For people who have been living in the tropics all their lives, the idea of visiting winter countries is something they hope to achieve. A number of these people love to be in the cold weather because they no longer need to think about going to malls to keep themselves cool. But these people have no idea what it means to live in cold climates, particularly places that have snow all year round. The residents of these places are already used to the cold weather and travelers who love to do winter-related activities like mountaineering, alpine skiing or Nordic skiing. For first time travelers wishing to visit cold-weathered countries, be wary that it may pose a threat to your health if you are not prepared for it. There are a number of people without shelter in the northern hemisphere dying from hypothermia during winter season.
Keeping yourself warm by wearing clothes appropriate for winter is beneficial for you and the amount and kind of clothes that you need to wear depends on how cold the place you are planning to visit. Below are some of the things you need to prepare against cold weather.
- For places nearing freezing point and below, it is best to cover all your body. Do not forget to wear scarves, headwear and gloves. For mountaineering projects, you will see professionals covering all their body, including their faces, leaving the eyes only with goggles so that they can still see what is in front of them. You do not need to use these if the place you are visiting is above freezing point.
- Exposing your head to winter climates may not feel cold or painful at all but it can quickly drain the heat from your body. For the arctic regions, it is best to wear warm boots should you tread on the snow.
- For materials, pure cotton cannot protect you. Microfiber, wool, goose down or natural fur will protect your body from the intense cold brought by winter.
- Wearing jeans maybe appropriate in some winter locations but it is advisable to wear a thicker one if you visit below freezing point areas such as wearing long johns underwear.
- Wearing many layers of clothing will help heat your body up compared to wearing a single coat over your body.
If you have friends who are already experienced with traveling to snowy countries, ask them for advice on what is best to wear against cold weather.