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Are you feeling excited but a tiny bit worried about how to be prepared for the Finnish winter? Don’t you just wish there would be a Lapland packing list already made for you, preferably by a local who knows all the tiny details?
You’re in the right place! Getting ready for another climate is difficult so this post aims to give you a massive sigh of relief!
First of all, winter clothing is not difficult and you can fit everything in your luggage, I promise! I have gathered here the ultimate package of winter clothing advice to Finland. As a Finn, I know a thing or two about the cold weather and how to dress properly.
I’ll be talking mostly about Lapland, but this post is a wonderful reference for Nordic winter anywhere. If you are traveling to Finland or Scandinavia in winter time, it will be freezingly cold whatever your destination is. Yup, in Helsinki too, even though it’s in the south.
Think of it this way: Helsinki is only 8 hours’ drive away from the Arctic Circle.
This post tells in detail about the most important clothes for the Finnish winter and how to dress warmly even if you are allergic to wool.
Also, I’ll share some tips about kids’ winter clothing. Last, to make things easy for you, you can download my free printable, the detailed Lapland packing list.
Psst… Follow me on Instagram and get more Finland into your daily life immediately!
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Here’s what this post is all about. Are you ready to get some winter clothing tips? Let’s go!
Table of Contents
- 1 The Basics of Winter Finland & Scandinavia
- 2 The Best Snow Boots for Lapland
- 3 Lighter Winter Shoes for Finland
- 4 The Must-Have Winter Accessories for Finland
- 5 The Proper Winter Outerwear
- 6 How Many Layers for Lapland?
- 7 What Should Children Wear in Lapland?
- 8 Where to Find Winter Clothes in Finland?
- 9 Lapland Packing List – Free Downloadable
#1 Indoor spaces are always warm. There are a couple of things we Finns do extremely well. One of those things is insulation. It’s always nice and cozy indoors in Finland, so you really don’t have to worry about that.
#2 Comfortable and Cute. We Finns are the most functional dressers on earth. In Finland, you can anywhere wearing sporty, functional clothes: restaurants, hotels, cafes, etc. A fleece and jeans is a normal “I’m going out” outfit for a restaurant in Lapland. And many winter clothes are totally cute, too!
#3 Forget 100% acrylic. The fabric may seem fluffy and warm but really isn’t. Choose wool, wool-blend, cotton, silk, viscose, and polyester. You can have acrylic-blend with the above-mentioned materials.
#4 The most important thing to have is quality outerwear. I’m talking about a thick warm coat, waterproof and warm winter shoes, proper gloves, a scarf, and a reliable hat.
For a Lapland visit, consider thick winter trousers, if you plan to do a lot of outdoors activities, like hunting Auroras. All the layering in the world doesn’t help you if you don’t have the proper outerwear suitable for the harsh conditions. Not to say that layers don’t matter. They do. But if you need to prioritize, outerwear is your choice.
#5 Forget heels. They are uncomfortable and dangerously slippery. In the worst case, they are a one-way ticket to a Finnish hospital. No local is using heels in Lapland.
#6 Cosmetics tips. You wouldn’t go on a beach holiday without sunscreen, right? For a winter holiday, you desperately need a lip balm, a face moisturizer, a SOS cream and an excellent hand cream. The dry cold air is cruel.
I love the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour products. If I’d only get to pick one beauty item for winter, it would be the classic Eight Hour Cream by Elizabeth Arden. It’s my SOS cream (face, hands, feet – anything) but you can also fix your brows with it and use it like a blush and glow gel. It’s a miracle!
Read here my post about trusted cosmetics which really work in winter Finland!
If you are in Lapland in February or later and planning to do a lot of outdoor activities, you need a sunscreen too as snow reflects the sun super well.
#7 Tour operators might give you winter clothes. If you are going on tours, many companies provide winter gear (super warm overall, winter boots etc.). Make sure to check is clothing included in the price or not.
Looking for more information about winter Finland? Check these other posts:
- Cold Weather Beauty Hacks and Essentials from Finland
- Lapland Holidays: A Local’s Guide to Help Plan Your Dream Trip!
