How to Dress and Pack for Winter in Lapland
Here's a comprehensive guide to dressing warmly and being ready for adventure in Lapland based on expert tips. This guide will help you stay comfortable and enjoy your Arctic experience in Finnish Lapland.
Understanding Lapland Weather in winter
- Lapland experiences some of the harshest winters. The weather can change rapidly, with temperatures fluctuating significantly.
- Unlike the damp cold often experienced in more temperate regions, Lapland's cold is typically dry, which can be more manageable if you dress correctly. However, layering is crucial to adapt to the varying conditions and maintain comfort.
Tip: You can also simply rent very warm overalls from Rovaniemi, so you don’t need to travel with that extra suitcase and buy all kinds of gear you may need only for this trip.
- Check out for example this warm winter clothes rental which has great reviews and includes all you need from boots to overall and gloves
Quick Tips for Dressing in Lapland in winter
Before diving into the specifics, here are some quick tips to keep in mind when packing and dressing for Lapland:
This is the key to staying warm and dry. Multiple thin layers trap heat more effectively than a few thick ones.
When layering correctly, your outer layers will rarely get dirty since they don't come into direct contact with your skin. This means you can re-wear them, saving space in your luggage.
Winter clothes take more space then beach holiday gear, so use these to save space in your luggage. They won't reduce weight, but they will help you pack more efficiently.
If you're staying for more than a few days, consider finding a place with a washing machine or buy soap to wash your base layers.
Essential Clothes Packing List for Lapland in Winter
Thermal Underwear:
Your base layer should consist of thermal underwear made from synthetic materials, wool, or silk. Merino wool is a favorite because it wicks moisture away from the skin, keeping you dry and warm. Unlike cotton, wool and synthetic fabrics do not retain moisture, which can make you cold. If there’s something I want you to avoid wearing as base layer, its cotton. Cotton will make you freeze in case it gets a bit sweaty/wet.
Additional Layer for Extreme Cold:
On particularly cold days, consider wearing an extra layer around your thighs and buttocks. Women, in particular, may benefit from layering merino wool shorts or even down shorts/skirt for added warmth in these areas.
Fleece or Wool Garments:
The mid layer is crucial for trapping heat. Fleece or wool sweaters and pants work well. It's important to have multiple mid layers that you can add or remove depending on your activity level and the outside temperature.
Insulated Jacket:
A down jacket or another insulated layer can provide extra warmth when you're not moving. This is particularly useful when taking breaks during outdoor activities in Lapland.
Windproof and Waterproof Outerwear:
Your outermost layer should protect you from wind and moisture. A good-quality ski jacket or waterproof coat, along with shell trousers or ski pants, will shield you from the elements. Ensure these outer layers are roomy enough to accommodate your inner layers without being too tight.
Insulated Boots:
Sturdy, insulated boots with good grip are essential for navigating icy and snowy terrain. Make sure they are large enough to accommodate thick socks without squeezing your feet, as tight boots can restrict circulation and make your feet colder.
- Tip: In Finland we use handmade woollen socks and you can buy them in Lapland as well. These are awesome as they keep you warm and they also look really cute. Finnish grandmas are the best for making these. :D
Head and Face Protection:
A significant amount of heat is lost through the head, so a good hat that covers your ears is essential. A jacket with a hood provides extra protection. Use a balaclava or a buff to protect your face from the cold wind.
Mittens and Gloves:
Mittens are generally warmer than gloves because they keep your fingers together. Consider wearing a pair of thin liner gloves under mittens for dexterity when needed. Waterproof and windproof mittens are ideal for the outer layer.
Socks and Foot Liners:
Wool socks are the best choice for cold weather. Use a thin liner sock underneath a thicker wool sock for added insulation. Foot liners can provide extra warmth and can be a worthwhile investment.
Reflectors for safety:
This is not often mentioned for tourists or in foreign sites, but reflectors or reflector vests are something all Finns use in winter. And it’s not for nothing as you would be surprised how close car needs to be before the spot you from the darkness, let alone how much longer it takes to break and stop the car on icy conditions. Thus, this simple lifesafer is definitely worth having and you can buy these also from basic supermarkets in Finland.
How to Keep Your Face Warm in Winter
Keeping your face warm in the frigid temperatures of Lapland is crucial. As nice as white lashes can look, frozen nose, nostrils and lashes aren’t the best feeling, especially for lengthened amounts of time.
Here are some tips:
- Balaclava or Buff: These are essential for protecting your face from the cold wind. A balaclava covers most of your face, leaving only the eyes exposed, while a buff can be pulled up over your nose and mouth.
- Moisturizer and Lip Balm: The cold, dry air can be harsh on your skin. Apply a good moisturizer and lip balm regularly to prevent chapping and dryness. I recommend applying this though well before going outdoors or afterwards as you don’t want your face to be too moist from the lotion when heading to freezing temperatures.
