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When you’ve planned a winter getaway, a backcountry adventure or a simple day on the slopes, the last thing you want to worry about is staying warm and dry. Those who love winter sports or exploring the outdoors when the temperature drops below freezing know that staying warm is a necessity. Anything short could result in a complete disaster, especially if you’re far from home.
After years of getting this wrong (luckily not resulting in disaster), I have finally mastered temperature control and it mainly comes down to properly layering and tweaking my outdoor apparel. The magic number is three:
- A base layer that sits close to the body and works to remove moisture
- A mid-layer to keep you warm, ideally made from fleece, down or synthetic insulation
- A final layer to protect you from wind, rain, snow and any other weather system you might encounter
So what should you look for when it comes to solid winter wear? First, the materials. This is so important. A quick-drying merino wool base layer will keep you much warmer and dryer than a fleece base layer, for example. Next is durability. Will the product last multiple seasons and endure a regular amount of wear and tear? Followed by, breathability. This refers to the resistance to air movement in and out of the weave of the garment. If you’re getting sweaty on the slopes, you want that moisture to be able to escape, ultimately keeping you dry.
You also want to pay attention to comfort (particularly your base layer, which is directly against your skin) and weight (if you chose bulky clothing you won’t move as freely and layers will be difficult to pack away should you overheat).
If you’re still not sure what to purchase, we’ve rounded up our favourite technical gear for on- and off-mountain adventures. Check out the best boots for Canadian winters, our favourite heated gloves and some incredible winter jackets, too.
The best base layers
Arc’teryx Satoro Merino Wool Hoody & bottoms
Materials: Lightweight Merino Lycra Jersey, 18.5mn, 240gsm – 95% Wool, 5% Elastane
Pros: Canadian company with a dependable product, thermally efficient, stretch comfort, breathable with excellent moisture management, fair trade certified, resists odours and static, feels comfortable on your skin, hoody fits under helmet, has ponytail/braid port for women
Cons: Pants have a pocket which seems strange for a base layer, very lightweight and thin — could become sheer with multiple washes
Cost: Hoody – $170 | Pants – $140
Where to buy: Arc’teryx – Women’s hoody & pants | Men’s hoody & pants (similar style, but hybrid materials)
MEC T3 Base Layer top & Merino bottoms
Materials: Merino wool, polyester and spandex
Pros: Affordable, mix of materials making it cheaper and more durable, very warm, moisture wicking, antimicrobial
Cons: Mid-weight, therefore, taking up more space in a pack on overnight adventures, not as soft as 100 per cent merino
Cost: Crewneck – $60-$110 | Pants – $60-$100
Where to buy: MEC – Women’s crewneck & pants | Men’screwneck & pants
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer Crew & bottoms
Materials: 100% Merino wool
Pros: An industry leader in base layers for years, enhanced comfort, breathability, thermoregulation and odour resistance, new colours added this year, improved functionality, flatlocked seams and shoulder panels for extra comfort
Cons: Pricey (when not on sale), can’t go in the dryer
Cost: Crewneck – $140 | Pants – $140
Where to buy: Smartwool – Women’s top & pants | Men’s top & pants
Ibex Woolies Pro Tech crew & bottoms
Materials: 81% merino wool, 12% nylon, 7% elastane
Pros: Extremely lightweight yet exceptionally comfortable, raglan sleeves for unrestricted mobility, attractive enough for casual wear
Cons: Pricey, can’t go in the dryer, shipping from US
Cost: Crewneck – $145-$170 | Pants – $120-$170
Where to buy: Ibex – Women’s top & pants | Men’s top & pants
The best mid-layers
Arc’teryx Atom Hoody
Materials: Lining – recycled nylon ripstop | Insulation – recycled 100% polyester, 20 denier nylon shell with FC0 DWR treatment | Knit fleece – 93% Polyester, 7% Elastane
Pros: Extremely versatile,wind-resistant, moisture-resistant outer face fabric, breathable, super lightweight, compressible and packable, insulated, great mountain-to-city piece
Cons: Some people don’t like a hooded mid-layer (could get in the way depending on activity)
Cost: $360
Where to buy: Arc’teryx – Women’s | Men’s
Patagonia Nano Puff Hoodie
Materials: 100% recycled polyester ripstop shell with a durable water-repellent coating, 60-g PrimaLoft Gold Insulation (Eco 100% postconsumer recycled polyester)
Pros: Warm, windproof, water-resistant, incredibly lightweight and highly compressible, fair-trade certified, versatile
Cons: Fits slightly shorter than other jackets, no outside chest pocket
Cost: $250-$360 (women’s currently on sale)
Where to buy: Patagonia – Women’s | Men’s
Columbia Benton Springs/Steens Mountain Fleece Jacket
Materials: Polyester maximum thermal retention filament fleece
Pros: Soft and warm fleece makes it versatile for mid or outer layer, affordable, large side pockets, dries quickly
Cons: Some people find fleece too bulky, don’t pack down as small as others
Cost: $32.50 – $160
Where to buy: Amazon – Women’s | Men’s;Columbia – Women’s | Men’s
Peak Performance Helium Down Hood Jacket
Materials: Lining and shell — 100% polyamide recycled | Filling — 90% duck down, 10% feather
Pros: Extremely light and packable, water repellant, windproof, 90/10 responsibly sourced down insulation is very warm, machine washable
