Hi y’all! It has come to my attention that a lot of people don’t like winter because they don’t like being cold.

This is great news, because for most people, staying warm(er) is a skill that can be learned.

It’s especially great news in a pandemic, because going outdoors—even in winter—is something that most of us can do safely and comfortably.

If you’ve ever thought that winter isn’t for you, have no fear! I’m going to teach you how to be less cold.

(This will be a long thread, and I’ll start with the basics, so apologies in advance—please mute if you know this stuff or are not, in fact, cold.)

First up: Clothing. A lot of staying-warm advice focuses on layering. Layers, layers, layers.

Layers are great! But there’s nothing magical about layers of clothes. If you wear three layers of leggings, you still won’t be as warm as if you’re wearing down pants. That’s because the goal of layering—the real thing that keeps you warm—is AIR.

Yup, air. The key to cold-weather dressing is to create a personal layer of air that you carry around with you. Those expensive, high-tech fleeces and jackets you see for sale? They're fancy ways to hold air.

This is why I get annoyed sometimes when I see coats, etc, advertised as “sleek"...

If your goal is to stay warm, sleekness defeats the purpose. Plus the subtext is “this coat won’t make you look fat” as if looking fat is worse than feeling cold??? worse than literally limiting your activities for a whole season rather than enjoy yourself outside???

There are so many things wrong with those assumptions, but I’ll just say this: If you’ve noticed yourself gravitating toward sleek outerwear, or avoiding puffy winter clothes for that reason, I know it feels scary, but I’d encourage you to try to let go of that mindset.

So we know that the point of warm clothing is to be thick while still being comfy. This is why down works so well: it’s full of air, and it’s very light. (Primaloft is great too.) But if your jacket stops at your waist, it’s still limited. When in doubt, go long.

Warm air rises, so the longer your coat, the bigger the cozy-air-bubble you’ll be carrying around with you (even if it’s loose at the bottom, the warm air won’t “fall out”). At the very least, look for something that goes past your hips, so warm air can surround your torso.

Y’all have heard me say this a lot, but I’ll keep repeating it: Down/insulated skirts are a GAME CHANGER. I like the kind that you can zip on/off to slip on over the rest of your outfit. I even wear them while mushing! https://twitter.com/IditarodJeff/status/1111773120325513222?s=20

It doesn’t make a huge difference you wear a few layers that are really thick or multiple layers that are thinner. Just make sure the outside is windproof (when in doubt, try blowing through it) so the wind can’t blow your cozy little air bubble away.

You should also have a way to cool off quickly, either by removing a layer or unzipping. If you get sweaty, the moisture will chill you layer, so don't let yourself get TOO warm. (Antiperspirant doesn’t hurt, either. Some folks put it on their feet to keep their feet warmer.)

Ok, what about shoes? Shoes are tricky, because they’re in contact with the ground, and you lose heat much more quickly through contact with solids/liquids than through contact with air. (See also: contact frostbite. See also: why 50 degree water feels colder than 50 degree air).

Your shoes have two goals: adding bulk around your feet, and insulating them from the cold ground. If you’re buying new winter boots, size up so they fit with extra insoles (without pinching your feet, which makes them--you guessed it—colder). I like to add a 13mm wool insole.

Then—and this is key—take out the insoles after every time you wear the boots so they can dry fully. (Or buy a boot dryer!) If your boots are damp, even a tiny bit, even if you can’t even feel the dampness, they’re gonna suck the warmth right out of your toes.

That’s also true with base layers, which are your innermost layers of clothing, the ones that touch your skin. Your skin is moist, and cotton can chill you when it’s damp. If you wear a base layer made of polyester, merino, or silk, you’ll feel warmer throughout the day.

HATS. It’s a myth that you lose 40% of your heat through your head. You just lose heat from anywhere that isn’t covered, which may or may not be your head. Neck gaiters and wrist warmers can help with this, too.

You can also get some disposable hand/toe warmers. Even if you don’t use them much, keep a pack in your pocket just in case. I sew a little pocket in my hats so I can tuck a hand warmer against the back of my neck, which feels super cozy.

If you’re very cold, hear me out: put a hand-warmer in your crotch (but not against your skin, which can burn you and cause a whole other problem). It’ll warm your femoral artery, which, in turn, helps to warm your whole body.

I think that covers it for clothing. But here are some non-clothing tips for when you’re outside and you’re already cold.

Movement will warm you up, but not all movement is equal. I’ve found that the sweet spot for me is anything that raises my heart rate but doesn’t make me out of breath. Try walking, jogging, or doing knee bends.

Go to the bathroom frequently. A full bladder will make you a lot colder. But don’t avoid drinking so you don’t have to pee—ya gotta stay hydrated, too.

Meals make you colder, because blood goes from your extremities to your digestive system. But snacks make you warmer! I like to keep chocolates in my pocket.

When you get back inside, you may be tempted to keep your layers on as you warm up again. After all, they make you warmer, right? Nope!

Your coat and your boots hold cold, just like they hold warmth. Strip down to your base layer and bare feet and you’ll warm up more quickly.

Fat holds temperatures, so you have more body fat, it may take you longer to get cold—but it can also take you longer to get warm again. A hot shower or bath will usually cut straight through any chill.

And in general, when you're inside, embrace coziness! Hot drinks, a fire in the fireplace (or candles), blankets, knitting--it's all part of winter, and there's something really special about coming in from the cold and drinking hot chocolate by the fire as your ears warm up.

Finally: Everyone's different. There's no right or wrong way to enjoy winter. It's all about finding what's right for you.