Dressing for Canadian Winter
Planning a winter trip to Canada? Chances are you already know a thing or two about our climate and how to dress for it. Here’s a Canadian Winter primer on how to dress for success on your next winter trip to Canada.
The snow, the cold, the wind, the purity of the air – its why we love Canada. But it's that same great outdoors can have you scrambling for the nearest fireplace and a warm pint of grog if you’re not properly attired. Although you can still dress warm and look good too, comfort over style should be rule number one when dressing for the cold. The activity you’ll be taking part in and its level of intensity will usually determine the selection of suitable outerwear. Increased popularity in winter sports has encouraged garment manufacturers to develop an impressive array of fabrics and clothing accessories ranging widely in price and style. It’s important that you choose a retail outlet that has a wide selection and qualified sales personnel.
Regardless of budget or style, some basic rules apply:
- Dress for the Activity: For moderate to intensive activity, the clothing should be light, multi-layered and easily removable. If your outdoor activity for the day will be no more strenuous than a lazy, romantic sleigh ride, then good old-fashioned thick, heavy outfits are still a good bet.
- Retain Heat: To keep warm, the body must be able to retain more heat than it loses. Exposure to cold, wind and humidity and wearing damp clothing can all result in hypothermia to various degrees. In cold temperatures, heat loss is five times faster than usual if your clothing is wet or damp. Garments that keep moisture away from the body are elementary to your comfort.
- Dress in Layers: It’s important to dress like an onion — a three-layered onion. Each layer serves to trap air and acts as an insulating barrier. The first layer should be of a formfitting design and made of fabrics that breathe and keep you dry. Polypropylene or knitted silk are popular choices. Cotton is a definite no-no. The second layer serves to keep you warm. Polar fleece or genuine pile wool (like Grandpa’s old sweater) are recommended. The third or outer layer should offer protection from wind, snow and rain. Wind-resistant and water-repellent materials, like Gore-tex®, are best suited for this purpose. For long outings, wear two pairs of everything — mittens, socks, headwear — and pack a change of dry clothing for your return. Gaiters provide added leg protection against snow and mud.
- Protect Your Extremities: Choose mittens over gloves to keep your hands warm. They allow better heat dispersion. For hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country or downhill skiing, your footwear must be minimally water-repellent and shouldn’t be so tight so as to hinder blood circulation. Always wear two pairs of socks. The first and inside layer should be thin (preferably of synthetic fibres) and serve to keep the foot dry. The second layer should be thick (either genuine wool or synthetic) in order to keep the foot warm and reduce friction at the ankles, heels and toes. And it’s always important to wear a cap, a toque, a headband, whatever… but wear something. Remember, 40 per cent of the body’s heat loss is from the neck and head areas.
- Think High-Tech: You might want to try garments known as soft shells. They are composed of revolutionary new fabrics that are supple, pliable and stretchy while offering very good protection against wind and rain. Soft shells can be an alternative to the onion layer option.
