What To Wear In Canada In Winter From A Canadian

There’s a saying in Norway that “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.” This one phrase completely changed my outlook on winter. It helped me embrace the cold, and now I look forward to the season. You can enjoy so many unique things if you’re properly dressed in Canada winter clothing. These are the items that keep me warm on mild days to -40. Here’s a guide to what to wear in Canada in winter.

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General Tips for Dressing for Canada In Winter:

–Wear Lots of Layers. Layering is key in order to trap heat and stay warm. Below I’ve shared some of my favourite items to layer with. You can always take off layers if you get warm, but it’s hard to warm up once you’re cold. If you’re getting hot, take layers off because sweating can actually make you colder if it freezes.

–Beware of the windchill factor. Windchill is the temperature your body feels in relation to the wind, be sure to check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.

–Winter across Canada is very different for each province and territory. I’m based in Ontario, where we can get lots of snow but also some pretty cold temperatures (I’m talking -20 or lower – but good news, that generally means the Rideau Canal, the world’s largest skating rink is open).

–Hot Paws are amazing hand and feet warmers to help warm up in the cold. Lots of people bring them skiing or on longer winter adventures. They’re packs that you can shake, and heat activates you insert them in your mitts or boots. 

–Bring it, just in case. If there’s an item you’re unsure of bringing, it’s always better to bring it than not. Because almost guaranteed it will be the item you wish you brought. I always keep extra gear in my car, just in case. 

–Bring a good pair of sunglasses with you. The reflection on the snow can be quite powerful. 

Step 1: Base Layers for Canadian Winter Activities

This is the first thing I think about when I prepare for a winter adventure. You can always take layers off, but it can be tough to warm up once you’re cold. 

Some of my favourite base layers have been Under Armour. Their thermal shirts and leggings provide a good base for warmth when dressing for Canadian winter. Generally, I add these when it’s cold, and I’ll be outside for a while.

Step 2: Sweater or Fleece Canadian Winter Clothing

You’ll need a good hoodie or fleece to keep extra cozy and warm for Canadian winter. Some of my favourite fleece sweaters are from Columbia. These are great for all seasons but provide that extra layer of warmth in Canadian winter. 

Turtlenecks are also a great option to add some extra warmth to your neck. 

Step 3: Winter Jacket for Canadian Winter

Make sure your jacket is water-resistant or waterproof. 

Winter jackets can get expensive but make sure to invest in a good one that will keep you warm and that you can wear for many years. 

A down-filled jacket makes such a difference in long-lasting warmth. It’s more expensive but genuinely makes such a difference, and I don’t know how I got through winter before that. 

I have a thick-down jacket from Soia and Kyo. I love this jacket because it has an inner zipper that can keep my body warm if I’m overheated and need to unzip the outer layer. I wear this jacket on colder days like -15 and below and when I’ll be outside for a long time. The Soia and Kyo jacket is expensive, but Mountain Hardwear is another brand I would recommend for a heavy-duty jacket. 

I also have a thin down-filled puff jacket from Mountain Hardwear. This is the perfect jacket for milder days, and paired with a base layer and fleece, it can provide a lot of warmth. They also have heavier-duty down jackets at a reasonable price. I would not wear this jacket on cold days. 

If you want one jacket that does both, I recommend the Columbia 3-in-1 jacket. It will carry you through multiple seasons and changing temperatures. It uses omni-tech so once you get moving it will keep you warm. I tested it out on a cold day cross country skiing, and I was the only one that stayed warm in my group. It feels like your jacket is a hot paw! Here is how it becomes three jackets:

Layer 1: This is the shell that will keep you warm from the wind and can be worn alone for warmer months.

Layer: 2: This is the omni-tech layer that will keep you warm. Wear it alone on warmer days

Pair both layers together for those cold winter days.

Step 4: Pants

On colder days, I’ll usually wear a base layer of leggings. For snow/longer adventures/skiing, I’ll wear snow pants. Sometimes they’re great for skating too to help stay warm. 

Step 5: Boots for Canadian Winter

Proper winter boots are essential for keeping your feet warm and dry. Look for boots with good insulation, a waterproof membrane, and good traction on the sole to prevent slipping on ice. There is nothing worse than having cold feet or even worst, wet feet from bad-quality winter boots. Here are some of my favourites:

Columbia Winter Boots

These are my new favourite winter boots, Columbia Keetley Boots. They’re super comfortable and will keep your feet warm on any adventure. I’ve tested them in huge slush puddles and -20 temps, and they’ve passed all the tests. If I could only recommend one pair of winter boots, it would be these ones. They also have great grip.

Blundstones

For milder, less messy days, I always reach for my Blundstones. They’re an investment I was hesitating about making, but I’m so glad I did. I will own a pair of these for the rest of my life. Not only are they super comfortable, but they’re also versatile. I wear them Winter-Spring. I wouldn’t go puddle-jumping them, but with the waterproof spray I haven’t had any issues navigating snow or rain. I’ve also heard great things about thermal inserts for colder winter days.

Sorel Boots

Sorel Boots is a great brand for proper winter boots for bigger adventures and lots of snow! They’ll keep your feet nice cozy, and warm. This is the exact pair I’ve owned for years. They’re great for temperatures as low as -25. 

I’ll usually wear a pair of long, thicker songs to stay warm but also provide some cushion against skates, ski boots, etc. 

Sometimes for extra traction, I’ve started using ice pick grips that you can strap onto the bottom of your boots.

Step 6: Warm Hands

I recommend getting a good pair of waterproof mitts to keep your hands warm. I prefer mitts over gloves because they keep your fingers warmer for longer.

Sometimes I’ll wear mini globes from the dollar store inside my mitts if I’m taking my hand out a lot to use my camera. 

Kombi is a great brand of mitts to get that will keep your hands warm and dry. My favourite pair are these magnetic faux fur lined Kombi mitts. They easily open if you need to tie up your skates or go on your phone and then the magnet will snap them shut as soon as you’re done. They’ll keep your hands nice and warm and perfect if you’re like me and need to access gear a lot. 

Step 7: Toque for Canadian Winter

You’ll want a good quality toque that keeps your warms nice and cozy. Something I look for is one that is thick at the ears because there’s nothing worse than feeling like the wind is moving through them. 

Step 8: Scarf for Candian Winter

Get a good scarf for those super cold days, and keep your neck warm. I love wearing scarves on those extra frosty days to stay all bundled up. I usually go for a knit scarf or one that’s thick. 

Now that you have the right winter gear, here are some winter activities to enjoy 🙂