What to Pack & Wear for Different Winter Climates (10°C, 0°C, -0°C)
Our guide to packing smart and staying warm - no matter the temperature.
Packing for winter can be tricky territory - especially if it’s your first time, or if you’re unsure of what exactly to pack.
Rather than stuffing your luggage with a random assortment of cable-knit sweaters and coats, it’s always helpful to search up the kind of temperatures you’re dealing before you start packing. This helps you narrow down to how ‘warm’ you should pack - after all, there is a difference between what you should wear at 10°C vs. 0°C!
Packing key pieces you can layer with is key to staying warm despite the plunging temperatures and chilly winds. To make things a little easier for you, we’ve put together a guide of what to pack to keep you warm and toasty for whatever winter temperatures you’re faced with.
For 10 to 15°C Degrees
Good news: these temperatures are a somewhat milder form of winter - though it can feel a little cold if you’re not used to it and aren’t suitably dressed. At 10°C, you can afford to pull off your trendy minimal outerwear like a parka, biker jacket or leather jacket. You can also get away with wearing your favourite shirt and jeans or dress combo, so long as you layer it with some form of outerwear.
What to Pack
Tops (for Layering): Shirts, Hoodies, Dresses
Lightweight Outerwear: Leather jackets, Biker jackets, Parkas, Pea Coats
Bottoms: Jeans, Trousers, Skirts Shoes: Sneakers, Boots
Accessories: A light scarf *optional
For Temperatures Between 0°Cand 5°C Degrees
As temperatures drop into the single digits, forget your lightweight tops; instead, pack in thicker sweaters, jumpers, and turtlenecks to keep you extra warm underneath your coat. Choosing the right fabrics (like knits, cashmere, wool) is also as important as what you layer. For extra warmth, we recommend wearing your thermal underwear beneath to keep you extra toasty.
Give your parkas or biker jackets a miss and replace them with thicker and warmer options like a puffer coat, wrap-style overcoat, or even a down jacket. A chunky snood or infinity scarf and a wooly beanie go a long way in keep your face and ears warm against the chilly winds. You might also find that your fingers feel extra sensitive to the biting temperatures. If so, opt for coats with deep front pockets to keep your fingers warm, or pack in a trusty pair of touchscreen-friendly gloves.
What to Pack
Outerwear: Padded or Puffer Coat, Overcoats (Trench Coats, Fur or Faux Fur Coats etc.), Down Jackets
Tops: Sweaters, Jumpers, Turtlenecks
Bottoms: Jeans, Trousers
Thermal Underwear: Long-sleeved thermal top, Thermal leggings (at least one of each to layer underneath your jeans or sweaters for extra warmth)
Accessories: Beanies, Berets, Touchscreen-Friendly Gloves, Scarves, Socks
Boots
Pro-tip: Always pick a longer, slightly oversized coat that lets you get away with wearing plenty of layers underneath. If where you’re traveling to rains often, opt for a waterproof jacket so you don’t have to pack in an additional rain jacket.
For Temperatures Below -0°C
Once the weather starts to reach freezing point, look for ‘heavy duty’ double-layered and hooded down jackets. Choosing the right type of fabric for both your inner and outerwear is also of utmost importance. For sub-zero temperatures, fleece lining, down, wool, and even polyester-blends should be your go-to options.
Always ensure your outerwear is waterproof - everything from your jacket and bottoms to your gloves and shoes. Trust us when we say we learnt it the hard way: wet clothes in the cold (whether it’s from the snow or rain) makes for an unpleasantly chilly experience - and even result in hypothermia, in extreme situations. Always wear a beanie, earmuffs and bundle up with a scarf at all times too!
What to Pack
Outerwear: Double-layered hooded down jackets (Preferably waterproof)
Tops: Sweaters, Jumpers, Turtlenecks
Bottoms: Pants, Leggings (Preferably waterproof) Thermal underwear
Accessories: Beanies, Ear Muffs, Scarves, Thick Socks (bring multiple pairs to layer, if need be), Heat pads (for extra warmth!)
