Winter Dressing Tips from Nordic Adventurers

Having experienced a Scandinavian winter, you’ve likely heard the locals say: There’s no such thing as bad weather—only inappropriate clothing. Master the art of dressing for the elements, and you'll stay cozy outdoors all winter.

“To stay warm, it's about embracing nature's solutions rather than resisting them,” explains Linn Elise Rølvåg, a Norwegian adventurer with military training, now residing above the Arctic Circle in Tromsø.

We consulted Rølvåg and three other Norwegian adventurers for their advice on keeping warm in icy conditions.

1. Begin with a three-layer system

“Layering is about creating pockets of air between your clothing layers,” Rølvåg explains. “It's crucial that the layers fit snugly but not too tightly.”

Consider three essential layers for effective warmth.

According to Rølvåg, merino wool is ideal for the layer closest to your skin, as it retains warmth and insulation even when wet from sweat or weather.

Your second layer should consist of a thicker wool sweater or a technical fabric like PrimaLoft, topped with an outer shell that offers wind resistance (Gore-Tex is a reliable choice).

For leg warmth, opt for wool long underwear beneath wind-resistant shell pants, although extreme conditions might necessitate an additional layer.

2. Bring a lightweight down jacket for quick temperature adjustments

Rather than relying on a bulky jacket, it's more effective to layer up so you can easily remove layers when needed. Kristin Folsland Olsen, an outdoor photographer and journalist from northern Norway, suggests packing a lightweight down jacket to help regulate comfort during winter activities outside.

When not in use, she advises storing the jacket in a waterproof bag within your backpack to keep it away from any liquids. (Down doesn't recover well from moisture, unlike wool.)

3. A quality hat is essential

“Consider your body as a chimney where heat escapes, so it's crucial to effectively cover it,” Rølvåg explains, recommending a hat that resists wind. (A tightly knit merino wool hat does the job well.)

4. Don't forget to safeguard your extremities

Cold feet can spoil your outing—so not just any footwear will suffice. Only well-insulated shoes paired with quality socks are suitable for winter adventures outdoors.

Karin Strand, vice president of expeditions at Hurtigruten and a frequent traveler to Antarctica, insists that wool is the best choice for socks.

“I mainly wear my own hand-knitted socks since I can customize them to my liking,” Strand shares, also recommending woolen insoles for winter boots to fend off the chill.

Folsland advises choosing winter shoes or boots that are slightly larger than your usual size (about 1.5 to 2 sizes bigger is a good rule of thumb).

“This allows you to adjust the number of socks you wear and, more importantly, ensures there's air around your feet,” she explains. “They won't feel cramped, allowing your blood circulation to continue smoothly.”

5. Think of it as an investment

While quality materials may come with a higher price tag, they are worth the investment, according to Torunn Tronsvang, CEO of the Norwegian travel company Up Norway.

“Purchasing high-quality leisurewear can be costly,” she notes, adding that cotton or synthetic fabrics may keep you warm when dry but quickly lose their effectiveness when wet.

“Investing in ethically produced, durable quality is more sustainable and pays off year after year,” Tronsvang emphasizes.

7 Top Nordic and Scandinavian Clothing Brands

Considering all these aspects, here are some of our favorite clothing brands from Norway, Iceland, Sweden, and Denmark that make it easy to stay stylish while enjoying winter activities.

Norrøna

This Norwegian brand produces everything from sleeping bags to tents and offers some of the most vibrant and technical ski apparel for men and women, perfect for both the slopes and everyday wear. Explore Norrøna for Gore-Tex outerwear like the Lofoten Gore-Tex Pro Jacket ($699) and Lofoten Primaloft80 Anorak ($399), along with merino socks ($39) and high-quality base layers (starting at $99) crafted from 100% merino wool.

Norrøna ships directly to the United States, and you can also find its products at Backcountry. Through its 1% For Nature initiative, Norrøna contributes 1% of total sales to organizations dedicated to sustainability and eco-friendly projects.

Ilse Jacobsen

Designed more for urban outings than mountaineering, Danish designer Ilse Jacobsen offers stylish handmade women's waterproof wellies ($190–$230) that are both functional and chic. Made from natural rubber, they feature a fleece lining for warmth and come in various lengths, including wide-calf options.

The Ilse Jacobsen website only ships within Europe, but you can purchase these boots in the United States through Nordstrom.

Hestra

Renowned for exceptional gloves, Swedish brand Hestra is a must-know for anyone seeking warmth, whether for skiing or braving winter weather. Their stylish options, suitable for both the slopes and après-ski, include the Senja Wool Terry Mitt ($120) and the Helags EcoCuir Mitt ($125). They also offer a variety of gloves, wool mitts, and liners and inner gloves, with styles for men, women, and children.

Hestra ships directly to the United States, and you can also find their products at REI and Backcountry.

66˚North

Iceland’s leading choice for stylish, practical, and incredibly warm winter apparel is 66˚North. They offer a range of products, including the unisex Oddi down jacket ($575) in vibrant colors, traditional Icelandic wool sweaters ($350) inspired by Icelandic lopapeysa styles, durable shell pants ($400) made from Gore-Tex, and snug lambswool hats ($55).

Although the brand has been established since 1926, it only began shipping to the United States in 2020. The company has maintained carbon neutrality since 2019.

Devold

The Norwegian brand Devold is renowned for its exquisite sweaters for both adults and children, drawing inspiration from traditional fisherman designs. Crafted for the harsh Norwegian coastal winters, stunning unisex sweaters like the Nordsjö ($265) and Nansen ($265) are made from 100% pure new wool sourced from Norwegian sheep, making them ideal for any winter layering strategy.

Currently, Devold does not ship directly to the United States, but you can find select styles on the websites of Westerlind and Backcountry.

Fjällräven

You’ve likely spotted Fjällräven’s vibrant Kanken backpacks (starting at $70) everywhere. However, the Swedish brand produces much more, including expedition pack down hoodies ($275) for easy storage in your daypack when you’re feeling too warm, 100% wool sweaters (from $150) featuring Nordic patterns, technical shell jackets ($500), and merino wool base layers ($100) for both men and women.

Fjällräven is widely accessible in the United States. Besides offering direct shipping from its own website, you can also find its products at retailers like REI and Nordstrom. As part of its sustainability initiatives, the brand aims to achieve full carbon neutrality by 2025.

Skhoop

Sweden’s Skhoop has quickly become a favorite among ski town fashionistas who want to look sporty and stylish against a snowy backdrop. Known for its signature mini down skirt ($159), the brand also offers infinity scarves ($89) crafted from lightweight down, Scandinavian lambswool sweaters ($160), and wool-mix socks ($30) for women.

Skhoop ships directly to the United States from its website, and you can also find its apparel online at Backcountry and Aktiv, a Colorado-based retailer specializing in Scandinavian brands. Use the code “DinogoMEDIA” to receive $10 off your order at aktivstyle.com.