{"id":5541,"date":"2019-11-19T10:30:10","date_gmt":"2019-11-19T15:30:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/montrealtips.com\/?p=5541"},"modified":"2026-05-17T07:48:15","modified_gmt":"2026-05-17T11:48:15","slug":"how-to-dress-for-winter-in-canada","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/montrealtips.com\/fr\/2019\/11\/19\/how-to-dress-for-winter-in-canada\/","title":{"rendered":"Comment s'habiller pour l'hiver au Canada"},"content":{"rendered":"

New to Montreal? New to Canada? Here\u2019s How to Dress for Winter!<\/b><\/h2>\r\nWhether you\u2019ve recently arrived from a country without a yearly deep freeze, or you\u2019re from one of those Canadian oases that stays mild (by Canadian standards), your first winter in Montreal can be a little\u2026 startling.\"Girl<\/a><\/span>\r\n\r\nThe ice, the snow, the WIND! Oh, the wind! With wind gusts taking us down to -30\u2103 (-22 \u2109) and below on the reg, just how do Canadians survive winter?<\/span>\r\n\r\nIt\u2019s all about the layers! But you need to get strategic and plan for where you\u2019re going and what you\u2019ll be doing.<\/span>\r\n\r\nYou also need to put aside any hangups about looking a bit ridiculous. Trust us, you\u2019ll be warm and you won\u2019t care.<\/span>\r\n\r\nNow, if your commute and lifestyle are such that your only outdoor time is getting from door to car and back again, you don\u2019t need to worry as much about blocking out the cold. But, if you have to (or want to) spend more than 15 minutes at a time outside, dressing warmly and smartly is a must. So without further ado\u2026<\/span>\r\n

Here is what Montreal Tips thinks you should wear\u00a0in\u00a0Canada\u00a0in\u00a0winter:<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The Coat<\/b><\/h2>\r\nLet\u2019s start with the most basic of Canadian winter essentials – the winter coat.<\/span>\r\n

What type of Coat should you get for a Canadian winter?<\/h3>\r\nYou have 2 options, the super warm or the moderately warm. Check below for details on each.<\/strong>\r\n

Super Warm\"Girl<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\r\nIf you want something that will keep you warm, even over a simple t-shirt, your best bet is one of the higher end brands. These are brands like Canada Goose, North Face, Arc\u2019teryx, Nobis and Patagonia. They are typically very pricey, but they will do the job and they\u2019re built to last. Many are made with goose down, or another down blend, but there are synthetic animal friendly materials as well.<\/span>\r\n\r\nMany of these coats can run you well over $400 and high price tag isn\u2019t the only downside. If you\u2019re walking around a mall or museum or anywhere heated with one of these on, you\u2019ll quickly end up dripping in sweat. On the other hand, they are oh so very warm and cozy.<\/span>\r\n

Moderately Warm<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\r\nOf course, there are plenty of winter coat brands that are moderately warm and can be found at stores like l\u2019\u00c9quipeur, Winners, The Bay and even places like Walmart and Old Navy.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThese coats are usually warm enough up to about -20\u2103 (with no windchill), but beyond that, you\u2019ll be feeling the cold. That\u2019s where layering comes in. <\/span>If you opt for a moderately warm coat, ensure the fit allows for a heavy sweater underneath, then look for something in a chunky knit – ideally a wool blend, but synthetic works too. Chunky knits work really well at providing an insulating layer and keeping you toasty. Opt for a cardigan style that does up and you can even use safety pins to attach it to the inside of your coat, making it easier to put it on and take it off as one piece.<\/span>\r\n\r\nFleece layers can be great as well, but they aren\u2019t as breathable, so if sweatiness is a concern for you, avoid fleece.<\/span>\r\n\r\nSee a list of the best jackets to wear in a Canadian winter.\u00a0<\/a>\r\n\r\n \r\n

The Boots<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

What type of Boots should you get for a Canadian winter?<\/h3>\r\nYou WILL need good boots. Boots to keep you warm, to give you traction on snow and ice, and to keep your feet dry, especially when slush happens (and it happens a lot).<\/span>\r\n\r\nAll that to say, you want to look at three key things when choosing winter boots: temperature rating, treads and waterproof level.<\/span>\r\n\r\nAs with many things, the best performing brands also tend to be the most expensive. When it comes to boots, those brands include Sorel, Bogs, UGG, The North Face, Timberland, Columbia and more.<\/span>\r\n\r\nWith many of these brands, you can often find an excellent pair for between $150 and $200, which can be a lot upfront, but with proper care, they should last you several years. Proper care means regularly cleaning them (to get rid of road salt, which can be especially damaging) and using protective sprays.<\/span>\r\n\r\nIf these options are out of your price range, the Canadiana line at Walmart is also decent, and you can find good options at stores like Joe Fresh, Globo or Winners.<\/span>\r\n\r\nWith lower cost options, prioritize waterproofness. Buy them one size – or half a size – larger and you can layer warm socks or even add in thermal insoles which make a world of difference. For traction, you can buy products like <\/span>GripOns<\/span><\/a> that turn virtually any boot into prime winter wear.<\/span>\r\n\r\nSee the best boots for women in a Canadian Winter.<\/a>\r\n\r\nSee the best boots for men for winter in Canada.<\/a>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\"Girl<\/a>\r\n

The Pants<\/b><\/h2>\r\n \r\n\r\nRemember back at the beginning when we said to let go of looking ridiculous? Even lifelong Montrealers struggle with this one, but when that temperature drops and the windchill kicks up, being afraid of looking silly leads to frozen – sometimes literally – legs. Is it too cold in Canada? Well, when your thighs are burning from cold and then start to itch and ache as they thaw out, it sure does feel that way.<\/span>\r\n\r\nSo here\u2019s the thing: give snow pants a try. You won\u2019t be among the majority, but you also won\u2019t be alone.<\/span>\r\n

What pants to wear for winter in Canada?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nDepending on where you shop – which can be anywhere from Walmart or Aubainerie, to MEC or even L.L Bean, you can pay anywhere from $25 to $200 and beyond. Higher-end pants do tend to be warmer (and a little better looking), but if you\u2019re using these for commuting, picking the kids up from school, running errands or the occasional skating or winter hiking adventure, you don\u2019t need to go high end. If you plan to do a lot of skiing, skating, snowshoeing or any other outdoor activity, you may want to opt for something higher quality and waterproof.<\/span>\r\n\r\n\"Winter<\/a>\r\n\r\n \r\n

The Accessories<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

What kind of accessories should you have for a winter in Canada?<\/h3>\r\nHat, mitts, neckwarmer\u2026 you need all three!\u00a0<\/span>\r\n