Waterproof winter boots (with a good grip and insulated lining)
Other Useful Tips to Know
.What Bag Should You Carry Around Everyday?
Just like any holiday, your bag should be big enough for your daily travel necessities (phone, cash, hotel keys, camera.) Also avoid bags with open flaps, and always carry your bag facing the front to avoid being an easy target for pickpockets. If it’s forecasted to be snowing or raining, choose a waterproof bag instead!
Skincare is Key
The plunging temperatures and winter winds are unfortunately harsh on your skin. Without the right skincare, you’ll find your skin feeling cracked, taut and uncomfortably dry, and your lips chapped. To avoid this, we recommend bringing the following: a cleansing oil or balm (to remove makeup), a gentle cleanser, a rich moisturiser (to use both as a day and night cream), lip balm, a body butter or lotion, and lastly, sunscreen. For extra nourishment, pack in a skincare oil to keep your skin plump and hydrated.
Pro-tip: Always bring your chapstick and a travel-sized lotion around daily!
Lastly, don’t forget your meds!
You might experience trouble adjusting to the cold (especially if you’re a winter first-timer) and risk falling ill. This is not uncommon, so come prepared with flu, cold and fever pills. Antihistamines and vitamin C pills are also a great option to stay healthy and keep your immune systems up. Also make sure you stay constantly hydrated!
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Happy travels and stay warm! And if all else fails, there’s always that corner pub or bar you can cosy up in with a pint of beer or vino for extra warmth...
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This article was first written in July 2018 and updated in November 2022.
FAQs
Do I need a jacket at 10 degrees Celsius? ›
For 10 to 15°C Degrees
At 10°C, you can afford to pull off your trendy minimal outerwear like a parka, biker jacket or leather jacket. You can also get away with wearing your favourite shirt and jeans or dress combo, so long as you layer it with some form of outerwear.
How Many Layers Do You Wear In 10 Degrees? In general, you should dress in three layers in cold weather: an inner layer of underwear to wick moisture away from your skin, a middle layer to provide insulation, and an outer layer to protect you from the elements.
What should I wear when it's 10 degrees Fahrenheit? ›- A hat.
- A scarf or knit mask to cover the face and mouth.
- Sleeves that are snug at the wrist.
- Mittens (they are warmer than gloves)
- Several layers of loose-fitting clothing.
- Water-resistant coat and boots.
0 C (freezing, but not really cold): A light long sleeve base layer under a warmer half-zip-style long sleeve, hat or buff and gloves. At this temperature you really don't need a jacket, unless it's very windy.
How do you stay warm in 10 degree weather? ›- Prewarm your clothes. Don't get dressed in the morning without this trick! ...
- Invest in some quality thermals. ...
- Fleece leggings. ...
- Hand warmers. ...
- Cover every inch of skin. ...
- Eat fatty foods. ...
- Thermal flask. ...
- Keep moving.
Temperatures below 10 degrees
A wool-lined coat like a puffer jacket or a winter coat would be ideal for these conditions.
In the plains, the weather office declares a cold wave if the minimum temperature dips to four degrees Celsius or is 10 degrees Celsius or below and 4.5 notches below normal. A severe cold wave is when the minimum temperature dips to 2 degrees Celsius or the departure from normal is more than 6.4 degrees Celsius.
Is 10 degree too cold? ›Below 20 is cool, below 10 degrees is cold, and below zero degrees means that it will be icy outside as the water will freeze and it will feel very cold outside.
At what temperature do I need thermals? ›If the indoor temperature is below 18.0 °C when you wake up, then wear the thermals under your normal clothes during the day. 2. If the indoor temperature is below 18.0 °C degrees just before you go to bed, then wear the thermals in bed.
Can you get hypothermia at 10 degrees? ›Hypothermia can develop with prolonged exposure to temperatures under 10°C, or after prolonged immersion in cold water of temperatures of less than 20°C.. In colder conditions or when there is wind chill (the felt air temperature due to wind) it can occur within a shorter exposure.
