How to Stay Warm on a Winter Walk

The anatomy of one Minnesotan woman’s winter outfit.

Going out in the winter doesn’t have to be brutal. The trick? Stay out of that cold cave of a car! I’m not kidding. My car takes a heck of a long time to warm up and winter gets to me the most when I’m shivering through short drives around town. So if I’m going out for fun after temperatures dip below 30, I prefer to walk.

Now, I understand that most people who weren’t deathly afraid of driving for the majority of their twenties don’t have the winter walk habit. So to help those that might be interested, I thought I’d write up a description of everything I wear when I’m heading out in deep winter.

Let me set the scene. It’s ten degrees out. I’m nursing a glass of red wine and getting ready to head to a concert at the brewery approximately a mile away. (Wishful thinking as there is a concert at said brewery tonight but I, alas, do not have a babysitter.)

Below, I’m going to cover all of the layers that I rely on to keep me cozy on a winter walk. I’ve developed this method of dressing over more than a decade of walking to bars, concerts, and social occasions. The wonderful thing about it is that it allows you to strip off layers as you see fit, as long as there’s somewhere to stash your clothes.

No Such Thing as Bad Weather, Only Bad Clothes

I know, I know. This saying is preachy. But it’s true. And it doesn’t have to imply outdoor obligation. If you’re in the right mood to have a cold-weather adventure, donning some of these time-tested layers might keep you shiver-free and smiling! I’m listing my layers in the order I put them on, just to keep things simple.

1. Tights

On a super cold night, I’ll throw on high-waisted pair of tights. These make sure that the winter wind isn’t going to sneak around any seams. This layer also allows me to be properly dressed should I be in a warm enough place to take off most of the upcoming layers.

3. Fleece-lined leggings

I remember the first time I put on fleece-lined leggings. They were a gift from my grandma. I slipped into them before biking to work on a cold November day. After a toasty commute, they became one of my favorite winter wardrobe staples.

3. Wool Socks

There are so many cute wool sock designs out there these days that I like to showcase them above my boots after I’ve made myself presentable. The wool socks in my closet are some of my most cherished accessories.

4. Knee-length Dress

Some folks are confused when they spot me hiking through a snowy city in a dress. Why aren’t I wearing jeans? I’ll tell you! Jeans get wet. They take forever to dry. And they limit how many layers you can wear. And any pants, no matter what they’re made of, allow the dreaded belly draft.

None of that is a problem with the right dress. My favorite winter dress is a tight and simple long-sleeved poly-blend. I would not recommend wearing cotton as a base layer. Importantly, it’s thin enough to wear under multiple layers. Even when I’m not dressing up it sometimes does double duty as under armor on super cold days.

5. A real flannel or button-down wool shirt
Remember, moisture is the enemy. Cotton flannel shirts will retain any sweat or damp and make you chilly. When you’re choosing a flannel, choose one that’s a synthetic or wool blend.

6. A wool sweater or fleece (or both)

This is the layer I usually present to the public because let’s be honest, not many places get warm enough to wear much less on a cold night in Minnesota.

Someday I could probably write a whole article on all the wool sweaters I’ve loved before.

7. Loose leggings

I like to keep a thick, oversized pair of leggings around. These should be removed as soon as you get where you are going to keep any snow from melting into your clothing. Also, they aren’t very glamorous.

8. Long blanket scarf
For years I made the mistake of thinking that a scarf was an after thought when, in fact, the scarf should go on before any outer layers. I like a scarf that’s long enough to cover my head and shoulders and twist all the way down my front, working as wind protection from any cold that might seep down my neck opening.

9. Parka
Thick down. Long ribbed cuffs. At least long enough to cover your rear. Honestly, if you’re layering enough, you don’t need a fancy jacket.

10. Real snow boots
I wore leather hiking boots through college. Nicer leather boots in my twenties. But last year I got nice snow boots at my local hardware store and I am never going back. My feet are finally warm! And the kind I picked out are cute enough for anywhere I’m walking to in my small town.

11. Thin gloves
Yes, layers apply to your hands as well as the rest of your body. In a perfect world these should not be cotton but I still wear my cheap cotton gloves after losing my nice thin gloves last winter. Haven’t lost any fingers yet.

12. Hat
Make sure your hat comes all the way down over your ears. Seriously, I don’t know why there are so many hats that only cover the tops. Madness. I like my neon yellow Dickies hat because I feel like motorists are more likely to see me. And I am also less likely to lose it.

Don’t worry about getting a super thick hat. Instead, take that giant scarf and loop it around your head, over your hat. Before you do that, though, say goodbye to your household. You won’t be able to hear what people are saying clearly once your head is fully outfitted. If you do this right, your head’s silouhette should look three times it’s size.

13. Thick Gloves
If someone who loves you wants to buy you a nice gift, ask for serious thick, water and wind resistant gloves. A winter wonderland without numb fingers is waiting for you.

14. A Backpack
Sure, you could put all your layers in a pile in the corner. I’ve done that. But I’ve also lost a lot of layers over the years. The majestic backpack prevents layer loss. It also keeps your back warm!

Blow Zero Add-Ons

• Thin Down Jacket- I just bought this to layer under my parka this year. I’ve been jealous of my husband’s for years.
• Goggles- I started wearing goggles for winter biking but when the wind is blowing and it’s below zero, throwing on goggles and heading into the elements is a boss move.
• Snow pants- they’re not just for kids. Snow pants will make you waddle like a penguin but you’ll be so toasty that you really won’t care. I’ve also used heavy wool vintage military pants and they work almost as well but they’re hard to come by and can get a little stinky.

So there you have it. A comprehensive guide to what I wear when walking on a seriously cold winter evening. Got any questions about getting out this winter? Let me know! I’m always happy to share my cold weather experiences.