Icelanders like to say there’s no such thing as cold weather; you just need warm winter clothes.
Winter family travel opens up all kinds of possibilities from visiting popular cities in the quiet off-season to getting outdoors together at snowy resorts.
But you do have to dress right so you and your kids will stay warm and dry throughout your adventures.
So here, top travel writers offer our favorite outdoor winter clothes from coats, boots, baselayers to accessories for men, women and kids.
Pick what your family needs to keep warm, even in the very cold. Then start planning that winter getaway!
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The Best Winter Vacation Clothings for For the Whole Family
Warmest Winter Base Layers
1. Columbia Omni-Heat Line
These heat reflecting baselayer separates are amazing.
My daughter has asked me to buy the Omni-Heat *top and bottom for several years in a row now.
She’s always the warmest among the three of us, even on the coldest days. She likes that it looks like a real shirt, so she can wear it on its own to school on cold days.
The Omni-Heat line includes inner and outer ware for kids, men and women. I’ll be buying my own set one of these winters.
2. Merino Wool Thermals
Laurence Norah at Finding the Universe prefers a merino wool baselayer.
“It’s the best thing in the world when you’re on the side of a snow-covered mountain trying to take pictures,” she says.
Helly Henson’s baselayers wash and hold up really well, in my experience. The brand makes a line of 2-layer merino wool thermals for women and men.
3. Body Eco Bamboo Basics
Jean Cheney at Traveling HoneyBird loves Boody Body Eco underwear tops and bottoms.
“They’re super warm, dry fast if you get snow in your pants. Easy to wash and care for too.” And the bamboo-friendly rayon fabric is earth friendly, too!
4. 32 Degrees Long Underwear
Nicole Chiodo DeBickes of Family with Latitude notes, “I love the 32 Degrees long underwear for kids.
It’s one of the few brand that sells base layers in a top-and-bottom set; So these form-fitting thermals are “super affordable and very warm!”
32 Degrees has a full line of thermal wear and outerwear for men and women, too.
Coziest Winter Socks
5. SmartWool
Lauren Monitz at the DownLo shares my love of SmartWool socks. They are form-fitting under boots and range from thinner hiking socks to super thick socks for extended time outdoors. They offer ankle socks. And they have fun patterns.
She’s a fan of SmartWool’s long underwear tops and bottoms, too “It’s so soft and breathable.”
6. PossumWool Socks From New Zealand
International Hot Dish writer Scott Hornberg warns, “Woe to the person who stands between me and my Possumdown wool socks.”
The New Zealand footwear is made from possum fur and Merino wool for warmth, softness and wickability that maintains loyal fans..
7. Fits Socks For Winter Hiking
My daughter has become a fan of Fits light hiker socks for winter camping.
They’re thinner and have more stretch than some other winter socks but are still warm. and They have a line of fairly gender-neutral colors teens like.
High-Tech Winter Coats & Jackets
8. The Right Fleece Middle Layer
The namesake of Arzo Travels likes a lightweight fleece. It’s a snug layering item when it’s very cold. And it’s handy under a vest or wind breaker during cool shoulder season days.
Try the women’s half-zip glacial fleece pullover from Columbia, which has a little stretch for active days and a high collar to keep your neck warm.
The Steens Mountain full-zip fleece for men has zippered pockets and is extra long, so it doesn’t ride up when he’s busy.
9. 
Musto Sailing Jackets
The Traveling German Edwina Dendler says, “ I swear by my Musto sailing jacket (like this BR1 Coastal jacket) for any kind of cold travel.
“It’s not very thick, so I layer up underneath. But it’s 100% waterproof and windproof and has an awesome high fleece collar as well.”
10. A Compact Down Jacket
Natasha Alden of The World Pursuit recommends “A packable down jacket. It should be perfect for keeping warm, but pack up super small and light.”
This one from Patagonia is down-filled and has a moisture-wicking interior. And it scrunches up into its own small pouch.
11-12. Really Warm Winter Coats for Kids
For girls and boys who like a shorter puffy coat, you can’t go wrong with Marmot’s Kids Guide Down Hoody. It comes in colors that will appeal to both genders, has a snug collar, elastic on the hood and cuffs and enough down to keep them warm on long snow days.
If you prefer a longer jacket that fully covers their bums, try the Porteau Cove from Columbia. It has a heat reflective lining, a fleece-lined hood, waterproof exterior and sleaves you can make shorter and longer to get an extra year out of the coat.
The girls coat is cut a bit differently than the boys and if you don’t mind the darker colors, I prefer the boys, really.
Boots that Keep The Family’s Feet Warm
13. 
Genuine Uggs: 2 Kinds
I admit I’ve bought my share of Ugg knock-offs but I sprang for a genuine pair of Koolaburra fleece-lines boots this winter and I’m sold.
The boots have a slightly raised heel and arch supports, essentials for a city mom who does a lot of walking all winter. And the soles are holding up better against NYC sidewalks than on some cheaper boots have.
For her part, Jurga Van S from Full Suitcase prefers Ugg Adirondack lace-up boots. “They are warm, waterproof and keep my feet warm and dry. I used them when hunting for the Northern Lights in Iceland in winter and also every ski vacation for the last four years. Well worth the money!”
14. Columbia Insulating Boots
Alexis Jordan Tchuise of World Travel Adventure raves, “I love my Columbia Women’s Minx Mid III Omni-Heat Winter Boot. They keep my feet warm and dry even in Iceland in the winter!”
15.
For Kids: Bogs Boots
Kay Tee from TearFree Travel, says “For kids definitely Bog boots are the best! Super easy to get on and super warm. Also super cute patterns for girls and boys (priorities!) ”
Winter Accessories That Do More
16. A Soft Wool Scarf
Jessica Norah at Independent Travel Cats relies on, “A nice warm wool scarf to keep me warm inside or out,” like this super soft Köln cashmere option.
17. A Buff Gator
Becky Angell of Becky the Traveller says she always packs, “My fleece Buff.”
“You can keep your face lovely and warm, especially your nose!” It can serve as a hat or hairband in a pinch, too.
18. Isotoner SmarTouch Gloves
Family travel writer Lisa Nass Grabelle explains, “The women and girls in my family love the waterproof and insulated Isotoner SmarTouch gloves.
They kept our fingers cozy even in snowy Oslo in winter, and you can still text!”
19. Leg Warmers
Lavina DSouza of Continent Hop says, “Leg warmers! If there’s space between your boots and pants they really help! Or they can be an added layer of insulation” under pants or over tights and leggings.
Who says the 80s have to be over?
20. Foot Warmers
Kaylie Baker of Happiness Travels Here says, “To keep warm, on our trip to Lapland, air-activated foot warmers were a lifesaver.
Peel off the cover and place them in your shoes; they last for up to eight hours.” These warmers from Toasti Toes have a slim profile so they aren’t uncomfortable in shoes.