How do you layer socks for warmth? ›
To avoid cold feet one can wear a thin pair of "wicking" liner socks next to the skin and a heavier pair atop them. The liner socks remove perspiration that helps cause cold feet and quickly transfers it to the heavier outer socks.
What is the thinnest warmest material? ›Our research found that the warmest material is wool, with thicker Icelandic wool being even better, and a wool-acrylic blend being somewhere in the middle. The warmest clothing for you will be dictated by the number of layers you can use, and the thickness of the materials you are wearing.
How cold is too cold for no coat? ›Any temperature under 13 degrees Fahrenheit, with or without the wind-chill factored in, could be considered dangerous due to the potential of hypothermia.
Is 0 degree Celsius very cold? ›Zero degrees Celsius is cold.
How cold is too cold without heat? ›Below 13° - If your home is this cold, it may increase your blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular disease. 14-15° - If your home is this cold, you may be diminishing your resistance to respiratory diseases. 18° is the recommended night time bedroom temperature.
Should I leave heating on all night in freezing weather? ›How to prevent your condensate pipe from freezing: Leave your heating on overnight at a lower temperature to keep the condensate warm. Although this uses energy, your boiler will take less time to heat up your home in the morning.
How long does it take to get frostbite in 10 degree weather? ›Frostbite will kick in in under 30 minutes when it's 5 degrees and the wind's blowing at 30mph (producing a "feels like" temp of -19 degrees). Generally speaking, it'll take hours -- if at all -- for frostbite to kick in when the temperature is 10 degrees or higher, no matter the wind speed.
What is the coldest you can leave your house? ›Leaving the house vacant for an extended period of time but worried about pipes freezing and bursting? The recommended range is 50°F-60°F. The better the winterization in your home, the lower you can go, but 50°F is the lowest you should go.
What is the best winter jacket for extreme cold? ›- Warmest Winter Coat For Men Overall: Arc'teryx Therme Parka.
- Warmest Affordable Winter Coat For Men: Columbia Marquam Peak Fusion Parka.
- Warmest Men's Winter Coat For Extreme Cold: Canada Goose Langford Parka.
- Warmest Men's Parka: The North Face McMurdo Down Parka.
Goose down fill is the gold standard in thermal insulation, so down-filled jackets will definitely keep you warm. Some down-filled jackets are warmer than others, though, and this is determined by the fill power and the total amount of down used in the jacket – the higher the number, the warmer the jacket.
What should I wear as a base layer in winter? ›
For your base layer material, we recommend Merino Wool. It is lightweight, breathes, and doesn't smell making it perfect for wicking away moisture. You want to make sure that it fits snug and is comfortable. Try to avoid cotton, as it actually holds moisture and can leave you freezing.
What does 10 C mean the temperature is? ›Calculation. The temperature T in degrees Fahrenheit (ºF) is equal to 10 degrees Celsius (ºC) times 9/5 plus 32: T(ºF) = 10ºC × 9/5 + 32 = 50ºF.
Is it safe to be outside in 10 degree weather? ›“It's safe to be outside if the temperature is 32°F or above,” says David A. Greuner, MD, FACS, co-founder and director of NYC Surgical. “If the temperature falls between 13°F and 31°F, you should take breaks from the cold approximately every 20 to 30 minutes.
Is it 10 degrees cooler in the shade? ›Shade doesn't actually make temperatures cooler. Rather, being in direct sunlight and solar radiation makes the air feel 10 to 15 degrees warmer than it actually is, said Jim Lushine, a retired weather service meteorologist. "So, conversely, it would feel that much cooler in the shade," he said.
What is the 10 degrees rule? ›The 10-degree rule, also called the Q10 rule, the RGT-rule (ReaktionsGeschwindigkeit-Temperatur-rule), or Van't Hoff's rule, states that the polymer thermal aging rate k is doubled for every temperature delta of 10°C. It is based on the Arrhenius relationship, which shows the temperature dependence of reaction rates.
Can water freeze at 10 degree Celsius? ›The temperature at which water freezes is at 0 degree Celsius, this is when water changes its' phase from liquid to solid. Q.
Does water freeze at 10 degrees? ›Note: The freezing point of water is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 degrees Celsius.