- Best Time to See Northern Lights in Finland: Make-No-Mistakes Guide
- Rovaniemi City – Favorite Places in Town
- How to Travel from Helsinki to Lapland with Night Train
The Best Snow Boots for Lapland
In Finland, we have a saying: If your feet are warm, your whole body is warm. This is so true. I get chills when I see travelers with fluffy down jackets and Nike Free trainers. You’ll be an icicle the minute you walk out of the airport.
Two pairs of shoes are a must for the Finnish winter: proper snow boots and lighter winter shoes. Here’s why: when it’s winter in Finland, the ground can be any of the following:
- Puddles of slush (the winter days with warmer temperatures)
- Ice (standard)
- Slush and ice beneath it (when temperatures change)
- Black ice (especially in the south)
- A layer of snow (standard)
- A pile of snow (until the plough arrives)
- A meter of snow (think Lappish forest)
Hands down the best snowshoes I have ever worn are Sorel Caribous (check price for men’s and women’s here). My hubby actually recommended them to me and said that I’ll love them. As usual, he was right.
You’ll never be cold in Caribous. They are super warm even when it’s -20°F (-30°C), sturdy, waterproof and so comfy. At first, you think they are kind of heavy but you get used to their weight fast. I can’t recommend these boots enough!
By the way, can you believe that my hubby’s boots are ten years old and he wears them every winter?! They are in mint condition. These boots were made to last!
Hubby’s Caribous and my Caribous make being outdoors in the wintertime a delight no matter how cold it is!
Lighter Winter Shoes for Finland
Lighter winter shoes are a great idea to have so that you don’t have to live in your snow boots. I just love my winter shoes by Merrell (check similar here). They are warm, waterproof and have a special Vibram-sole which works even in the worst weather conditions, like walking on slushy ice. That makes this slip-resistant shoe perfect for those warmer winter temperatures here in Finland!
My light Merrell winter shoes have a special winter sole called Vibram or “the Ice Plus”.
My favorite city winter boots are by Ecco. They are super comfortable to walk in for hours, waterproof and cute! Awesome for any winterly city destination. Shop for similar here.
As a side note, Ecco does fantastically cute and functional shoes for all Finnish weather conditions. I also have their waterproof white sneakers which I use pretty much every day from spring to autumn.
The Must-Have Winter Accessories for Finland
Beanie. You’ll definitely need a reliable beanie in Finland. Stay away from anything that says 100% acrylic without a proper lining. The best beanies are cuffed wool-blend or fleece lined beanies. Personally, I love my beanie with a pompom on top. If you are allergic to wool, a fleece-lined synthetic or cotton beanie is a great option and warm enough.
Scarf. Nobody does a chunky scarf better than Acne Studios. The color palette and quality of their Canada scarf makes me cry happy tears. Do you know how some scarfs leave you covered with threads?! These don’t. I’ve worn my luxurious cream-colored oversized one everywhere from Lapland to Helsinki Opera house to a long-haul flight. The material is miraculous; it never gets any makeup stains. The skinny version is perfect if you don’t want a chunky look. Oh, and if you walk in Helsinki and wonder what’s this beautiful big winter scarf Helsinki ladies are wearing – yes, it’s this!
Gloves. You’ll need water-resistant, warm, windproof gloves for winter activities. Something like these. Here’s a wonderful idea to buy from Finland: Mutka leather gloves are very quintessential Finnish winterwear. My granny wears them, mother wears them, I wear them… These lamb-leather super warm gloves with teddy lining (not wool!) are around 30€/pair and you can find Mutka in Sokos and Stockmann department store or Prisma hypermarket.
Silk glove liners. Silk glove liners are the perfect addition of extra warmth. Keep one pair in your pocket. They are tiny and many times life-saving.
Hand warmers
Not exactly a fashion accessory but hand warmers work like a charm and offer instant warmth to you when everything else fails. Slide to your shoe, pocket, mitten wherever! I used these inside my sleeping bag when sleeping in a tent this autumn in Lapland.
Phone accessories
Because cold weather drains a phone battery fast, I always carry a portable charger when making winter day trips.
This chargeable phone ring light has been a lifesaver in dimly-lit restaurants and the dark/blue winter days in Finland. For months, my little sister told me that a ring light would improve my phone’s images, but I never got around to getting it. So finally, she bought one for me as a gift. It has been the best!
