How to Dress in the Arctic
The Ultimate Guide to Staying Warm in Tromsø
The Northern Lights, breathtaking untouched landscapes, and the suffused twilight of the polar night are just a few of the wonders that Northern Norway has to offer.
However, it’s important to remember that this is a remote region, where weather conditions can become extreme and unforgiving. With years of experience as tour guides, I have unfortunately seen visitors arrive unprepared all too often.
Take, for example, the Northern Lights Hunt: patience is often the key to success, which involves long hours of waiting in freezing Arctic temperatures. In such conditions, inadequate clothing can not only spoil the experience but also be dangerous.
In this article, you’ll find all the information you need to enjoy your Arctic adventure safely, even during winter, when temperatures can drop below -20°C.
How to Handle the Arctic Cold
There’s a Norwegian saying: “Det finnes ikke dårlig vær, bare dårlige klær”, which means “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing”.
This sums up the best approach for dealing with the cold. A common misconception, especially among those not used to harsh winter climates, is that you need a natural tolerance for the cold. In reality, it’s all about wearing the right clothing.
The Art of Dressing Right
Dressing appropriately might seem simple, but it’s not always as straightforward as putting on the heaviest clothes you own. Clothing choice is crucial, but it’s only part of the equation. You need a well-defined strategy for selecting the right items.
Temperatures in Northern Norway can vary significantly due to numerous microclimates. Depending on where you are, you might encounter substantial temperature differences within a short distance.
For example, you may start a Northern Lights tour at -5°C, travel a few kilometers to the ideal spot, and find yourself in an area where the temperature has dropped by 15 degrees. This makes a huge difference.
Handling an environment at -5°C versus -20°C requires different attire, just as you would dress differently for an autumn day at 5°C versus a summer day at 20°C.
It might sound surprising, but it’s not uncommon to feel too warm during an outing, especially if you’ve dressed for extreme cold but end up in an area with “only” -5°C.
Basic principles
There are a few key principles to maintain body temperature in extreme conditions:
- Keep your extremities warm
- Stay dry
- Avoid sweating
1. Keeping Your Extremities Warm
The extremities (head, hands, and feet) are the hardest parts to keep warm because they require extra effort from the heart to circulate blood. Hands and feet are usually the first to get cold since the body prioritizes the head and torso where vital organs are located.
It’s essential not to focus only on jackets and pants but also give due importance to gloves, hats, scarves, footwear, and socks.
Gloves
I recommend always having two pairs of gloves: a lighter pair for daily use with touchscreen capability and a warmer, technical pair without fingers (mittens) for when it gets colder. Important: I advise against fingered technical gloves because mittens are far more effective at retaining warmth.
Scarf and Hat
A good hat is indispensable, as is a scarf to keep your neck and mouth warm. For windy days, a balaclava may also come in handy. Don’t underestimate the need to cover your nose and mouth: when temperatures drop below -15°C, breathing becomes difficult, and inhaling icy air can harm your lungs.
Footwear
Choosing the right footwear is perhaps the most crucial and personal aspect. Firstly, leave lightweight shoes or sneakers at home – you won’t need them. You’d be surprised at how often I see tourists venturing into extreme environments, sometimes with meters of snow, wearing sneakers. This not only ruins the experience but can also be dangerous.
Especially in winter, a solid pair of snow boots is essential for outings, along with a secondary pair of boots for walking in town (keep in mind that in Tromsø, snow and ice are common even in the city center during winter months).
For snow boots, consider choosing a size slightly larger than your usual, so you can wear multiple pairs of socks if needed.
Socks
Socks are another essential detail: they should be warm and breathable, and it’s highly recommended to have several pairs with you to change into during outings.
2. Staying Dry
Another frequently overlooked factor is managing body moisture. When the body is exposed to moisture, it loses heat more rapidly. Therefore, choosing breathable clothing and keeping it as dry as possible is essential.
