If you live in a cold weather climate you know that having the right cold weather gear can make winters not only bearable, but even enjoyable! I have lived in Minnesota my entire life and I have come to the point where I fully embrace winter gear. I hate being cold! Having the right items to put on in the dropping temperatures makes every day life more manageable.
Over the years I have tried a ton of different winter items. This list is not the “its a little bit chilly and I want to be cute” list. This is a list for when it is truly cold and you want to stay warm. Of course, I do try to pick out cute things! But the priority for this list is warmth.
As a mom, I want the freedom to go outside and play with my kids – and this list has everything I need to do that! I also want to be able to go to the grocery store or pump gas without freezing. Keep in mind, we will periodically have high temperatures in the single digits! Life doesn’t stop just because the temperature gets cold.
If you live in a cold weather climate, or are moving or traveling to a cold weather climate, this is the list you need!
Winter Gear for Women
Here are all of my top winter gear items for women!
This post contains affiliate links.
1. Winter Jacket
Shop Jacket
Of course, you need a winter jacket! This has become my new favorite coat. My sister and I both purchased this jacket and now we wear it all the time.
I love that this coat is super long. It truly keeps me warm! The hood is removable and there are tighter cuffs along the wrists to keep cold air and snow from creeping in. I love the snaps on the sides that you can adjust for your activity – unsnap to make walking a little easier, close them up for extra warmth! There is also a double zipper to give you more comfort when sitting in the car – simply unzip the bottom zipper for a bit more movement!
2. Snow Pants
Snow pants are not just for kids! I love my snowpants and wear them anytime I am heading outside to play with my kids. I also will wear them if it is extremely cold and I am doing an outdoor activity. Snowpants not only keep snow out, but provide you an extra layer of warmth.
I recommend choosing a neutral color that will go with any jacket. I also prefer to wear fleece lined leggings underneath (as opposed to jeans) for maximum comfort and warmth!
Mine have an adjustable waist band – I recommend sizing up so you’re able to layer a pair of pants underneath. I didn’t so I can only fit leggings under them or I cant get them snapped! š
3. Mittens
Mittens are a girls best friend in the winter! Mittens are a better option than gloves as far as warmth goes. Your fingers stay warmer in mittens as they are all together. Choose mittens that give you the maximum amount of warmth. Make sure that the cuff isn’t too lose – you don’t want snow blowing into your mittens as you brush snow off your car.
4. Fleece Leggings
Shop Fleece Legging | Shop Fleece
I truly love these leggings! Fleece lined leggings are a girls best friend in the winter. They are perfect for layering under snowpants or for simply wearing around the house. These look like normal leggings but give extra warmth and comfort.
I also wear these leggings while I run! They keep me warm all winter long through all my runs. When it gets bitterly cold I’ll layer fleece joggers (the next item on this list!) over the top.
5. Fleece Joggers
Shop Fleece Joggers | Shop Black Sweatshirt | Shop Bag | Shop Shoes
If leggings aren’t your thing, you have to try these fleece lined joggers! These are truly one of my favorite items. I wear these as soon as the temperatures start to drop in the fall and (happily) put them away in the spring.
I wear these for half the year! These are great for going for walks, laying under snow pants, going to a sporting event…you name it. The best part of these is that they add warm without adding any bulk!
6. Ugg Snow Boots
When I was just out of college I got myself a very expensive pair of North Face winter boots. Those served me well for a couple decades, but it became time for a new pair of boots. I got these Ugg snow boots this winter and I absolutely LOVE them!
These boots hit my requirements for winter footwear – warm, waterproof, and cute. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if these Ugg boots would be warm enough to add to my “winter essentials” list – but I can attest that they are! In the photo below I was outside for an hour in 7 degree weather and my feet were fine.
I can wear these with wide leg jeans, my fleece joggers, or snow pants. The boots are tall enough that I can pop them on to shovel after it snows – and I can wear them to kids sports or out running errands and still feel cute.
7. Low Profile Pajar Snow Boots
Shop Pajar Boots | Black Jacket | Fleece Legging
Because we wear boots so much in the winter I like to have a couple different styles. These low profile boots are a nice change from the bigger snow boots and are perfect for quickly putting them on to go to and from the bus stop.