Also, buy a warm case or pack an extra wool mitten or sock for your phone. That’s a free hack we Finns do every winter.
The Proper Winter Outerwear
When it comes to winter jackets, the most versatile combo is a functional winter parka and a light-weight down jacket. You’ll be wonderfully warm even on the coldest of days but have options for warmer temperatures. Also, these jackets will most likely be more useful for you back home than one big fluffy down coat.
Wear double jackets and stay toasty warm even on the coldest of days!
How Many Layers for Lapland?
You’ll pretty much always need long underwear in the Finnish winter. A warm layer of soft merino wool underneath your jeans and top is heaven. Merino underwear is made to last so you only need one quality pair.
My recommendation is that you buy them well-fitted. Perfectly-shaped wool leggings are cute and comfy. Hanging long-johns are not only ugly but uncomfortable with the other trousers you’ll be wearing. Icebreaker undershirt and leggings are my favorites for quality, fit and cuteness.
If you are allergic to wool, buy a thermal underwear set. Pro tip: I have both wool and thermal leggins because for super cold days, I put on my thermals first, followed by my wool leggings and then pants.
Cotton socks are not enough for Finnish winter. You’ll need either proper wool socks on top of the cotton ones or wool-blend socks. If two socks make your feet too big for your shoes, you really need the wool-blends.
You see, to keep warm, your feet need to be surrounded by a little bit of looseness. This air warms up and acts like a warm air cushion. Not to mention that too tight shoes are horrible to walk in!
I used to skimp on socks but then I tried cushioned wool-blend socks by Falke, was walking on lukewarm clouds for a day and now I have five pairs of them.
They are my favorite socks when staying up on my feet all day long. My hubby has these, too. Quality wool-blend socks make wonders to your aching feet and circulation. Falkes are worth every penny.
What Should Children Wear in Lapland?
A short summary of Finnish kids: Babies and toddlers wear warm winter overalls. Finnish little children and primary school-aged kids wear warm waterproof slope sets.
Finnish teenagers wear their down jackets open, refuse warm winter pants and hide their beanies and gloves in their backpacks the minute their parents can’t see. They are the most cold-resistant people on the planet.
The slope sets are so warm that kids wear just their normal clothes underneath. If it is super cold, they wear a thermal underwear set.
A thick wool beanie and waterproof mittens are a must when playing in the snow. As kids are hopeless with scarfs, Finnish kids wear neckwarmers or face masks on the coldest days.
Where to Find Winter Clothes in Finland?
If you need to buy winter clothes in Finland, you have plenty of options as you really can’t live here without proper winter clothes and shoes. All ski resort destinations in Lapland have sports shops.
Head to one of the following stores:
- Department store Sokos or Stockmann
- Hypermarket Prisma (huge selection also for kids)
- Hikers’ store Partioaitta
- Sports stores, e.g. XXL or Intersport (great selection also for kids)
Lapland Packing List – Free Downloadable
Make your life easy and download my free Lapland Packing List. It has all the items you’ll need on your Finland visit.
Looking for more information about winter Finland? Check these other posts:
- Winter Weather Beauty Hacks and Essentials from Finland
- Lapland Holidays: A Local’s Guide to Help Plan Your Dream Trip!
- 15 Things to Know about Northern Lights in Lapland
- Rovaniemi City – Favorite Places in Town
- Ylläs Ski Resort and Winter Things To Do
- How to Travel from Helsinki to Lapland with Night Train
Warm wishes from Finland,
Varpu
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Hello there!
I’m Varpu. One blonde, travel-loving, Finnish engineer driving this site.
I’d love to know if there’s zero-drop/barefoot/toe-freedom winter boots that are suitable; I’ve got valyenki myself, but they’re poor in damp conditions (being boiled wool). Also, which online shop/ brand do you think is the best for winter outer layers, as in a jacket and trousers/ salopettes or something like that? (I’m not thinking of going just yet, but I like to know and have resources saved up mentally for when I do.)
Kiitos in advance.
Hei! I’m so sorry, I don’t have experience with that type of winter boots. For winter outerwear, there’s a Finnish company called Halti. They have awesome winter gear! Jack Wolfskin, NorthFace, Fjällraven, Haglös are great too.
