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Winter Survival Gear for People New to the North
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Rebecca Smith profile picture
Rebecca Smith
Moving north is a little like joining a cult run by weather. You do not need to become an outdoorsman, but you do need better boots, a warmer coat, and a personality sturdy enough to survive February.
Sections
9
 
Layering Like a Local
 
Hibernation Clothes
 
Winter Skin & Body Care
 
Your Bed, But Winterized
 
Going Outside (On Purpose)
 
Serious Winter Footwear

Layering Like a Local

Your coat gets the credit, but these do the actual work.

 
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Smartwool socks are when you realize how important socks are in your wardrobe!
Smartwool | Everyday Joviansphere Crew Socks
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I like the cushioning and the signature Smartwool stripes.
Smartwool | Hike Panorama Crew Socks
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DarnTough socks have my heart.
Darn Tough Socks | Women's Mystic Stripe Crew Lightweight Lifestyle Socks
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I'm getting these for my Mom…lol
Darn Tough Socks | Women's Mother Clucker Crew Lightweight Lifestyle Socks
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Bombas is another top contender - make sure they go up high enough!
Bombas | Women's Hiking Calf Sock 3-Pack
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Good cushioning.
Bombas | Marl UltraLite Sport Quarter Socks
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Duluth Trading Company underwear are so good, and so underrated.
Duluth Trading Company | Women's Buck Naked Cotton Modern Briefs
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A bad pair of underwear can ruin your day, these promise to NEVER let you down.
Duluth Trading Company | Women's Dang Soft Modern Briefs
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A tank under everything, I was in college before realizing that not everybody does that.
Duluth Trading Company | Women's No-Yank Tank
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Solid baselayer option, long sleeves.
Cuddl Duds | Women's Soft Knit Long Sleeve Crew Top
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When you want a base layer, but not the sleeves.
Cuddl Duds | Women's Reversible Softwear with Stretch Tank Top
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Layering leggings.
Cuddl Duds | Women's Climatesmart® Layering Leggings
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A full baselayer set.
Cuddl Duds | Womens Lightweight Active Set
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Hibernation Clothes

The clothes you wear when the correct response to winter is staying inside.

 
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Hanna Andersson pajamas are unmatched.
Hanna Andersson | Women's Holiday Flannel Pajama Set
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The non-flannel for when you have cotton sheets!
Hanna Andersson | Women's Holiday Long Sleeve Waffle Henley Pajama Set
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Tap into your inner grandma, and just get them. I swear they're magic.
Vermont Country Store | Women's Sweet Violets Cotton Knit Pajama Set
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Zip this up over anything, instantly cozy.
Women's Souped-Up Fleece Zip Up Robe
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Year-round use!
Highway Robery | Aunt Granny Robe
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Flannel robe, nothing more iconic.
Women's Scotch Plaid Flannel Robe
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When you don't want to wear pj's but still want to be cozy.
CozyEarth | Women's Brushed Bamboo Jogger Set
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These sweats are amazing.
Women's AKHG After Sweat Full-Zip Jacket
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Love a good jogger to prevent drafting!
Women's AKHG After Sweat Joggers
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Winter Skin & Body Care

Cold air plus indoor heating is a hostile skincare environment.

 
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My favorite lip stuff - look for marshmallow one during the holidays!
Vaseline | Creme Brulee Lip Balm - .25oz
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The best of the best for winter body skin, and face. No notes.
Vanicream | Moisturizing Cream for Sensitive Skin with Pump - Unscented - 16oz: Hypoallergenic, Paraben-Free, Vegan
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Slather this stuff on and feel your skin un-crisp.
CeraVe | Moisturizing Face & Body Cream for Normal to Dry Skin - 16 fl oz: Oil-Free, Contains Hyaluronic Acid, Contains Ceramides, Hypoallergenic
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This is the best for winter hands that get cracked.
O'Keeffe's | Working Hands Hand Cream Unscented - 2.7oz: Moisturizing, Hypoallergenic, Paraben-Free, Suitable for Mature Skin
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This slathered on, and a pair of socks overnight.
Vaseline | Cocoa Butter Healing Petroleum Jelly - 13oz: Hypoallergenic, For Normal & Dry Skin, Whole Body Use, Jar
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The sound of dry feet on sheets makes my eyelid twitch.
Gold Bond | Triple-Action Foot Cream - 4oz.
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A humidifier helps with static and prevents nosebleeds.
Vicks | Mini Filter Free Cool Mist Humidifier
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Slightly larger humidifier, I have one in each kids room.
Babymoov | Hygro Plus 3-in-1 Humidifier
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You do NOT leave the house with wet hair up here.
Shark | SpeedStyle Pro Flex Professional Performance High-Velocity Hair Dryer System - Shark Beauty | Ulta Beauty
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Your Bed, But Winterized

Flannel sheets, extra blankets, and the quiet science of layering your bed for cold nights.

