Carrying out outdoor activities in cold weather can be quite exciting. From hiking and mountain climbing to skiing and even snowboarding, there are no limits to how much can be done especially if you are used to being outdoors in the cold.
There are a number of denominators that need to be ruled out if you want to enjoy your time outdoors in cold weather. A major one is a means of communication. It is important to have a mobile phone with you.
But there are certain areas where mobile network can be affected by the cold. In places like these, your mobile phone will offer little or no help. This is why you need a Walkie talkie.
Walkie talkies for cold weather are excellent communication tools that help you keep in touch with your buddies even as you enjoy your outdoor activities in the cold.
The best walkie talkie for cold weather is one that is weather resistant and waterproof, has a long range of communication across a distance and is packed with other functional features for easy use in cold, sometimes foggy, weather.
This article reviews 5 highly recommended walkie talkies for cold weather, with emphasis on some factors you should consider before going ahead to buy the walkie talkie of your choice.
Top 5 Two-Way Radios for Cold Weather: By Best Feature
Buyer’s Guide: Critical Factors to be considered before you Select the Walkie Talkie for Cold Weather
There are certain factors that will help create a picture of the ideal walkie talkie for cold weather that you should buy. These factors include:
1. Audio Quality
This is one of the most important factors that determine the type of walkie talkie that suits you. Fog and mist are sometimes caused by cold weather due to the suspension of water droplets in the air.
This fog can affect the audio quality of a walkie talkie. Walkie talkies that use analog audio transmit clearly for some distance, but obstacles might interfere with the sound and hinder communication.
Digital transmitters have a stronger audio quality and are usually more preferred in cold weather.
2. Range
The range of a walkie talkie is as important as the walkie talkie itself. The range of a walkie talkie is the distance to which it can transmit clear audio signals.
A good walkie talkie for cold weather should have a range of at least 35 miles. This will enable easy communication between you and your peers or family if any of you is on an adventure or just doing some work out in the cold.
This can also be very important within the neighborhood in cold weather.
3. Functionality
The body tends to revolt to extreme temperatures, making it very vulnerable to injury caused by cold (e.g. frost bite). This is why you need thick clothing made of materials that can keep you warm in cold weather.
This means that you will most likely be wearing gloves; thus, a good walkie talkie for cold weather should be easy to hold while wearing gloves.
It should also have sizeable buttons that can easily be pressed. Also look for products with a simple, sleek design that make the walkie talkie easy to hold.
4. Access to Weather Alerts
Despite being outdoors in cold weather, you do not want to be caught up in a sudden storm or heavy rain.
The best walkie talkie for cold weather should have access to weather alerts from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Association (NOAA) so that you can avoid the unpredictability that comes with the cold weather.
5. Durability/Weather resistance
The walkie talkie you buy should be made of tough material that can withstand cold weather. Cold weather can sometimes be wet, making it easy for a walkie talkie to slip out of your grip from time to time.
Thus, walkie talkies for cold weather should be made of materials that are resistant to wear and tear. It should also be resistant to damage caused by hard and wet surfaces.
6. Waterproof
The fog that cold weather produces usually turns to mist and dew, which is basically water droplets that are released due to an increase in temperature. This means that your walkie talkie can get exposed to water during cold weather.
If you are skiing or snowboarding, this chance increases because snow is literally congealed water. Thus, an ideal walkie talkie for cold weather should be waterproof.
7. Battery life
If we are being very honest, the chances of stopping to charge your walkie talkie when you are enjoying an outdoor activity in cold weather is quite low. This is why you should get a walkie talke with a good battery life.
Good walkie talkies for cold weather should be able to work for 10 hours straight without needing a charge. This is also useful in case of an emergency.
8. Additional Accessories
Accessories like belt clips, ear phones, extra batteries, etc. actually go a long way in making the use of a walkie talkie easy. These accessories make it convenient to use your walkie talkie in hands-free mode in cold weather.
This becomes a very useful advantage when you need your hands to help hold ski poles, for example. A very important accessory to take note of is the screen and button backlight as well as a flashlight.
