4 Items for Your First Winter Season in Canada

Wearing the right clothing during the winter season in Canada will ensure you stay toasty warm so you can enjoy amazing outdoor activities. The winter season starts in December, but Canadians start dressing for winter in November when the temperature drops. For newcomers, getting winter-ready and buying good winter clothing basics is key to enjoying the winter season. The basic clothing items include a winter jacket, boots, scarves & gloves, and a warm hat (or “toque”).

Weather Conditions Vary During the Winter Season in Canada

Canada’s weather conditions can be extreme and they vary across the country. For example, the average daily temperature in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba can range between -15 degrees and as low as -40 degrees Celsius.

British Columbia enjoys a warmer and milder winter and the temperature rarely drops below freezing.

In central Canada (Ontario and Quebec), the average temperature ranges from -2 to -22 degrees Celsius. Northern Ontario and Quebec are much colder than southern Ontario.

In the Atlantic provinces (Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunwick, and Newfoundland) the average temperatures range from -2 to -20 degrees C.

Add the wind chill index, and the temperature can feel even lower. The temperature may be -10 degrees C, but with a wind chill, it may feel like -20 degrees C.

Winter Clothing to Keep You Warm: The Basics

 

1. A Good Winter Jacket 

When shopping for a winter jacket, make sure It is warm, waterproof, and durable. It’s best to wait until you arrive in Canada to buy a winter jacket so that you buy one that is most suitable for the winter season in Canada. When buying a winter jacket make sure it is well insulated, covers your neck, and has a hood.

Types of Winter Jackets

You can select from down jackets, synthetic jackets, and activewear jackets Each type of jacket offers different levels of protection for the winter season in Canada and the activity you plan to wear it for.

Down puff jackets are great insulators, lightweight, and trap and hold heat. The more down, the higher the cost of the coat. Typically, a 500 to 800-fill power is suitably warm and affordable. Synthetic insulation is heavier than down, but it is still warm, even when wet. It’s also a more affordable winter jacket option.

Winter jackets in Canada are specifically designed for temperatures below 0 degrees. When selecting a winter jacket, consider the activities you will wear it for. For example, a heavy-duty winter jacket is ideal for places with frigid temperatures, especially if you plan to be outdoors for any length of time. However, on Canada’s west coast, where the winter is not as cold, as it is wet, you may want a winter coat geared more to water protection. Weather and precipitation are important factors to consider when you purchase your winter jacket.

Ask Questions When Buying a Winter Jacket

If you are unsure if a winter jacket will be warm enough for cold temperatures, windchills, or precipitation, ask the store clerk what jacket will best suit your needs. They know what clothing is required for Canadian winters and can offer you options.

Premium winter jacket brands such as Canada Goose are very expensive. However, a lower cost jacket can offer warmth and protect you from the elements just as well. Keep an eye out for cost savings and discounts, and check online for deals before you buy in-store to get the best possible price.  

2. Good Quality Winter Boots

Choosing good-quality winter boots will save money in the long run.  You can buy cheap winter boots but, they likely won’t last more than one winter season. When it comes to winter boots, you really do get what you pay for.  

Wearing sneakers or dress shoes in snow or ice is cold and unsafe. Even though there may be salt on the sidewalk after a snowfall to melt the ice, you need proper winter boots to prevent falls and injuries.

Winter boots do more than provide grip between your feet and the icy and snowy ground.  You lose heat through your feet because the ground is cold. Specially designed winter boots have a thick lining that locks the heat in, while still allowing your feet to breathe. 

A nice pair of thick merino wool socks is also a good way to stay warm in the winter season in Canada. Cotton socks are not as warm and don’t dry out quickly or keep moisture away when wet, making you cold and uncomfortable.

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What to Consider When Choosing Boots for the Winter Season

While quality winter boots can be expensive, investing in a good pair to last more than one winter season is worth the money. Consider these factors when choosing winter boots:

What winter season activities are you doing?

You can get by with casual winter boots for a short walk or commute to work. But, for outdoor winter hiking, and cold, snowy weather, you’ll need boots with greater insulation and traction.

As a newcomer, you may not have access to a car and may rely on public transit during your first winter season in Canada. So, you’ll need warm winter boots and clothing while you wait at the bus stop in cold weather.

How much warmth do you need?

Winter boots come with insulation weights that range from 100 – 600 grams to keep your feet warm.

INSULATION WEIGHT	TEMPERATURE RATING	BEST FOR
100g	-20C	mild winter conditions
200g	-32C	cold-weather hiking
400g	-40C	all-day winter activities
600g	-48C	extremely cold conditions

Are the boots waterproof and breathable?

You’ll be walking in snow and slush so water protection keeps your feet dry and warm. Look for sealed seams to ensure that water can’t get in. Gore-Tex boots are a top choice because they are waterproof and breathable.

What traction do you need?

Traction is a top priority to prevent dangerous slips and falls on ice.

3. Warm Gloves and Scarves for the Winter Season in Canada

Warm gloves are essential winter clothing for a cold day in Canada.  With temperatures dropping lower than -20 degrees, you need gloves that can protect you from the cold.

A scarf or muffler will keep your neck warm. And, these two small additions to your winter clothing in Canada make a huge difference in your outdoor comfort.

4. Winter Hat or ‘Toque’

So you have your winter jacket, boots, scarves, and gloves, and now you need to keep your head warm. A toque is a close-fitting knitted hat that covers your ears and protects your head from the wind and cold.

Canadians call it a toque, although it goes by many names.  You can buy a toque from the same store where you buy your winter jacket. Winter hats come in all shapes, sizes, and colours.

WRITTEN BY

Corinna Frattini

Senior Editor, Prepare for Canada

Corinna Frattini is the Senior Editor and Content Director for Prepare for Canada. She contributes articles to help newcomers achieve their goals in key areas related to living, working, and settling in Canada. With an extensive background in human resources and leadership development, her articles focus on what Canadian employers seek and how newcomers can continue their careers in Canada.

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