Last updated on June 9th, 2024 at 12:47 pm

A Canadian winter is a beast of another level, and if you visit any time from November to April, you must pack the right kind of winter clothes for Canada. In this blog post, we’ll break down what your winter packing list should comprise based on our experiences of visiting Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, and Calgary in the middle of winter. Most recently, we survived a full day of outdoor outing in negative temperatures at the Quebec City Winter Carnival.

Now you may ask – “Why would I visit Canada in the chilling winter season?” Yes, that’s a valid question, but just like people don’t stop going to the beach because it’s summer, you should not avoid visiting this winter wonderland in the middle of winter. 

Let me also add that having lived in Chicago & NYC, we’ve experienced our fair share of the polar vortex in the US, where temperatures have fallen as low as – 40°F. But we understand that some people have never lived in colder climates, and perhaps they just don’t get this fuss.

To them, let me just say that when temperatures are as low or even lower than -20°F, you probably won’t even feel your skin after spending 5-10 minutes outside. In other words, I almost thought my tears would crystalize if I stayed any longer without getting some heat in Ottawa this January.

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Dressing in Layers is the Key to Staying Warm in Canadian Winters

Not only do multiple layers provide you extra warmth, but it’s also extremely handy when you have to shed clothes indoors.

If you are unfamiliar, here is a basic breakdown of how to dress in layers while doing activities in cold temperatures.

1. Base Layer (Moisture-Wicking):
   • Start with a moisture-wicking base layer to keep sweat away from your skin.
   • Consider thermal or merino wool options for added warmth.
2. Middle Layer (Insulating):
   • Add an insulating layer like a fleece or down jacket to trap heat.
   • Make sure it’s breathable to avoid overheating.
3. Outer Layer (Weatherproof):
   • Wear a weatherproof, insulated jacket to shield against wind, snow, and rain.
   • Look for features like a hood and sealed seams for added protection.

Best Winter Clothes For Canada

Without further adieu, let’s get to the most necessary winter clothes for Canada. And I’ll try to be as basic as possible for the benefit of those who’ve never witnessed extreme cold temperatures.

1. Thermal Long Sleeve Top (Inner Top Base Layer)

Let’s start with the innermost base layers—you need them! Trust me when I say that a T-shirt is just not going to cut it. 

I really love my UNIQLO thermal heat tech as my base layer. They also have one for men that Gaurav uses. You’ll find a similar warm base layer by other reputed brands like Smartwool and Under Armour.

• Women’s Smartwool Merino Baselayer Long Sleeve
• Men’s Under Armour Long-Sleeve T-Shirt

2. Sweaters, Fleece Jackets, or Sweatshirts (Middle Top Layer)

The number of multiple middle layers will depend upon your ability to handle cold.

There were times when I only had one thick sweatshirt or sweater. Other times, I’ve paired a vest or my UNIQLO ultralight down jacket (here is a similar down jacket) on top of my sweater when it was too windy outside.

Gaurav would add an additional middle layer in the evenings, as well, when temperatures would drop even lower.

• Women’s The North Face Fleece Jacket
• Men’s Tommy Hilfiger Packable Puffer Jacket
• Men’s The North Face Fleece Vest
• Women’s Mountain Hardware Fleece Vest

3. Winter Jacket (Outer Top Layer)

The outer layer can be a down jacket or a parka, as long as it’s a heavy-duty winter jacket, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors.

We carried our down jackets but no Parka, which tends to run longer in length. If you are not spending much time outdoors, then a peacoat would be fine for the outer layer. In any case, a casual fall or spring coat just won’t cut it for the winter.

Here are some winter jackets that you can consider:

Women’s Winter Jackets for Canada

Some of the brands I’ve tried and tested are Columbia winter Omni heat jacket, Eddie Bauer Storm Down, and Calvin Klein peacoats.

I do have my eyes on other winter jackets such as the Thorium Down Hoody and the Patera Parka, both by Arc’teryx, or the Patagonia Downdrift Parka, but they are on the more expensive side.

Here are some more women’s winter jacket options:

• Women’s Sun Valley Down Parka
• Women’s The North Face Jump Down Parka
• Women’s Marmot Chelsea Waterproof Down Rain Coat

Men’s Winter Jackets for Canada

Gaurav loves his Eddie Bauer waterproof winter jacket but also has his eyes on the more expensive Patagonia brand.

• Men’s Columbia Alpine Action Jacket
• Men’s The North Face Carto Triclimate Jacket
• Men’s Columbia Rugged Path Parka

4. Thermal Underwear, Leggings, or Long Johns (Inner Bottom Base Layer)

Whatever you wish to call it, this is the essential innermost layer. For men, Gaurav also wore a Uniqlo men’s heattech thermal long johns. Here are some more options:

5. Winter/Snow Pants (Outer Bottom Layer)

We both love our Eddie Bauer fleece-lined snow pants this season. So, of course, that made up for our outer layer. Highly recommend investing in good water-resistant snow pants for winter activities.

• Men’s Eddie Bauer Fleece-Lined Pants
• Women’s Eddie Bauer Fleece-Lined Pants
• Men’s Columbia Omni-Heat Ski Pants
• Women’s Helly-Hansen Insulated Waterproof Ski Pant

If you’d prefer to go for denim or regular pants, then make sure you get the fleece-lined ones to stay warm outdoors.