The foggy nature of cold weather can reduce visibility, and you might need either the backlight of your walkie talkie or the built-in flashlight to help light up your way.
9. Budget
Budget is the last factor to consider, even though it is not the least. This is because you just might find your best choice at a slightly higher price than the others.
If you truly cannot afford it, look out for less pricey options that won’t put a hole in your finances. However, do not deny yourself of a good product just because of price.
If you can afford it, you should get it. Also, remember not to go for aesthetics alone.
These factors above will help streamline your choices and help you purchase the best walkie talkie for cold weather. However, let me recommend the top 5 walkie talkies for cold weather.
Top 5 Best Walkie Talkies for Cold Weather
1. Motorola Talkabout T400 Rechargeable Two-Way Radio Pair
Best for: Price
This weatherproof walkie talkie combines functionality with design to ensure that you have the best experience in cold weather.
The Motorola T400 provides access to NOAA weather channels and allows you communicate with other devices on the same transmission frequency. You have access to 22 channels, each with 121 privacy codes.
The transmission range of this product is 35 miles, and it has 2 NiMH rechargeable batteries, with 3AA alkaline batteries that ensure that you can use this product for up to 9 hours non-stop.
Specifications of Motorola Talkabout T400 Rechargeable Two-Way Radio Pair
- Voice activated hands-free mode (iVOX/VOX)
- IP54 Weatherproof design.
- 35-mile range
- 22 channels with 121 privacy codes
- Push to Talk (PTT) Power Boost
- Quiet Talk Interruption Filter
- Access to NOAA weather alerts.
- Built-in LED Flashlight
Key Benefits of Motorola Talkabout T400 Rechargeable Two-Way Radio Pair
- This product has an attractive design.
- Long range.
- You can customize the ringtones on this device.
- Quick auto-search function.
- Two-way power option (both NiMH and alkaline batteries).
- Easy communication with other FRS devices.
2. Retevis RT27 Walkie Talkie FRS 2-Way Radio
Best for: Durability
The Retevis RT27 Walkie Talkies FRS 2-Way Radio is one of the most durable products for use in cold weather. This two-way radio is built to military standard with a fixed antenna that allows easy communication.
The Retevis RT27 offers access to 22 channels with a squelch function that prevents static during communication up to a range of 30 miles.
This walkie talkie comes with a 1100mAh battery that lasts up to 10 hours without charging, making it highly suitable for cold weather. This product can be used with other Retevis devices and has accessories that aid its hands-free function.
Specifications of Retevis RT27 Walkie Talkie FRS 2-Way Radio
- Voice activated hands-free with clear voice squelch function
- 30-mile range
- 1100mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery
- 22 channels with 121 privacy codes
- Fixed antenna
- Power saving mode
- Battery life of 10 hours.
Key Benefits of Retevis RT27 Walkie Talkie FRS 2-Way Radio
- This product is highly durable.
- You can lock out busy channels to avoid interference.
- There is no need for transmission license or legal fees.
- There is no need to program it as it comes ready for use.
- It is portable and easy to use hands-free.
- Can be used with other Retevis devices.
3. COBRA ACXT645 Walkie Talkie
Best for: Waterproof
Cobra is not a strange name in the manufacture of walkie talkies, and this product is no exception. The Cobra ACXT645 was built to withstand the harshness of cold weather.
It can send and receive transmissions at a range of 35 miles, with access to 22 channels. You can also have access to 10 NOAA weather channels, ensuring that you stay up to date with weather alerts.
This product is extremely waterproof making it ideal for melting ice or dropping mist. It is built to IPX4 specifications.
This two-way radio has a built-in LED flashlight, and a standby time of 12 hours with its 3 AA NiMH rechargeable batteries.
Specifications of COBRA ACXT645 Walkie Talkie
- 35-mile range
- Access to 10 NOAA Weather Channels
- Access to 22 channels
- IPX4/JIS4 Waterproof Feature
- 12-hour battery life
- Rubber grip for extra functionality
- 2-port charging dock with 3 NiMH rechargeable batteries
Key Benefits of COBRA ACXT645 Walkie Talkie
- VibrAlert function for notification of transmissions.
