What Is Your Simplest Hack For Staying Warm Outside?
Happy November! Hello colder weather!
With a flip of the calendar, it’s the annual time of the year where we remind you that yes, winter takes some adjusting to, but no, it doesn’t have to be months of misery.
We know that, for most people, learning to love winter doesn’t happen overnight. We’re committed to landing in your inbox over the coming (dark, cold) months, with information, activities, tips, tricks and trails that hopefully inspire you to leave your warm home and head out the door, no matter the temperature.
One of the nicest pieces of feedback we’ve heard about our little newsletter is this, from our 2021 Reader Feedback Survey:
“Having something fun to do outside in the winter has completely changed the way I inhabit this place.”
We’re hoping to inspire more of you to go outside this winter. And that starts with staying warm. We’re both people who get cold incredibly easily and we know from a lot of firsthand experience that being cold is one of the quickest ways to ruin your outdoor adventures. Not only is it uncomfortable, it can also turn dangerous very quickly.
Annalise’s mountain/winter loving dog turned 12 (!) yesterday.
On that note, this week we’re sharing with you our simplest staying warm outside tip(s). We’d love to hear your own hack(s) in the comments below.
Cailynn recently asked Annalise: What is your simplest hack for staying warm outside in the winter?
Annalise (who, perhaps, didn’t exactly understand the question) actually had three answers.
#1: Get a good insulated bottle or mug and bring a warm beverage on all your outdoor adventures.
(This won’t be new to anyone who’s been reading Go Outside for some time.) I continue to stand behind the statement that packing miso soup when recreating outdoors is life-changing. There’s something about the salt and warmth that’s the perfect combination when exercising outside in the cold. I’ve used an older model of this GSI Bottle for years and my go-to miso soup recipe is one tablespoon of miso paste for every one-and-a-half cups of water. Yes, it’s that simple when you’re heading out the door for a ski trip at 5 a.m. Sometimes I’ll add a splash of soya sauce, some tofu, dried seaweed, and/or green onion.
#2: Learn to Layer
This won’t happen overnight. Take note of what works and what doesn’t for your body, and in what temperatures, and for which activities. And, if you’re looking for good deals on outdoor gear, do check out TheLastHunt.com, which I’ve bought from for nearly a decade. (No, they’re not paying me to promo their site; I just like a good deal.) This site is a good way to get reliable clothing and equipment at 25-70% off the retail price, as long as you know your size and are OK with the no return policy.
#3 Change your Clothes
For years, I thought that being cold on the drive home from winter activities was just part of going outside during winter. But then, I started changing into fresh clothes for the drive home and I’ve never looked back. Seriously, give this a try.
Cailynn had just one answer to her own question, and it’s so simple it might shock you.
#1. Tuck in your shirt
I learned this from my partner, whom I still laugh at every time I see walking around inside with his shirt tucked in (before he heads outside). But, seriously, it makes a remarkable difference, dorkiness be damned. That’s it, that’s the hack.
In letting my partner know his hot tip was going to gain a wider audience, I learned where he learned this from. Darren was a track runner in university, and there was an old retired Olympian that would show up to the track in drizzly Victoria to train with the youngsters. His shirt was always tucked in to keep him warm between the intervals, and given he could still kick everyone’s butt, he clearly knew a thing or two.
If you’ve got winter hack(s) of your own, let us know in the comments, and if there’s specific winter information you’re looking for us to cover this season, also let us know in the comments or via e-mail. The more people outside, enjoying winter, the happier we’ll be.
Lastly, if you’re going through your closet to get ready for winter and have good gear you no longer wear, please donate it.
How about don't keep your boots too tight? Often people think putting on a third or fourth pair of socks will keep your feet warmer but if you squish your feet in the reduced circulation will make them colder, not warmer.
I love spicy snacks for winter activities! Things like Jalapeño flavoured corn nuts are a go-to for me.