A Guide to Help You Pick Warmer Clothes for Winter in Antarctica

Guys, peak winters aren’t an easy season to go through. You will need suitable warmer clothes for winter. If you don’t adhere to this, it will affect your health, comfort and safety.

Antarctica is one such place that’s pretty cold. So if you’re planning to travel there, prepare well.

I’ve compiled a list that could help you pick your winter essentials for cold weather. So without much delay, let’s get started.

Basics Tips to Pick Warmer Clothes for Winter

When you’re out to shop for cold-weather clothing, take care of a few aspects. It goes a long way in picking the suitable cold weather clothing.

Sudden temperature drops can be very tough to deal with. So here are some tips that could help you pick your winter wear:

Number of Layers Needed in Cold Weather

Experts suggest that 3-4 layers would be ideal for extreme cold weather clothing. But it depends on the temperature. And yes, you should be aware of the number of layers.

It all begins with a base layer like long johns or undershirts. Next, add a middle layer. It includes hoodies and sweaters. Finally, wear an outer layer. For this layer, pick a waterproof jacket or coat to shield against the elements.

Layer According to Activity

Your warmer clothes for winter also depend on the activities you do. Thermal clothing can be a little too insulating. You should consider lightweight thermals if you’re out for a short while.

Allow Ventilation

Yes, you need warmth and insulation for your winter wear. But you also need good ventilation for your winter wear. When you pick your layers, they should give you enough breathing space.

Humans sweat, and that could lead to discomfort in winter.

Try It in Person

Whenever you’re out to shop for clothes, trials are crucial. Your warmer clothes in winter especially need to be tried once before buying. You should get an idea of the warmth, fit and comfort.

If you buy, at first sight, you might not have the material, fit, or feel later.

How to Dress in Warmer Clothes for Winter in Antarctica

One of the essential items you need is a winter jacket. Ensure that you have a jacket that will keep you warm in trying temperatures.

Antarctica can get freezing cold and is a pretty windy location. Look for one that protects you against the wind but is also breathable. Along with this, it should also be water-resistant.

You should also check out additional features in your winter outerwear. It all depends on how cold and windy it is.

Invest in Waterproof Boots

Boots will play a big role in your trip to Antarctica. A good pair of waterproof boots are great for exploring the region.

Make sure your boots are comfortable so you can wear them for extended periods as you sightsee. They should withstand the elements and the variety of terrain that you will be experiencing.

Multiple Layers

Dressing in multiple layers will help you stay warm on windy and chilly days in Antarctica. But wear your layers in a way that allows you to add or remove them.

When it starts getting warmer, you shouldn’t hang around with all your layers. It will cause profuse sweating and discomfort.

Fleece hoodies and thermal underwear are great options for your Antarctica clothing. You will also need T-shirts, sweaters, and shorts according to the place you’re in. For a four to five-day trip, here’s what you could carry:

• Three to four T-shirts.
• One to two thermal underwear tops and bottoms.
• Two fleece jackets.
• Two to three light sweaters that you can layer.
• Two Pairs of Shorts

Waterproof Pants

You need the right bottoms for your trip to Antarctica. And this, too, should be waterproof. When traversing in zodiacs and exploring near water, your waterproof pants will keep you dry.

Look out for a lightweight pair that has zippers on the sides too. The pants should be easy to put on and take off.

Winter Hats

Accessories are also essential when you pack warmer clothes for winter for Antarctica. A hat will act as a layer of protection for your head. It will go a long way in providing warm.

For example, a beanie can keep your head warm throughout your winter adventures. It fits well with your Antarctica clothing too. If it’s flexible enough, you can stretch it up to your ears as well.

You should also consider buying a hat that has ear flaps. It will protect your ears as well. You can flip them up when you don’t need them. It’s an excellent feature to protect your ears from the wind.

Gloves that will keep your hands warm

Like your head, the palms also need that extra layer of warmth. A good pair of water-resistant and warm gloves would work wonders.

Ski gloves are a good choice as well. You can also look for gloves with touchscreen ability. These gloves will allow you to use your gadgets with ease in the chilly weather.

The best gloves will allow you to handle your binoculars with a good grip. Some people might prefer mittens on their list for Antarctica clothing.

They keep your hands warmer than gloves. Also, they look slightly different from conventional gloves designwise. But you’ll have to compromise with dexterity if you want to use mittens. It means you won’t be able to grip things like you can with gloves.

Socks

Like the boots, socks are another crucial part of your Antarctica clothing list. Woollen socks give you that added layer of warmth you need.

