from John’s Ski Shack.
Check out the selection of popular and colorful Carharrt toques at Hartty Clothing.
Gadgets, Tools, and Safety Essentials
Visit Westside Stores, where you will find gadgets, tools, and safety essentials for all your hiking, hunting, fishing, and camping needs.
Headlamps, water purification, wildlife deterrents, first aid kits, and instruments for navigation make thoughtful and practical gifts!
Headlights are a top safety essential for any outdoor enthusiast!
Helpful Guidebooks & Maps
Books are the gift that keeps on giving! So treat a loved one or yourself to an adventure guidebook. We have found the best selection of hiking, biking, backcountry, survival, camping, and Backroad Map Books at Bookingham Palace Bookstore. Other local bookshops, The Book Nook and Hidden Gems Book Store, can be found in the heart of downtown.
Check out Bookingham Palace Bookstores' selection of all-encompassing adventure guide books!
Genuine Shuswap Gear
What list would be complete without including local brands that we love? With their designs, local makers celebrate life in the Shuswap. Lake & Life Apparel and Shuswap Soul have us proudly wearing their apparel and accessories which are available at On Alex.
The ultimate gift-giving boutique to share your love of the Shuswap.
Share your love of the Shuswap! Local brand Shuswap Soul carries shirts, hoodies, hats, and toques. They are available at On Alex in Salmon Arm.
Lake and Life Apparel is a small dual family-owned business. They create quality, down-to-earth, comfortable, minimalist lifestyle clothing for the whole family!