Cons: Slightly shorter in length than others, runs slim
Cost: $350
Where to buy: Peak Performance – Women’s | Men’s
Orage Phoenix Hybrid Layering Pant
Materials: Mini ripstop — 100% recycled nylon | Drirelease heavy knit base layer — 86% polyester, 9% lyocell, 5% spandex | Insulation — Primaloft Thermoplume 100% recycled polyester
Pros: Game-changer for extra cold days, moisture-wicking treatment, anti-microbial, quick dry, inner stretch phone pocket, compression loop for packability
Cons: Adds bulk, don’t pack down as small as others
Cost: $235-$300
Where to buy: Orage – Women’s | Men’s
The best on-mountain outer layers
Arc’teryx Beta Jacket
Materials: PFC-free GORE-TEX
Pros: Ultra-durable,helmet-compatible hood, embedded reflector for emergencies, waterproof, windproof, breathable, laminated velcro cuffs, resort pass pocket on sleeve, watertight zips, lightweight, excellent in extreme conditions
Cons: Slightly boxy fit, no stretch, no armpit vents
Cost: $500
Where to buy:Arc’teryx –Women’s | Men’s
Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Jacket
Materials: AscentShell 3L: 93% nylon, 7% spandex; | 100% polyester 50D knit backer
Pros: Lightweight, breathable, waterproof, adjustable hood, lots of pockets, two-way zipper, resort pass pocket on sleeve, stretchy, more affordable
Cons: Runs large, AscentShell 3L doesn’t stand up to GORE-TEX in very wet conditions
Cost: $520
Where to buy: Outdoor Research – Women’s | Men’s
Columbia Platinum Peak II 3L Shell Jacket
Materials: 100% recycled polyester 3L stretch
Pros: Affordable, Omni-Tech fully seam sealed, helmet-compatible hood with peripheral vision adjustability, underarm venting, attached powder skirt
Cons: Slim fit so leave space for layering
Cost: $300 (currently on sale from $400)
Where to buy: Columbia – Women’s | Men’s
Burton Avalon GORE-TEX Bib Pants
Materials: GORE-TEX
Pros: Fully waterproof and breathable, windproof, durable, mesh-lined vents, drop seat for bathroom breaks, microfleece-lined hand-warmer pockets, zippered chest pocket, lifetime warranty
Cons: Slightly looser fit than other brands
Cost: $271-$384
Where to buy: Burton — Women’s | Men’s (similar)
Helly Hansen Legendary Insulated Pant
Materials: Shell & lining: 100% polyester polyamide | Insulation: 100% recycled polyester
Pros: Fully insulated, affordable, boot gaiters with silicone gripper, reinforced bottom outside and inside hem, stretchy and comfortable, waterproof, windproof and breathable
Cons: Not as durable or fully waterproof as the more expensive options, shows wear over time
Cost: $240
Where to buy: Helly Hansen – Women’s | Men’s
The best off-mountain outer layers
MEC Tremblant Jacket
Materials: Shell – Pertex Quantum Eco recycled polyester with a DWR finish | Lining – 700 fill-power duck down
Pros: Eco-friendly fabric, insulated hood and high collar, stylish, very warm, water repellant, handwarmer pockets, Shockcord hem keeps drafts out, stuffs into in own chest pocket, versatile, affordable
Cons: Doesn’t cover butt/thighs
Cost: $162 (currently on sale from $270)
Where to buy: MEC – Women’s | Men’s
Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody
Materials: Shell – 100% recycled nylon ripstop with DWR finish | Lining – 800 fill power traceable European goose down
Pros: Water-repellent finish, single-pull-adjustable hood, hand warmer pockets, trimmer style, includes repair patches
Cons: Hood is small and snug, not much room in the hip area
Cost: $409
Where to buy: Patagonia –Women’s | Men’s; MEC – Women’s | Men’s
Canada Goose Expedition Parka
Materials: Lining — 625 fill power white duck down, removable fur ruff | Shell — 83% Polyester, 17% Cotton
Pros: Made in Canada, chin guard is lined with high-pile fleece for added warmth and comfort, rated for -30 C and below, water resistant, durable, lifetime warranty
Cons: Pricey, dry clean only
Cost: $1,795-$2,095
Where to buy: Canada Goose – Women’s | Men’s
The best accessories
MEC T2 Warmer Ski System Mitt
Materials: Shell – 100% nylon | Lining - 100% polyester
Pros: Durable synthetic suede palm provides grip, waterproof membrane, microfleece removable liner, adjustable wrist straps, long wrist coverage to keep you dry, nose swipe, affordable
Cons: Not GORE-TEX so could feel damp in extremely wet conditions after all-day wear
Cost: $21 (currently on sale from $70)
Where to buy: MEC – unisex
Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis Balaclava
Materials: 100% merino wool
Pros: Affordable, compatible with helmet, odour resistant, slim fit, breathable, super soft, stretchy
Cons: Not many colour options
Cost: $40
Where to buy: Icebreaker –Unisex
Smartwool Ski & Snowboard Compression Socks
Materials: 53% merino wool, 20% nylon, 21% recycled nylon, 5% elastane, 1% polyester
Pros: Cushioning and body-mapped mesh zones for comfort and breathability, 20-30 mmHg of graduated compression, warm, 4 Degree elite fit system for a dialled-in, performance-oriented fit
Cons: Thin so likely to show wear over time
Cost: $50
Where to buy: Smartwool – Women’s | Men’s; PRFO Sports –Women’s | Men’s
Columbia Keetley Boot
Materials: Leather, fleece, rubber
Pros: Waterproof leather upper with textile collar, warm fleece and heat reflective lining, waterproof, breathable construction, responsive cushioning and stability, very comfortable, sturdy, warm and durable
Cons: Only available in women’s
Cost: $75(on sale from $180)
Where to buy: Columbia – Women’s | Men’s (similar style)
Check out more of our favourite off-piste jackets, heated winter gloves and top boots for off-mountain adventures.
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