• Men’s Lee Fleece and Flannel Lined Jeans
• Women’s Lee Fleece Lined Jeans

We didn’t wear a middle bottom layer but saw that it was very common for the locals in Quebec City/ Montreal to wear regular pants/jeans under their winter snow pants. It was also interesting to see them remove their outer snow pants when dining in restaurants indoors.

6. Gloves & Mittens (Accessories)

Okay, next up is a set of very important accessories. Carry a pair of warm gloves, and even better if they are touchscreen-compatible. TIP: Gloves by themselves are not enough for Canadian winters if you spend a lot of time outdoors.

Consider this an outer layer for your hands on top of the gloves. Yes, you absolutely need mittens if you want to spend more time outdoors. We can say this from experience because we didn’t carry a pair! We thought we were secured with our North Face sub-zero temperature gloves. The joke was on us when our fingers froze up within minutes of taking photos outside.

• Women’s Columbia Mighty Lite Mitten
• Women’s Carhartt Insulated Mitten
• Men’s Outdoor Research 3-Finger Gloves
• Outdoor Research Water Resistant Winter Mittens

7. Warm Headgear/Beanie (Accessories)

The thicker, the better; if you can get a beanie made of pure merino wool, your head and ears will bless you.

8. Warm Scarf / Neck Gaiter/ Neck Warmer (Accessories)  

You don’t want to leave your house without a warm scarf or a neck warmer. And pack a neck gaiter, too, if you are certainly spending a lot of time outdoors. I also love my WAYPOINT GOODS scarf (I’m wearing it in the photo with the mountains above), which comes with a secret pocket to help me keep my valuables stashed safely while traveling.

A neck gaiter helps warm your neck and can cover your entire face when needed, as shown on Gaurav in the photo below. Thankfully we had both on us, which allowed us to patiently wait for over an hour during the Quebec Winter Carnival parade.

9. Winter Snow Boots (Waterproof Preferred)

These are not your regular hiking boots, but they are special winter boots that are waterproof and insulated to keep your feet warm in frigid temperatures and deep snow.

I bought myself a pair of Sorel women’s snow boots, and Gaurav picked up Vasque men’s snow boots from REI and can highly recommend those brands. These were the second pair of snow boots for both of us after retiring our old ones.

Here are some more winter boot options:

10. Thick Wool Socks (Accessories)

I’m sorry, but your regular day socks won’t cut it here either. A pair of warm woolen or a wool blend cold-weather socks will go a long way in the Canadian winters. Carry a pack if you are going for a longer duration.

• Danish Endurance Merino Wool Hiking Socks
• Men’s Carhartt Heavyweight Wool Blend Crew Sock
• Women’s Carhartt Extreme Cold Weather Boot Socks
• Smartwool Classic Hike Extra Cushion Crew

Bonus: Miscellaneous Canada Winter Gear

11. Bathing Suit

You’re probably giving us crazy, weird looks right now, but we’re not joking! Sitting in a hot tub followed by a sauna while it snows outside has been the best decision ever. So definitely pack your bathing suits if your hotel offers a hot tub, jacuzzi, or sauna.

12. Hand and Toe Warmers

Honestly, we didn’t pack these, but we were super thankful when Carnival de Quebec provided some HotHands Hand Warmers and Toe Warmers. It was a total game-changer, especially since my toes were cold outside, even after wearing warm socks and snow boots. The hand warmer also came in handy since we didn’t have mittens.

13. Moisturizer/Vaseline/Lip balm

Our skin tends to get extra dry in the winter since the moisture level in the air is too low. A good moisturizer and lip balm need to be handy at all times.

14. UV-protected Sunglasses

The winter sun can be deceiving, making it look much warmer than it actually is outside. Additionally, snow reflects the sun’s rays, including most of its UV radiation. Protection from sun glare is more a reason why you need polarized UV shield sunglasses in the winter.

15. Stainless Steel Water Bottle

We both own a Swell Stainless steel water bottle, our all-time favorite accessory in any given season. The best part about stainless steel bottles is that they can retain cold or hot water temperatures for up to 8+ hours. I love carrying hot water on our winter excursions because you just never know when you feel like sipping something hot.

Here are some other fantastic stainless steel bottles or cups:

• Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Water Bottle
• YETI Rambler Stainless Steel Bottle
• Contigo Stainless Steel Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug

16. Extra Battery Pack

Cold weather has a direct impact on electronics. Your power bank, cell phone battery, camera battery, etc, will run out more quickly in cooler temperatures. So keep extra camera batteries and a power bank handy for situations like that.

We hope this post helped you figure out what to wear in Canada in winter. Remember to layer your Canadian winter clothing, and you’ll have a safe and warm trip.

More on Winter Travel:

• The Quebec City Winter Carnival Guide – How to Enjoy Your Winter Getaway in Canada
• Best Winter Activities to Do in Washington DC This Christmas Holidays
• Christmas in Ottawa – Things To Do in Winter Holidays
• Visiting Isle of Capri in Winter – A Fun Day Trip From Naples or Sorrento

Happy Traveling!