 
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Lands End flannel lasts forEVER.
Lands End | Comfy Super Soft Cotton Flannel Plaid Bed Sheet Set - 5oz
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These are so thick and so cozy.
L.L. Bean | Heritage Chamois Flannel Sheet Collection, Plaid
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For when you want soft and warm, but not flannel. Weirdo.
Lands End | 400 Thread Count Premium Supima Cotton Sateen Bed Sheet Set
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A good goosedown comforter is a must, for real.
The Company Store | Premium Down Comforter
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Another great comforter option.
L.L. Bean | Baffle Box Stitch Goose Down Comforter, Warmer
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Pre-heating your bed, so good.
Sunbeam | Electric Quilted Heated Mattress Pad Queen
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A heated blanket is nice if you prefer not to use a heated mattress pad.
Vermont Country Store | Plush Fleece Electric Heated Blanket
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Good mid-layer between sheets and comforter.
Vermont Country Store | All-Season Silk and Cotton Blanket
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Washable wool!!
L.L. Bean | Washable Wool Blanket, Herringbone
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I'm a sucker for the fuzzy, just don't put it in the dryer.
UnHide | Marshmallow Blanket
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This blanket is so versatile - we have one in the car, my parents have two in their camper, etc.
L.L.Bean | Flannel Camp Blanket
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Going Outside (On Purpose)

Clothes that keep you warm without making you look like a walking sleeping bag.

 
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This is what you wear when you're going to be outside for awhile - too bulky for running errands unless you are mid-snowstorm.
Lands' End | Women's Expedition Down Waterproof Winter Parka
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The snow pants counterpart to the Expedition parka.
Lands' End | Women's Squall Waterproof Insulated Snow Pants
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Serious mittens for outside, they need to have a high sleeve and be waterproof.
Lands' End | Women's Expedition Winter Mittens
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A slightly warmer puffer compared to the Lands End.
Duluth Trading Co. | Women's Ruffer Puffer Arctic Down Long Coat
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Easy to tuck into your coat pocket.
L.L. Bean | Women's PrimaLoft Packaway Gloves
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The puffer look is cute, and the pom makes me happy.
L.L. Bean | Women's Puffer Pom Hat
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When outside means mostly being in the car, its not bulky.
Lands' End | Women's Wanderweight Packable Down Coat
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Mittens allow your fingers to keep each other warm - knit is great, but they also need to be fleece lined.
L.L. Bean | Women's Heritage Cable Mittens
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A cute hat for winter errands.
Patagonia | Snowbelle Winter Beanie
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These are nice for when you accidently wore something without a good neck.
Duluth Trading Company | Women's Fair Isle Neck Warmer
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Serious Winter Footwear

Because winter is significantly worse when your socks are wet.

 
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The top-tier, I've had at least 5 version of this over the years.
Sorel | JOAN OF ARCTIC™ Women's Waterproof Boot
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Serious warmth.
The North Face | Women’s Shellista VI Mid Waterproof Boots
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This is a great warm option for errands in the snow-slush.
Sperry | Saltwater™ Thinsulate™ Duck Lug Boot Tan
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Viral for a reason. They go with everything.
Blundstone | Women's Originals #2151
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Gravity is undefeated, but these help.
Yaktrax | Adult Walk Ice Cleats
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My favorite - they can be worn with or without socks.
Haflinger | Jack Slippers
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These are classics - the leather bottom makes them almost indestructible.
Glerups | Slip-on with leather sole - Cranberry
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Gripper slippers seem old school, but the grip is more helpful than you might think!
Bombas | Women's Gripper Slipper
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Scuff after the sound.
Sorel | Nakiska™ Scuff
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Mood & Sanity Maintenance

When the sun sets at 4:30pm, morale requires maintenance.