My son bought me a pair of 100% Merino wool lined gloves because I have Raynaud’s Syndrome. These are the first things to keep my fingers from freezing within minutes of our cold winters in the USA. They are so fantastic I then purchased the matching socks. Now my feet don’t freeze either. I’m looking for some thermal under clothing but couldn’t find the store you mentioned. My search has only just begun.
Thank you for so much help and guidance you offer those of us who need to know.
Hi Debra! Thank you for your lovely message. Yes, for any layers, my first pic is Icebreaker. They are a sustainable brand and have great innovative products. I wonder if they would have some suitable products for you? Hope this helps a bit!
Hi Varpu! We are going to Sallatunturi in October 2019. What kind of winter clothes should we pack? Is it going be super cold? Please advise, and thank you for this post. Just wanted to make sure that I don’t overpack and won’t be buying super heavy winter clothes if the weather isn’t going to be that cold as December. Any thoughts/tips please. Thanks again for a super website!
Hei! Thank you so much! In October, the weather can be so different, I highly recommend checking the forecasts carefully before you travel. I wouldn’t pack my winter Sorel boots but I would pack light winter boots and an insulated jacket with a warm beanie, scarf and mittens, especially if I was planning to hunt for Auroras which means a lot of standing and waiting. Hope this helps!
ei kesta, Opiskelen vähän suomea londonin suomalaisessa kirko
hullu englantilanen. 🙂
Mahtava kuulla, Max! Sun suomi on tosi hyvää <3
Hi Varpu
That post came right on the point. We will be in Inari in February to hunt Northern Lights 😁. Thanks also for the tip to take the car train to the North. Following your advise is always the best idea. Palijon kitoksia
Hei Stephan! I’m so happy to hear that and super excited about your upcoming Lapland vacation! We will be in Lapland this year in March, can’t wait!
forgot to add, a couple of Finnish proverbs… “There is no such thing as cold weather, only bad clothing.” If your feet are cold, put on a hat.
The locals can recognise the tourists from over 50m away, they are the ones not wearing a hat! 🙂
Haha, so great that you know these sayings! 🙂 Yes, a hat is a lifesaver. Thank you, Max!
As a tourist, I’ve done 9 trips to lapland in 7 years. Although I’ve been all over the world, Finland is the only place I’ve been to more than once.
In terms of clothing, here I’m including activities like reindeer rides, snowmobiles, huskies etc. the wind chill can be brutal! Mitts are better than gloves, much better. if you plan to go to Finland ever again, get a snowmobile jacket and bib-and-brace type trousers and the Sorel boots. They will create your own micro climate of warm snuggness. they are designed for the environment and much more. Thinsulate insulation didnt impress me in those temperatures you really need good insulation. (the reindeer herders use reindeer skin mitts… great, but Musto fleece riding gloves with Northface Overmitts did a fine job. even losing one mitt while on a snowmobile at night – but found 2 years later!!) Buy large rather than tight sizes, the air gap will add insulation. Rabbit fur ushanka hat is the best headgear by miles, one other item I used which was an alaskan face mask. it pushed the exhaled air out to the sides, by your cheeks and has a matrix of of thin copper mesh in front of your mouth. As you breath out your breath warms the copper mesh, when you breathe in, the cold air is warmed slightly by the warm copper mesh.. simple but brilliant.
Finland jackets, especially snowmobile (motoriikelka) jackets are really well designed, they will have a waterproof area on your butt.(so you can sit on snow without getting a wet bum). They will have a phone pocket inside to keep the battery warm. Batteries getting cold will appear flat but warming them up will bring them back to life, cameras especially. I bought a Rukka 2 piece snowmobile suit, it was a lot of money at the time but has meant I could be on a snowmobile at 2 in the morning when the wind chill was lower than -50 and still be snug and stay out for 4 or 5 hours during the night taking photos of the aurora. (best time of year is the spring equinox and the best location is south of a frozen lake near a husky farm!! lol.) I love Finland in the winter.
When the temperature drops below -20 everything stops. Its like nature is holding her breath.
Hei Max, thank you for those awesome very detailed tips! I can hear your love of winter Finland in your text, kiitos <3 You have the same favorite time in Lapland as I do - the arctic winter 'spring' is the best. Yes, snowmobiling is the coldest of winter sports. My experiences are that iPhone batteries die completely, and one needs a charger. It's great to know that some devices come back to life when warmed up.
