Cold-Weather Gear that Will Make You Actually Like Winter

We are currently living through an airborne pandemic, which means getting outside and seeing people in the fresh air is more important than ever. Unfortunately, it’s also winter, which means most of us don’t want to be outside even to walk to our car, let alone for an extended period of time.

I, however, love the cold weather (which, let me clarify, is not necessarily the same as feeling cold). The way I get outside during low temperatures is by investing in a few pieces of high-quality winter gear.

Winter outerwear is one area where I really try to focus on quality over quantity. I don’t necessarily have all of the latest and greatest trends in any and every color; rather, I focus on functional items that will keep me warm. And if I really want to complement my neutral functional coats with something more fashionable, I use a cute scarf or hat, which I can more easily vary and keep up to date with the latest trends.

Here are my top picks by category:

Women

• North Face Artic Parka ($300) – So warm. So cute. So good. (But also, so expensive… but worth it if you want ultimate warmth!)
• Patagonia Nano Puff ($200) – This is probably the best light-weight winter option. I love to travel with it because it folds up to be so small, yet it still packs a lot of warmth into its thin layer.
• Amazon Essentials Women’s Polar Fleece Lined Sherpa Jacket ($31) – Amazon, I am impressed. This jacket is very warm while still being adorable and fun (and cheap!). This may be better suited for moderately cold weather, but it is amazing nevertheless. And for only $31, I felt obligated to share.

Women & Men

• Eddie Bauer Outlet – This is specific to the Columbus, Ohio area, but if you live around here, it is like a GOLD MINE for winter gear! They have amazing deals on high-quality apparel. Most of the coats pictured in this post are from there: Cooper’s blue ski coat, his orange shell, and my black parka (which is a petite size and fits me the best of all of my coats!). Even if you’re not in Ohio, you can always try to see if there are any outlets near you 🙂
• Sierra Trading Post – Another place to find great deals on warm clothes.
• Anything Gore-Tex – This is the highest quality waterproof fabric.

Babies

• Patagonia Bunting ($150) – This is virtually in every outdoor picture of Jackson this year because it is the best! It was a bit of a splurge, but I am loving that I never have to worry about if Jackson is warm enough when we’re enjoying our time outside.
  • Note: It runs very large. See reviews to get an idea of sizing. Jackson is in size 18 months in the pictures on this post, and it’s very big on him. We’re hoping to get two seasons out of it.
• Stroller Insert (“Footmuff”) – Sometimes these are just easier than a coat. If you’re child won’t be leaving the stroller, this is the way to go.
  • Best of the Best: 7AM Enfant Blanket 212 Extendable Stroller Footmuff ($200, ages 6 months-4 years)
  • Best Budget Pick: JJ Cole Original BundleMe ($40, ages 0-12 months; $55, age 1 year+)

Accessories

• Hand warmers & toe warmers – Don’t forget about these magical inventions. Your extremities will often be your most limiting factor in the cold, so this little bit of extra warmth can go a long way.
  • Hot tip (pun very much intended): Put your toe warmers on TOP of your toes instead of on the bottom of your foot, like advertised in the pictures. It’s more comfortable and more effective on top of your toes.
  • If you want something more permanent or environmentally-friendly, these rechargeable hand warmers and rechargeable mittens look neat!

Do you have any winter gear that you would recommend? Comment below!