My water shoes are also my camp shoes, kayaking or hiking stream-crossings. There are over-ankle water shoes available having more ankle protection.

There is nothing wrong with sturdy bags over trail hiking boots secured with elastic around the ankles.

The usual accomodation I make for colder weather is either a synthetic windproof vest or a hooded "belay" down jacket, better gloves, a warmer hat and a sleep-system rated for the coldest weather anticipated, and perhaps a white gas fuel-type stove, because milder weather alcohol based stove systems and many of the lightweight gas-canister stove systems are not really for the extreme cold weather.

If really cold, I wear midweight wool and silk blend longjohns and ski or hunter bib overalls with close-fit ankle zips and -50° F rated footwear, and possibly snowshoes.

If backpacking high volume gear, I might choose either the Equinox Katahdin pack or Moonbow Gearskins "harness/compression system" pack for volume because I do not like to overcompress high volume gear.

If more "lightweight" is the goal:

For cold and colder weather, I would purchase the 850-fill down Nunatuk Arc Edge, for example, to pair with a hooded "belay" down jacket.

If cold wet weather may be anticipated, I would pair a MontBell U.L. Thermawrap Jacket or warmer with an Enlightened Equipment Provident quilt or Epiphany XP quilt if colder weather is anticipated.

The "ultralightweight" colder weather sleeping system I would choose, would be to pair one of the Enlightened Equipment "top bag" quilts with a JRB "Down to Earth" Pad Converter and Cascade Designs NeoAir Small or Women's 40th Anniversary Edition air mattress for the 4.8 R-value and more length and add the Gossamer Gear ThinLight insulation pad and the Suluk46 folding plastizote Padded Frame Sheet under it all in cold, and in colder weather with the addition of a PolarWrap PolarPad or two.

If "minimalism" is the goal:

For temperatures down to 40° F, I use the REI Monorail Sling Bag, Lowepro Inverse 200 AW or Lowe Alpine Mesa Runner belt pack.

My "minimalist" gear inside is the Adventure Medical Kits Thermo-Lite 2.0 Bivvy and a merino first layer, to be used with the hiking clothing I wear every day.

I also put in my warm hat and "extra socks" for warm dry socks.

I also have room for the Trail Designs Sidewinder Tri-Ti or Trail Designs Ti-Tri ULC with UST WetFire Tinder, a mini BIC lighter and Firesteel ½ by 3-inch rod and striker tied together with a paracord and food packets for hot or cold meals.

I have Tasty Bite Bombay Potatoes and tortillas, Miso-Cup Soup packets, Adamba Red Borscht Soup packets, CytoMax Performance Drink, Honey-Dried Pears, Nestlè Rich Dark Chocolate and Nescafè Clásico coffee for my "extra food".

In any eventuality, my "extra clothing" includes a merino wool bicycling jersey, for the long zip, high neck, and back packets where I can put two "hand warmer" packets if I could get dangerously cold. I have not had to use the "hand warmer" packets, but I have them.

I use my synthetic fill vest and I wrap my knees loosely with my jacket. If not wet, I wear everything I have. I cover my head with my beanie hat.

I also use the PolarWrap Warm Air Mask or Full Head Cover or ExchangerII.

If I feel really cold, I will use any one of these specialized masks so my warmth does not escape with each breath, add condensation moisture inside the bivvy, tent, or tarp shelter, or get any part of my sleep system wet.

I decide on my sleeping system and shelter, by wind, by gusty wind or extreme wind, by possible drenching rain, and by possible ice or snow.