This post is SO helpful, thank you so much! My fiancé and I are planning a Finnish Lapland honeymoon for December and this packing list means we will be super prepared for the cold! Thanks again for how much detail you’ve put into this post.
Hi Helena! Awww, you lovebirds will have an amazing time in Lapland <3 I'm so happy to hear that this post was helpful!
Hey Varpu! 🙂 Thank you for all your posts!! I’m going to Finland to study for the autumn semester and I was really nervous and anxious about everything, the weather specially hahah but now, thanks to you, I feel prepared. Thank you for everything you’ve written! 🙂
Hei Antonia! Yay, so great you are going to study here! Let me know if you have anything, I’m so happy to know this article helped you <3
This post is super helpful. I’ll be going to Lapland this January and I will definitely follow your suggestions.
Dianne, you are so sweet, thank you!! I’m so glad to hear that this post was useful! Enjoy Lapland, it’s the best!
Great coverage of the basics! As an Australian who did a winter in Lapland its also handy to be aware of the creams/makeups you put on your face. Water based products can freeze and be tight on the skin. Oil based products will protect you more.
And on a side note, fleece material is not so great for the environment 🙁
Hi Karen! Yes, lovely additions! I totally agree and have that same point on my post about winter cosmetics! https://herfinland.com/cold-weather-beauty-essentials/ Yes, the best fleece material would be organic wool fleece, for example, the Finnish company called Ruskovilla has amazing products with that material.
I bought myself that scarf as a Christmas present, it’s a bit pricey but worth every penny and I know I’ll have it for years and it will be a staple in my winter wardrobe. Thanks for the great article.
Hi Laurel! Thank you so much for commenting <3 I think you will be happy with the scarf, I bought mine in 2014 and it's in mint condition!
Planning a northern lights, winter adventure trip to Rovaniemi February 2019. Tour owner suggested purchasing Moon Boots as the are lighter, warm and comfortable. Is this a good choice? I researched and they are supposed to protect to -30. Should I purchase a pair insulated snow/ski pants vs. layering with merino wool base, fleece then waterproof pant shell? I’m bringing a few pairs Smartwool base leggings for layering under all pants.
Moon boots are lighter, yes. I’m not sure about how the sole is (is there enough grip if on ice) and if there is a waterproof version of moon boots. On the other hand, February is usually a dry month so it would be likely that you don’t need that water-resistance feature that much. As I live here all the time, I definitely need boots with reliable soles and waterproofness. Based on my own experience, moon boots are not so warm as those Sorels, which I have now.
I have both insulated snow pants and shell pants. The function is different: when I do sweaty sports, I use layers and shell pants, when I go for a slow walk or to gaze auroras, then I definitely wear my insulated snow pants. I hope this helps!! You’ll have a wonderful trip!
Hi
I’m planning to come to Finland from Australia in December with my son. We are only coming for 1 week, we will be visiting Santa and doing some winter outdoor tours and then have a few days in Helsinki. I don’t think I can afford lots of different shoes/boots. What would be your suggestion for 1 boot that would cover both city and outdoor activities?
Hei Christine! I would get lighter winter boots, like these Merrells I have. Merrell, in general, has a great assortment for versatile winter boots that work in an urban environment too. As you are doing guided tours, it’s great to know that many tour companies provide warm winter boots for their activities. You can check this in advance from the companies. Hope this helps!
Hei Varpu,
When I was in Finland in September I bought some wool clothes. My friend sold me a wool turtleneck that he didn’t wear very much and also a pair of wool long underwear. I bought Merino wool socks, Alpaca socks, and a Merino t-shirt. I bought these in Tampere at XXL and another store downtown that I can’t remember the name. Since I’ve been back I ordered a pair of Merino wool underwear from Amazon. I have yet to try them. So I’m ready for cold weather. I’m also ready for when I return to Finland. Even though I don’t know when it will be I can’t wait. I would go tomorrow.
I very much enjoy reading your blog and learning about Finland. Thank you so much.
Hei Steve! Thank you for your lovely comment! I’m so happy to be of help. You are very well equipped for the freezing temperatures!! I hope you get to visit Finland soon <3