Does a Windbreaker Keep You Warm?
A windbreaker alone may not be sufficient to keep you warm in Lapland's extreme cold, but it is an effective part of your layering system. Windbreakers are designed to block the wind, which can significantly reduce the chill factor. When worn over insulating layers, a windbreaker can help retain body heat by preventing wind from penetrating your clothing.
How to Dress in Lapland Winter
Dressing for winter in Lapland involves strategic layering:
- Start with a Moisture-Wicking Base Layer: Thermal underwear made from synthetic materials or merino wool.
- Add Insulating Mid Layers: Fleece or wool garments that trap heat.
- Top with a Windproof and Waterproof Outer Layer: A ski jacket and shell trousers.
- Protect Your Extremities: Wear a warm hat, balaclava, mittens, and insulated boots.
How to Dress for Snow
Dressing for snow requires waterproof and insulated clothing:
- Ski Pants and Jacket: These provide protection against snow and wind.
- Waterproof Boots: Ensure your feet stay dry.
- Multiple Layers: Keep your core warm with thermal underwear, fleece, and a waterproof outer layer.
How to Dress Cute in Winter
I may have killed your idea of packing cute, furry jackets and pink gloves combined with high heeled boots with the practical packing list and tips for Lapland above.
However, staying warm doesn't mean you have to sacrifice style completely. Here are some tips for dressing cute in winter:
- Choose Stylish Outerwear: Look for coats and jackets with a flattering fit and design. For example highly contrasting colors look great in the slopes.
- Accessorize: Add a pop of color with a stylish hat, scarf, and gloves.
- Layer with Fashionable Pieces: Use cozy sweaters and leggings that look good while keeping you warm. These you can wear then indoors in Lapland.
How to Dress for Cold Weather Hiking
The importance of layers becomes more important. To hike in cold weather, you want to be able to reduce layers not to get sweaty (and cold later because of that).
The amount of layers also depends on your hike: if you are about to keep going without too many breaks, you can wear one layer less than normally, as the constant moving will keep you warm.
However, if it is more of a leisurely walk with photography breaks and stopping o eat snacks, I recommend rather wearing too much than too little.
Here is a simplified list of the layering for coldweatherr hiking:
- 1. Moisture-WickingBase Layer: Keeps sweat away from your skin.
- 2. Insulating Mid Layers: Fleece or down jacket.
- 3. Windproof and Waterproof Outer Layer: Protects against the elements.
- 4. Sturdy, Insulated Boots: Ensure good grip and warmth.
- 5. Accessories: Hat, gloves, and scarf to protect extremities.
- If you're doing northern lights photography, you need super warm clothes, as you are staying still for long time in freezing weather
Final Checklist what to pack for Finland in winter
Ensure you have everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable trip to Lapland:
- Multiple Layers: For flexibility in temperature regulation.
- Windproof and Waterproof Outer Layers: To protect against the elements.
- Warm Accessories: For your head, hands, and feet.
- Smart Packing: Use compression bags and pack bulky items like jackets in carry-ons to save space.
- Prepare for Unique Lighting Conditions: Bring a tripod and extra battery pack for photographing the Northern Lights.
Additional Things for Your Lapland Packing List
These items aren't essential, but they can enhance your experience:
- Heat Pads: These can provide extra warmth for your hands and feet. Particularly handy if you need to be without gloves for a moment, for example when photographing northern lights with a camera, it may be hard to get the circulation going again to your fingers without little extra heat help.
- Flashlight: Essential for finding your way in the dark, especially in remote areas. I know you have one in your phone, yet phones can easily run out of battery in cold temperatures (unless you have Nokia 3310, of course, which hasn’t run out of battery since 1992).
- Camera Equipment: A tripod and extra battery pack for photographing the Northern Lights. If you are into photography and want to catch the northern lights to your lense, I recommend also readin: How tophotograph Northern Lights.
- A Tripod: Essential for capturing the Northern Lights.
- Swimsuit: Many accommodations in Finland have saunas, spas and hot tubs. Or if you are a daredevil and want to do it the Finnish way, you need a swimsuit to test ice swimming.
- Sunglasses: The snow can be very bright when the sun reflects off it, especially in March and April.
- Hand Warmers: Useful if you have particularly cold hands.
- Lotion and Lipstick: To combat the cold, dry air I recommend getting quality lotion for your skin.
- Ligther/ matches: You can of course buy these in any store in Lapland as well, yet it is handy to carry in case you want to make a fireplace in a hut during a hike, as an example.
If you want to play it safe and easy, I can really recommend renting the real winter clothes from Lapland.
With these tips and packing recommendations, you’re ready to enjoy your winter adventure in Lapland while staying warm and comfortable!
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