Finding The Warmest Winter Gear

It’s that time of year again. The bitter chill has moved in and the frost is coating your car, whether you’ve moved past your state of denial or not. While most winter days require little more than a pair of touchscreen-friendly gloves and a colorful trench coat, there will be days when the temperature drops to the single digits, and the snow kicks up with an icy wind. Then it’s time to forget fashion, and bundle up in your warmest winter gear. Here’s a few tips for what to look for to keep your toes cozy, and where to find it.

Rely on tried and true, trusted brands.

You’ll hear weathered winter survivors swearing by brands like L.L. Bean, North Face, and Patagonia for good reason. If you’re not yet a winter weather connoisseur of sorts, L.L. Bean is a great beginner brand because it forgives for trial and error. You can send back any gear you’re not 100 percent happy with.

Invest in water-proof outerwear.

Suede Ugg boots and wool trench coats are good for dry, chilly days, but once the snow starts piling up, you’ll need a sturdier shell. Jackets from Canada Goose are built for extreme weather, so you know they’ll hold up during the walk from the front door to the car. Sturdy rain boots, like those from Hunter, are good for snowy treks. Just add a warm fleece lining and you’re good to go.

Layer up!

I’m sure you’ve heard this before, though when it comes to staying warm, layering can’t be stressed enough. A “shell” to wear beneath your jacket, like this heavy-duty turtleneck soft shell from Columbia is an extra dose of warmth and comfort. If you take your thermal-wear seriously, which you should, you can get military-grade polypropylene in place of your regular long johns.

Stock up on pocket-size heat packets.

You can never have too many packs of HotHands in your purse. They’re inexpensive, small and pack a powerful punch of heat. These little things are your new best friend when you find yourself stuck waiting for the bus in a snowstorm, and you’ll be the most popular person in the ski lodge when you whip these babies out at the end a mountain run.