What are the 3 layers you need to maintain warmth? ›- Base layer (underwear layer): wicks sweat off your skin.
- Middle layer (insulating layer): retains body heat to protect you from the cold.
- Outer layer (shell layer): shields you from wind and rain.
If the thermals are loose, having underwear will protect him from a rash or blisters. Also, wearing underwear under your thermals is socially acceptable, normal, and safe to do. You can do it while you're out in cold weather. As we know, thermals are designed to act as a barrier between the cold air and your body.
Are thermals supposed to be tight or loose? ›A good base layer fits like a second skin, meaning it should be snug without feeling too tight. You don't cut off circulation, but you also don't want a fit so loose it moves around and bunches up. A snug fit allows you to move freely without feeling limited or stretching out the fabric too much.
At what temperature Celsius should you wear a jacket? ›
Winter jacket: Less than 25 degrees. Light to medium coat: 25 to 44 degrees. Fleece: 45 to 64 degrees. Short sleeves: 65 to 79 degrees.
Is 10 degrees Celsius warm or cold? ›| Temperature °C | What might be at this temperature | How it feels |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Cold | |
| 15 | Cool | |
| 20 | Room indoors | Warm |
| 25 | Warm room | Warm to hot |
When Is Cold Too Cold? Experts agree that it's best to stay indoors if the temperature falls below zero degrees Fahrenheit or the windchill dips below -18. If you must go outside, you should do your best to limit any skin exposure to no more than 30 minutes.
Can you get hypothermia at 10 degrees Celsius? ›Hypothermia can develop with prolonged exposure to temperatures under 10°C, or after prolonged immersion in cold water of temperatures of less than 20°C.. In colder conditions or when there is wind chill (the felt air temperature due to wind) it can occur within a shorter exposure.
At what temperature should you not wear a jacket? ›At what temperature should you wear a coat? If you own a winter jacket, you can wear it below 25 degrees. A Light to medium coat can be worn between 22 to 44 degrees. A fleece material jacket can be worn between 45 to 64 degrees.
How do you know if a coat is warm enough? ›Before selecting a down coat, check its fill power: This number, somewhere between about 500 and 900, indicates the general quality of the down. The higher the number, the better the insulation, Katz says.
What is the 10 degree Celsius rule? ›As a rule of thumb in most biological and chemical reactions, the reaction rate doubles when the temperature increases every 10 degrees Celsius. Looking at the Arrhenius equation, the denominator of the exponential function contains the gas constant, R, and the temperature, T.
Can it snow at 10 degrees Celsius? ›Snow can occur even at incredibly low temperatures, as long as there is some source of moisture and some way to lift or cool the air. It is true, however, that most heavy snowfalls occur when there is relatively warm air near the ground—typically -9°C (15°F) or warmer—since warmer air can hold more water vapor.
Is it OK to do laundry in freezing weather? ›Cold water temperatures need to be at least 60 degrees to properly dissolve most laundry powders and detergents. Anything below 60 degrees F will cause your laundry cleaners to not fully dissolve, resulting in less than great cleaning.
Can you get sick from being cold for too long? ›“Can you get sick from being cold? Yes, but not in terms of a cold or the flu. This comes from frostbite and/or even hypothermia. If you get frostbite or hypothermia, this can weaken the immune system, which leaves you more at-risk for getting illnesses, such as the common cold and/or the flu.”
Do thin people feel the cold more? ›
Thin people's subcutaneous layer lacks adipose tissue, but fat people's subcutaneous layer contains adipose tissue, which functions as an insulator and keeps the body warm. As a result, thin people feel colder than fat people.
What vitamin deficiency causes you to feel cold? ›Lack of vitamin B12 and iron deficiency can cause anemia and lead you to feel cold.
How cold does it have to be to get frostbite in Celsius? ›Frostbite is damage to skin and tissue caused by exposure to freezing temperatures – typically any temperature below -0.55C (31F). Frostbite can affect any part of your body, but the extremities, such as the hands, feet, ears, nose and lips, are most likely to be affected.