- Warmest Winter Base Layers
- 1. Merino Wool Thermals for men
- 2. Body Eco Bamboo Basics for women
- 3. 32 Degrees Long Underwear for kids
- Coziest Winter Socks
- High-Tech Winter Coats & Jackets
- 7. The Right Fleece Middle Layer for Women & Men
- 8. Everything Proof Sailing Jacket for men
- 9. A Compact Down Jacket for women
- 10-11. Really Warm Winter Coats for Kids
- Boots that Keep The Family's Feet Warm
- Winter Accessories That Do More
Icelanders like to say there’s no such thing as cold weather; you just need warmer clothes.
Our winter family travel has included visiting popular cities like Montreal and London in the quiet off-season and getting outdoors together in snowy ski towns like Steamboat Springshttps://www.familiesgotravel.com/2015/01/steamboat-springs-winter-getaway/ and Lake Placid.
The key to enjoying these trips is packign the right clothes so that we can all stay warm and dry nno matter what activities ad weather the day might bring.
So here are my favorite outdoor winter clothes from coats and boots to baselayers to accessories for men, women and kids. There also recommendations from other intrepid travel writers.
Pick the items your family needs. Then start planning that winter getaway!
Plan!
Get our printable packing list for winter vacations.
Stay Snug on Cold Days With The Warmest Winter Clothes for the Whole Family
Warmest Winter Base Layers
1. Merino Wool Thermals for men
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.
Smart Wool’s baselayers wash and hold up really well, in my experience. The brand makes a merino wool thermals for women and men.
2. Body Eco Bamboo Basics for women
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!
3. 32 Degrees Long Underwear for kids
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. 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
4. SmartWool socks for women
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 very cold days. They offer ankle socks, too. And they have fun patterns.
She’s a fan of SmartWool’s long underwear tops and bottoms, too “It’s so soft and breathable.”
5. PossumWool Socks From New Zealand for men
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..
6. Fits Socks For Kids
My daughter has become a fan of Fits medium hiker socks for skiing and winter camping annd the light hiker socks for fall and winter hikes.
They’re thinner and have more stretch than some other winter socks and are quite warm. and they come in fairly gender-neutral colors, which teens often prefer.
High-Tech Winter Coats & Jackets
7. The Right Fleece Middle Layer for Women & Men
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 West Bend zip-up from Columbia. It has a high collar to keep your neck warm and is cut longer than most fleeces so it won’t ride up, which is especially handy when you’re layering or when you’re active.
Columbia’s Steens Mountain full-zip fleece for men has zippered pockets and is extra long, so it doesn’t ride up when he’s busy.
8. 
Everything Proof Sailing Jacket for men
The Traveling German Edwina Dendler says, “ I swear by my sailing jacket (like this one from Helly Henson) 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.”
9. A Compact Down Jacket for women
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.”
Columbia’s Pebble Peak hooded jacket retains body heat, has pockets that zip and folds into its interior pocket for easy packing.
10-11. 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 two gendered colors and three more neutral colors. It 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 Columbia’s Whirlibird II. It has a heat reflective lining, removable hood and an inner layer you can remove to make a fall to spring jacket. Since it’s made for skiing it has a lot of pockets, too.
The boys’ coat has four wintery patterns to choose from. The girls’s coat has ten patterns and solid colors; most are very girly but a few are more gender neutral for older kids.
The girls coat is cut a bit differently than the boys and if you don’t mind the darker colors, I prefer the boys’.
Boots that Keep The Family’s Feet Warm
12. 
Genuine Uggs for Women: 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 a few winters ago winter and I’m sold on the genuine article.
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 much better against salt-covered sidewalks better than on cheaper boots will.
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 on every ski vacation for the last four years. Well worth the money!”
13. Columbia Insulating Boots for Women
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!”
And the Omni-Grip rubber soles keep feet dry and provide good traction on icy or slushy terrain.
14.
Bogs Boots for Kids
Kay Tee from TearFree Travel, says “For kids definitely Bog boots are the best!”
The signature handles make them easy to get on annd they keep feet completely dry. Also “they have super cute patterns for girls and boys (priorities!) ”
Winter Accessories That Do More
15. A Soft Wool Scarf for Women
Jessica Norah at Independent Travel Cats relies on, “A nice, high-quality warm wool scarf to keep me warm inside or out,” like this super soft cashmere one from stetson.
16. A Buff Gator for Men or Women
Becky Angell of Becky the Traveller says she always packs, “My Tech 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.
17. Isotoner Smart Touch Gloves for women
Family travel writer Lisa Nass Grabelle explains, “The women and girls in my family love the waterproof and insulated Isotoner Smart Touch gloves.
They kept our fingers cozy even in snowy Oslo in winter, and you can still text!”
18. Leg Warmers for Women & Girls
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?
19. Foot Warmers for Everyone
Kaylie Baker of Happiness Travels Here says, “To keep warm, on our trip to Lapland, air-activated foot warmers were a lifesaver.
The year we hit below-freezig temperatures in Lake Placid we used both foot and hand warmers almost every time we went outside.
Activate them about 30 minutes before you head outside for maximum warmth. They’ll last for most of the day. These have a slim profile so they aren’t uncomfortable in shoes or gloves.
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