- The range of this product is wide.
- Provides access to NOAA Weather alerts
- Has LED flashlight and earphones for convenience.
- Voice activated transmission (iVOX) for hands-free use.
- It is extremely waterproof.
4. BaoFeng BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) Dual-Band Radio
Best for: Battery Life
It can be quite annoying when your walkie talkie suddenly trips off in foggy cold weather. This is the solution the BaoFeng BF-F8HP radio provides.
This walkie talkie was built to last both in structure and in function. It provides access to up to 128 channels.
With the BaoFeng BF-F8HP radio, you do not have to worry about battery issues, as it can last up to 20 hours uninterrupted due to its 2000mAh battery, up to a range of 20 miles.
All of these are enclosed in a durable shell that protects the walkie talkie itself. There’s no reason it shouldn’t make our lost of best walkie talkies for cold weather.
Specifications of BaoFeng BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) Dual-Band Radio
- Access to 128 Channels.
- 20-mile range.
- Push to Talk (PTT) single function.
- 8-Watt power transmission.
- IP67 Water resistant feature
- 20-hour battery life
- Tri-color display screen.
Key Benefits of BaoFeng BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) Dual-Band Radio
- The battery life of this product is exceptional.
- Excellent audio quality due to enhanced power transmission.
- Provides access to 7 NOAA Weather alerts in case of emergencies.
- Large number of channels for easy communication.
- Comes with belt clip, hand strap, adapter and other accessories for convenience.
- IP67 Water resistant feature for extra durability.
5. Midland GXT1000VP4 Walkie Talkie
Value for Money
The Midland GXT1000VP4 Walkie Talkie is an all-in-one gadget that is very helpful in cold weather. This two-way radio provides access to 50 channels, with a channel scan to avoid interruptions.
The range of this product is 36 miles, with an easy voice transmission (eVOX) for seamless hands-free use. With the Midland GXT1000VP4, you have access to 10 NOAA weather channels for the highest level of safety.
This product is splash resistant with the JIS4 waterproof standard. This walkie talkie has LCD backlight screens, and has a standby time of 11 hours which can be increased when you use 4 AA batteries.
Specifications of Midland GXT1000VP4 Walkie Talkie
- Access to 50 GMRS Channels with up to 3,124 combinations.
- 36-mile range.
- Access to 10 NOAA Weather Channels with weather scan alert.
- Call and VibrAlert function
- JIS4 Waterproof Feature
- 11-hour battery life
- Whisper mode silent operation.
Key Benefits of Midland GXT1000VP4 Walkie Talkie
- The range of this product is very wide with a high number of channels for communication.
- Excellent audio quality due to whisper mode function.
- Provides access to 10 NOAA Weather alerts in case of emergencies.
- Has earphones and belt clips for convenience.
- Easy Voice activated transmission (eVOX) for hands-free use.
- JIS4 Waterproof feature.
Comparison of Top 5 Walkie Talkies for Cold Weather
Range | Weather Alerts | Channels | Battery Life | Waterproof | |
Motorola Talkabout T400 Rechargeable Two-Way Radio | 35 miles | Yes | 22 | 9 hours | Yes |
Retevis RT27 Walkie Talkie FRS 2-Way Radio | 30 miles | No | 22 | 10 hours | No |
COBRA ACXT645 Walkie Talkie | 35 miles | Yes | 22 | 12 hours | Yes |
Midland GXT1000VP4 Walkie Talkie | 36 miles | Yes | 50 | 11 hours | Yes |
BaoFeng BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) | 20 miles | Yes | 128 | 20 hours | Yes |
Final Words:
The Midland GXT1000VP4 Walkie Talkie is certainly a superb product because it is affordable, has a long range with a high number of channels, excellent audio quality and functional design and that is why it is our top product here. But be assured that the other products reviewed here are also excellent for use in cold weather. You truly deserve the best and we’re sure you will make the right choice for your cold weather adventures.