Stay Warm in the Coldest Season
Come November first, it’s the Minnesota hello.
“How’s that weather” escapes from our lips even before we say “Hello, how are you?”. It’s winter and one of the best seasons to embrace the outdoors. Full of pastel sunsets, long blue shadows and luminous snow, it’s an incredible season of opportunities and beauty. For anyone unsure of that statement, we’re giving you 5 easy ways to stay warm and cosy outdoors. And heck, you might end up enjoying the frosty months as a result.
Minnesota sun-dog; a sign of snow on the way.
1 | Wear Base Layers
Maybe you’re familiar with them or maybe you’re not. Start with a good foundation of synthetic or merino wool top and bottom base layers. Our fav options are made of merino wool. Merino wool comes in various values like 150 or 250. Generally, the higher the number the more insulation the product will have. So…if you’re going to be more active using base layers a lower to mid range number may be best for you. Then, wear additional insulative layers on top, keeping those layers loose so that warm air can circulate.
2 | Eat
Um, right? Eating before and during your activity keeps your inner wood stove hot. Eat as soon as you start to feel chilled or better yet, when you’ve been outside for at least a couple of hours. We suggest high calorie snack like a nut butter or a gourmet trail mix.
Hiking the highest point in Minnesota, Eagle Mountain with Jen aka Wandering Pine.
3 | Handwarmers
We’ve been using reusable warmers for a while now. These kick out about an hours of warmth and are great to have as a backup in your pack just in case. All they need is boiling water to reactivate.
4 | Move
One of the easiest ways to enjoy winter is to keep moving. Walking alone can create plenty of heat to stay comfortable. If you’re doing a lot of sitting, swing your arms, legs or do stomach crunches in your chair to generate heat. For shoes or boots these are our go-to recommendation for ice cleats.
Snowshoeing along the St. Croix River, Wisconsin.
5 | Wear Appropriate Footwear
Choose a winter boot that is half to a full size larger than your normal shoe size. This allows for space to circulate warm air, wear thicker socks or add a foot warmer. Choose winter rating warmth over style, or buy boots for the woods and boots for town. Having extremely cold rated boots will allow you to enjoy the outdoors for many hours.
GOOD TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Before you head out the door, research the conditions you might encounter. Check the weather forecast for the next 12 hours not just the hours you plan on being outdoors. Talk to a local who’d know current conditions like a park ranger or outfitter. Think about additional challenges you may have in a few inches of snow vs a few feet of snow. Look at social media posts from individuals or clubs in your area for real-time updates.
Pay attention to sunrise and sunset times. Carry a flashlight or headlamp.
Always carry some essentials. Pack a small daypack with water or a thermos of cocoa, a whistle, an emergency blanket, some hand/body warmers, a snack, waterproof matches and a paper map.
Because you may be moving through snow or on ice, you’ll likely be moving slower. Be more conservative with regards to time and when you’ll return to your car or home. Have a non-negotiable turn-around time and stick to it.
Be aware of your limits and abilities. Start out doing short, small adventures and build from there as you learn and gain skills.
If you’re headed out solo, let someone know roughly where you’re going and when you expect to return.
Hitting the ski trails in northern Wisconsin.