For instance, wearing snow boots for several hours will inevitably create moisture inside. This is why extra socks are helpful – changing them every 1-2 hours keeps your boots dry and maintains insulation for the long haul.
It’s also crucial to dry your boots after returning home so they’re dry for the next outing.
3. Avoiding Sweat
This principle is a direct extension of the previous one: sweating drastically increases the rate of heat loss. It may seem counterintuitive to think about sweating in the cold, but it’s a genuine concern.
For instance, remember to remove heavy clothing when in the car or if you start feeling too warm. This way, your body will stay dry when you exit the vehicle or encounter cold winds.
The "Layering" Approach
The most common (though not the only) strategy is to always carry multiple layers of clothing, allowing you to adapt flexibly to changing conditions.
There’s no single “correct” number of layers; it all depends on the circumstances. However, we can break down layers into three main categories:
- Base Layer
- Mid Layer
- Outer Layer
There are countless types of fabrics and models available on the market, so here we’ll focus on each layer’s primary purpose.
1. Base Layer
The base layer, or the innermost layer, is arguably the most important. It’s the garment that touches your skin directly and thus serves as the first barrier against heat loss.
The base layer should be made of breathable, thermal-retentive material. It also shouldn’t be too bulky, ensuring comfort even when wearing multiple additional layers.
Thermal tops and leggings are essential items in this category.
2. Mid Layer
The mid layer is the most versatile layer, and it’s wise to have several items within this category to add or remove based on temperature changes. Sweaters, fleeces, and technical garments: the choice here depends largely on personal preferences and the layering strategy you plan to use.
3. Outer Layer
The outer layer consists primarily of a heavy winter jacket and snow pants. These should be warm and waterproof, ideally loose-fitting to accommodate multiple mid layers without restricting movement.
Choosing a quality winter jacket can be challenging, especially given the higher costs associated with durable options. However, we believe it’s a worthwhile investment, as a well-made jacket can keep you warm for many winters to come.
Additional Accessories
Besides quality clothing, certain accessories are strongly recommended (though not essential) for visiting areas with extreme Arctic temperatures.
Headlamp
In the Arctic, the Polar Night can last up to two months, during which the sun doesn’t rise above the horizon. Urban areas are sparse, so you’ll likely find yourself in completely dark places at some point.
A common solution tourists try is using their phone’s flashlight. However, this method is not only impractical but also has an added issue many overlook: in extremely cold temperatures, electronic devices, especially smartphones, often stop working. For this reason, I recommend bringing a power bank as well as a headlamp.
Please remember to be respectful of others and mindful that any light source, including a headlamp, contributes to light pollution, which can be very distracting during Northern Lights viewings.
Ice Cleats
As obvious as it sounds, encountering ice is highly likely during the Arctic winter—quite a lot of it, in fact.
Particularly in Tromsø’s town center, you may find the streets entirely covered in slick ice. It’s common to see people slip, sometimes resulting in injury.
Walking on ice is not necessarily difficult, and you’ll notice that locals typically don’t use cleats. However, if you’re not used to it and only plan to stay in Tromsø (or the Arctic region in general) for a few days, you won’t have time to adjust. For this reason, I recommend purchasing ice cleats that can attach to your shoes, which can easily be found in many (souvenir) shops in the town center.
Conclusion
During my long experience as a guide in Tromsø, I’ve often witnessed the amazement of my guests:
“How can you, as an Italian, live in such a cold climate for so long?”
The issue is that people often make the same mistake: they automatically associate how cold they feel with what the thermometer shows.
The truth is, with the right gear and a few smart tips, cold is not an enemy. That’s how I can enjoy the northern lights with you — safely and in total comfort. And I’m sure that, thanks to these tips, you too will be able to enjoy even the coldest nights and return home with truly unforgettable memories.
Authors: Andrea Dal Col, Mirko Maiutto
Last updated: 14/08/2025