At this point you may be worrying about how one might survive the frozen extreme that is called the arctic weather. Rest assured with the guide below you will be enjoying the dropping temperature more than you ever imagined.

First thing to note is: layers, layers, layers - wearing several layers of clothing is the key rule to keep warm up here in Lapland. Layering up helps you to easily adjust to the changing temperature and activities you're busy doing. 

 

Below we have gathered a thorough guide that will explain how to dress layer by layer on your Lappish holiday:

 

1) THE BASE LAYER 

 

• WHAT IS IT: This is the layer you will be wearing first, the one that is closest to the skin. It plays a huge role in regulating your body temperature, retaining heat and managing moisture. 

 

• FABRIC: Anything wool - preferably you’ll choose Merino as it’s the best at fighting the cold. Other synthetics work well too, so you can opt for those as well. Avoid cotton at all cost as it will let you down when doing activities in the freezing weather. 

When choosing socks keep the same rule in mind - wool and synthetics are your friend. Wear 1 pair of thin and 1-2 pairs of thicker socks on top of each other to keep your toes nice and warm. 

 

• EXAMPLE OF CLOTHING: A good base layer would be a long sleeve merino wool shirt, a pair of merino wool long underwear / leggings and thin socks (70% wool and 30% synthetic fiber). 

 

2) THE MID LAYER 

 

• WHAT IS IT: It is the clothing on top of your base layer. It’s job is to capture the moisture transferred by the base layer in order to keep you comfortable and warm. You can wear as many mid layers as you need. 

 

• FABRIC: Wool or fleece are your friend when it comes to the mid layer. As always avoid cotton as it will retain moisture and lead you feeling cold.

 

• EXAMPLE OF CLOTHING: Your mid layer can consist of clothing pieces such as a knit sweater, sweatshirt or a fleece. Here the key again is choosing clothes that are easy to layer up or down depending on your needs.
   

3) OUTER LAYERS 

 

• WHAT IS IT: The layer that seals everything in.

 

• FABRIC: A good outer layer would be a down jacket or a jacket with synthetic fiber filling as they are great at locking in the heat.
   

In addition it is good to pack a long windproof or waterproof layer to keep you dry incase you are involved in activities that include melting ice or water such as ice climbing. 

 

• EXAMPLE OF CLOTHING: A good warm jacket, a light rain coat or jacket that is made out of water-resistant fabric. You may also wish to bring along ski pants or thermal trousers with you to keep your lower body warm. 

Contrary to might you may believe a heavy-duty Arctic overall is not the most convenient outfit option for activities but will work fine if you prefer wearing one.

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4) GLOVES AND / OR MITTENS

 

• WHAT IS IT: The layer that keeps your hands and fingers warm.
   

• FABRIC: There are many types of gloves and mittens. The most important thing to make sure is that your pair is water resistant,  windproof and insulated.

 

• EXAMPLE OF CLOTHING: Downhill ski gloves or warm mittens. Mittens are a better option when it comes to keeping your fingers warm - especially for those who suffer from cold fingers easily.
   

TIP 1: Bring two pairs of warm gloves with you, this way if one pair becomes wet due to snow or / and sometimes wet ice wall, you can change the dry pair on. 

 

TIP 2: Layer up! Wear wool or synthetic linear gloves underneath a pair of ski gloves or mittens. This way you get some extra warmth and if you need to use your fingers for something more delicate you can take your warmer pair off for a little without having your fingers freeze. 

 

5) HATS & ACCESSORIES

 

• FABRIC: As these items are close to the skin and may encounter sweat, opt for wither wool or synthetic fabrics

 

• EXAMPLES OF CLOTHING: For activities that require a helmet, a simple woolen hat or a fleece balaclava work extremely well.

A neck gaiter or a warm scarf is a good thing to have a long to keep your neck nice and warm

 

• A neck gaiter or a warm scarf.

 

6) ADDITIONAL ITEMS

• Comfortable backpack - no need for a purse or a bag

• A water bottle

• Personal hygiene articles and medicine

• Sunglasses in springtime

• Sun lotion in the spring

• Camera and batteries (keep these close to your body to keep batteries warm)

• Long drawers, sweat suit/ jogging pants or something similar, to wear under the overall and in the accommodation.

• Jogging shoes or sandals to wear in the wilderness accommodation.

 

TIPS AND TRICKS: 

 

1. Basic rule in dressing up: be prepared to always have one set of dry base- and middle layers. Staying dry is the top priority.

 

1. Dress in layers. Use many thin, warm layers rather than a few thick layers. This allows you to adjust your layers accordingly to the temperature.
    

2. Sizable clothing. In the Arctic every clothing item from boots to gloves should be sizable enough. Tight fitting outfit often means a cold outfit.

 

1. Keep camera and batteries close to your body to keep batteries warm)

 

1. ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD HERE?
   
   (SCROLL DOWN FOR CHECKLIST :) )

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YOUR LAPLAND CHECKLIST

 

BASE LAYER: 

• At least two long sleeve wool or synthetic shirt 

• At least two pairs of long underwear or leggings 

 

MID LAYER: 

Have at least 2-3 of these items, don’t have to have all of them but below you can find great examples of clothing.

• A knit sweater

• A fleece

• A sweatshirt

• Half zip

• Hybrid jacket 

 

OUTER LAYERS:

• A good, warm winter jacket - preferably water and/or windproof

• Ski pants and/or thermal trousers

• A warm hat - wool or synthetic fabric

• A neck gaiter or a warm scarf

• Gloves or mittens

SOCKS:

• At least two pairs of thin socks (70% wool and 30% synthetic fiber)

• 1-2 pairs of thicker socks

 

ADDITIONAL ITEMS:

• Comfortable backpack

• A water bottle

• Personal hygiene articles and medicine (soap, shampoo etc.)

• Sunglasses (springtime)

• Sun lotion (springtime)

• Camera and batteries 

• Long drawers, sweat suit/ jogging pants or something similar, to wear under the overall and in the accommodation.

• Jogging shoes or sandals to wear in the wilderness accommodation.