 
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This happy light lives on my desk, I use it for 15-20 minutes in the morning.
Luxy - Circadian Optics
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Yes, you need more vitamin D. Even if you have a happy lamp.
Nature Made | Extra Strength Vitamin D3 5000 IU (125 mcg), Bone Health & Immune Support Softgels - 90ct: Gluten-Free, Dietary Supplement
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Game changer for dark winter mornings.
Hatch Restore 3 Sunrise Alarm Clock Sound Machine Smart Light - Putty: Electric Power, Nature & Ocean Sounds
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We have these all over our house!
Philips Color and Tunable White A19 LED 60-Watt Equivalent Dimmable Smart Wi-Fi Wiz Connected Wireless Light Bulb (2-Pack) 562686
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I'm a huge fan of Philips bulbs.
Philips Hue Essential 60W WCA A19 4Pk 592592 - Best Buy
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Smart plugs, connected to your phone and light bulbs.
Philips Hue Smart Plug White 552349 - Best Buy
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This heater lives under my desk.
DREO 1500W PTC Ceramic Space Heater w/ Remote
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This is the heater in the family room for non-fireplace nights.
Comfort Zone CZ499R Space Heater Review - Consumer Reports
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Hygge: The Scandinavian Survival Strategy

The Scandinavian strategy for surviving winter with blankets, hot drinks, ambiance, and good hobbies.

 
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When the throw just doesn't quite fit right…problem solved.
L.L. Bean | Cozy Sherpa Wearable Throw, Plaid
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The coziness of a sweatshirt in a throw.
L.L. Bean | 1912 Sweatshirt Throw
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For when you're not sure your body has heat, this one makes its own!
Sharper Image | 50"x60" Arden Dream Soft Heated Throw Brown
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Plush is great, but sherpa makes it a-ma-zing.
L.L. Bean | Wicked Plush Sherpa Throw
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My MOST favorite mug ever.
Le Creuset | Vancouver Mugs
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So pretty, but super reasonable price!
H&M Home | Beige Reactive-Glaze Stoneware Mug at H&M Home
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This is the fancier kettle my husband uses for pour-over coffee.
Bodum | 27oz Melior Goose Neck Electric Water Kettle Matte Black: Stainless Steel Tea Kettle with Ergonomic Handle, 1000W
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This is my basic can't-go-wrong electric kettle.
Hamilton Beach | 1.7L Illuminated Glass Kettle - 40869: Electric Water Boiler, Overheat Protection, Cordless, LED Indicator
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I love Earl Grey tea.
Harney & Sons | Earl Grey Black Tea with Bergamot Sachets - 20ct
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LOVE chai, and this is a fabulous version.
Big Heart Tea Co. | Fiery Masala Chai Tea Bags
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Swiss Miss is for amateurs.
Ghirardelli | Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix - 8oz/8ct
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Always good to have in the cabinet.
Tazo | Classic Chai Latte Black Tea Concentrate - 32 fl oz
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Ambiance = cozy!
Threshold | 8oz Lidded Glass Jar Black Honey Vanilla Candle - Threshold™: Soy & Coconut Wax, 30hr Burn Time
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Hygge doesn't believe in big lights.
Keazile | Theo 18.5 in. Walnut Table Lamp with Green Velvet Round Shade and Solid Wood Base KZ-JLA-TL02-GD
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This type of book doesn't get delayed by the weather, EVER.
Amazon Kindle 16GB Newest Model Matcha
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Ravensburger puzzles are undefeated.
Ravensburger | The Artist Shed 1000 Piece Puzzle
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I'm a sucker for RPC anything, and this was an absolute delight.
Rifle Paper Company | Bookshelf Jigsaw Puzzle
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Love 1canoe2 and my boys loved this puzzle.
National Parks | Volume 4 - 1,000 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
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Dealing With a Frozen Car

The small but mighty tools that defeat ice and frost.

 
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The brass ice scraper is a must. Plastic ones will break, and you will throw it across the parking lot when it does. Trust me.
Snow Joe | Brass Ice Scraper with Comfort Grip
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Windshields need de-icing rather than cleaning, make sure its for low temps.
Rain-X | -30 Degree De-Icer Windshield Washer Fluid for Extreme Cold Weather
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Helpful for when the snowplow makes a snow-barricade around your car.
Michelin | Ultra Compact 40 in. Folding Utility Snow Shovel for Car Emergency, Telescoping Handle 19188-2
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Not really winter-specific, but my Dad says its just a really good thing to have in your car.
MagLite | ML300L 2-Cell D LED Flashlight
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