People assume because I spend a lot of time in extreme cold, that I must love being cold. They couldn’t be more wrong. I hate being cold. It’s unpleasant and downright painful. What I love, on the other hand, is being warm in cold places.

I’m routinely out in conditions where the temperature plummets to 30 or 40 degrees below zero. And when I am, I adhere to a very strict set of rules for keeping warm in winter. Check out my tips to stay warm below and put them to use for yourself in the frigid temps we’re sure to see in the coming months.

DON’T GET TOO HOT

Surprisingly, I’m actually more concerned about getting too warm versus too cold. Sweating in cold environments is a deal breaker. Moisture in the form of sweat replaces the warm air layer between you and your clothes.

Eventually this will make you cold. My number one priority for

keeping warm during any winter adventure is to make sure I don’t sweat. I’m constantly zipping and unzipping jackets, taking off my hat and gloves, removing layers, etc to make sure I don’t overheat. 

EAT, MOVE, ADD LAYERS

There are three main ways to stay warm in winter, or to warm up again if you start to get cold. Food not only gives your body energy to move but it also creates heat. Just like putting a log on a fire, the calories in food keep you warm. 

If you are in a position where you suddenly feel cold, immediately moving your body generates heat. Do jumping jacks, run in place, hop on one leg, it doesn’t matter. If you increase your activity level for even a few minutes you’ll experience immediate heat gain. 

I’ve often said there’s no such thing as cold weather, just not enough layers. If you’re cold, throw another layer – or that big down jacket. The more layers you have, the more heat will be trapped next to your body. 

DRESS IN LAYERS

I touched on this tip to stay warm above, but rather than wearing one big bulky layer, I generally travel in a three layer clothing system.

The first layer is a wicking layer. This layer is lightweight and breathable and you want it to contain some kind moisture-wicking fabric to keep sweat away from your skin.

The next layer is the insulation layer. This layer traps warm air next to your body and insulates you from the cold. Depending on the activity and weather, this layer could simply be another wicking base layer, a warm fleece or for very extreme conditions, down.

The last layer is your shell, which serves as wind protection. This keeps traps warm air inside your insulation layer and minimizes heat loss through convection. 

GET DOWN WITH DOWN 

It doesn’t matter if it’s a two-month polar expedition or an afternoon snowshoe, I always bring a big down jacket along in my pack. When I stop for a snack or to take pictures, I immediately throw it on. Quickly adding substantial insulation prevents my body core temperature from dropping too rapidly during a break. Bottom line – if you’re interested in keeping warm in the winter, get yourself some down outerwear. You won’t get as cold and you’ll warm up much more quickly. 

BALACLAVA, HAT, NECK GAITER

While it’s not the old school figure of 80%, you still lose a lot of heat through your head. So if you’re wondering how to stay warm in winter, put on a hat, pull up your hood and zip up your jacket. Add a scarf or neck gaiter to keep warm from your neck to your nose. Don’t forget gloves and waterproof, insulated hiking boots to keep your extremities warm outside in the winter.

STAY HYDRATED

It is easy to overlook basic hydration in colder temperatures. After all, just getting out your water bottle and taking a sip can be a major effort. But it’s important to remember that blood transfers heat throughout your body, and when you’re dehydrated, your blood moves much more slowly, limiting its ability to circulate andkeep you warm in the winter. 

BE POSITIVE

I’m not going to lie, even someone like me get’s cold every once in a while. In the moment, it can be scary but if you’re smart, careful and follow my simple rules, you’ll know how to stay warm in winter and warm back up if you do get cold.