Dress for the weather–that’s an important element of dealing with cold winter weather. But how do you do it?

Dress in layers. Use many thin, warm layers rather than a few thick layers. It will insulate better and allow you to strip off layers if the temperature climbs.

Dress for the appropriate activity level. Dressing for an active day of skiing will be different than dressing for a sedentary day of ice fishing.

Buy or find a pair of insulated boots. Ideally, the lining should be wool or synthetic–not cotton. Linings can be purchased separately. You can purchase boots already with the lining, or use boots two sizes larger than usual, and use a lining.

Wear winter socks. Warm winter socks are important in keeping warm dry feet. Wool is best, although good synthetic “fleece” socks are often quite good. You can layer socks, but be careful that your feet are comfortable and the circulation isn’t shut down.

Use a good quality coat, parka, or jacket. Generally speaking, the thicker the better, whether it is a synthetic ski jacket, a wool pea coat, or a down jacket.

Wear a base layer. A “base layer” is long johns, union suit, long underwear, or whatever can provide a warm, light base to your winter gear. Merino wool products are recognised as one of the best base layers available.

Wear a hat. While it’s a myth that most body heat escapes through the head, covering any exposed body part helps retain body heat.

Wear gloves or mittens. Fingers and hands are very vulnerable to the cold, so keep them covered. Very thin gloves (like “magic gloves”) are better than nothing, but comfortable, warm gloves are important.

Hand warmers can be useful, especially if you don’t have shelter handy. They can be purchased at any outdoor or hunting store. Never use these as a substitute for dressing warmly, however.

Wear more than one layer on your legs. Oddly, some people will wear five layers on their torso, and only one layer on the legs. At minimum, have a base layer like long underwear and an outer layer, like snowboarding pants.

Keep dry. Being wet will cause chill to set in more quickly than if you’re dry. Have waterproof or at least water resistant outer layers.

TIPS:

  • Don’t over-dress. Being sweaty and clammy is dangerous.
  • You should be warm–not hot–and dry at all times.
  • Dress for function over fashion. Of course, you don’t have to dress unfashionably in the cold. But in truly bitterly cold weather, dress to keep warm regardless of how you look. You might look like a geek, but you’ll be a warm geek!
  • When dressing, keep in mind whether you will be exposed to moisture (sleet, wet snow, rain and/or wind). Both moisture and wind will make you colder faster than if the weather is dry and calm.
  • Mittens insulate better than ordinary gloves as the fingers insulate each other better when packed close together. However, the main disadvantage is that they make it difficult to do some things with your hands e.g. turn the page of a newspaper.
  • You can often purchase appropriate winter gear through military surplus catalogs and websites. Often it is just as good as pricey name brand gear and a fraction of the cost.
  • In an emergency, you can further insulate your jacket, shirt, or the like by stuffing newspaper, dry leaves, or the like in your clothes.

Keep these in mind and winter won’t be such a bad season afterall.