Try a merino wool that’s breathable and not itchy. This type of wool wicks moisture away from your feet. You should also double up on your socks may also be necessary.

Scarves or Neck Gaiters

You also need to remember to cover your neck with appropriate gear. For this, you could do with a few scarves and neck gaiters.

The winds in Antarctica are pretty strong. Hence, you’ll need protection for your neck. You must do your best to keep the chill out.

You can always rely on a warm and comfy scarf in winter. But a neck gaiter would be a better option in windy locations.

It won’t blow away easily in the wind. You can easily pull it over your face too.

Your Antarctica Clothing On a Cruise

You could take the opportunity to travel on a ship when you’re in Antarctica. But here again, you’ll have to dress according to the weather. So you’ll need your warmer clothes in winter apart from the cameras and mobiles.

Here’s a list of the Antarctica clothing you should consider:

Base layer

If you want to pack light, you only need one merino wool layer here. It dries quickly and repels any possible odour. You can repeat the same pair of thermals for more days. But otherwise, it would be nice to pack two long johns and long sleeve t-shirts.

Mid Layers

When you’re on the cruise, there’s a lot you can do. A mid-layer helps to keep you cozy and warm.

When you’re sitting on zodiacs, you will feel cold. Mid-layers will do wonders to beat the chill.

When you’re packing, pack two different weights of mid-layers as tops. A heavy fleece sweater will work when you’re sitting on the zodiac. Pack a lighter-weight woollen sweater for hiking or kayaking. You should wear this over your base layers.

Wool is excellent as moisture-wicking fabric, and it’s highly recommended.

Next, you’ll also need one mid-layer item for your bottoms. Again, wearing fleece pants over your woollen long johns worked perfectly when sitting in the zodiac and on cold kayaking days.

Outer Layers

For this layer, you could go in for something like parkas. Waterproof and warm parkas are lovely as Antarctica clothing for a cruise. You don’t have to pack too many coats, either.

You could also pick a parka with a liner. But it could be possible that a liner causes the outfit to feel extra warm. That’s when you should unzip it.

Waterproof Pants

You’ll need your waterproof pants in the cruise as well. Your mid-layer also needs warm and waterproof pants. As you’ve read above, t’s the one outer item that you should ensure to pack.

You’ll usually be climbing in and out of zodiacs when you go to the shore. There’ll be rogue waves all around, and it may snow a lot as well. There’s a chance that you will get wet on the cruise.

Here’s where you’ll need your warm waterproof pants.

Boots

You shouldn’t bring along any heavy winter boots with you. Use lined rubber boots on the ship. Most Antarctica Cruises lend passengers rubber boots during the expedition. Wear them for the duration of the cruise.

You can wear hiking boots when you’re on the ship’s deck. You’ll spend lots of time outside the ship as well. After all, you’ve got to explore the beauty of Antarctica.

There will be times when you go through the Lemaire Channel. That’s when you might spend the entire day out. You must have a look at the beautiful landscape in front of you.

There’ll also be times when you eat out on deck. Bring along non-slip shoes or hiking boots for safety.

Socks

Apart from the boots, you need the correct pairs of socks too. As for fabrics, wool is an ideal fabric for your socks. It provides enough warmth and comfort. So please pack a few woollen socks along with your Antarctica clothing.

Always look to pack more than one pair of socks for your trips. You could carry 1-2 pairs of line liner socks. Or else you could pack three pairs of heavy woollen thermal socks for the trip.

Three pairs of heavy wool thermal socks to wear over liner socks

Hats and Gloves

You’ll need them for your regular commutes across Antarctica. And so you’ll also need it while you’re on a cruise in Antarctica. Like I said earlier, your extremities also need warmth. So hats and gloves are a must-have.

So please look out for two warm hats of different weights.

Sometimes you won’t want that heavily lined winter hat. The reason could be the warm weather. But sometimes it could be freezing cold. So you’ll want something warmer. Pack a winter hat that covers your ears and feels snug to your head.

As for gloves, pack two pairs of waterproof gloves: The second pair can work as a backup. Along with this, you could go in for one pair of mittens. It will help on really cold days.

Conclusion

I hope you get hold of some warmer clothes for winter for your Antarctica trip. You can enjoy the cold weather if you wear the suitable clothing. If you don’t, you’ll probably freeze as soon as you land there.

I hope this guide has given you options for your trips to Antarctica.

This post was written by Kosha team member – Shawn Mathias