Note: This information is intended as general advice only and may not account for your unique circumstances.
Staying warm in winter isn’t just about running heaters, it’s also about dressing for the colder temperatures both at home and when out and about. While clothing doesn’t totally negate any heating or insulation requirements in the home, it may reduce the degree to which you need to run heating, helping to bring electricity costs down for anyone who uses powered heaters.
In this guide you’ll learn things like:
- What to look for in a winter jacket
- Why keeping our feet dry and warm is essential
- What materials are the best for staying warm
Thermal layers
Any appropriate outfit for a cold New Zealand day starts with the trusty thermal under layer, better known as a ‘thermal’ or ‘polypro(p)’. These tops are made with a combination of wool, polyester and synthetic materials like polypropylene that allow for stretch and shape along with excellent thermal retention. A thermal is excellent to have in the arsenal because it’s a very thin layer compared with a shirt or jacket. This means that we can wear a thermal underneath any other piece of clothing and be kept very warm. If you’re in a job that requires a suit for example, you can buy thermals with a neckline that sits under the opening of a work shirt. Thermals keep you warm without looking like you’re on an expedition to Antarctica.
Thermal layers come in tops and bottoms, and we’d suggest at least one set of each in your drawer. Modern thermals are fairly breathable too, meaning they reduce how much you sweat. There’s no reason why you can’t wear a set of thermals all day and into the evening.
Where you’ll actually see thermals out in the wild however is on walking tracks and across the various hill tops of New Zealand. These items of clothing were originally designed for outdoor activities like tramping, day walks, camping and skiing, before finding their way into the weekday wardrobe of many Kiwis.
What to look for in a thermal:
- Make sure you get a size that fits - for the top half this is critical to ensure your body is adequately covered. Thermals run fairly tight by design to ensure you are kept warm from the elements. Don’t be afraid to go to an outdoor clothing store and try one on - you may find you need to size up from your typical t-shirt size for example. If you’re shopping online, buy from somewhere that allows returns if you’re not sure what your size is.
- Stretch - most modern thermals should provide a good amount of flexibility in the fabric which enables you to move around freely (important when climbing a rocky slope or jogging through native bush!) without worries of tearing or restriction.
- Good quality materials - not all thermals are made equally when it comes to the fibres used. While going with a reputable brand like Macpac or Kathmandu should see you right regardless of the range, be wary of no-brand options that feel loose or don't have a snug fit. Look for high quality polypropylene and merino wool. Provided you do some checking of reviews online, you shouldn’t go too wrong!
- Shape - thermals are typically split into women’s, men’s and youth sizes. But each range and brand will have slightly different designs so consider your body type (e.g. do you have a long torso and arms?) and do some online research around which suits you best. When a thermal doesn’t cover your entire top half, you can be left with a cold draft - brr!
- Multiple deals - thermals like any underwear need washing regularly. You might want to purchase 2-3 pairs of thermals to get you through the week with a wash or two. Look for sales where you can get discounts on multiple pairs - these come around reasonably often.
Winter socks
Our hands and feet can lose heat a lot faster given they contain many blood vessels with no large muscles. By keeping our ‘extremities’ warm, we open up the flow of blood around our body, making us more comfortable in general. The typical dress sock, sports sock and leggings may be okay throughout the year, but there are winter days when going to work or school can feel like a trek up Mt Ruapehu. Add stepping into a puddle or getting caught in heavy rain, and we can quickly end up with cold, damp feet - it's no surprise that we experience so many sick days as a country!
To keep warm on those particularly chilly days, opt for a pair of thick winter socks. These can be found in most large department stores or your nearest camping and outdoor shop. These socks will be made of materials that keep heat in while maintaining shape during walking - look for wool, nylon and stretchy material like elastane. If you go for a ‘proper’ pair of winter hiking socks, you’ll get the thermal benefits along with design that makes walking long distances more comfortable (such as drip on the sole to reduce slipping within a boot or shoe). These products also have reinforced heels and toes to put more support between your skin and footwear which can really reduce chafing issues.
If you’re just relaxing at home, a thick pair of winter socks on a cold day might help regulate your body temperature, helping you make smarter decisions around heating the room.
Shoes
Along with your winter socks, think about the footwear needed to withstand the wild NZ winter weather. As we’ve mentioned, keeping your feet warm is a really good idea, so we’d suggest making sure your shoe collection contains a few pairs of shoes with a high quality waterproof upper, and a thick sole. We’re not ones to give out style tips but look for an option that’s both to your liking and practical in wet weather. Fabric sneakers are likely to get wet and dirty easily, whereas leather waterproof boots will keep you dry. If you’re looking for the ultimate in waterproof footwear that doesn't need to come to work with you - consider a pair of hiking boots- these will be ready for whatever bad weather comes their way, offering grip on walking tracks and if treated right, will last you decades.
Jackets
There’s a massive range of jackets available that could be practical in winter. But if we’re specifically thinking about warmth, staying dry and comfort, it’s hard to go past the trusty puffer jacket. Made with a thermal internal ‘fill’ material like duck down, with an outside layer of nylon, elastine and other synthetic materials, the puffer jacket offers a thick layer against the elements without being restrictive to your body movement. The typical puffer jacket also packs down into a small package a bit like a sleeping bag, making them practical to take off and carry on those days where we have hail, rain, sun and wind in a sixhour period.
There’s a number of things to look for with a puffer jacket:
- Check what sort of ‘fill’ it contains. Real feathers or ‘down’ provides good insulation, comfort and warmth. If you’re on a tighter budget, you should still find some reasonable synthetic materials that work sufficiently. If you feel the cold quite a bit or want to bring your jacket on tramping or ski trips, get the best possible fill you can afford.
- Stitching quality - if a jacket doesn’t have good stitching, gaps can open up and down can escape - not ideal unless you’re doing your best duck impression. Look for a jacket with reinforced stitching and do your online research on jackets long-term durability.
- Pockets - choose a puffer that has enough pockets on the outer and inside to store away keys, wallet, phone, headphones and any other items you might need each day. Puffer jacket pockets have the added advantage of being incredibly warm to keep the feeling in your hands!
- Water resistance - this is an area where many low-quality puffer jackets fall short. When a puffer jacket gets wet, it can become really heavy and damp on the body as the water reaches the fill material. Look for a ‘water resistant’ down jacket that’s designed to bead off water as opposed to absorb it.
If you’re not the puffer jacket type, choosing a highly waterproof parka or trench coat can offer much better cover from rain, and will keep you warm when paired with warmer under layers.
Polar Fleece
Polar fleece is a great option for winter-time, both at home and outdoors. The polar fleece is an outer layer that falls into the casual or business casual attire category. It’s a popular garment for the keen day-walker, being easy to wear with walking gear and offering a good level of water-resistance for those times where you’re caught in a downpour. While not a replacement for a good jacket or thermal layer, having one of these in the wardrobe can come in handy throughout the colder months.
What materials are the best for staying warm?
There’s a number of materials that offer excellent thermal qualities:
- Merino wool
- Polypropylene
- Leather
- Rubber
- Elastane