Winter can be brutal, right? I used to dread the cold, always feeling like I was never warm enough. Whether I was battling the frigid winds of Calgary or trying to survive a Helsinki winter on a student budget, I was always on the lookout for ways to stay toasty. After many trials and errors, I’ve finally figured out a few tricks that work. Let me share my journey and the solutions I’ve discovered for staying warm during the coldest months.
It all started with a simple problem: finding a decent winter hat. I remember one particularly harsh winter in Calgary. I was determined to find a good beanie, but the options seemed limited. I was looking for something stylish and functional, without breaking the bank. I started asking around and got a few recommendations.
Someone suggested checking out The Bay. While they have a decent selection, I found myself wanting something a bit more unique. Another person mentioned Eddie Bauer, which was a good option, but not quite what I was envisioning. Then, I stumbled upon Pistil Designs. Their beanies looked amazing, but finding them in Calgary proved to be a challenge. They weren't cheap, but the quality seemed worth the investment. I eventually found a store locator on their website, which helped me track down a retailer nearby. I also heard good things about Simon's and Source Snowboards, so I added them to my list for future exploration.
Another winter, I found myself in Helsinki, and let me tell you, the cold there is a different beast! As a student, I was on a tight budget, so I needed to find affordable ways to stay warm. One of the biggest challenges was keeping my toes from freezing. I learned quickly that just one pair of socks wasn’t going to cut it.
The first piece of advice I got was to head to the nearest Citymarket or Prisma and stock up on store-brand winter shoes, wool socks, long underwear, and mittens. The key takeaway? Layering is essential. Instead of relying on one bulky item, multiple layers trap heat more effectively. I started wearing long underwear, followed by regular pants, and then waterproof outer layers. It made a huge difference!
I also explored the idea of secondhand shopping. Flea markets can be treasure troves for affordable jackets and other outerwear. While I wasn't keen on buying used shoes or socks, I did find a fantastic winter coat for a fraction of the price of a new one. It was a game-changer for my budget.
Based on my experiences, I’ve come up with a few key strategies for staying warm in the winter. First, let's talk about hats. I discovered these amazing beanies from WholeCustomDesign Official Site. I was looking for something to keep my head warm, and I stumbled upon the 2019 Fashion 19 Colors Knitted Neon Women Beanie.
What I liked most about it was how warm it was without being too bulky. It's a knitted beanie, so it's comfortable and stretches to fit my head perfectly. Plus, the variety of colors is a definite bonus. It's become my go-to hat for everyday wear during the winter months. I found that focusing on keeping my head warm made a huge difference in overall comfort.
Here's another tip: for shoes, I often wear sneakers for most of the winter, simply adding woolen socks over my regular socks. Make sure your shoes have enough room for those extra layers! And when it comes to gloves, mittens are definitely warmer than gloves with separate fingers. I'd recommend ones that are also windproof. I even heard someone mention seeing leather mittens with soft fur inside on sale at Sokos for under 20 euros. That's a steal!
For extreme cold, like -30°C, the ultimate solution is a loose leather mitten with a thinner wool mitten inside. Trust me, this combination is incredibly warm. I also found some affordable and high-quality gloves at Motonet (mostly hunting gear). They even had merino wool socks, which are excellent for wicking away moisture and keeping your feet warm.
Here's a breakdown of my top tips for staying warm during the winter: