Layering for winter in Lapland

Lapland in winter is no joke. It’s the realm of frozen eyelashes, aurora-lit skies, and temperatures that can make your phone battery faint from shock. For travellers dreaming of husky safaris, snow-covered forests, and that surreal silence, one question quickly becomes existential: what on earth do I wear?

Locals in Finnish Lapland have a simple mantra for surviving and thriving in the cold: “There’s no bad weather, only bad clothing.” It’s not bravado; it’s practical wisdom earned through trial, error, and frostbite avoidance. Let’s unpack that wisdom in layers. Literally.

Before we even get to the packing list, let’s understand what you’re dealing with. In midwinter, Lapland temperatures regularly hover between –10°C and –30°C (14°F to –22°F). The cold is dry, so it can feel surprisingly manageable, until the wind joins the party. Days are short, the sun a shy visitor, but the light is ethereal: soft, blue, sometimes shimmering with orange and pink.

The trick to comfort is to trap your body heat while allowing moisture to escape. Sweat, ironically, is your enemy up here, it’ll freeze fast and drag your body temperature down. So, we layer. Not randomly, but with purpose. Layering for winter in Lapland is its own form of art.

Base Layer:

Your base layer is your personal thermostat. Its job: wick moisture away from your skin.

I swear by merino wool and bamboo. Both are warm even when damp, doesn’t stink, and feels soft instead of scratchy. Synthetic fabrics like polyester can also work, just avoid cotton. Cotton traps moisture and turns into an icy sponge.

A solid setup:

Top: Long-sleeved merino/bamboo or synthetic thermal shirt
Bottom: Long thermal underwear or leggings

You can find very good thermal underwear sets from Outnorth.

Check their collection here(*)

For extended outdoor activities (snowshoeing, skiing etc.), choose midweight or heavyweight thermals. If you’ll be indoors often, lightweight will do.

Mid Layer:

This is your heat trap. Think of it as the warm air pocket that hugs your body. Temperatures can swing wildly in a single day.

Your best options:

Fleece jacket or pullover: Breathable, quick-drying, and cozy.
Wool sweater: Traditional and reliable. Reindeer herders have used thick wool for centuries.
Light down or synthetic insulated jacket: Especially good if you’ll be standing still for long periods (watching the Northern Lights, for example).

If you’re staying in town, you might only need one insulating layer. But for full-day excursions or photography outings where you’ll stand still in –25°C, double up.

Outer Layer:

This is your fortress. It blocks wind, snow, and sleet while letting moisture escape. I favor shell jackets and trousers made from waterproof, breathable fabrics (like Gore-Tex or similar). If you prefer simplicity, a down parka with a tough outer shell also does the trick, just make sure it’s long enough to cover your hips.

Look for:

Adjustable hood
High collar
Snow skirt or adjustable hem
Large pockets for gloves and handwarmers

For pants, insulated snow trousers or shell pants with thermal leggings underneath are ideal.

Hands, Feet, and Head:

You lose heat fastest from your head, hands, and feet.

Hands

Layer here too:

Inner liner gloves (thin wool or synthetic)
Outer mittens (not gloves, mittens keep fingers together, conserving heat).
Leather mittens with fleece lining are gold. Add a chemical handwarmer if you’ll be standing around at –25°C longer times.

Feet

Wool socks. Always wool.
Thin merino liner socks under thick wool socks create a warm, breathable combo. Avoid tight boots. Cramped toes mean poor circulation, which means cold feet. I often use only one pair of wool socks, which is always better option than 3 or more pair of socks, what you sometime see here.

For boots: insulated winter boots, with thick rubber soles. Locals love brands like Sorel, Nokian, or classic felt-lined boots. Waterproofing spray helps too, Lapland snow is dry, but you’ll still trudge through slush occasionally.

Head and Neck

A wool or fleece beanie that covers your ears is essential. Add a balaclava or neck gaiter for wind protection.

If you’re planning long snowmobile rides or aurora photography, bring a face mask or ski goggles to protect against windburn and frostnip.