'there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing'
... so the Scandinavian saying goes.
So what should you wear and pack when embarking upon your arctic adventure?
One key factor is where you are heading.
Iceland can experience very changeable weather and can be wet or snowy and windy. Wind chill can make a significant difference to temperatures. Sub-zero temperatures can feel very cold.
Finland is sheltered and settled and can be much colder (we've experienced -30 degrees) but there's a dryness to the cold due to the lack of humidity.
In both cases, clear skies mean colder days and even colder nights. Cloud cover can make things a little warmer. What you are getting up to is also a big factor... a jacket and jeans is not impossible on milder days.
Getting a good deal
If you believe your trip could be a once in a lifetime experience, it's worth seeing what you can borrow from family or friends - everybody seems to know somebody who goes skiing or snowboarding every year...
If you want to get organised, cold weather gear is unsurprisingly more expensive if you buy closer to winter, so get looking in the middle of summer for the best bargains. Don't forget to check Facebook Marketplace for hardly used kit and Amazon Warehouse Deals for discounted open box/damaged packaging/customer returns.
You don't have to go wild and spend hundreds of pounds as you may already have some of the things you need.
Base layers
'Dress like an onion' is the advice - opt for layers to trap heat (but not cotton). A merino wool top and trousers are the ideal option (standard thermals and base layers are cheaper alternatives), coupled with a comfortable fleece. And no trip to the Arctic is complete without a festive or Nordic jumper!
Jackets
You may already have a good winter jacket or parka that will be up to the job, especially with the right layers underneath. This is another area of potential spending with cold weather jackets easily reaching £200-£300.
Vivid colours can look great against the snowy background. Big jackets don't necessarily mean warm jackets. Synthetic down jackets can still be lightweight and stylish and you can always wear a gilet underneath. These are particularly good if you plan to be active. Prices can vary significantly - Amazon can be a good place to start with brands such as Jack Wolfskin, Columbia.
Gloves and socks
Hands and feet are the first thing that are likely to get cold (as long as you keep your hat on). Waterproof gloves are therefore a good idea - get a size that allows you to wear a thin pair of gloves underneath and consider if you want to have the option of gloves that you can use on a touch screen for photographs.
Be careful with your gloves as they are the thing we've lost the most. For children, clip them onto their outer-wear if you can.
Merino wool socks are the ideal option, but something warm and comfortable will still do the trick, wearing a couple of pairs if your boots allow, will also help. Bear in mind that anything loose fitting could slip in your boots whilst walking, so make sure your socks are snug!
Trousers
A pair of ski trousers/salopettes are recommended, especially if you plan to be out aurora hunting in evening.
Make sure you cover your boots - there's nothing worse than getting snow inside your boots when it melts!
All-in-ones
Snowsuits are ideal for children (and low cost rain/puddle suits can also be used if the layers underneath are good). Some providers (reindeer/husky safaris, snowmobile safaris) will offer one-piece suits for adults too. Take them!
Snow boots
This is where your money can easily disappear - so it's one to think carefully about. Premium brands such as Sorel and Merrell are ideal and will give you a cold weather rating (such as -20, -40 etc). They are big and bulky so you may have to wear them on the plane... we've recently found that Vans make some really cool and much more lightweight snow boots (but they'll not come cheap), which are also worth a look if you love the outdoors and plan to use them again. As long as it's not forecasted to be significantly below zero, a sturdy pair of hiking/walking boots and good socks could be sufficient.
Hats, scarves and snoods
You'll need at least one of each and it can be best to keep these things in your coat pocket if you are tight for luggage.
Don't forget you can layer hats too - a thin merino wool hat sits nicely under a more stylish and colourful beanie. We are yet to find better than a Barts hat!
Ps. I quite like a nice Nordic jumper at -4 degrees. Warm enough to go without a jacket 🙂
Odds and ends
We have battery powered socks, heated gloves, hand warmers, cleats... and none of these things are go-to options. Save your money 🙂
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