These are easy to slip on and still protect my feet from the cold and wet snow! These boots are rated down to -22 degrees and are completely waterproof. I am also a big fan of the sole that has a lot of traction for those icy sidewalks.
8. Wool Socks (Smartwool and Darn Tough)
Its true – socks really do make a difference in the winter. My whole extended family exclusively wears Smartwool or Darn Tough socks throughout the winter – and for sure when being outside.
These two brands of socks are expensive – but if you want to have warm feet and not be miserable you just need to get a couple pairs. The wool wicks the moisture away from your feet and allows you to have warm toes!
One perk of Darn Tough socks is that they are made in Vermont and have a lifetime guarantee. If your sock gets a hole in it, simply send it back to them and they will send you a coupon code for a brand new pair of socks (you pick!) and free shipping. My sister just tested it out earlier this winter and it was fast and easy!
9. Base Layer/Long Underwear
If you are planning on spending any time outside consider getting a base layer. Bae layers are made of a very thin material that sits close to your skin. It provides extra warmth and wicking properties without adding extra bulk.
Here are some perfect uses for base layers:
- wear the top under a sweater or button up
- wear the top as a shirt for when you are doing strenuous activity such as cross country skiing or shoveling
- wear the pants under your snowpants for perfect warmth and still have the ability to move! (don’t wear jeans under your snowpants)
- wear the pants under a pair of loose pants if you are headed to an outdoor activity but don’t want to wear snowpants (trust me on this one – it works!)
- wear them under joggers when running in bitter cold weather (I wear these under fleece joggers when the temps dip below 10 degrees and they keep me perfectly warm)
10. Hand Warmers
Shop Hand Warmers on Top and Hand Warmers on Bottom
Ok, this is a new one for me. I have seen hand warmers around the internet for a while, but I didn’t think I actually need any. I ended up purchasing a pair on a whim, and now I’m sold on them! Hand warmers are the perfect item to have when you are outdoors but not moving around much, like watching a downhill ski competition or hanging out at an ice rink while your kids skate!
My boys both play soccer year round and in the winter they play on domed fields (basically a football field with a big inflatable dome over the top). On days that I stay for practice and the weather is cold I bring these to keep my hands warm while sitting around!
These don’t take up much space and are easy to throw into your pocket in case you decide you want them!
11. Orolay Jacket
This viral amazon jacket is popular for a reason! This coat is truly warm, has a ton of pockets, looks cute on literally everyone, and is often on sale at a great price! I have this coat in a couple of different colors, my sister and mom both have it, and my daughter has the kids version! It truly is a great coat for cold weather.
12. Boot Dryer
Here is another one that took me a while to purchase, but I will never go back. Boot dryers don’t just warm your boots – they completely dry them out, all the way down to the toes! No more putting your boots precariously over a vent hoping they get dry.
Boot dryers are especially great for kids who need to wear their boots every day to and from school, during recess, and often playing outside in the evening. A boot dryer promises dry boots for the next morning!
I am a big fan of Peet boot warmers – they come in a variety of different options and styles. The one pictured below has slow air flow and is literally silent. You could put this in the middle of your living room and have no idea that it is on – but your boots are drying! You can take the boot forms off and put your mittens on the cylinder for warm and dry mittens every day.
Shop Boot Dryer
13. Heated Vest
This heated vest is another favorite item for when I am out in chilly weather and don’t plan on being super active. This is perfect to wear over a base layer and under your winter coat! This vest does not add much bulk and DOES add much warmth! You will not regret this purchase.
This would make a great gift idea for a football mom who is sitting outside watching an hours long football game in the late fall! This would also make a great gift for anyone who is always cold or who works in a cold office.
Shop Heated Vest | Fleece Legging
Those are my 13 items that I now can’t live without during our cold Minnesota winter months! These are the items I would replace if something got lost or I wore them out. While I will never love winter, having the right gear sure does make it much more manageable. I am less cold, feel cuter, and am ready to head outside with my kids! Speaking of kids, be sure to check out my favorite winter gear for children!
