5 winter clothing hacks for outdoor adventures

Our family is pretty much obsessed with being outside. It helps when the weather is ideal, the sun in shining and the bugs aren’t biting. But what about the times when the weather isn’t beckoning us, the sky is gloomy or the pests are overwhelming? Basically, how do you enjoy the weather year round even if you don’t live in SoCal. Trust me, I know how. Living in Wisconsin has forced us to adapt, get creative and pursue fresh air despite the 6 months of winter we get.

The answer: dress for it. You cannot enjoy nature if you aren’t dressed for the weather. At least I can’t — I hate being cold (The only thing worse to me is being wet and cold…Even the thought of that makes me cringe.) I show up as my lowest self in these circumstances. What you wear matters!

Here are my 5 winter clothing hacks for outdoor adventures:

1. Wool Socks: Let’s start with your feet. I want toasty toes from start to finish. This requires investing in wool socks. Wool is amazing at absorbing moisture and odor, as well as being extremely durable. Most wool socks are around $10 or $20 a pair but last for years - like years and years, so they are totally worth the price. I recommend having at least 3 pair if you are going to venture out on a regular basis. Smartwool is my favorite brand because they fit well and come in a variety of thickness, so if you don’t live in a wintery climate, you can pick a thinner sock.

2. Boots: For me, boots make me a better mom. When my kids run straight for the mud, I don’t bat an eye if they have boots on. Not only that, wool socks plus good boots give us a better chance to experience nature sans whining. My criteria is that the boots have to be warm and waterproof. Boggs have been so good to us in this arena. They are worth the price and then some - but my best tip is to buy only black. Because these boots last, they can be passed down from child to child, year after year. This is a major money saver! If you don’t need something that warm, Crocs rain boots are a major win. They are tall and super light weight - empowering our little explorers to adventure without being weighed down. For adult rain boots, you will see me in Hunter boots 90% of the time.

3. Layers! This is a key step a lot of people do wrong. Layers are one of the ways you can keep your body warm at the core, but that doesn’t mean just adding clothing on top of clothing. I have seen kids layered up so much that they can’t move and play, let alone breathe. The idea is to be in nature moving your body and exploring creation, not waddling around. A base layer is ideal and will keep you comfy. Thin, long sleeve, tight shirts with a thumb hole are my favorite. You can find these at any athletic apparel store. Tucking the shirt into leggings, thermal pants or long underwear is key. The better the fabric - the warmer you will be. Synthetic fabrics don’t breathe well and trap odor. Here is a breakdown of some of the best brands to shop for. For kids, Underarmour is our go-to and we can often find what we are looking for at retailers like TJ Maxx. My best budget friendly tip for this - also buy black!

4. Your coat, or outer shell is key. It’s like the roof of your house, if your roof is leaking, the whole house will suffer. Having a great coat can take your experience to the next level. When you are layered properly and outside moving, you will actually generate body heat and get warm - having a bulky coat is not ideal for this type of activity. When purchasing coats, the brand isn’t as important to me as the features. I am looking for a thin down coat that is light weight. I also want to have a hood, because it is incredible protection for your neck and blocks the wind. Keeping your head, feet and core warm will make your experience outdoors so much better. We have had the best success for our kids with Columbia coats. The price is always right and the durability is awesome. Thin puffy coats travel well, can be worn in the in-between temps of fall and spring, and also in the freeze of winter when properly layered underneath.

5. Don’t worry - I haven’t forgotten your fingers. I know that if your hands get cold, misery sets in fast. One of the biggest mistakes you might be making is that you are buying gloves instead of mittens. If you are enjoying the outdoors and don’t need your fingers free, mittens will keep you warmer. Your fingers generate heat when they are beside one another, rather than separated with gloves. Mittens aren’t just for toddlers because they are easy to put on - they are ideal for anyone that wants to be warm. Another tip is to make sure the area around the wrist is adjustable. If the glove or mitten is too short, your wrists will be exposed and could get wet or cold fast. Wearing an under-layer with thumb holes helps add protection here. Gear Junkie has a list of awesome mittens for the coldest of temps. I recommend checking that list out for adults who won’t lose them (they’re higher end mittens). If your kids are like my kids - we lose mittens faster than we lose socks - so an investment just won’t make sense. At $20 a pair, these Burton mittens have everything I am looking for. I even let them chose something other than black.

Getting outside is one of the best ways to improve mood, eliminate sickness, and reduce stress. Don’t miss out on the benefits because you don’t have the right gear. I have adopted the Scandinavian saying “There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing” and I hope you will too. Make the investment into your closet and into your health.