In New York City’s winter months, I’m bundling up for runs and throwing on layers for the office. But compared to Alaska’s glacial mountains and Finland’s snowy forests, the streets of Manhattan are practically a tropical paradise.
If anyone knows exactly what to wear to stay warm in cold weather, it’s the people who live in these places. So I asked seven writers who reside in some of the coldest cities on Earth to recommend the gear they swear by. One writer in Mongolia wore a pair of foot warmers on a nine-day dog sledding adventure. Another in Winnipeg, Canada, shared a pair of gloves she’s dubbed “long johns for your fingers”.
Their 21 selections aren’t just for arctic adventures or extreme winter sports. These writers have worn these versatile pieces every day – from coffee dates drives to hot yoga.
Other Filter recommendations for what to wear in the winter:
Eight winter clothing essentials Scandinavians swear by – from heated socks to ‘allværsjakke’
I run over 20 miles a week in the winter. Here’s everything I wear to stay warm
The best winter gloves are two pairs, actually (and one is hiding at Home Depot)
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Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
From Breanna Wilson, travel journalist, reporting from Mongolia.
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Ignik footwarmers
$39.95 at Ignik $39.95 at AmazonThese foot warmers have saved me on many occasions, most notably when I was dog-sledding around a completely frozen Lake Khövsgöl. Having these reusable foot warmers helped my feet keep some feeling throughout that nine-day journey. I like Ignik’s multi-use ones as you can put them back in the resealable bag, cutting down on waste.
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Gobi Cashmere Organic Sweater
Women’s
$159 at Gobi CashmereMen’s
$159 at Gobi CashmereMongolia is famous for its cashmere. Here, it’s sold at a fraction of its US price, making it a staple in my winter wardrobe. But it’s worth the higher cost when bought from a Mongolian brand like Gobi Cashmere, which makes all its clothing sustainably and cruelty-free in its Ulaanbaatar facility. And when temperatures are about -13F outside, only the best garments are going to cut it.
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Venustas Heated Jacket
Women’s
$189.99 at VenustasMen’s
$189.99 at VenustasIn the wintertime, I live in my Venustas heated jacket, wearing it for horseback riding or spending time with Nomadic herders in the countryside. Thanks to the jacket’s heating zones in the chest, shoulders and pockets, my core stays warm and the jacket size stays small. I appreciate that I can recharge it using one of its removable battery packs and a power bank, making it ideal for traveling around Mongolia without access to electricity.
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Anchorage, Alaska
From travel writer Lisa Maloney and freelance journalist Julia O’Malley, reporting from Anchorage.
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Buff ThermoNet Neckwear
$29.78 at Amazon $30 at BUFFOn a regular winter day in Anchorage, I’ve walked across a grocery store parking lot in 40mph gusts of wind. A good moisturizer plus a Buff is my secret winter weapon. Versatile and pretty, the buff can be worn as a scarf or even pulled over my head as extra insulation under a hat. If it’s really cold or blowing, I can slide it over my mouth and nose, balaclava-style, to protect the delicate skin on my cheeks. They come in various designs and materials, but for everyday wear, I like the version made of thin, soft merino wool. Julia O’Malley
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Farm to Feet Wilson 2.0 Socks
$25 at Farm to Feet $36 at AmazonWhen it’s cold, good socks matter more than you might think! The Farm to Feet Wilson 2.0 is a particular favorite of mine for outdoor adventures because of its unlined, over-the-calf fit – just the thing to add some extra coverage and warmth. I also love its minimalist protection against friction from tall boots, and I find the “comfort compression” to be noticeably supportive, but not obnoxious during a long day of wear. Lisa Maloney
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Kiehls Ultra Facial overnight hydrating face mask with 10.5% squalane
$45 at Kiehls $45 at Macy’sIn Alaska’s dry winter air, everything irritates my face. I love a dog walk, but when it got into the single digits, even 20 minutes of strolling the neighborhood would leave my cheeks raw. On a doctor’s suggestion, I experimented with thick moisturizers to form a better moisture barrier. The one I like best is actually a face mask I wear overnight. It isn’t greasy, absorbs well and leaves it soft. JO
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YakTrax Diamond Grip Full-Foot Traction Device
$51.50 at Amazon $59.99 at YakTraxRecent Alaskan winters have seemed a lot icier than usual, and many of us depend on traction devices like these to keep from slipping and falling. The YakTrax Diamond Grip is a nice blend of grip and convenience for most people in cities: just pull them onto the soles of your shoes and go. If you spend time in more remote or severe conditions, you might appreciate the more aggressive spikes of the Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultra. LM
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Steger Mukluks North Country boots
Women’s
$249.95 at Steger MukluksMen’s
$249.95 at Steger MukluksAfter a nearly lifelong search for boots that keep feet truly warm, I finally found the Steger Mukluk. They keep my feet toasty – whether I’m riding on a snowmobile, slipping bare feet in them for a short drive to a hot yoga class or even on assignment in the Arctic. These boots are handmade in Ely, Minnesota, and crafted with leather, canvas, and thick wool felt.
Pro tip: don’t buy them too snug. A little extra room keeps in the heat and allows space for quality socks. JO
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Cotopaxi down overalls
Women’s
$285 at CotopaxiMen’s
$285 at CotopaxiMany outdoorsy Alaskans choose overalls – or bibs, as everyone I know calls them – instead of pants because they offer extra insulation around your core and don’t let drafts in around the waist. Some prefer to pair waterproof, breathable bibs with a warm base layer, but for really cold temperatures, I am in active envy of my neighbor’s Cotopaxi Fuego Overalls. They have an unparalleled warmth-to-weight ratio, great freedom of movement and a Cotopaxi lifetime guarantee. LM
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Patagonia Down Drift Women’s Parka
$399 at Back Country $399 at PatagoniaI can tolerate a lot of cold things, but not a cold bum. Specifically, I hate sitting on the cold seat of a car, which is why I wear a weatherproof down jacket that extends to my mid-thigh.
Right now, I’m partial to my Patagonia Downdrift Women’s Parka, which is extra warm thanks to its length and 600-fill-power recycled down. Crafted with sturdy four-ply nylon faille, it washes well too. JO
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Winnipeg, Canada
From Daria Salamon, freelance journalist, reporting from Winnipeg.
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MEC Polypro liner gloves
$10.46 at MECWhen you want to snap a photo on your phone without your fingers freezing off, MEC Polypro Liner Gloves are a lifesaver. They can be worn solo on mild days or layered under heavier mitts when temperatures plunge. These touchscreen compatible gloves are like long johns for your fingers!
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North Face thermoball traction booties
Women’s
$69 at Amazon $69 at NorthfaceMen’s
$69 at Amazon $69 at NorthfaceAn après ski essential that my husband has been wearing for more than 20 years. Whether you’re camping, skiing or just heading out to the cabin for the weekend, Thermoball Traction Booties are ideal. The breathable, pillowy booties with textured soles keep tired feet toasty – especially after long days outdoors.
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Sorel suede boots
$194.99 at Amazon $239.95 at ZapposI first wore Sorels decades ago, working up north on the Canadian tundra. Back then, they were all about warmth, like toasty moon boots. Today, my suede Joan of Arctic boots keep my feet dry, warm and stylish. Trimmed in faux fur and laced up to mid-calf, they are so versatile that I can pair them with ski pants or a skirt.
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Stockholm, Sweden
From Filter contributor Jonna Dagliden Hunt’s roundup of Scandinavian winter essentials.
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Balaclava
Women’s
$78 at MalinaMen’s
$139 at CosThe balaclava from Malina (women’s) and Cos (men’s) (but out of stock as of writing) offers a fashionable alternative to a bulkier scarf and hat combo. They’re loved by Scandinavian locals for protecting the head and face, leaving no space for gusts of wind or snow to sneak through.
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Heated socks
Lenz rechargeable electric heated socks
$499.95 at AmazonAmazon rechargeable electric heated socks
$71.99 at AmazonIn Scandinavia, some residents use heated socks to keep their feet warm. Hunt spoke to one local who uses the spendy but effective Lenz brand, but our team at the Filter also found a more affordable battery-powered pair at Amazon equipped with three heat settings.
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Kuopio, Finland
From Paula Hotti, travel journalist, reporting from Finland.
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North Outdoor merino wool base layers
Women’s
$103.89 at TarvikeMen’s
$103.89 at TarvikeWhen living in a cold climate, layers are essential. That said, layering has always been my least favorite part of winter – unless I’m wearing the Finnish brand North Outdoor, which specializes in mulesing-free merino wool products. Merino is so light it barely feels like you’re wearing anything at all.
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Sorel waterproof slip-on boots
$120 at Free People $120 at ZapposIt’s crucial to keep your feet, hands and head warm. Especially the feet – if they get cold, the rest of the body will follow. I wear Sorel boots, which I love for their stylish green and pink color combination. Their thick soles keep the cold at bay.
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CMP long puffer jacket
$140.02 at Sneakin $155.69 at Sport Is GoodI always wear a long jacket below the knees or all the way to the ankles for an extra layer of warmth. A hood is essential to shield against icy winds. My Thinsulate jacket, which uses synthetic microfibres to trap air for insulation, is from the Italian outdoors brand CMP.
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Iceland
From James Taylor, travel writer, based on his time in Iceland.
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Zorali merino wool base layer
Men’s
$107 at ZoraliWomen’s
$107 at ZoraliIn Iceland, staying warm is all about layering, and the base layer matters most. Wool is the gold standard here, as cotton traps moisture and quickly leaves you chilled. I wear Zorali’s merino base layers all winter. They’re soft, breathable and insulating even when damp – which is a must in a place where snow, rain and sun all arrive within minutes.
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Icelandic Lopapeysa Wool Sweater
$369 at The Handknitting Association of IcelandIcelandic sheep have roamed the island since the late ninth century, evolving thick, weather-resistant wool to weather the harsh winters. That fleece is spun into lopi, a yarn made from the sheep’s dual-layer wool and used to knit the iconic, patterned lopapeysa. Mine is from the Handknitting Association of Iceland. I love the traditional patterns, and that I can wear them for hikes in the summer too.
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66 North shell jacket
Women’s
$590 at 66 NorthMen’s
$590 at 66 NorthA waterproof, windproof shell jacket is a winter must-have for Icelanders. Many of us wear the lightweight and rugged 66°North Snæfell shell, which shields against the sideways rain, sleet, snow and wind common during our winters. Though it’s pricey, it’s the kind of jacket you’ll have for a lifetime, and versatile enough for both coffee in the city or a winter adventure.
